There follows, copy-and-paste of a post of mine to the Flatpick list from mid-August.

Peter.

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You see before you a poor sinner hopelessly embroiled in blatant hypocrisy.

It was I, some months back, who coined the term, "TGTDNSIN" for those guitars built in that modern sodom, Southern California, to be sold to Sensitive Singer-Songwriters and punk rockers who wanted to try getting on the "unplugged" bandwagon, by a company that ordered that its name never be mentioned on the net. I have preached the gospel, that only guitars from Nazareth, or near-exact copies of them, were worth being owned by anyone who Believed.

(...deep breath...gathering courage to Confess...)

Today I bought a Taylor.

It's lovely. It's a 414 - the next-to-bottom-of-the-line Grand Auditorium model (these are just about exactly dreadnought dimensions, but with more of a waist). Spruce top, Ovangkol back & sides, Ebony fingerboard and bridge. These models also have the 1 3/4" (at the nut) wide neck, which I've come to prefer strongly -almost to require.

I didn't _need_ it, of course. I have guitars. But I've been doing enough gigs this summer that I had the money for the price the store had it at, and I was afraid I'd blow the money on utility bills or car repairs or something mundane, and gig money shouldn't be wasted like that if you have a day job. Besides, it's a perfect size for gigs - essentially the size of a dreadnought (and sounds like one) but less clumsy to hold. And it's cheap enough that I can take it anywhere, even in a gigbag if I choose, and not be in terror of something happening to it. And that trouble maker Morse, my partner, was the man behind the counter. And I knew he lusted after it himself, and could get it cheaper even than I did, unless I made a move.

So I succumbed. I anticipate your contempt, and I richly deserve it. I shall try to return to the Fold next time around.

In the meantime, i still have a very nice D1-R to sell, with hard case, if anyone knows someone who wants to upgrade from a Pacific Rim learner, or whatever...let me know...

Peter.