You really almost have to play it.

I know about BAD quality cheap instruments. Back in the mid-1960s my parents bought be a US$19.95 guitar (which even in 1965 was unreasonably cheap)from the discount arm of JCPenney. The strings were about an inch off the neck. Made learning difficult, but I was determined. Saved up enough to buy my next (used) guitar which cost US$40 was a vast improvement even with a warped neck.

But sometimes it's a matter of quality control -- and it's luck of the draw as to whether you get a good one or a lemon. I bought an acoustic guitar, brand new, with case at a yard sale for US$50 about ten years ago. The kid I bought it from paid US$200 new, then discovered he'd actually have to learn to play it.

It's a Chinese made "Mark II". All wood. And has nice action and a sweet tone, well worth the $200 let alone the $50 I paid for it. It's smaller and fits my body better than Tom's Guild.

Linn