I got one last year. It's no trouble to play, and it doesn't keep trying to turn over, as my ancient bowl-back does. It doesn't have that plunky sound you get with more expensive ones; although with my (now officiall recognised) hearing loss, I'm not really sure what it sounds like to everybody else. I played it amplified once recently, and turned down the tone ... but then I couldnt hear it!

I find the ball-ended strings are a bit of a problem -- or do you folks use guitar strings & cut 'em down?

Steve