I have a 1976 Lo Prinzi rosewood dreadnought that I acquired through Phil Alexander at John Alvey Turner. He had two, one Brazilian and the other (now mine) East Indian rosewood.

Few people have heard of these guitars here in the UK, so the one I acquired had been in stock for a year or so. I tried it and immediately felt at home with it. Comparing it with a Martin HD-28 of similar vintage at twice the price to choose the Lo Prinzi was a no-brainer. The neck section is fuller than the Martin, but I have big hands - in fact I find it as comfortable to play as my main guitar, a 1968 Martin D-18. The D-18 still has an edge as far as the sound is concerned, but the Lo Prinzi is in brilliant condition considering its age and is enough of a "cannon" to hold its own in a multi-guitar bluegrass session alongside much more expensive Martins, Collings and the like.

It was very good value for a hand-built guitar of its age and since everyone seems to have a Martin these days, it's different enough to make other guitarists inquire as to its provenance (the almost inscrutable headstock decal helps!)

Alan