Big Mick

I have to admit I haven't given some of the newer stuff a chance but what I have hasn't been all that bad. Fact of the matter is, even lower end stuff like the cheapie Epiphones, Squires, and Yamahas really aren't all that bad either compared with the low end stuff of days gone by. Most everything today comes with a spruce top at least and doesn't have a painted on pickguard!

What I see lacking in some of the Seagulls, Larivees, Takamines, etc. is a lack of character and soulfullness in sound. It's probably a state of mind to a degree, but I get real heady about all that heritage when I'm playing my old D-18 or one of my '60s Gibsons.