Have to echo the accolades for Seagull, S & P, A & L. For the money. they're making good feeling & playing guitars. I bought a used 1999 Simon & Patrick 12-string in June 05 for US$300 in a cardboard case. It'd hardly been played. Very low action w/ no buzzing, intonation fair-good, solid spruce top with laminated cherry sides and back, tuners stay put, on-board B-Band EQ. I've been playing it pretty regular at home and out. A very solid instrument.

It helped that I was in no hurry to buy. Had a rough profile of the sort of 12-string I was looking for and after a couple of months this guitar just drifted across the radar screen.

I've had problems with other low-cost guitars, e.g., $350 Cort, that just didn't seem to be all that solid and were constantly in the shop getting repaired or adjusted.

If you go to the $600-800 range, a whole range of neat options open up. I also have a no-frills 2002 Martin 000-15C with solid mahogany top, sides & back made in a union shop that has seen a lot of play. I've had the neck adjusted once and it's due for a fret redressing, but this is likewise a sturdy instrument and not so pricey that I'm afraid to take it out.

Just my 2 cents.

- Merritt