I play a Canadian built (that is important to me) Larrivee D-05. It is a wonderful guitar. It has mahogany sides and back and I would second what PoppaGator said (I think it was PG?)with regard to the sound. This guitar really belongs in the hands of a better picker, as it is definitely a picker's guitar. The individual clarity of the strings is mighty. That happens to work pretty well in double strummed reels and the like, and in a band with a banjo, mando, and fiddle, it projects well enough to create a strong rhythm line.

But I agree that there is no need to spend large sums for a great guitar. My favorite guitar ever, as I have said on a number of occasions, was a cedar topped Seagull S6 that I paid $220 bucks for. I have never played a guitar since that had the action, and the sweet sound that guitar had. I miss it, and curse the baggage handlers that destroyed it.

All the best,

Mick