I bought this guitar primarily for use in my jazz band, and I couldn't be happier with it. It looks very nice, and the abalone shines beautifully in light. The rosewood knobs are a nice touch.

With the original pickup heights and metal bridge, the guitar was a bit bright sounding, but after lowering the pickups and putting on the rosewood bridge, it sounded great.

I also use it in a few songs with my jam band, but this guitar sounds much better for jazz.

For less than a grand you get a well made, playable, great sounding axe, that is great to look at and will get many compliments. This is my second Artcore, and am sold on their value and quality. My only minor nitpick is with the rosewood control knobs having only one reference dot. Being a beginner, I frquently lose my place, but only when moving around. I am also baffled why they ship these guitars with that annoying piece of styrofoam under the floating bridge. Obviously an anti scuff measure, but it means you'll need to remove the bridge, remove the styrofoam, reinstall, and re-adjust the bridge and action before you can play it. Minor hassle if you know how to do it, could be discouraging for someone new, or not willing or able to let a pro do it. You won't feel like you wasted your cash with this guitar!

I went to the store looking for strings, when I saw this one. The looks caught me right away, and I had to try it. Feel and finishes were beautiful, and when plugging it in, the sound was just unbelievable good. Just to avoid any impulsive buy, I went home and searched on the web, founding great reviews about it. Bought it next day! Have taken it to big band, standard jazz, rock, blues, gigs. This thing can do it all. The acoustic tone is getting better day after day, the more I play it. As they say, wood has to break-in. Feedback is handled without any issues, by the super 58 pickups and because this is not a solid top (just like (say) the Gibson ES-175). Before actually taking it home, I played it against a Gretsch Electromatic, Epi Joe Pass, Epi Emperor and a Gibson ES-175, with the Fender Princeton amp. Again, in workmanship this guitar looks better done and finished, even just the polished frets make a lot of difference. In the comparison, I found the tone better than the epis, a tad darker than the ES175. I have put d'addario chromes .13-.56 on it and used the provided wooden bridge. The brass bridge is great too, but I am looking for the more traditional tone. This is a wonderful guitar, comes with a nice case, you can't go wrong with it!!!