ddayusa

This moderately-priced instrument packs a lot of value into its six strings. I've always loved the looks of an SG ever since a college buddy bought a Gibson version years ago. I bought mine in 2013 and have enjoyed playing it ever since. I do have occasional problems keeping it in tune, although that could well be operator error.

I'm primarily a bassist, but I enjoy my six-strings, which I mainly play solo at home. This Taylor was a personal treat after I survived some heavy-duty surgery. I play it unplugged and through an Acoustic amp. It sounds great both ways. I'm not someone who plays lead, so I didn't want the cutaway version. Let's face it. There's always a higher grade instrument out there, just out of reach for budget reasons. Even though it's on the lower end of the Taylor price spectrum and is no longer available, my satisfaction level with this one is off-off-the-charts high. What matters to me is personal satisfaction, and I get it in spades with this guitar.

I got back into bass playing in my 40s, and I've never for a minute regretted buying my Ibanez bass. It has a good range of tones, and its impresses me even more since I upgraded my amp. It's perfect for my needs: playing solo at home, jamming with friends or playing the occasional party. This is a great instrument for a beginner or intermediate player, for a guitarist who wants a bass on the side. Mine has never let me down, not counting the time I discovered it wouldn't play because the 9-volt battery had died!

The best part of owning this amp? Asking my mates to pick it up and watching their reactions. They can't believe how light it is. I dragged a heavy head and a twin 15-inch speaker cabinet around in my younger days, and it gives me infinite pleasure today to know that my bass amp is easier to carry than my toolbox. At 40 watts, this amp puts out a strong signal. The bright, contour and vintage buttons increase the range. For my needs (jamming with friends and playing the occasional party), this amp delivers great sound at a reasonable price. And it doesn't break my back popping back into the Subaru when the gig is over.

I bought this on the spot at Guitar Center, schlepped it home, plugged it in and cranked it up. Within five minutes, my wife begged for mercy and ordered me to plug in the headphones. I got sounds out of my guitar I never knew were possible. The sound packed into this compact amp are amazing, and I really haven't fully explored all the options. I mainly use this amp to practice at home, but I know I could use it at a gig if I ever got one at a club. The clean setting is superb, and the crunch and brown settings really rock. There's even an acoustic setting, and my Taylor sounds great coming through. You can also sync it to a computer and get a variety of presets that are fun to mess with. There's a Mark II version out now. Do I wish I had waited? No. I'm very happy with what I have. With the Mk II out, these originals will be an even less expensive proposition, well worth snapping up.

I bought one of these used more than 40 years ago and sold it for $75 at a yard sale in the 80s. I have regretted that ever since. This short-range bass was terrific. I felt Jack Bruce flowing through my fingers as I played "Badge," "Sunshine of Your Love," "Tales of Brave Ulysses" and many other Cream hits. I still look for one in every shop I visit, although I know the odds are long. Not many of these were made. But someday, I'll have one again.