After playing for 10 years and knowing that playing guitar is something I would always do, I started looking for a guitar that I could keep pretty much forever. I purchased this D-28 from Sam Ash in September of 2008 and don't regret it one bit. It is literally the kind of guitar that makes you sound like a better player. I eventually bought a Martin Thinline Gold pickup and had it professionally installed. I must say I'm disappointed with the tone, which I found thin and lacking punch, so I rarely use it and prefer to mike the guitar instead. It works well as a separate track to compliment the mic'ed tone when recording though. It's not quite as bright as a Taylor, but more than makes up for it with a lush, thick tone that really fills out a song.