Ashton CG-44

This is a classical guitar with no features, really - no pick-up, no strap-buttons, laminated gloss-finish top. I've had it for about 2 years and it's been great. It's obviously not the best guitar on the market, but at the price it's quality. Wide neck, and as far as I can tell (this is my first guitar), the strings are raised just a bit too high off the fret board for real comfort in playing - but maybe all classical guitars are like that. The finish dents easily, and strings are prone to occaisionally slipping from their places slightly and buzzing, but nothing a little fiddling can't fix. I'm getting a new one now that I'm getting a little more serious about playing, but all round, I think it's a great beginners guitar.

This doesn't play well high up the fret-board (except with a capo). It has good bass - quite a full, warm, acoustic sound. There's not a huge amount of variety available in the sound. It's quite good for finger picking.

The finish on the fret board was slightly dodgy, but apart from that, everyhting fits together well, and it looks pretty good. it's all laminated, looks a bit cheap and shiny, but it's holding with no signs of falling apart. And I don't even KNOW what a saddle is. Fair for the price.

I wouldn't recommend it for playing gigs (like I said, no pick-up), but it's lasted well the past 2 years just for playing at home and camp etc. It's reliable - no major scratches, and it shows no signs of dying anytime soon.

The guys at Muso's are extremely helpful.

When I buy a new guitar, I'll be buying a different one, with a few more features :), but that's because I'm getting more serious about playing. For a beginners guitar, for playing at home and having a bit of fun, I think it's great. Fairly solid, good sound, lasts AT LEAST two years (much longer, I'm sure), and for a new guitar at this price, I reckon it's hard to beat.