Samick D-2

I have a Samick D2 12 (Twelve string version of D2). It is a simple looking guitar, with a large, deep body and dreadnought. The guitar has nice, accurate tuners (Grover), good action, and an elegant looking bridge. Around the dreadnought is some abalone detail that adds some elegance to its appearance. The pick guard is in a tortoise-shell finish, but the tear-drop shape is a little too simple for me. I loke the shape of the head. The manufacturer says it has a spruce top and a mahogany back and sides. Made in 2007, in Indonesia. 20 frets, but body joins at #14, so the last six are all but useless. Mine has a wierd issue at fret 13, but I haven't taken it in to get it fixed since I never play that high on the guitar anyway (on the 11/12 strings, the tone goes up a whole tone instead of the half tone that it should). No controls, which is disappointing; a basic pick-up would have been a good addition.

I play mostly for church; folk, rock, and country. I haven't yet taken this guitar on stage, but I will once I get a pick-up for it.
The sound w/o pick-up is rich and full. I would rate it higher if it had come with a pick-up. I think that Samick cheaped out by not installing one.

The action is great. Nice, low, and fast. Not withstanding the wonky fret issue on the 11/12 string (fret 13), I have no complaints. The finish on the top of the guitar is great. I am not satisfied with the lack of detail on the back, but nobody sees that anyway, so it isn't a big deal.

I haven't had it long enough to really know how durable it is, but it feels solid. I beleive the hardware is quality, and that the finish is of decent quality as well. The strap buttonis plastic and cheap. I ntend to change it for a chrome one. I would gig with this guitar once I have changed the strap button and installed a pick-up.

It has a 1 year warranty from the factory, and three from the store where I bought it. We'll see how good the warranty is when I take it in to get that fret fixed.

I have been playing guitar seriously for about 4 years. I own two classical guitars (one flamenco cut-away with a pick-up) that I bought from Casa Amezqua in Paracho, Michoacan. My other guitar is a 1956 Harmony Master arch-top.

I really like the solid feel of the guitar, and its fast, low action, but do hate that it did not come with a pick-up. If Samick put pick-ups in their D2s, these would be the best guitars in their price range.

This is a "Regency" Craig Bennett (whoever he is) Signature Series dreadnought acoustic. Made in Indonesia. Spruce top, single ply binding, nato back and sides, and matching dark finish on the neck. Has an odd offset headstock that is unique to Samicks, whether electric or acoustic. No electronics. Full 22 frets, but as with most acoustics, the 14th is about it unless you're playing slide. No cutaways, bridge is just a plastic wedge. No free gig bag, bought it extra. It does have a large body and substantial soundhole, so it it pretty loud. Overall, very handsome guitar. For what I paid for it, I figured I'd just get a piece of shit for home practice, but I'd take this on stage.

Very tight, crisp, but resonant sound. Needs to be broken in so it doesn't have the richness or melodic tone yet. Plus the strings are factory. No rattling strings at all. It will take a little getting used to. My son has a year old Takamine GS and that thing clangs and rattles and he pai(ne)d a couple more hundred bucks for his. This is the way an acoustic should sound new, for this price range. Note: It's no Martin, believe me.

Came off the rack ready to play. Action is very good, thicker neck than the Takamine. Not one flaw. Pegs all tight. Holds its tune really well. Fret work is good, but looks like stainless. Still, much better than the Takamine.

Strap button is neoprene. That has to be replaced. Like I said, it is a large guitar and resonant. Other than that, I don't foresee any trouble with it.

I'm renewed to the acoustic scene. I recently purchased three electrics (Washburn BT-2 customized with Duncan's, which is a real window breaker; 60's Strat, new but I'm new to Strats being a former LP guy; and a standard Tele in pieces getting the Texas Special pickup replacement treatment), amps (Marshall, Crate), etc. Building up the equipment list! The reason why I bought this Samick was to learn to play and sing (not rap...those guys are amazing, aren't they?) again. I was a formidable guitarist and vocalist years ago, but now with the kids gone, the wife gone, my favorite hobby lost during those years, I'm getting back to reality! Happy guy here!

I can't really say I love this Samick, because I owned a Martin 12 string years ago and LOVED it. Who wouldn't love that guitar? But this Samick is better than my son's junky Takamine that he paid over $300 for. Don't ask me why the country stars strut around on TV with them. The Takamine sounds like shit, if you ask me. I don't like Samick's headstock, but I like the large body, with tight, resonant sound. Actually, because of that, I think this would make a sufficient studio guitar, if anything.
After the divorce is final, don't worry...this will be the permanent backup to the new Martin I've got my eye on.