Sigma CG1-ST

Korean made, not sure what year. I think these were discontinued in 2000. Rosewood fretboard, laminated mahogany back and sides. What sold me was the solid spruce top, definitely a bonus in this price range. I was looking for smaller bodied guitar with a solid spruce top, and this was the best deal I found. Heavy gloss finish. I'm not crazy about the look of the rosette around the soundhole--it's a multicolored, checkered pattern--but I can get used to it.

I was looking for a smaller bodied guitar to keep around the house. These days I usually play finger-style, so I don't need a big dreadnought. I was a little disappointed in the low end, but my other acoustic is a Martin D-1, which if you drop the bottom string down to D, has about the sweetest bass sound you've ever heard. This guitar does have a really nice sustain to it, though, particularly in the upper register. The high notes actually sound a little sweeter than the D-1. Not a distinctive sound when you strum it, but a nice little guitar for fingerpicking.

The action actually is a little bit smoother than the D-1. I don't see any flaws, finish or otherwise.

No complaints. I'm not really a performing musician, so this isn't an issue for me. I could imagine a fingerpicker playing this on stage. Tuners seem decent. Guitar feels sturdy.

I've heard good things about Sigmas but you rarely seem them in shops around here (North Carolina). I don't anticipate any problems though.

Overall I'm pleased, particularly with the sound quality and sustain on the top four strings. It's not a "knock-your-socks-off" guitar, but I definitely got my money's worth. I wanted something that could get banged around a little. Hopefully my son will play it when he gets older. I feel like I got a good deal.

no features really, just an acoustic guitar.

the sound is very nice. very clear, and not a big country sound like some of the dreadnaught acoustics. a very tight precise guitar.

action could be better, but then again for an acoustic it fits in my hands pretty nicely, so i can make up for the higher action. still not as high as some others at this price.

fit is prefect for me. i like to engule my instrument while sitting with it, and it's small enough for that. i wouldn't use this as a standup acoustic, just not right for that. you gotta sit with this one.

it's pretty reliable. rarely goes out of tune. i don't abuse it too much so durability has yet to be shown.

no need yet.

it's a great guitar, the only better one would be an actual martin, but this is all i could afford and it fits me better. if i paid $1000 for a martin, i would probably be too nervous to play it.