Hey bob, thanks for posting. I read many posts yet have never felt compelled to reply. This is a subject near to my heart. I started playing many years ago on a junk fender that was made in Korea. It sounded so bad that i almost quit. Thank god a friend turned me onto the Taylor Big Baby. It cost me $400 9 or 10 years ago. They still make them along with the Baby, which is a smaller model fit perfectly for children or beginners. They have also come out with the 110 since i last bought from them. All Taylor guitars are made in the USA. The Big Baby still retails for around$400. I now own 7 guitars, yet still play my Taylor everyday. Check them out man you won't be disappointed.    rapidsavage