Neil Fein's Blog

Last evening after work, I stopped at a music store in Rahway that's listed on the Art & Lutherie site as being one of their dealers; I was searching for one of the Ami guitars. They didn't have one, but I did see a very nice Seagull parlor model, what they call a Grand guitar. Which is odd, as it's a smaller guitar.

Nonetheless, I played it and it felt just like the A&L Ami; but the sticker price was $300, as opposed to the $160. I went into deal mode, which I imagine the salesman recognized; after I asked if that was a firm price, he fiddled with a calculator for a bit and then said that he would either go down to $250, or he could add a hardshell case. I thought to myself, he probably pays about $50 fof the case, but I'd pay twice that retail, so it would end up being roughly the same; I brought the guitar home.

I like it, but I'm still getting used to it. It's definitely a fingerstyle-only guitar, which is what I wanted. If i still like it in a few months, maybe I'll install a pickup. (I'll need someone with tiny hands to get inside the soundbox; this is a small guitar.