In December i purchased a Schecter online at Musicains Freind. The only reason I did that was price. They were having 100.00 off sale on selected guitars. It was also a wim buy. I never tried one before, I loved the way it looked and all the reviews were great.. Well I was'nt disapointed..However I just bought a Ibanez AEL20 at the guitar center. I tried every guitar out in that price range even a couple other AEL20's. the sound of this particular one is fantastic.. It sounds great unpluged and great pluged in. I would have to be really lucky to duplicate it in an on line purchase. I think (my opinion) that Accostic or Electric Accoustic guitars very so much in sound between guitars that buying them at a store is a must..