I agree with ren, I have a Washburn 12 string acoustic that I only paid $230 for and it plays nicely, quality is very good, and it has a big sound (though it is a drednaught (sp?).) Playing one is different, but doesn't take more than 20 minutes of playing to get used to it, kinda like playing a guitar with a wider string spacing with an extra string filling the gap. Going to a guitar shop will satisfy your curiosity/desiree to get one.