Love this article, I am a beginner, my son had a Alvarez acoustic I bought for him on his 14th birthday, he is now 22 he plays his electric Les Paul Epiphone or Jackson most times, so I decided I had always wanted to learn, that Alvarez was just sitting in the case, it is awesome, he says it sounds great still. I think back then I paid less than 250 dollars, so, for me, I do not mind it, I really did not have to spend any extra money! But, for my birthday in February, I am looking to pick up an electric acoustic, have been to a couple shops, playing to make up my mind. Something to look forward to!