The warm and smooth tone of the Studio series ST40 comes from the combination of its mahogany back & sides and solid cedar top. The semi-gloss Custom Polished finish allows the wood to breathe and vibrate freely which promotes a higher level of acoustic tone, the more the guitar is played overtime. Made Oct 2002 13 yr old. Steves music sells new for $539 plus tax = $609 NO CASE Specs Back & Sides : 3-way Lamination of Mahogany Top : Cedar (Select Pressure Tested Solid Top) Fingerboard & Bridge : Rosewood Finish : Semi-Gloss Custom Polished Finish Tusq® nut & saddle by Graphtech Made In Canada However the Tusq saddle has been replaced with a new compensated handmade Bone saddle The guitar has a sound hole protector. (Shown in picture] With New DAddario exp j17 coated strings.... Set up and adjusted med low action intonation is perfect to the 12th fret harmonic. Wait till you hear this beauty ...its very mellow with a very rich deep bottom end...yet it is loud and projects well.. It has AGED well thus accounting for the excellent sound. If you don't want to spend the Big $ on a Martin or Taylor...This is the guitar for you. I was told It has forward style scalloped x bracing. ...sell for $429 with a padded gig bag till Christmas you do the math!. And your getting a better , mature sound than a new one. Plus it's a joy to play. If you buy the guitar for Christmas ill throw in an intelli clip on tuner valued at $89 PLUS A DVD on chords and progressions. And a chord manual. plus guitar strap and case humidifier plus a fold up guitar stand that fits into the Gig bag valued at $35