I have been playing electric guitar since 1979. Around 2002 I decided it was time to buy just one really great classic Dreadnought style guitar "old school" without a pickup. I had my eyes firmly and convincingly on the C.F. Martin & Co. HD-28. I had been saving and saving to purchase a "brand new" HD-28 because I live in Pennsylvania about (2) hours from the Matin Factory and I wanted to be the original first owner and get that limited lifetime warranty plus have the guitar registered at Martin in my name. I would go into music stores all the time to play HD-28's as I was getting close to saving up the $2,199.99 (the cost at that time). One day I was in a music store playing some HD-28's and dreaming about owning one real soon. On this particular day one of the salesmen asked me if I had known of and/or ever played a Guild DV-52 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar? I told him that I was familiar with Guild Acoustic's but I really wanted the Martin HD-28. Well, he handed me this beautiful Guild DV-52 Dreadnought Acoustic Guitar and went over the specs with me. I was surprised to learn that the DV-52 was basically Guild's version of the acclaimed Martin HD-28. Man, what a cannon! Even though the strings were old this DV-52 sounded amazing. I was completely blown away. I quickly played the DV-52 against the BEST sounding HD-28 and the Guild actually sounded better. Made in Westerly, RI in February 2001 this DV-52 had one owner prior to me. When I took the DV-52 to my Luthier he recognized it straight away. Turns out my Luthier knew the guitar and the original owner. My Luthier told me the original owner was unhappy with the "run out" on the treble side of the spruce top which I barely even noticed. The original owner wanted my Luthier to re-finish the top. He told me that he refused to do so as he explained it was perfect just the way it was. So, I ended up purchasing this Guild DV-52 for $800.00 with the OHSC and the factory paperwork in the case pocket. For whatever reason mine came with the Guild Deluxe Arched Top Guitar Case not the Flat Top Standard Guitar Case. What a great deal. The guitar was in "like new" condition with no dents, dings, or scratches. Every single person who has played this Guild DV-52 is blown away. It is loud, it projects like a cannon, has amazing treble, mid-range, and bass tones. It is very well balanced tone wise. I absolutely love my Guild DV-52 and I would recommend one to anybody if you can find one. A fantastic American made guitar that is undervalued. That's my story and I have stuck by my Guild DV-52 since the day I brought it home and never bothered to look any further.