Google Search: cheap samick group:rec.music.makers.guitar.acoustic: "that for mass produced instruments (production
instruments), the headstock and price point is no longer the definitive mark
of quality. I'm saying that both Samick in Asia and Taylor in the USA use
similar machinery to provide increasingly similar quality products and that
the producers of more expensive guitars are going to have to do something to
distinguish themselves more effectively. I do hope this will eventually
translate into more customizable options (different hardware options),
better tonewoods, etc, when it comes to the higher priced
instruments...maybe they will start competing with some of the handmade
boutique guitars that truly define 'high end' but so far, the cheapies are
catching up....used to be you could tell a cheap instrument by the
bracing...Martin made half of its reputation on the X-Bracing...now everyone
does it.."