"BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK- EVER, YOU CAN'T BEAT IT!"

Feature:
No whammy, amp is quiet but other than that its amazing!

Quality:
The guitar is a beauty (in vintage sunburst) it has a nice glossy finish that doesn't wear, and everything is made good.

Value:
Best bang for the buck, the guitar will grow with you, as you get better it will handle it. Amp is 'ok' but for $220 what do you expect? Can't really judge the picks because, there picks. And the Gig bag is good.

Desirability:
Very hot guitar, i look at it and i am like woah! its a pretty guitar. the amp is just an amp so...

Sound:
The sound of the product ranges, it can be calm and clear to almost a metal-type music sound. The sound is awesome. I play punk music and it goes perfect to it. I guess there is better but this is one of the best! It sounds good, but you might purchase a new amp because its a bit quiet ,good for playing alone. Get a new amp for better sound.

Ease of Use:
Easy as can be? Just play guitar.

Support:
Haven't had to deal with them yet but i've read of where people have had to deal with support and apparently its good.

Overall:
I will be with it for a while, good guitar.

"My 1st electric guitar"

Feature:
yeah it includes couple picks, a pathetic 10W amp, a strap, a bag, a pitchpipe, and a electric tuner that they forgot to include in my package! (they shipped it to me after I called them) I think other then the amp, everythings great. thats the exact reason i decided to buy a value package. cause buying everything seperately its just too much $$$.

Quality:
This is one thing that I am most disatisfied. When I got my guitar, one of the string is not in its proper place, because the cut for each string on the nut isn't deep enough. Seem like the factory quality control still has room to improve. Other then that everything its fine.

Value:
You can't beat it. YOU JUST CANNOT BEAT IT. $200(when I bought it), and you got everything nedded. Com'n!! can you find anything like that?

Desirability:
One of the top reason I bought this instead of the Squire (the top choice for begginer guitarists). You can see that guitar almost everywhere, so... I like to be different! And the color just looks sick (the sun burst)!! I LOVE IT.

Sound:
the guitar itself sounds just great. but the amp that comes with it really is no good. put it in a bad way, all the amp really does is put ur the guitar slightly louder. u can hear the amp stressing when you turn the drive up. and the boost button is just a button that puts the amp to full stress. luckly I got a Behringer 15W amp from my friend, so i dont use that tiny amp anymore. Well, it is only 10W afterall. Its still good if ur practicing to urself in ur room.

Ease of Use:
didnt read the manual but its pretty simple. should be able to figure out most of the stuff on ur own.

Support:
So, disappointed and frustrated, I called SDM and asked about the problem regarding the nut. The only option that they provide is to ship it back to them. I tried to have it fixed at the nearest guitar store here, but apparently SDM is not sponsored by this store so the warranty is invalid. I did not want to deal with shipping what so ever, so I ended up fixing it myself. The problem was not hard to fix afterall.

Overall:
I had a chance to play my friends Squire Strat after I purchased my Ephiphone, I found that Squire does have a better performance. And most importantly, the amp that comes with the Squire is 10,000 times better than my poor 10W Epiphone amp. BUT! my guitar looks sicker than my friends, thats all that matters!

"OK guitar, Good value."

Feature:
It comes with alot of helpful things to get you started, there just low quality.

Quality:
It is not made too sturdy. My knobs arecoming lose and the tone knob fell off. i thing it will break in about 5 years. when i hit it against something softly(accidentally) it just doesn't feel solid.

Value:
Yes you get what you pay for, which is not that much. You get quantity, not quality.

Desirability:
OK, sex appeal?. WHAT?

Sound:
It is about average. I have not changed it around too much but you should think about getting new strings. I raised the humbuckers and now there a little bit hotter. that has helped with the sound.

Ease of Use:
I don't have alot of experience with other instruments, but this seems pretty good to me. Play with the amp to make it sound like you like. Maybea humbucker adjustment or 2.

Support:
I have never messed with them. i have a good friend that fixed the knob problem.

Overall:
I am now saving up for a new guitar. (used Gibson LP)after only 6 months. i would recommened it if you wanted to try guitar. If you will stick with it. Cough up the cash and get a better guitars

"Common Sense"

Feature:
It gives a beginner all the tools needed to get started, but you will need to upgrade once you figure out what you are doing.

Quality:
It looks good, and most of the hardware is quite substantial, but it cannot hold a candle to the craftsman ship of an american made Gibson. This guitar is made in Indonesia.

Value:
Considering the price and convenience of a package deal, you cant expect alot for $200. Its a fair deal, aslong as it arrives as it is promised.

Desirability:
Its sexy, but the knobs are in the wrong place, major flaw that could easily be corrected.

Sound:
This guitar is a far cry from the true Gibson, but hey you get what you pay for. You will need to go to the local shop to get the buzz worked out, and possibly upgrade a few parts from the jump.

Ease of Use:
Its as simple as can be, and anyone that takes the time can figure out the basics of an electric guitar.

Support:
It turns out this site is operated by Sam Goody so I am sure the corporate service will be as frustrating as ever. I called in when I found that my brand new guitar package had a broken D string and was shorted my electronic tuner. The did provide the air operated tuner, but that wasnt the deal.

Overall:
I am going to play with this as my interest in guitar playing develops, and if my budget allows and I am going to purchase a real Les Paul Gibson.

"Best way to start to play!"

Feature:
The guitar itself was great. The amp is good for practice and starting out, but you'll want to upgrade later. The same cannot be said for the cable or the strings, buy a better cable and strings with the guitar. For just $10-15 you can get a cable and strings, this is well worth it.

Quality:
Made very well. No real problems thus far. Finish is great, no blemishes. As I said before, the jack nut comes loose, but that's such an easy fix that it's hardly worth worrying about. Just generally feels well made.

Value:
Value is through the roof with this one. I would have been willing to pay more, but luckily I didn't. For $200, you can't beat this package. I tried several other guitars, and nothing even really came close.

Desirability:
Beautiful. Love the sunburst finish. I had heard complaints that it is just orange colored and ugly. That's just not true. The grain of the wood comes out nicely, and just really looks attractive.

Sound:
I have just started playing, and play mostly indie/ska. The Special II sounds great for the price, and the amp really isn't half bad either. Sure it's not the best, but for $200, you just can't beat it.

Ease of Use:
The strings are low to the frets, tuning knobs hold themselves, and everything just generally works great. The only problem I've had it having to tighten the nut on the jack, but that's no big deal.

Support:
Haven't had to deal with them yet. Great warranty though.

Overall:
Overall, this is the best starter I've seen. Even if I buy a high end guitar later, I'll definatly keep this one. Makes a great starter or backup guitar. As compared to other products I tried, this is simply the best. If this was stolen, I'd buy another for sure.