[Lost Sheep]

To quote a fellow from another support group

"My greatest fear is that, after I die, my wife will sell all my XXX for what I told her I paid for them."

(XXX = tools, guitars, guns, paintings, record albums, electronics, stamps, whatever)

One of the best-playing (and worst-sounding) guitars I ever owned was a $10 "rescue" guitar from a flea market. Unplayable. Neck was bowed so badly the strings laid on the frets. (But the neck had no twist in it whatsoever.) I adjusted the bridge height and with a flat file, round file, sandpaper and a wood block, did a fret job on it.

Nowhere near as difficult as it was truing up a bent-up bicycle wheel - that involved completely re-spoking the thing.

Nice, close action and as sweet and easy playing as anything I have ever had the opportunity to play. Sold it when I changed duty stations for $50 (but the buyer never did pay me the last half of the price).

As a player, I am willing to pay for:

Sound quality, Playability, decent electronics if present, durability and a nice case to protect my beloved.