I think Engleman is terrific, but it does seem it doesn't seem to be as well regarded as Adirondack or European Spruce. Perhaps it's not a great choice for a bluegrass player or a heavy handed strummer, but it can make an excellent fingerstyle guitar. Of course there are stories that a lot of Engleman was sold to guitar builders as European Spruce, and no one seemed to notice.
I've owned several Engleman topped guitars, and they were all great. Years ago I had a Bourgeois Martin Simpson and a Martin D-18 David Crosby. Currently, I have a Schoenberg 000 12-fret with an Engleman top and Brazilian back and sides that is an exceptional guitar. However, it would not make a very good bluegrass instrument.
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