Just a note (or several) before I go to bed ...

Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015 -- After writing and writing for work, I wrapped it up about 12:30 a.m. and decided it was time to exorcise my frustration with some jamming (with headphones on at this hour, of course!).

I played my Oscar Schmidt OE-30 earlier yesterday and played it last night as well. The neck is a little wide for my hand, notable when I try to barre some chords. I'm not a big barre chord player anyway, but the neck is thicker than the strat-like necks I've been used to using.

But I played through with a bunch of Beach Boys and country songs, and I'm really liking the guitar. It's heavier than the rest, but I enjoy the feel of playing it. Not only that, it is one beautiful guitar, it truly is. The bindings are superb; I love the bound neck (even if it is too wide for my short, fat fingers).

I had thought of just selling the guitar and giving up on semi-hollowbody guitars, but the more I play the guitar, the more inclined I am to buy another one without the damage that mine has.

In addition to the split on the front lower bout edge, the top has two cracks that extend from the lower "f" hole to the lower tone knob. I'm not sure the cracks are deep; I'm thinking they are mostly just the finish cracked.

The damage doesn't affect the guitar's performance in any way. The only reason I would sell it is to buy another in red.

Its amazing how positive the reviews are on this guitar, both in print and in video. For every bad review there's half a dozen glowing ones, which is surprising given the fact this guitar has a bolt-on neck and is considered a cheap one. In fact, they were closed out 7 or 8 years ago as low as $125; they're still available new for upwards of $275. I'm not wanting to spend that much, but it is clear I'll have to pay much more for a second one that I paid for the first, damaged one.

There are some Chinese semi's out there, and I missed a couple of them on eBay that sold under $140 -- I would have pulled the trigger on either one. The Oscar Schmidt is Chinese built, though the earlier ones were built in Indonesia. There's been some discussion about which is better ... its interesting that they were closing out inventory years ago, but the guitar is still in production. Maybe they were closing out the Indonesia-built guitars?

Some reviewers complain that the OE-30 doesn't stay in tune. I find that the tuning shifts on mine too, though I have to admit that mine still has the original strings that came on it (!). I was going to put on some new .09s, but I'm beginning to think .10s or larger might be better. I'm all about playing ease and comfort, just not sure about the sound of the super slinkys with the OE. Guess I'll find out, eh?

Rock on!