Thanks one and all,

OK taking these in order

Chris, most music-minded folk over here in Europe know all about Thomann. I have bought bits and pieces from them in the past and neve been disappointed.
Will check those models out.

Thanks Pat. Good point. When I change the strings on my acoustic, (a Yamaha FG 433S) it sounds like a different instrument for the first week or so.

Thanks Scott I will consider this idea although I’m not instinctively drawn towards after-market changes such as adding a pickup. Would hate to ruin my Yammy. Unfortunately, I haven't got a trusted local luthier.

You're right about the finish, but I just think black guitars look cool.

OK – roundbacks are out.

Hadn’t thought much about amps Mario. I have two, but neither is specifically designed as an electro-acoustic gtr amp.

I already have a very old cheapo Strat copy (a ‘Vantage’ infact), which I find to be good enough for my purposes.

Rob, let me know how it turns out with the Washburn.

Thanks for the link Kevin. One of the above-mentioned shop hands told me that some Ibanez models have unreliable mechanics in the tuning heads.

Jim – would I be better off getting a higher grade guitar, or a lower grade guitar + high quality pre-amp to compensate? I see that the epi pr5-E is quite an old model (1990), but I guess guitars are not like smartphones (newer is better)! Will check it out.

I will keep you informed of developments in this thread.

Thanks once again – and thanks in advance to all those who will be writing below.

Marc

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