I do quite a bit of archery coaching, and Mr. I don't know if that one is a Samick.-Richie I also own an Epi SG, a wicked cheapie, made in Indonesia, which is a pretty good waaay cheap guitar, but not anywhere near the league of the Les Paul. If you think about it, there are similarities in the technology- Laminated wood under tension from strings, etc. Samick was seeking input from American dealers and coaches on what products they would like to see. I met him in another capacity, as a designer and builder of some of the finest Olympic target bows in the world, as well as a number of cheap student bows. I didn't like the tuners, which I replaced. The Casino is a fair guitar, and will need new pickups eventually. The Les Paul is a *great* guitar, but it needed new pickups. An Epiphone Les Paul Deluxe, and a Casino. Samick, the owner, and at least one of his sons, and I assure you, *he* owns Samick, not Epiphone, or Schecter, or Gibson, or anybody else. And that is all the knowledge I can share without looking too retarded. Once again, the neck on this bass was much slimmer than most,hence easier for me to y to play. I had a Samick electric Bass, which I traded like an Idiot. I also have a Samick Acoustic which is made in Indonesia.I don't "attempt" to play it nearly as much as the electric. I'll let you know in another 7-8 yrs if it has held up well. It is not bulky, nor too heavy, and the neck is slim. It is absolutely Gorgeous! It plays very nice (I wouldn't dare call myself a player). It also has Gold hardware, with two dual humbuckers(not sure if I said that right). I don't know what woods it is crafted from,but a deep,deep amber-brown color on back of body and neck. Mother of Pearl flowers/cattails/leaves vining up the neck. I bought a used Samick a couple of years back,and it is a beautiful geetar! The front of the body is a Translucent black,encircled with Ivory, then an encircling of Abalone.