Before answering this question let me first say that this is a very nice looking guitar. The bound flame maple top is gorgeous and matching headstock with gold tuners add to the pizazz. I personally like a bound neck on an acoustic guitar but for the price and features you can't have everything. When it arrived the action was a bit high for my tastes so I tried the patented neck adjustment. I was a little disappointed because it didn't work as well as one would expect; I had to make a shim to put between the neck and body to keep the neck in place. This works OK but is not ideal. I do like the sound of the guitar, especially when running the acoustic output through one amp and the electric through another. It sounds like two guitar players playing together. The built in distortion is good and the chorus effect on the acoustic side is a nice touch, although I wish one could adjust the depth and rate, not just on-off. Also you must plug a cord into the output jack to be able to operate the tuner. As for the action or playability of the guitar, it is good for an acoustic but don't think you're going to shred on it. After all, it's not an electric solid body. It will probably get you by for most styles of music, except metal or thrash of course and can excel at folk, country, blues and light rock. Most could get by playing this guitar all night long. I personally did a gig playing country, rock, and praise and worship Christian music with the Ibanez Montage. So is it the Swiss army knife of guitars? To be honest, I won't be selling all my solid body electrics, but I am impressed with the versatility of the Montage. If you could only take one guitar with you to the gig, and you have to play a variety of music, it would be hard to find a guitar that would fit the bill like the Ibanez Montage.