In response to the OP's original question...US Music corp., the parent company to Oscar Schmidt, Washburn Guitars and others, was sold to a Canadian concern called Jam Industries maybe 1.5 years ago. Ever since, Washburn, and I assume Oscar as well, has had supply and distribution problems. Washburn has had some pretty bad quality control problems as well, especially on new models. I don't know if Oscar is the same way, but I would definitely "try before I buy", as it were. I'd hate to buy sight unseen and get a lemon.