Taylor's new Tecate, Mexico-built Academy series--which consists of dreadnought, nylon string, and orchestra model (pictured here)--are bound to be major bang-for-the-buck championship contenders. They'll all be around 500 bucks without electronics and about $550 with pickup and preamp. The best thing about these simple and elegant spruce and sapele flattops though is that they're really satisfying to play and sound richer and fatter than the price suggests.