I should start off by saying I got this for a really great deal through Amazon Warehouse (over 60% off), so my review might be a bit biased compared to if I spent the full price. Of course, I'd also have bought a new guitar instead of used and had a warranty, so there's that to consider, too. I should also say that I also tried the Newporter Player and Newporter Special (I reviewed these also) both discounted through Amazon Warehouse, and was very underwhelmed by both of those guitars (maybe I just don't like the Newporter shape? I'll get to the Malibu shape later).The reasons why it was discounted:1) two finish cracks on either side of the input jack (they didn't go through to the mahogany -- I checked inside -- and haven't spread since I got the guitar 7 months ago, and I play standing with a strap putting pressure on that area daily, so purely cosmetic). Thank you other reviewer who mentioned you had this problem and sent it back! (though the preamp and tuner work perfectly, so maybe not your return?) :D2) buzzing on the B and E strings (fixed the neck relief and also removed some black gunk in the nut string slots for these two strings; the buzzing immediately stopped)3) the ebony bridge pins were splitting (maybe Amazon wasn't aware of this, or maybe it's just a Fender QC issue; and I'm still trying to find good replacements; any suggestions for new ebony pins that'll fit? I'm currently using D'Andrea brass for durability and because I need that extra arch/notch in the pin head area)4) and what Amazon referred to as "major cosmetic issues to the body of the item" -- not chips or cracks or anything, but the braces were bulging because the guitar needed humidification badly (I went inside and took pictures of the braces, posted above, which look perfect and have never rattled in the 7 months I've played it daily, so I don't think they're loose).At the advice of acoustic guitar forums, after daily 2 hour play I returned the guitar immediately to its included case (a great bonus and wonderful gig bag), and then when winter hit humidified it with the included basic humidifier (another great bonus). So, since November, the top has all but straightened itself out (you can sort of see the difference in the before pic with the original ebony pins, the after pic with the brass pins). If anything, I think the problem allowed the top to open prematurely, because for such a little guitar, it has the biggest acoustic sound out of any acoustic I've ever tried (I haven't used it much amplified). Even in my digital camera recordings, which have poor audio, it sounds like a much bigger, richer guitar, easily beating out dreadnoughts I've recorded similarly. Does it compare to $1000+ guitars? Shrug. I'll find out when Amazon Warehouse discounts some $1000+ guitars so I can afford one. :PNow to the Malibu shape: It's smaller size and scale is a joy to hold and play; I'm 5'6", 140 lbs (most acoustic guitars look bigger than I do) with medium hands, and I can get to the 16th fret on all strings even though this isn't a cutaway, 17th on all but the low E, can stretch for the 20th with a little finger finagling, can make all the open chord shapes. It took some getting used to, coming from a Stratocaster background, but I think I actually prefer this. The neck is notably thicker than the Newporter's neck was (much more electric) but the shorter scale makes it easier to play. Other acoustics have given me issues just to hold and strum. So the Malibu neck is sort of halfway between acoustic and electric. And all of those upper register notes sing! Cutaway guitars I've tried have sounded dull and lifeless that high up the neck (and have been more difficult to do bends on, to boot). This one sounds great all over the neck and responds when I really dig in or back off with my strumming. Sustains for days.And I love the vintage tuners. Stringing on "modern" tuners always used to take seemingly forever and inevitably resulted in some emotional explosions. Not these. Super quick and easy to string up, acts like a locking tuner, and I love that I can remove the string for whatever reason and pop it back in afterward. The one reviewer who had problems with these tuners had way too much string; mine look like they have one wind around the post until you get to the thinner strings. (maybe I'll post a picture? Edit: included one -- that's cutting the string a little bit more than two posts further on from the post being strung)As others have mentioned, the guitar is beautiful. Much more so in person. I'm not a huge fan of blue (I would've preferred the red, but beggars can't be choosers) but I think the Cosmic Turquoise (which goes from teal to Sleeping Beauty turquoise depending on the lighting) is perfect with the rich mahogany and golden koa accents. I'm interested to see if the top changes color as the guitar ages, as spruce tops usually turn amber. Green? More brown? Hopefully not gray lol. I also love the silky smooth roasted pau ferro (feels just like ebony!) fingerboard and bridge -- I'm assuming roasted because it's so chocolatey in color; along with the mahogany neck, it almost looks like a solid rosewood neck. The maple position markers are also a nice touch and make me want to go back to wood bridge pins to complete the (nearly) all-wood look.Overall, it's the best acoustic I've ever owned. Maybe even the best guitar period. I would buy another if something happened to it, even at full price. (I'd buy the red then, though ;) Try one out, you might be surprised.