I have the good fortune of living in the home town of Tom Anderson Guitar Works, Newbury Park California.
I have had a friend who worked in the finish department there, I have played a few of their models. Their names elude me now, but from what I recall, they did both play and sound wonderful.
As far as the price is concerned, I have a hard time paying that much money for any solid bodied instrument. I realize I am nieve, and I don't mean or want to offend any Luthiers here or anywhere (Shameless Disclaimer) but I don't see how the cost of these instruments is justified.
It's kind of like when you found out President Clinton was paying about $400-600 for a haircut.... I just kept thinking... Looks like Supercuts to me.
That said, I always use this as an analogy to make myself feel better about not having enought money to blindly throw at my guitar fetish, or haircuts for that matter.
There will always be those who will buy a Lexus over a Toyota. Since they have almost 100% identical, powertrains whatever could be their reasoning.
I don't know if my post helped anybody with the exception of those needing help falling asleep...
Thanks for reading my rant.... FWIW
Loudriver