I bought this to have in our summer home, and wanted a rather cheap, but good guitar that serves as a "keeping in touch with playing" instrument.
It is so much more. The neck is slim and easy to play, the fretwork is very good, and the pickups are much better than I expected. Great for rock and metal, and they clean up really nice. The coil split is also really nice.
Not to mention, the finish is something I want hanging from my real home wall. Just beautiful. Might get one more of this model.
Great choice for a novice or for someone transiting into the intermediate area even. No mods needed.