From the online depictions, seems to have the most noticeable grain (in a good way) short of extra cost rosewood. Particularly in natural stain and semigloss, it's looks to be the poor man's rosewood. I'm going this route on the pre-order EP800 deal -- just $2200 USD. I'm too cheap to pay $25 for a sample. Soooo, please let me know what you think. Thanks!