Although I have played Gibsons & Fenders for years (and still do), I picked up a brand new Samick Greg Bennett TR1 Torino (SG clone) about 5-7 years ago for around $300.00. My idea was to use it as a "lay-around" guitar, one I could leave sitting out of the case, pick it up anytime and play, and not having to worry about dings or putting it in or out of the case ever time I played it. I was more than pleasantly surprised at this guitar. Mahogany body & neck; Duncan Designed pups; and great sound and playability. I've used it to gig with a number of times, and have been so happy with it that I started actively seeking out other Samick guitars to purchase. I now have 5 Samicks, including a Samick Formula (a Telecaster clone,which I purchased from a well known musician in Nashville), and my latest acquisition, a gorgeous quilted model that I have not yet been able to identify. The body style is identical to a Samick Ultramatic 4, but it has beautiful vine and tulip mother of pearl and abalone inlay all the way up the neck, and abalone inlay alongside the cream binding on the front of the guitar. It has a mother of pearl inlaid "S" on the headstock, but that's it. No "Greg Bennett Designed", and no model name on the truss rod cover. It was made in Korea, and has Gotoh tuners; Duncan Designed pups; a stop tailpiece; and adjustable bridge (gold hardware). If anyone has an idea regarding the model, please contact me. I picked it up at a pawn shop in Topeka, Kansas. They had $400.00, no case or gig bag on it. I walked out with the guitar; a hardshell case; a cord; and a nice strap for $300.00!!
Although I still primarily use my Gibsons and Fenders, it's getting to the point where I am using those and my Samicks about 50/50. I'd advise anyone who can get their hands on a nice, higher grade Samick at a reasonable price to jump on it. Pawn shops are often a good bet, and Reverb.com has a couple hundred of them listed.