I have several historics, but I only purchase one as new - a 2005 R7 darkback. I dare say that thing is perfect. Or was perfect. I've played it a lot in two years, and the play wear shows, but the guitar had no real flaws that I could find. Probably somebody could have gone over it and decided that a position marker was darker than it should have been to be a match for the others or some such critique. I am very happy with the value I get for the money I paid..