This guitar was purchased around 2001 from Jose Marin Plazuelo, the instrument is signed, but he has stopped dating them because he does think guitars should be treated like cars, devalued as each year passes. This guitar belongs to a professional flamenco guitarist-- who plays full time, and so this guitar has the usual wear and tear to the finish that one expects -- scratches, nail dents. The playability is excellent. Value for money-- a great concert flamenco instrument at a bargain price.