An interesting sideline: The cheapness of this guitar is further demonstrated by the fact that the tuning gears are fastened on with brads rather then screws. The tailpiece was also attached this way, though I replaced the brads with screws there because they were starting to come loose.
This instrument has a pretty bad warp on the lower side of the neck near the 12th fret. In fact I had to loosen the 12th fret and raise it a hair in order to get the guitar to fret properly at that point on the neck. It now plays very nicely and has a pleasing tone that is quite loud.