I just received the Cherry Red ET-290 that I bought on eBay. I remember these hanging on the wall of the local music store "back in the day". I've been seeing them lately, first on this forum, then on eBay. Of course, I contracted a case of eBay fever (a side effect of G.A.S.) and within a month or so, the UPS man magically showed up at my door with one.
It's a nice axe overall. It has a good cutting sound and a nice comfortable balanced shape. The neck has a good feel to it, thin from front to back, just the way I like necks to feel.
I am, however very disappointed in the roller coaster of a fretboard. The frets are way too small for my taste lately, but that's academic as they have to come out anyway. The fret board is a bit, shall we say,.. "wavy".
I'll have to reserve judgement until after I plane the fretboard and refret it.
Eric