I received in the box from the photo in addition to a larger safety box. Everything was inside, 1 part was unpacked but available. I think the guitar was tuned, but I changed it and retuned it with the tuner. I have no idea about playing and musical instruments so this will be a completely new experience for me. The guitar has a loud sound, if you press hard with the pick it can be heard in the other room and the neighbors probably barely hear it, but if you play it loud for a long time it would be heard by the neighbors like a TV on or medium volume music. Mainly I'm thinking of using the guitar to learn the skill, rock and eventually buy an electronic guitar