Martin are successfully diversifying - not a bad thing, and they are getting into the budget market that Kay and Harmony used to carve up between them in the US. Try those top end Kays that were available in the 60s, and you'll find that sound is not a strong point - and the top end Harmony guitars are not much better, although you can sometimes find a good one. If you are careful you will simply realise that you are buying a very good budget guitar with Martins' lower ranges, and that Martin have realised that using their name and building guitars close to home (to control quality) is a better strategy than their previous attempts to build their budget ranges under other names in Europe (they lost a lot of money there) and the Far East. Plywood is not a fair description of laminated back and sides - it does make manufacture quick and easy, but the solid top is still there on all but the cheapest range, and that is where the sound really comes from. At least Martin are still a family concern, and I am sure CF Martin IV still cares what happens in his factory! While I remember to mention it those HD models have shaved braces and should only be used with light strings. And if you want to replace that Corian nut, be aware that it is a risky business to replace any Martin nut - they don't glue them in, they weld them to the wood! If you HAVE to do it, saw away as much as possible with a fine tooth back saw, and remove the remaining material very carefully by paring with a chisel. Don't just stick the chisel in and crack it with the hammer, or you get the end of the fingerboard and part of the head veneer as well!