Hi Jon. You make a HUGE point. Just because an instrument says "Martin" (or Gibson, or Guild etc.) on it does not mean you'll like it, or even in about 30% of the cases, that it's a really good instrument. A great Takamine beats an average Martin most of the time, and you won't know that til you play both. NEVER spend 3 grand on a "name instrument" without trying it.

OK, here's trouble, but it's true in my experience. I would not hesitate to buy from Dick Greenhaus (by the way Dick, do you carry my Borealis and F-L CDs?) or Folk Legacy or virtually any established "FOLK" business on line. Simply because over the years I've NEVER been ripped off by one. It's the "Folk ethic". I've come to believe that there really IS a difference.

Rick