Look lets face it..the main thing that Martin has is history. Hell we STILL give Columbus credit for discovering America! Why? its not that we dont know any better..beats me. Anyway, the other thing is volume.. brought on my action so high you could shove a cat under it! One 32nd of an inch of plastic is hardly something to brag about. I've never seen a loud Martin that didn't have the action higher than a hawks nest. They are not fun to play, but by God they are loud! I must admit I have played a few very nice sounding Martins. But, I must also say most of the others are fit for planting pansies.