Recently "retired" from playing out professionally, so decided to sell some back up equipment to purchase the acoustic guitar of my dreams. Have a Guild D-25 from 1988, which I'll never part with, but I want a step up, you know.

Of course, I've tried everything I could get my hands on, but when I tried an HD-28 for the first time, my experience was like Biskit's in the message that started this thread. Wow! This is the sound I've always looked for (or listened) for. I've found very little deviation from one to another, although I've noticed some in the D-35's I've tried, curiously. Have noticed huge differnces in all guitars I've tried if the strings are worn, which is often the case, especially in chain stores.

I haven't found anything else that hits me like the HD-28. The Taylors are all nice, but not what I'm looking for. Of the smaller handcrafters, like Santa Cruz, Bourgoise, Huss & Dalton, etc. the only other I've tried that impressed me as much as the HD-28 was a Collings, unfortunately much more money. There are others that sound better electrified, esp. Taylor, but I definitely am totally taken by the Martin. Now, I'm just about $600.00 shy.....