Once upon a time, a Martin guitar was a comparatively rare sight in a UK Folk Club. Nowadays, at least at the sessions and clubs that I go to regularly, there are hundreds of them. Some of them are basic laminate or composite entry-level insruments, but many are higher spec D-35 or even D-41 models.

As a long-time enthusiast for Martins (I've owned one since 1969) who was first infected by the likes of Tom Paxton, Martin Carthy and Paul McNeill, I'm not sure how I feel about this abundance. It's almost like being the passionate owner of a vintage Bentley and having to come to terms with the new-found popularity of VW-made Arnages.

What truly amazes me is that I have yet to come across a "bad" example of a modern Martin. OK, the later gold headstock decals are less subtle than that on my older guitar, the fingerboard may be Micarta, the table composite or even aluminium, they may have yukky "cowboy" decorations, but all those I have heard or tried seem to sound and play well. Whether some of the more outre materials will prove good in the long term remains to be seen, but .....

Any comments from other Martin afficionados out there.

Alan