I agree that with the craze for "vintage" instruments, they just are for the most part poor value for money. I also agree that the best guitars are being made nowadays and the ones I own are new. However, I would love to own a Gibson L-0 in good condition (which includes having good sound.) I don't think I ever will, because in Australia they are even rarer than in the US and the price is high. I just like the look and feel of it. I think my Maton sounds just as good if not better than the one I tried.

I don't like many models of Martins--old or new. Their fingerboard is too narrow at the nut.

I did purchace a battered old cheap guitar that had a big crack (hole is more like it) in the back in order to try to get the sound that you get on old records. It had the tinny sound alright; but I never figured out how to get the scratches.

BTW has anyone tried out the new Martin 000-15S. It is built like really old Martins with a slotted headstock and it joins at the 12th fret. It has a decently wide fingerboard too. Two were brought into Australia a few months ago and were sold as soon as they were off the boat. The next lot comes in December, so I haven't had a chance to try one out.

Murray

Murray