You win some - you lose some!

I bought an Aria in my local (St Albans UK) freindly guitar shop because I had just come back to folk music after a 25 year absence and it was the best sounding/playing guitar in the shop for under £200. I would probably still be playing it today except...

I had a friend in the 1960's who had a Martin D28, I'd never heard of Martin guitars, but it sounded so good I swore I'd buy one eventualy. That day came 30 years later. A while after buying the Aria I found I had got a little more money to spend, I'd got a business trip to Chicago lined up so decided to see if I could find a bargain while in the US. I played everything I could find in Guitar Center in my price range and nothing sounded better that one particular Martin D16GT. It cost me $850, equivalent to £500 at the time and would have cost £1000 in the UK.

For the next few years, everywhere I took it people commented on the great sound, and it would still be my number one guitar today except...

Almost 10 years later, I was back in the US on business, but this time on a series of visits. I decided to buy a Little Martin because I thought I wanted something that would go in the overhead lockers. I don't do the travelling anymore, so never play it, but...

While I was in the shop, I of course tried lots of other stuff and one was a Seagull. I just loved the full mellow sound it made, perfect to support the harmony singing in the duo which is now my main musical outlet. So next time I was back in the US I bought one; a cedar topped Maritine. The action wasn't great, but I new my freindly luthier in St Albans would sort that for me. It sounds wonderful, everywhere I take it people comment on the great sound. I still enjoy playing the D16GT, but the Seagull is now number one. It just fits the act better.

That was two years ago and will be it for a while. "She who must be obeyed" won't let me clutter the house with any more guitars, and I can't bear the idea of parting with anything. There are another 3 including Spanish and solid electric hanging around as well!

Moral: If it sounds right, it is right. Buy it for any other reason and you (or at least I) will probably regret it.