Yes, p-gator, Martins are firmly entrenched in the mid-range market know kicking the market share out of Yamaha and Epiphone in the acoustic market. Their D-1 model I believe is $400 with an x-braced spruce top and play quite well. No they are not a D28 or as nice as yours or mine D-18, but they are a lot closer than some Yamaha wannabee.

I also feel that this bull-crap about Martins not being as good as they once were is pure urban legend. What's true is that finer Martins in the Standard Series are not as CHEAP as they used to be and that is the crux of it. The whiners who complain about Martin who can't afford them downplay them for that reason.

I do know many people playing new HD-28s and D18GE models and have tried them myself. They are guitars of extreme quality and distinction and Martin is not going to ruin a 170 year old reputation that easily.

Bert, in that case, I am sure a Stella suits you just fine.