Before I knew Jack-shit about acoustic guitars (18 years ago) I went looking for the best brand you could buy. Of course I was told "Martin" was the way to go. With "brass in pocket" (budget was not a problem - I was prepared to go crazy for once in my life) I headed for the Aladdin's Cave of all Guitar stores. I played 'em all that day.

Being exposed to so many brands and having a bloody good ear is a recipe for disaster - I failed miserably in my mission. I so wanted to be able to say "I'm now the owner of a MARTIN GUITAR!" to all my fellow pickers but, alas, I left the store with the proprietor's words ringing in my ear "You'll not get a decent trade-in price on that, but you would if you bought a Martin"

Sod the trade-in price; I got superior sound, superior construction (hand-made rather than "hand-made") superior quality woods, and still had some "brass in pocket" left over to remind me to this day how stupid I was.