Thanks for the wealth of info, mooman. I just read quickly through that earlier thread -- it deserves closer study, but that'll have to be postponed 'til later.

I have occasionally heard/read comments to the effect that the (mahogany) D-18 is preferrable for blues playing to the more expensive rosewood Martin dreads, but always took it with a grain of salt. I figured part of that argument was disdain for the extra ornamentation, which may be symbolically "anti-blues." I know that players like Brownie McGee and the young Elvis played 18's, but relative affordability may well have been the deciding factor for them (just as it was for me). I simply went for the best instrument I could afford, and I was fortunate not to have the slightest interest in mother-of-pearl.