Brand names are what people rely on when they can't actually distinguish good from bad sounding instruments...or when they're just trying to get up someone's nose. I find it hard to believe that anyone's actually ignorant enough to believe a guitar's quality is solely based on a label. A label may give an indication of quality based on the maker's reputation and a person's experience, but that's all. If Martin's made a few dogs, Seagull is bound to have made some gems.

I have a (new) Martin 00-17 that's pretty good, and sounds better than other new 00-17's I've played. I've never owned anything really classy and probably never will, simply because I'll never be able to afford it. That said, I've played a lot of more expensive guitars that I don't like as much as this wee one. I've played other people's guitars that I've liked better. Rick's 00-18 was 'the one that got away' though. Kendall's right about his Appolonio 12-string - it's one of the (if not 'the') most awesome sounding guitar I've heard.