Jon, sometimes the brand names mean NOTHING! Gibson, Vega and Martin have all gone through long periods when they turned out total crap. They'd have trouble doing it today because of the competition. Players are MUCH more informed these days. I remember going into a store called Whalley and Royce in the mid 70s and asking to try a Martin D-28 which was in a glass case. The owner looked at me snottily and said "are you prepared to purchase today, sir?" I said, that if I liked it, I might. He said "well, a Martin doesn't need a 'test drive'!!!" He was an idiot of course, and knew nothing about actually "Playing" a guitar. He probably didn't even know that half the Martins made in that era were complete dogs! Check the prices on used ones at places like Elderly and Mandolin Bros. THEY know what years bring the highest prices. Same with Vegas.

Rick