Each to their own.

I've owned a Martin 000-18, a Gibson J-45, a Guild D-25, a Manson Kingfisher (made personally by Andy Manson), a Lowden and a custom Lakewood M-18 (made personally by Martin Seeliger) over the years (amongst others).

The €360 (USD 435) Korean small luthier-shop-made "unknown brand" tiger maple-topped archtop (with extensive and exquisite abalone inlay) I now almost exclusively use (apart from a Czech-made Regal Duolian copy for some music) actually beats all of these (some of which are at the €4000 - €5000 price tag these days).

Same with the mandolin family. I own one expensive "name" instrument, an outstanding Terry Docherty OM bought second-hand from another Mudcatter. My mandolin and tenor mandola are both made by a virtually unknown UK luthier, the latter to my own specifications, for a very democratic price.

I don't think "name" accounts for much any more and I don't give a monkey's ankle what Martin Gibson thinks about it.

Peace,

moo