This kinda puts me in mind of the fun we used to have as kids arguin' over Chevy vs. Ford vs. Dodge etc. Hey Martin--I was actually at a bluegrass fest in Pa. a coupla years back and DID spot some Taylors! Go figger. But yer right--the vast majority of players got them big ol' "D's" slung 'round their necks. Thing is, I like a buncha guitars for their own unique sound. Bob Taylor'll tell ya he ain't building Martins or going for a Martin sound-and Chris Martin IV will tell ya the same thing about HIS guitars-not trying to imitate Taylors--and like it or not, I think the competition's been good for BOTH companies-and Martin's using about as much CNC and automation now as they used to complain about Taylor--and making some of the best guitars out there.

I find there are things I like about Martin, Taylor, Gibson, Larrivee, Tacoma (which I guess Fender's bought along with Guild and rolled them both into the old Tacoma plant) Lowden, Goodall, even Rainsong! I also think pissing contests on who's is best is pretty worthless since its a real subjective thing--like folks who prefer a Steinway to a Baldwin or favor Yamaha or Kawai in pianos. Each have a kinda signature sound-so your "soulless" is someone else's "pure" y'know? AND I betch you'd defend to the death yer favs--MARTIN, GIBSON--am I right or what? But I'll give ya this much without getting into specifics of what I like about all those brands I named (waaaaaay tooooo loooong!!!)-that "1833" has earned Martin a lot of cache, cred and CASH! I say buy yerself a guitar YOU like the sound of, playability of, workmanship of, and wood combos--and maybe once you've done THAT, worry about whose name's on the headstock...I've played clunkers in all the brands I mentioned...and others I'd give anything to own myself if I had the money!