I've got two Collings (0002H and 002H) and two Martins (D18 and 00028). Frankly the Collings are in a totally different league altogether to the Martins. The Collings are better built, are built with superior materials and sound way better that the Martins. That said, Collings guitars cost more, so you get at least what you pay for.

I also have a 0002H and, at the moment, three Martins, all lower-level. I concur with the above. I also have a Froggy Bottom H-12 (very close to the 000-2H in design). That guitar is to the Collings as Collings is to Martin. Much too good for me, but I ain't letting go of it.

The Martins still get played a lot. In many situations, an instrument that doesn't represent too much of an investment, but still plays and sounds OK, is to be preferred over a high-end one. A gig in a noisy environment; a loud jam; leaving an instrument out on a stand in case you have a free five minutes, instead of shut up in the case...

Peter.