About two months ago, I bought a Martin D16RGT (dreadnaught with scalloped braced solid sitka spruce top and solid rosewood back and sides) and a used mint condition Sigma DR 41 (dreadnaught with scalloped braced solid spruce top and laminated rosewood back and sides.)

Both guitars sound much better now than when I bought them. I have changed the saddles and bridgepins to bone and adjusted them for close action, and added Fishman Gold + pickups in each.)

The Martin is more expensive and more prestigious than the Sigma...but which one is better? I really can't say. The Martin is a little sweeter sounding, but doesn't have nearly as much volume and clarity on the treble strings. The fingerboard on the Sigma is a little wavy but it feels fine.

Which do I like to play more? I really can't say, but the question of the advantage of solid back and sides over laminated back and sides has been a puzzling one. It would appear that for the type of bracing these guitars have the rosewood tone is due to reflection rather than vibration.

Cosmetically, I would prefer that the Sigma didn't have all that fake pearl inlay, and perhaps a darker top like the Martin, but I wish the Martin had a glossy beautiful finish like the Sigma.

Now I wonder how many of the solid top Sigma guitars are beautiful like mine. I bought it as a back up guitar and it has far exceeded my expectations. I have three Martin dreadnaughts and on a given day, the Sigma is as nice as any of them.