Interesting... I like to think that I am open to giving any instrument a chance on its own individual merits (although if somebody showed me an Ovation that sounded good accoustically, I would probably faint, I know some instruments are likely to be better than others...). I am no player and am in fact getting worse instead of better but I still like to think that I am a reasonable judge of the quality of build of an instrument as well as the sound (or in fact sounds) that I like without being too influenced by the make although I probably am.

Here is one for you Rick, I once had a go on a beat up (very well played/ used) old guitar that I was told(hoping my memory is correct) was a Stan Francis. I loved it - ever heard of them?

Jon