Taylor, Larrivee, Collings etc. are great if you don't really need the "Rolls Royce" cachet that a Martin brings when other people are looking at your guitar neck.

I'm sorry, but as to Collings, that statement is Just Plain Wrong.

An average, run-of-production Collings will be equivalent in quality to an exceptional specimen of one of the top-of-the-line Martin models (and cost appropriately, of course).

That's comparing new to new, I should add. With the effects of aging on the wood, a 50-year old Martin that was a good specimen originally, will be the best of the lot. Unfortunately, there aren't any 50 year old Collings yet.

All in my not so humble opinion, obviously.

Peter.