I bought my Martin D-18 back in 1969 because Peter Yarrow and Tom Paxton played Martins. Now I'm glad I did because it turned into a very fine instrument. My two Collings guitars - an OM and a 000 slothead - were bought because I liked the way they sounded. And felt. I also liked that they were made in Texas and I was in the mood to buy "local" at the time.