Wow! Thank you for all the input and quick responses. The links provided and discovering Fret's web site and the Flatpick L archives was a revelation. I've much more reading to do! I think the main reason I am gravitating towards Martins comes down to one thing for me - TONE. I've yet to play anything with a tone that really speaks to me, other than a well aged Martin. I have played late model Larivees, Bourgeois, Gibsons, Taylors, Lowdens, Collings and others, and there is a richness, darkness or call-it-a soul to the tone of a Martin that I've just not experienced with other guitars. To answer Catspaw49, I am a Travis style kind of finger picker but also enjoy blues picking akin to Rory Block, one of my favorites. As far as my budget, let's just say for the right instrument I'm prepared to spend somewhere between 5K and 10K. One answer I was especially looking for but seemed to escape me, is whether there really is a funadamental, NOTICABLE difference in the tone of a straight braced as opposed to a scalloped braced instrument, assuming both were strung with light gauge phosphor-bronze strings and both considered excellent instruments? Or is it more marketing hype designed to keep the prices high on the so called "Golden Era" instruments? Anyway, I really appreciate y'all taking the time to respond. Perhaps I will become a member here. You seem like good folk to me. Thanks again.