I looked around a lot last year for a new Guitar, actually I have been looking for a few years. Had a good excuse to buy one. Tried Larivees, Taylors, Martins, also a couple of custom built jobs, mostly in the $1000+ (Can) range. Probably liked the Martins best, almost bought one made by Peter Cox, who's guitars are getting better and better. I just could not bring myself to part with that much money for the level of my playing. Played and bought a second hand Seagull with a solid spruce top for 350 inc hard case. Very happy with it. It helps me play more than my earlier pretty crappy guitars, the more I play the better I get, maybee I will buy that Martin one day. JohnB