Generally Midchuck, I always tend to agreee with you on these things, but although it's true that the 70's weren't one of Martin's peak periods, they weren't all dogs either. I had a D-18 that was just fine and a D-28 that sucked so bad it should have said "Hoover" instead of Martin on the peghead.

Several builders have guitars that do the all-roound thing and most are not dreadnoughts, or at least like the VS are significant variants (good suggestion BTW). But in most conditions, Guest Jeff has a nice pair there and I'd like to know what can't be fixed with the bridge that keeps it from being "normal D-18" that works well with a slightly higher action and mediums....most do.

Spaw