Cat,

I own several guitars. I have a Martin 0-16NY which is a beautiful guitar to hear and play. It is very much like a 3/4 size classical body with a fullsized 12 fret neck. While it suits parlor music I'd never play it in a bluegrass band. I have a Guild F-30 which is without a doubt my all around guitar, its similar in size to a Martin 00-18 or 00-28, its sort of the cross trainer of the guitar world. I have a Yamaha FG-180 which is D size guitar like a D-18-21-28-41-45 Martin, plays good sounds fine. And I have an Ovation Elite on semi permanent loan from a very good and generous friend, It plays well. I findnothing particular about Martins in general except to say they are well made. But so are Taylors, Guil;ds, Gibsons,..... Buy a guitar you like that suits you and will stand the long haul. Even if its a Yamaha or a Stella.

Don Meixner