Mark. These guitars are GREAT. Martin HAS gone through tough periods, but this ain't one of them. Every couple of weeks I drop by the 12th Fret (OK, every week!) and always play new axes as they come into the store. I don't think I've played a questionable new Martin in weeks, from the top of the line to the bottom.By questionable, I mean a potentially troublesome neck angle, or diabolical set up, or even a 'tone dead' one.
New Gibsons are another story. They're ranging from good to atrocious sound....some with literally no sustain or power at all. The inside finishing often is really bad, but I think they're really marketing super-flashy inlaying to folks who have a 'nostalgia thing' for the Gibson name.
Hang on to your Martin...those prices are goin' up!
Cheers
Rick