Hmmmm...I think I was a bit too harsh about the good folks at Martin. They build fine instruments. (over the last 8 or 9 years) Like any other instrument company who got caught with their pants down during the great "folk boom" of the 60s and 70s Martin couldn't keep up with the orders or the quality. I've read articles where Martin execs (and some others) said that this was all a myth and that their guitars never dropped in quality, but from an educated player's point of view it became obvious that consistancy wasn't there for about 15 years. Had it been, then companies like Taylor, Larivee, Lowden, and especially Yamaha, and Takamine, would not have become successful so quickly. Even Ovation reaped benefits from Martin's fall from grace. Today however, forced, because of the amazing quality of the competition (Collings, Santa Cruz, and the brilliant independents like Grit Laskin) Martin is back with a vengeance.

As to warranty repairs..NONE of the guitar companies, OR computer companies OR auto companies want to do what is essentially free work. They do it grudgingly and probably badly. Gibson's solution to having to do free repairs on their guitars in the 60s, was to start building them like tanks, and so that's what they (mostly) sounded like. My final thought on this is Never buy a guitar using the warranty as a major selling point. Buy what sounds good, feels good, and has been played by a friend with MORE experience than you. Next ask a few questions and find a repair person who's number will go up on the fridge next to the plumber, furnace guy, doctor and fire dept.