Sure Barb.....Strings can play a big difference in both material and gauge. How are you guys doing any? Now that hubby has that superstar status and all?(:<))

No secret either that Martins have been all over the board in quality at different times and even in better periods have produced some serious dogs. I really don't know why except that there are almost always variables in building instruments from wood and glue, even for the big guys. I too had an HD-28 that was a supreme dog. I attribute it to the fact that I ripped a guy off on the price when I bought it (it was all it was worth) and made a few bucks when I dumped it. Back then I still believed that you could make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. A bad guitar can rarely be improved, but a good guitar just seems to get better......that ought to be a law of some sort.

Spaw