A Surfeit of Martins?

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: Peace
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 07:02 PM

LOL

You da man, Cluin. I knew you'd understand.

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: Songster Bob
Date: 27 Feb 06 - 11:42 PM

Those Stellas that were made of 3/4" plywood were latter-day ones, made by Harmony. Even then, there were decent Harmony-Stellas, like 12-strings, along with those cheap Stellas. The Stella used by Leadbelly was an early one, made by the Stella company before it came under the ownership of Harmony. Those early Stellas were not really high-grade boxes, either, just better than the Harmony ones. I think Stella was owned at one time, perhaps from the git-go, but Oscar Schmidt (the makers of all those autoharps).

There are new Leadbelly "Stellas" being made today, by the way. They are expensive, but man, oh man. They are the Del Arte 12-strings. The scale length is like 26.5" and they won't tune to modern pitch.

Ed

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: Bert
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 03:08 AM

Lanfranc, It's known as Peter's Placebo which states that "an ounce of image is worth a pound of performance"

But don't worry, wait until summer and they'll keep all those mosquitoes down.

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: GUEST,Nitro Cellulosisicity
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 04:43 PM

MArtins are a placebo as the spiffy little scroll of their name and date will cause all sorts of people to go apolectic. They use the same computer driven shapers as Taylors or whoever. Stupid comparison-they are no more handbuilt than the glove compartment in my car including the hinges. What a joke. There are tons of better sounding, playing, value driven insturments out there. Any of you ever heard of Collings? Or Bourgeois? Or Santa Cruz? There's a guy in Watress Texas who'll built you a Gallagher Guitar that will blow away anything Martin has to offer. Go ask Doc Watson. Or half a dozen bluegrass icons. Ever play a Huss and Dalton? Mindblowing!! Small shop great guitars. SOrry but the days of Martin and the joke company Gibson which sells crap to discount chains being bIG names is over so get over it. Martin makes nice guitars but only if youre willing to plunk down the bucks for their "Special Models" named after celebs. They have so many signature models its a joke. Gibson???????????????? Check out Ebay for what THEY go for. Nobody serious takes Gibson seriously----they got hijacked by their bosses. Hey would I take a free Martin? Hey maybe,. Depends on the model of which there are currently 467-the website lists em all. Get yourself a Eric Clapton model and drool uncontrollably. Whens the Bobby Sherman sig series coming? Hey get yourself a BABYFACE or Jim Croce with a dime inlaid. Ooooooh----------------------------------

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: Cluin
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 05:05 PM

Prescription run out again?

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: Wesley S
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 05:48 PM

Everyone should just play whatever the heck they want to. It's your money - spend it however you like. The guitar police rarely bust down doors any more and force people to play guitars they can't stand.

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: Cluin
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 05:49 PM

Yeah, those were the bad old days.

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 06:34 PM

just saw recording of John Denver playing on the "Performance Channel"
using a good looking and fine sounding Taylor..

and with his money there would have been no limits to his prefered choice of guitar

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: Anonny Mouse
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 06:41 PM

Oh they all have their stable of stars--here's Taylor's NOT including studio musicians/artists (that would take another page):
311
Will Ackerman
Bryan Adams
Trace Adkins
Aerosmith
A.F.I.
Air Supply
Alabama
Gregg Allman
Ambrosia
America
Trey Anastasio
Jann Arden
Carolyn Arends
Augustana
Babyface
Nenad Bach
Bacon Brothers
Barenaked Ladies
Martin Barre
Beach Boys
Sam Beam (Iron & Wine)
Beck
David Beldock
Adrian Belew
John Berry
Better Than Ezra
Stephen Bishop
Clint Black
Mary Black
Blackhawk
Arthur Blanch
blink-182
Blues Traveler
Suzy Bogguss
Karla Bonoff
Edie Brickell
Michelle Branch
Garth Brooks
Meredith Brooks
Marc Broussard
Jackson Browne
Jimmy Buffett (Baby)
Jeannie Burns (Burns Sisters)
Kenny Burrell
Jon Butcher
Geezer Butler
Ryan Cabrera
Glen Campbell
Jerry Cantrell
Michael Card
Brandi Carlile
Mary Chapin Carpenter
Paul Carrack
Lionel Cartwright
Cartwright Brothers
John Cephas
Gary Chapman
Steven Curtis Chapman
Cheap Trick
Kenny Chesney
Chicago
Chip and Donnie
(Enuff Z'nuff)
Chronic Future
Stanley Clarke (bass)
Phil Cody
Marc Cohn
Lloyd Cole
Collective Soul
Judy Collins
Shawn Colvin
Billy Corgan
The Corrs
Course of Nature
The Cranberries
Dan Crary
A.J. Croce
David Crosby
Christopher Cross
Charlie Daniels
Clay Davidson
Gail Davies
Billy Dean
del Amitri
Tom DeLonge (Blink 182)
Iris DeMent
Neil Diamond
Chris Difford
Dion
Dixie Chicks
Anne Dodson
Dogwood Moon
Mickey Dolenz
Pat Donohue
Ranger Doug
(Baby)
Roby Duke
Holly Dunn
Duran Duran
Doyle Dykes
Elliot Easton
Duane Eddy
(Baby)
The Edge
Dave Edmunds
Don Edwards
(Baby)
Jonathan Edwards
Everclear
Ricky Fataar
Ferron
Tim Finn
Tim Flannery
Flea (bass)
Fleetwood Mac
Rosie Flores
John Fogerty
Foo Fighters
Juan-Carlos Formell
Peter Frampton
Russ Freeman
Friday's Child
Richie Furay
Beppe Gambetta
Paul Gilbert
Vince Gill
David Gilmour
Andrew Gold
Golden Earring
Goo Goo Dolls
Graham Gouldman
Amy Grant
Pat Green
Adie Grey
Patty Griffin

Grace Griffith
Nanci Griffith
Sammy Hagar
Merle Haggard
Hall & Oates
Jim Hall
Jimmy Eat World
Johnny Hallyday
Ali Handal
Jack & Lon Hannah (Sons of the San Joaquin)
Hanson
Roy Harper
Corey Harris
David Ryan Harris
Jerome Harris (bass)
Ari Hest
John Hiatt
Faith Hill
Lauryn Hill
Chris Hillman
Susanna Hoffs
Hoobastank
Hootie & The Blowfish
Buck Howdy
Billy Idol
Tony Iommi
Alan Jackson
Mick Jagger
Brett James
Jars of Clay
Jewel
Buddy Jewell
Carolyn Dawn Johnson
Richard Leo Johnson
Billy Jonas
Rickie Lee Jones
Laurence Juber
Richard Julian
Led Kaapana
George Kahumoku Jr.
Dennis Kamakahi
Keith Kane (Vertical Horizon)
Mary Karlzen
Mike Keneally
The Killers
Steven King
The Kinleys
Pat Kirtley
T.J. Klay (Western Flyer)
Jennifer Knapp
Mark Knopfler
Peter Koppes (The Church)
Ozzie Kotani
Leo Kottke
Lenny Kravitz
Greg Lake
La Ley
k.d. lang
Peter Lang
Marit Larsen (M2M)
Max Lasser
Steve Laury
Geddy Lee
Julian Lennon
Michael Lewis
Lifehouse
Alex Lifeson
Lisa Loeb
Kenny Loggins
Patty Loveless
Jeff Lynne
Shelby Lynne
Dougie MacLean
Doug MacLeod
Madonna
Eric Mantel
Maroon 5
Richard Marx
Kathy Mattea
Dave Matthews
Zoe McCulloch
Gerry McGee (Ventures)
Tim McGraw
Sarah McLachlan
Zan McLeod
Travis Meeks
Tim Mensy
Jim Messina
Steve Miller
Ronnie Montrose
Moody Brothers
Zak Morgan
Alanis Morissette
Franco Morone
Jason Mraz
Native Vibe
Nelson
Mike Ness
Carrie Newcomer
New St. George
Nick Nguyen (Bonepony)
Nils (Jiptner)
Heather Nova
Maura O'Connell
Kristina Olsen
Roland Orzabal (Tears for Fears)
O-Town
Gregory Page
Pearl Jam
Jeff Pevar (CPR)
Liz Phair
Kelly Joe Phelps
Mike Pinder (Moody Blues)
Steve Poltz
The Pretenders
Tristan Prettyman
Prince
Chris Proctor
Gary Puckett
Queensryche
Joel Rafael
Bonnie Raitt
Toshi Reagon
Harvey Reid
Vernon Reid
R.E.M.
Tim Reynolds
Marc Roberge (O.A.R.)
The Roches
Jim Rooney
Eugene Ruffolo
Kate Rusby
Richie Sambora
Joe Satriani
Matt Scannell
(Vertical Horizon)
The Scorpions
Darrell Scott
Seal (Baby)
Eve Selis Band
Ron Sexsmith
Maia Sharp
Christopher Shaw
Jules Shear

Billy Sheehan
Richard Shindell
Michelle Shocked
Carly Simon
Mark Slaughter
Michael W. Smith
Stuart Smith
Jill Sobule
Something Corporate
Sonic Youth
Soraya
J.D. Souther
Tim Sparks
Rick Springfield
Billy Squier
Dave Stamey
James Lee Stanley
Paul Stanley
Michael Steele (The Bangles)
Leni Stern (Baby)
Steve Stevens
Al Stewart
John Stewart
Stephen Stills
Sting (bass)
Doug Stone
Story of the Year
Larry Stewart
Peter Stuart
Styx
Sum 41
Andy Summers
Sweet
Switchfoot
James Taylor (Baby)
Livingston Taylor
Sally Taylor
Jack Tempchin
Tenacious D
Terrell
John Tesh
Glenn Tilbrook
Pam Tillis
Michael Tomlinson
Tonic
Trapt
Artie Traum
Happy Traum
Travis
Travis Tritt
Mark Tremonti
Trixter
Joe Lynn Turner
Shania Twain
Uncle Harry
Steve Vai
Suzanne Vega
Julieta Venegas
Wendy Waldman
Billy Joe Walker, Jr.
Clay Walker
Joe Walsh
Wayne Watson
Paul Westerberg
Roger Whittaker
David Wilcox
Jett Williams
Lucinda Williams
Robbie Williams
Robin and Linda Williams
Robin Williamson
Nancy Wilson
Victor Wooten (bass)
Peter Yarrow
Yellowcard
Jesse Colin Young
Neil Young

"Civilians"
Bobby Bonilla, former baseball pro
Russell Branyan, Cincinnati Reds
Jeff Bridges, actor (bass)
Dana Carvey, actor/comedian
David Charvet, actor
Bill Clinton
Kerry Collins, NFL
Ronny Cox, actor
Carson Daly, MTV
Shannen Doherty, actress
Minnie Driver, actress
Bobbie Eakes, actress
Mick Garris, TV/film writer-producer-director
Tony Geary, actor
Greg Giraldo, actor
Shawn Green, L.A. Dodgers
Michael Gogin, actor
Oscar Hijuelos, author (Mambo Kings)
John Hurt, actor
Eric Idle, actor (Monty Python)
Don Johnson, actor
John Kerry, U.S. Senator
Stephen King, author
Christian Riese Lassen, artist
Scott Linebrink, San Diego Padres
Taryn Manning, actress
Cheech Marin, actor
Rob Morrow, actor
Conan O'Brien, NBC
Terry O'Quinn, actor (Lost)
Jake Peavy, San Diego Padres
Mike Piazza, N.Y. Mets
Brad Pitt, actor
Jeremy Piven, actor
Tim Robbins, actor
Rene Russo, actress
Marla Sokoloff, actress
Huston Street, Oakland A's
Scott Tinley, triathlete
Bill Todman, Jr., TV/film producer
Robby Unser, race car driver
Tim Wakefield, Boston Red Sox
Robert James Waller, author (The Bridges of Madison County)
Robb Webb, actor (the "voice" of 60 Minutes)
Serena Williams, tennis pro
Rusty Wilcoxen, producer/director (Grand Ole Opry Live)
Steve Young, former San Francisco 49er
Barry Zito, Oakland A

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: Peace
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 06:48 PM

Fact is that a good guitar is a good guitar.

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: number 6
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 09:27 PM

Like having a good dog.

sIx

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: Peace
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 10:51 PM

True. They can both be a bit high strung.

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: Cluin
Date: 28 Feb 06 - 11:35 PM

Yeah, and... they like to go for walks annnnnnnd...






Ah, I got nothin' here.

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: GUEST,ianlp59
Date: 01 Mar 06 - 08:45 AM

I've got two Collings (0002H and 002H) and two Martins (D18 and 00028). Frankly the Collings are in a totally different league altogether to the Martins. The Collings are better built, are built with superior materials and sound way better that the Martins. That said, Collings guitars cost more, so you get at least what you pay for. Martin guitars are mass produced and rely on the name to sell them. Better Martins exist of course but they are either custom orders or so-called 'signature' models, endorsed by a particular artist, built in 'limited' numbers and sole at a huge price premium.

Actually, there are a load of guitars out there which are just fabulous both from smaller makers and specialist individual luthiers. When I can afford it, I'll get Stephan Sobell to make me one of his Martin Simpson signature series guitars. (Best start doing the lottery).

Anyway , great thread and glad to see how it stirs things up !

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: Wesley S
Date: 01 Mar 06 - 09:10 AM

Ian - Can I assume you've visited the Collings Forum ?

That's a sweet combination of guitars. I had a 000H also but I decided the neck was a little wide for my fingers and used it as a tradein for my OM2HG { German spruce top }. That and my 1967 D-18 take care of just about any guitar needs I have. Since getting the OM2HG my Martin OM28V has been sitting in it's case. I need to sell it to finance my next mandolin.

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: GUEST,Midchuck - Have They Kicked Me Out AGAIN?
Date: 01 Mar 06 - 10:45 AM

I've got two Collings (0002H and 002H) and two Martins (D18 and 00028). Frankly the Collings are in a totally different league altogether to the Martins. The Collings are better built, are built with superior materials and sound way better that the Martins. That said, Collings guitars cost more, so you get at least what you pay for.

I also have a 0002H and, at the moment, three Martins, all lower-level. I concur with the above. I also have a Froggy Bottom H-12 (very close to the 000-2H in design). That guitar is to the Collings as Collings is to Martin. Much too good for me, but I ain't letting go of it.

The Martins still get played a lot. In many situations, an instrument that doesn't represent too much of an investment, but still plays and sounds OK, is to be preferred over a high-end one. A gig in a noisy environment; a loud jam; leaving an instrument out on a stand in case you have a free five minutes, instead of shut up in the case...

Peter.

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: GUEST
Date: 15 Mar 06 - 11:07 AM

Santa Cruz and Huss and Dalton is where it's at - these are guitars! Yes, you can get a good Martin if you buy a signature one, as they actually pay attention to what they are doing with those.

Martin and Taylor guitars are for wannabe bitches, or for people who just collect them. Guitars should be played - they are not for brand name masturbation.

Titty Squeeze

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: Maryrrf
Date: 15 Mar 06 - 11:49 AM

I have a Martin. No it's not a signature one nor is it top of the line. I liked it, it was what I could afford, and I bought it. So that makes me a "wannabe bitch" or somebody that just collects guitars or worse? I don't collect guitars, either, by the way. I only have the one Martin and an Ovation which I bought used. Being fiberglass the Ovation is indestructable and I take it along when I will be playing at outdoor festivals where the instrument will be out in the weather for a long time in uncontrolled conditions. I just don't see why threads like this have to get so nasty.

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 15 Mar 06 - 12:14 PM

they put a nasty drug in the guitar case with every Martin. some people withstand exposure to one Martin and remain pleasant well balanced individuals.......
however two Martins and its like Doctor Jekyll after he's drunk the liquid, they go around saying, that's not real folk music! not like me! I play a Martin! I'm alright and everyone else is crazy!

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: GUEST,Greycap
Date: 17 Mar 06 - 07:54 AM

Got three of 'em, love 'em. Also played Taylors that I loved. A good guitar is a good guitar and they come with all kinds of manufacturer's names and labels.
p.s. A surfeit of Martins is an oxymoron.

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: Bert
Date: 19 May 10 - 06:03 AM

A surfeit of Martins keep the mosquitoes down.

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: Don Firth
Date: 19 May 10 - 02:47 PM

A surfeit of Martins.

Is that something like a herd of caribou, a skein of geese, a crash of rhinos, a murder of crows, etc?

Don Firth

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: GUEST,TJ in San Diego
Date: 19 May 10 - 04:22 PM

I was privileged to once own a Martin D-28, circa 1967. It had the great, booming sound you expect from a Martin Dreadnaught. I loved it dearly, but my wife and new baby twice as much. Hard times forced me to sell it. Times are far better, and have been for many years. My current love, however, is a Taylor. It gives me much the same sound quality but I find the fingerboard/neck easier to navigate, and with less pressure. It IS a subjective thing - my age and all, but works for me. Truth to tell, I spend more time with my Takamine classic these days and my son spends more time with the Taylor than I do.

I wish I had the budget to experiment with Larrivee, Seagull, Guild, etc., etc., ad nauseum. My next purchase, though, may well be a Loriente classic.

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 19 May 10 - 10:17 PM

I have 2 favorite guitars out of all those I have played over the years. One is a Martin HD-28. The other is a Taylor Grand Concert with koa back and sides. They sound quite different from one another and they're both marvelous.

I would happily buy another Martin or another Taylor anytime.

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: olddude
Date: 19 May 10 - 11:45 PM

i like james taylor, and he plays a martin

i will leave now sorry

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: mattkeen
Date: 20 May 10 - 05:03 AM

Martin have made some lovely guitars obviously

Some of the top end stuff can still be good
But they are trading on their old heritage to a large extent IMO


Both Martin and Taylor are mass produced instruments and there are 100's of better undependent luthiers now

So if I was looking to buy a high quality model (read over £1500) I wouldn't buy a mass produced guitar

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: Midchuck
Date: 20 May 10 - 09:31 AM

As a result of a recent sale, I own no Martins or Taylors. There's one Martin on the premises, but it's my wife's, and it's under a curse.

Peter

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 20 May 10 - 09:46 AM

"i like james taylor, and he plays a martin"

Hope you were joking, Dude!
(You knew he plays Olsons all along didn't you?) :-)

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: alanabit
Date: 20 May 10 - 09:55 AM

I bought a mid range Martin C-18GTE last year. It has built in pre-amp, pick up, mike and tuner. I was very lucky to be able to afford a Martin of any level, because the US Dollar was spectacularly low last year (the only good thing that happened in the Bush era, I reckon).   The unamplified sound is good, but no rival for my Fylde. Above all, it is an excellent on stage tool. If I coveted another guitar for its acoustic sound, I would go to a small instrument maker, who was just starting up, and get one of those superb instruments which many of them produce while they are still making their name. In short, I think Martins are excellent instruments and worth the money, but there are other instruments, which I could desire more.

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 20 May 10 - 11:51 AM

It's certainly true that there are any number of wonderful instruments out there which are being handmade by individual luthiers, and that many of them are superior to most of the high end mass-produced guitars made by companies like Taylor or Martin.

I guess, though, it comes down to whatever you like best...and that's a very subjective business. I've always gone on 3 things:

1. sound
2. playability ("feel")
3. appearance

Oh, any maybe one more thing:

4. accessories...   That is, it counts quite a bit for me if a guitar also comes with a really good case, a really good onboard electronic pickup, a strap pin already installed, a battery that is easy to get at when you change it, warranty and info papers...all that sort of thing.

When it comes to the accessories, I think Taylor comes out considerably ahead of most other mass-produced acoustics.

Some other mass-produced guitars I have a very high opinion of are Collings, Santa Cruz, and Larrivee, but I've never owned any of them. I have owned several Martins, a Guild, a couple of Yamahas, a couple of Takamines, 2 Taylors, and 2 handmade guitars by luthiers, as well as a few other less expensive guitars under other brand names. They've all come and gone as the years went by except for the ones I have now: 1 Martin, 2 Taylors, and a Yamaha. I'm selling the Yamaha and one of the Taylors now, because I really don't feel I need more than 2 guitars.

I've played some wonderful handmade guitars that friends owned. Bob Ardearn, for example, has a Beneteau, and it's great. It's made by a luthier in Ontario, Canada. I've owned 2 handmade guitars, and they were both quite good, but not as good as the Martin HD-28 and the Taylor Grand Concert I have now.

When you get into the really high end of acoustic guitars, they're all great, but they all have subtle differences in sound and in othe respects. You just have to find one that "speaks" to you, that's all. It has to be love at first touch. ;-)

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: PoppaGator
Date: 20 May 10 - 02:24 PM

I was very pleased a couple of years ago, when my 1969 D-18 was appraised at about $2500. (It cost $300 back when it was new.)

I was much less pleased to learn, not long afterwards, that a brand-new D-18 is priced at ~ you guessed it ~ about $2500. I had assumed that being "vintage" would add to an instrument's value. Not true, apparently.

For those shopping for guitars, this means that you should be able to find high-quality, well-played-in used instruments at about the same price as newly manufactured guitars of the same (or similar) model.

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: Brian May
Date: 24 Oct 10 - 03:02 PM

My oldest Martin is a 2006 model - it sounds beautiful.

My luthier looks after Martin Simpson's guitars, his opinion is the finest ones are those being made now.

The thought that my three will only improve is bliss - the fact that they will all outlast me feels strange. All I know is that those who come to them next are in for a real treat, I just hope that they love them like I do.

How I can love bits of wood, I don't know . . . suffice to say 'I do'.

For those with a Martin, hail fellow. For those without, it took me 40 years, but they were worth waiting for?

A surfeit ? Nope, I don't reckon, just greater disposable income and fulfilment of a dream.

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: GUEST,MC Fat (at work)
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 04:32 AM

Is that last posting 'the real' Brian May ?

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: mattkeen
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 05:08 AM

No - the real brian may is not deaf

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: Brian May
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 07:50 AM

Well, I am now 60 and have had this name all my life.

I don't play guitar on high buildings because I get vertigo, I don't have a doctorate in Astro Physics and I definitely don't know Anita Dobson. I don't play electric in any guise.

That said, I AM actually high tone deaf from aircraft engines.

So, am I real? My wife thinks so ;o)

Is the Martin brand 'mass-produced' - yep, not surprising when you've been going 177 years.

So are Mercedes and BMW amongst other cars, but generally, you still get what you pay for - high quality.

I am NOT saying Martins are right for everyone, but they sure as hell are for me!

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: GUEST,bigrickpa(registered,no cookies,please)
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 08:30 AM

it is the old ford vs. chevy,mercedes vs. bmw,etc.
'discussion".
i just got my 2nd martin, an hd-28, and i love it! classic martin sound,good intonation(in spite of what some want to believe) the guitar i always wanted.
taylors are a fine guitar, never played a bad one. tried new gibsons, all were, ahem,cough,cough, overpriced.
collings, huss&dalton? for those prices, i'd better be able to drive or live in them.
i don't play out too much anymore, haven't since we married and had kids. some things are more important. so i had to wait for a good guitar. through watching and waiting and saving, i was able to get this one for price i could afford.
as far as the op, i understand his point but have to disagree. more good guitars should help the sound at sessions. isn't that a good thing?
bigrickpa

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 10:07 AM

My favorite guitar ever is my Martin HD-28. But I've also played some wonderful Taylors, Collings, Larivees, Santa Cruz, G.W. Barry, etc....

What the heck, brand doesn't matter! Just find the specific guitar you like the best and play it. It could be any brand.

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 10:45 AM

Well, according to our read of the tour of Martin Guitars on PCN, it sure looks like quality is still very much a large part of the material of which they are made....

~Susan

Subject: RE: A Surfeit of Martins?
From: Charmion
Date: 25 Oct 10 - 11:30 AM

I love my Martin. It sounds great, it handles well, and it came with a fine case lined with green plush that the cat enjoys as much as I enjoy the guitar.