I will just answer for me. I like the Martin sound and feel, and like the line of guitars that Martin has new for about a grand plus or minus. You will want to try a few and see which woods you like. The woods the guitar is made with make a difference in tonal quality. i am a rosewood sound guy, others prefer the mahogany sound. Here is a link to the mahogany one: http://www.guitarcenter.com/Martin-C...00-i1148341.gc
Or, you could do what I did and buy used. I got a martin SPD-16TR, which has a bit more bling and originally sold for quite a bit more than a grand. http://www.dreamguitars.com/sold-gui...pd16tr_581077/ I think you can find new ones that will be just fine, or you can keep your eye out for a used D-16, 18, or even 28. The D-28s are a bit more expensive typically, but that is the typical Martin sound I wanted, so I found a blinged up D-16 for less. In answer to your question of why: It has the sound and look I want, and makes me forget about wanting a much more expensive guitar. click on the "Media" tab in the link to my guitar, and it has a recording of what the guitar sounds like in the hands of a much better player than I. http://www.dreamguitars.com/sold-gui...pd16tr_581077/ So that is why. I think you can get that sound out of the new ones that GC sells for a grand also if you play a few.
So play a few, and find one that really speaks to you!
Steve Thompson
Sun Valley, Idaho
Guitars: Fender 60th Anniversary Std. Strat, Squier CVC Tele Hagstrom Viking Semi-hollow, Joshua beach guitar, Martin SPD-16TR Dreadnought
Amphs: Peavey Classic 30, '61 Fender Concert
Effects and such: Boss: DS-1, CE-5, NS-2 and RC20XL looper, Digitech Bad Monkey, Korg AX1G Multi-effects, Berhinger: TU100 tuner, PB100 Clean Boost, Line 6 Toneport UX2, Electro Harmonix Little Big Muff Pi, DuhVoodooMan's Rabid Rodent Rat Clone, Zonkin Yellow Screamer Mk. II, MXR Carbon Copy Delay
love is the answer, at least for most of the questions in my heart. . .
- j. johnson