I only deal with what I know, and that’s Pre 1955 Martins and some others made by excellent but lesser known luthiers.
I picked up a guitar, a 025, made by Lowden, and Irish guitar builder. It was made in the late 90s. Oh my, the sustain is unreal.
I love the sound of an old wartime D18 or D28. The D18s from before 1955 are light as a feather, and the sound resonates. I bought a ‘44 D18 from a pawn shop last year. The guitar was in such bad shape, it was almost unrestorable, ie from a money stand point. The owner had glued two rattle snake tails on the sound board. I sent it to Martin and they wanted $5000 to restore it.
I found a Martin authorized guy who did it for a fraction of that.
Anyway, I wanted to say, that when I first got it, and took the strings off of it, I was holding it and talking on the phone and I could feel it vibrating.... haha.
If you’re interested in Taylor’s I’ll direct you to them....cheap....
I appreciate that. When I hang out in the salesroom picking around with the instruments, I'm more likely to find a Taylor that strikes my ear, than a Martin. Not knocking Martin, they are outstanding.
I have a 1972 Alvarez 5044 bought cheap from a co-worker who lost his fingers in an industrial accident. It sounds remarkably good, but doesn't "play well." Of course I adapt to it, and have probably adopted some good habits on account of it.
I just play for my own discipline, challenge and pleasure, so not too fussy - but one of these days it will be time to add another to the stable, and upgrade at the same time.