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I got to know Chet briefly thru a mutual friend, and according to my friend Chet tried to achieve the sound of an unamplified Martin D-28 with his string of Gretsch and later Gibson electrics. I’d say he got pretty close. I was a working musician for many years in and out of country, rock, pop and whatever paid the bills, and having owned many (Gibson, Gretsch, Charvel, Fender, etc.), my favorite is a Martin D-35. Has a bit more bass response with the three-piece back, to my ear. A good source is Mike Longworth’s book about the Martin Co. and their guitars.

my favorite is a Martin D-35.

I have a '71 D-35 and it plays really well, especially when you 'step' into it. Not many guitars respond well to aggressive bluegrass style picking the way a Martin does. However, I played a Taylor 910 that could, and had great action too. A Santa Cruz will, as will a Collings. But each offer different characteristics.

The 'guitar-that-got-away' from me was a little Santa Cruz in a D-18 styling. Played it once in a music store, fell in love, couldn't afford it at the time, and we went our seperate ways. Mahogany back and sides, she rang like a little bell and had the curves to go with it. My only hope is that whoever has her now is treating her right- like tuning, keeping her dry, polishing once in a while, and keeping a good set of strings on her at all times.