[budwiesest]

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.

[Southbound]

Got my D-35 when they first came out (’66 or thereabouts)....
the lady who ran the music store where I was teaching guitar had ordered TEN of them. Unheard of for a small store. I got to them before the store owner (not the lady - she was an employee.) could send all but two back.....tried them all out and settled on the one I still have. Sound was incredible and improves with age. My oldest son glommed onto it and loves it as much as I do.....