I fell in love again, and then again.

The arch-top by the way, was a Chinese made re-production of a Gibson line.  Lara, Lana, something like that.  The reason I spelled it re-production instead of reproduction is that this is not an imitation of the prior guitar.  According to the sales guy, the Chinese company bought the name and the specs and design from Gibson and have started producing THOSE SAME GUITARS again.  Can you imagine a Gibson arch-top acoustic for under $600?  Well, neither could I.  I'm still salivating.  My wallet weighs about 100# today.  It's yelling "Lighten me up!  Lighten me up!" 

- Zurf

Nice find Zurf!!!! But you know how it works. And if the law ok's it then you still have a six hour drive round trip. I guess it would depend on how much you can get it for. At least you're sensible about what you have and what you "need".

I find that if I stay out of music shops my GAS stays under control. Always on the lookout tho.

Zurf,  Have you tried the Godin archtops?  They're in the $550 range right now..  I have the electric version with the P-90 and think its great.

Yeah Bunbun it was. 

- Zurf

Zurf,
Somehow I missed this post. It is comforting to hear you GASSING. The Martin D-15M is both ugly and beautiful and the sound! I am fighting this version of GAS myself. Although I am leaning towards the 000-15M.
DJ

Geez, it's been a while, but I'll do what I can.

The main thing about the guitar that I noticed was its feel.  It fit me very, very well and left my hands in very natural positions.  Given that you are smaller and ... uh... otherwise differently built from me ... that may not be the same for you.  But that's the most memorable thing about the guitar.

For sound, it was a more mellow, rounder sound to the music than with spruce tops.  I do not think it was as loud as spruce guitars, but it did the job well enough.  The highs were clear.  The mids were clear.  The lows did not boom, but they were ... present I guess is the best word.  You know how I like big, bold lows, and I liked the guitar, so take that for what it's worth. 

Action was perfect.  There was not a thing I would have changed about the setup coming right off the wall at the shop.  Now, this shop is a high quality shop that plays each instrument before it goes on the wall, so I can't say that's how it came from the factory.  Nevertheless, there was not a thing I'd have changed. 

Well, just one.  I would have put a clear pick guard on it. 

Given that I've just agreed to buy Dirty Ed's Breedlove, I'm not GASSING for this particular guitar any more.  OK, that's a lie.  Clearly I am still GASsing for it.  But the likelihood of me actually buying it is remote and will require disposal of at least one present guitar. 

I guess the best thing that I could say about it is - it felt like a Martin and it played like a Martin but it sounded just a little bit more laid back and mellow while still crisply projecting. 

Bear in mind I mostly play finger picking and so my comments are from that perspective of playing.

You know the saying the real beauty lies within? That goes for guitars to LOL. It matters how it plays and sounds if it don't look that great all well. I bet you could still fall in love with it. ha ha

Amy,
I have owned four different martin's over the years. I only bought one over the net and it was a bottom line and played and sounded very sweet. I still have two higher ends that I truly love and won't part with. I think you should find one you can play before you buy. This is something you've been waiting for for a while it sounds like and you probably are going to spend a little more than you really want.Take the time ,enjoy the search. It's going to be a fun and rewarding experience, enjoy it as much as you can. Then you won't be thinking later...should I have tried this one or that one first. My last martin I spent way more than I wanted to . I traded in a nice Taylor and saved up a lot of spare cash. I went to the guitar shop played three different martin's. I took the one I had originally went to see. I love it and was glad I played it and a few others. It's my most prized guitar ever with a to die for sound. I'm glad I took the time. Have fun and tell us how it all works out.

  Joe

Right you are zguitar. 

What I was getting at is that it's getting pretty ridiculous here in my office.  I've got two electric basses, an electric guitar, two acoustics (soon to be three), an autoharp, a fiddle, and a sack full of harmonicas.  I'm running out of reasons why I 'need' more instruments when I don't even know how to play the fiddle or the autoharp and the noise that comes out of my harmonicas is only loosely affiliated with the notion of music.

Archtops make me sweaty.

Behold the object of my desire...

Yesterday I was in one of the big guitar stores in Columbus, OH.  In the acoustic room there was in the neighborhood of 50 guitars in the $1000-$2000 range. I was looking for a smaller-bodied OM or 000 type with a 1-3/4" nut. I've owned a couple Martins and am pretty much a Martin kinda guy, but none of the smaller bodied Martins really "spoke" to me, A Breedlove Cascade 000 was close to the sound I was looking for, but $1500 for an asian-built acoustic seemed a little steep, even with the Breedlove name on it.  I continued to the glass-encased "back room" where the $2000 and up guitars are kept.  I tried a small-bodied Gibson but that didn't get it.  A couple Martin Eric Clapton 000's had the sound I wanted but were out of my price range.  Then I picked up a Taylor GC8.  I once owned a Taylor "Big Baby" that was a nice little guitar but never had that bassy "bottom" I've grown to like, and I've played a few other Taylors I've liked but not enough to fork over the money they wanted for them. The GC8 had a feel and sound I may be willing to pay for.  I played the Claptons a few more times but kept going back to the Taylor.

I left the back room and checked out the acoustic section where $100- $500 guitars were hanging.  I picked up a few and strummed then but again, nothing "spoke" to me.  I spied a Taylor GS-Mini which I've heard good things about and thought it might be OK for a small-bodied guitar that could fit into a dry bag for overnight river trips. As soon as I strummed it I wondered "Where did that come from?"  For a small guitar it has great sound and projection - nothing like the travel guitars I've experimented with and been disappointed with in the past.That little booger sounds like the real thing, and I may be adding one to the arsenal if I can sell the little Ibanez and Samick travel guitars I currently own.  After yesterday's experience  I might be becoming a "Taylor Guy".

Amy, if your looking for a small-bodied guitar with great sound without breaking the bank, you might want to check out the GS-Mini.  Taylor lists it as a 7/8 size.  The body is about 2" shorter than a Martin 000, 5/8" narrower but about 1/2" deeper (which may be why it has such a good volume for a small acoustic).  The nut is 1-11/16, a little narrow for me but great for your small hands.  There's several chances to listen to one on youtube to get an idea of the sound.

DE