I will getting a performance based bonus at work in April. So I'm thinking about laying away either the Larrvee L09FM or the Martin Birchwood dreadnought. Both are right around $1250 at Galaxy, sound terrific and have similar looks: the Larrivee is Flamed Maple, the Martin blonde Birch. It's a toss up. The bass on the Larrivee just keeps on going with infinate depth, the bass on the Martin is thunderous. The overall volume on the Martin is above that of the Larrivee, but the feel of the latter is superior. You feel like you can play any tune at any speed. I "own" that guitar when I play it.

We will just have to play them side by side and decide.

I played a 1977 D-35 ($1999) at lunch today. The place was a little crowded so I hesitated to cut loose. I'm not a show-off unless someone is playing mediocre and loudly. Then I' play with a bit more volume, just to let them know that I know what I'm doing. Then I usually get up and leave.

The deep bass of the Martin dreadnaughts just goes and goes, you know. There's a raging debate between Martin people and Taylor people. Taylor guitars have such a clear, distictive voice. Martins on the other hand are more mellow, even thunderous with warmth. Martin people say that Taylors have no character. Taylor people complain that Martin guitars are muddy. The lines are clearly drawn.

I just spent an hour at Guitar Center where I heard one of the finest ragtime guitar players ever. I didn't catch the name, but he played my style of fingerwork on a variety of vintage instruments. From a 1940's Kalamazoo, a 1942 Martin New Yorker, finishing up with a 1962 Gibson Southern Jumbo. The notes jumped of the strings, surrounded and lifted me. He played two songs that I have never heard anyone but me play: 'Angie' by Bert Jansch and 'Living in the Country' by Pete Seeger, both instrumentals. He played the latter in quick-time, doubling up on the beat. It was amazing! Truely, one of my most well spent lunch times ever!

The Larrivee does play better, but not that better. I'm seriously considering moving on from it. Saw a D-28 for $1200 at Guitar Center. I mean you've just got to go for that. Also Augustino Dreadnuaght for $2500 but the neck is just a little too wide. The Sant Cruz VJ is still my favorite guitar @ $2900 (fat chance on the latter two).