Years ago when I was ready to buy my first quality acoustic, my local music store had every one of their Martins hanging high on the wall where you couldn't reach them. Gibson on the other hand had a promotional floor display right within reach. To me, it seemed like he really didn't want to sell his Martins. I went home with a mahogany Songbird. Marketing is everything. I admit I went off course when I was on my Taylor kick but came to my senses when I missed that Gibson sound. They simply sound like a guitar should.