Need help getting a new electric guitar

[CygnusX-1Bk2]

I am particular about all guitars but the only acoustics that I truly like are Martins. Gibson jumbos are particularly good too, as are Guild jumbos. Martin set the standard and most acoustic guitar construction these days are blatantly, um, "inspired" by what Martin did in the 1800s, most notably inner bracing and the dreadnaught style. If I say another manufacturer makes something decent to me it's still not a Martin. :)

 

Buying any guitar/instrument without playing it first is a bad idea. I disagree with the above statement about strings. You can really hear the differences in guitars with less than fresh strings. Brand new strings, especially on acoustics give a false impression of quality.