[billwagnon]

I am shopping for an acoustic/electric guitar. I have had a Sigma (by Martin) dreadnought for 18 years and the bridge is cracked and the strings are too high off the fretboard, but I love the sound.

I thought I would get a Martin, probably with the Aura electronics. Then I played a Takamine ENVS with the CoolTube. It sounds good acoustic, and absolutely awesome, plugged in.

Every guitar shop I go to, I find a new favorite. I was planning on a Martin but the Takamine made me rethink that.

I prefer spruce solid top with mahogany or cherry sides. Martin has a "sustainable woods" model with cherry and it sounds great but it doesn't have the electronics. I have played rosewood and it sounds focused but not alive. All mahogany sounded pretty good too.

Any thoughts on this? I was planning to stay under $1000. Now I am thinking $1800 is my upper limit (just $100 a year, if I keep it 18 years!).

I play a lot of fingerstyle (haven't used a pick in 3 years), lean towards blues/folk/rock. Once I get the guitar I will be playing one of the church services so that is the "go ahead" trigger...