Laminates are actually stronger and more heat and humidity resistant than solid wood guitars.  As long as you've got a solid wood top and you like to sound of the instrument you shouldn't let the HPL scare you off.  I just added a Taylor 214CE Nylon to my collection and it plays, sounds and records tres fab.  Plus the laminate sides and back are actually "prettier" than my 714Ce or my 410CE.  I know you have your heart set on a Martin, ol pal.  But don't overlook Taylor...they are consistently good.

Bub I imagine we could write a book about purchasing an acoustic but
to just kick it around...

The first thing is when you talk about the sound quality I immediately
wonder if you and I would agree and pick the same one. May not sound the same
at I when I play it.

Another thing- you didn't mention how those guitars are maintained...if you
did I don't recall.
Set-up and strings are major factors contributing to or diminishing the guitars
tones.

Another point...tone isn't the only thing to consider. There are very good reasons
that expensive guitars are. To some that makes a big difference.

The bottom line is once you know that you have factored in all the information
you can make the decision that is right for you. Missing some important factors and
finding out after the purchase is the real issue.

Style, strings you like, action, looks, price, case included or not, shape of neck,
machines, nut material, and it can go deeper...what bracing...will the bridge and top
plate handle the tension for years? Saddle material and electronics if included.

Sometimes folks get kinda rushed and excited about a new guitar and they fail
to check it real good and maybe missed that little buzz or bad fret. Maybe the nut
wasn't cut well at all and the nut action is just overlooked. What gauge of strings
was that nut cut for and do ya hear any clicking or popping when you turn the tuners?

Finding a little thing like that after you get home can sure blow a good time. Good luck Bub.

Bub, I have found thru the years, that if you go into a music store thinkin about a purchase and play a guitar, and your whole being is telling you "WOW", Buy it. You know the magic when you feel it. (it's hard to find imo).

I blew it recently on a Cordoba I played at guitar center. The one I played was really nice. I went back after hemming and hawing a month later to buy it and yech..... I guess they sold 'that' one. And, the new one was just terrible.
Which, actually is pretty odd to me as I figured evrything was pretty much the same nowadays with all the automation in production. hmm.

just sayin.

Bub...I agree with timidi....when you go "wow"...buy it.

That's what happened with the $289 Simon and Patrick I have here.

I played seven of them at my friends guitar shop and I said Wow when I played that particular one.

I wasn't shopping for guitars... I was just visiting my friend at his store and saying hi. We usually pick a few tunes during the quiet part of the day so I ran through his brand new stock of 6 strings and got the fever for this particular one.


best regards,
mike

Probably a bit late now but when ever I go guitar shopping I stress to the assistant that I do not want to know the price of any guitars they bring me, until after I've decided.

I just sit in a booth while they bring a selection in based on my initial specifications and any thing else they think I might like. I then keep playing and swapping until something jumps out at me or I narrow it down.

Usually something jumps out at me. Last acoustic I bought I ended up with a £400 guitar that I estimated in my head at about £800. Turned out I preferred that over a couple of Martins one of which was just shy of £2000. That particular guitar had really jumped out at me very early on.

I've never bee much of a guitar name snob. I buy what I like the sound of and feels right, regardless of name or country of origin. As timid said you'll know when you've found one 'cos you'll think "wow" and then find yourself comparing everything else to it.

Remember too, that in a guitar shop or a music store.... the strings on one guitar might be as old and as dead as the hills on that nice guitar and the cheaper one has new strings and will sound better.... so if it feels good but sounds dead.... ask to put some new strings on it. 

New strings are like day and night. 

A fellow lefty! Yay!!! I salute you sir Bub.

Martin hmmm nice. Played a left handed 0021 or something the other month and loved it. Martins aged very well apparently as well which is one treason they are so expensive. 

Rodders

Well...

here in the NE the average humidity varies from non existent in the winter to 90% for long periods in the summer..  so there is one thing going for your HPL martin.. you wont stress and freak out about the humidity and panic and call folks in while you are on vacation to wet up the spongy thingy.. (yeah i did that)..and tbh unless i purchased a cabinet with humidity control i wouldnt buy a martin or any other quality (ie $2k+) solid top guitar.

BTW Bub, I have a Martin D28 I bought new in 1971. It's nice and all. But, If i were to buy a new steel string acoustic today, I don't think I'd buy a Martin. It's just a name anymore. Don't know what I'd buy cause, well, I don't have to think about that:)