I have to agree with 84LX89GT. Martin all the way. You won't find a nicer guitar for $4500. Oh wait, you said $700
They do some in the $1000 price range too I guess.
If you can find a used Martin for the price (highly doubtful) by all means GET IT! I was at a small music shop and picked up a $700 "copy" of a Martin and when I played it I couldn't believe the sound compared to my Fender Acoustic. The room I was sampling this guitar in was full of Martins that said "DO NOT TOUCH!!!!!". So, when the store owner wasn't looking I swapped out the "copy" for the real thing and kept picking thinking he'd never notice. As soon as I hit the first string it was like a sound from the heavens surrounded me. UNBELIEVABLE! The store owner looked up and I was busted. But he never came to throw me out. I guess he likes finger style on a nice guitar as much as I do
The hole point to this story is 1st of all, if you have never experienced a Martin guitar, DO IT! 2nd, go out and PLAY a guitar and choose one that sounds good to you. Don't buy it because of a name. Alvarez will be one of my choices, but it's up to you what sound you like best and how the guitar frets will be different for everyone as well. Play em all.
If you find an old guitar that is in mint condition - beware. Find an old guitar that is all beat up and that's the one that will probably be the better choice. If it hasn't been played, it must not play well.
Good luck.
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