I would suggest the new 000-18 without electronics. I think they go for $2.3K new, but usually places will discount for Martins substantially (except maybe places like Sweetwater, who are still great though, btw). It doesn't have a white binding and has a more subdued look, but has just enough to look great, to me. You can always drop aftermarket pickups in it. I haven't really given their Retro series a chance, because the electronics aren't nice to look at at all. The technology is amazing, but I'd almost rather just go with something else because I'm sure that I can find something with a great sound that isn't jutting out of the guitar.

For me, it's actually nicer than the OMJM. More because of the rosette. If you look at the OMJM, OM-28JM, and OM-28, they use stark white rosette for some reason. Looks a little tacky to me, especially when you look at some of the rosette work that other guitar companies are doing (Taylor's new 800 series for example. Using actual wood makes a big difference). The off-white ivoroid (plastic) binding actually does look good, but they use plain white for their rosettes, which looks not so great to me. Martin DOES use wood for their rosette instead of plastic in some instances, but they're on models like the Authentics which are way out of many people's price ranges.


Influence.