I wouldn't say Tony plays a Martin "when it matters". He's addressed the question in various interviews and in the new bio about him (which I highly recommend, by the way). There was a period when he was primarily playing the SCs, but a few years ago he decided to take the Martin out of its vault and play that for the most part. It's as simple as that.

Also, the SC Tony Rice models are said to be voiced better for "newgrass" and more modern styles, and Tony has been playing more traditional material lately, especially in the Quartet. He's on tour this summer with a version of the Unit, and it would be interesting to see what guitar he's using.

A matter of opinion cannot be disproved. No point in trying.

If you want to feel good about playing a factory made guitar, who am I to say you shouldn't? Right. No one. :)

Enjoy your guitar kohara.

Daniel (2001 Santa Cruz Guitar Company 1942 Bluegrass D)

Something I forgot to add about the Santa Cruz Guitar Company that I've always been impressed with is how many world class luthiers how been trained by and come out of the SCGC shop, Traugott, McAlister, Maingard, Claxton, Shanti Guitars, and others.

this shootout should probably be settled in a Super Bowl commercial.

You know there was this guy who use to work in our mailroom....30 years and he never made it out....he use to always ask "why" about everything.
Just saying...kinda reminds me.
Go play one ...like it buy it. Dont like it dont buy it...dont worry what your favorite rock star is playing cause you cant play like them anyways.
Maybe those guys are like you...worry too much about what their peers will think when they read the label. Truth is when theyre plugged in, it doesnt matter too much. The electronics carry the weight. So might as well play a "label" geet.
My ears tell me the guitars made by the small guys are better in almost all models so that is all I need to know.

the santa cruz 00 i played sounded better to my ears than any similar sized guitar i've ever played. felt good, too.

My vote would certainly go to Santa Cruz, but only because they introduced the 1929 series 00 and 000's this past year. Those guitars are amazing. I have only tried a few collings guitars and have always been more impressed by the Martin ge's and a's that they are modeled after.

Got to go with Santa Cruz for me. I just love the expressiveness, sweet mids and trebles and the resonance of the light build. I agree that Collings makes a great guitar, though not with the voice that goes best with my playing. I also agree that they are visually gorgeous.

As for artists and their instruments, I think most have several instruments that they use in various settings and for various purposes. I doubt the instruments we see on stage are the same ones that are used in the studio. Artisan Guitars in Nashville reports that Santa Cruz guitars see a lot of recording time in Nashville studios for what it's worth.

Rich

The ones that I have tried from either brand were all somewhere in the excellent-to-superb range. I don't see one brand as better or more prestigious than the other. It would come down to the individual instrument. On a given day in a given shop the best new acoustic could be anything.

I own one of each. I voted "Not sure".

Hard choice

But my favorite guitar would be Santa Cruz, H13 Sunburst Slot Head

At the moment, the poll shows that SC has a small but clear lead over Collings. SC may very well be more popular than Collings, after all.

Which begs the question.... why is Collings resale value better than SC?

Maybe all the Collings guys are over at the Collings forum. :)

Yeah, I guess any poll or survey is just as good as its samples.

If I have learned anything about acoustic guitars over the years, it is that evreyone hears and feels things differently, sometimes completely differently.

The quote above is a perfect example. My experience is completely opposite from Benoit's experience. Please note that I am not saying Benoit is wrong and I am right, I am just pointing out the astounding degree to which we each differ from one another when it comes to acoustic guitars.
LC