Quick Comment: I had the chance to play a Martin D-45SS, six years after the D-45 in my original post. Beyond a doubt, one of the three best guitars I have ever played or heard, ever. So good, describing it would be impossible - it could only be experienced and fully appreciated with it in your hands. Amazing, above and beyond, incredible ... no words can convey how good that guitar was, and how much I wanted it.
The reason I don't have it ... the price tag, which was in excess of $16,000.00 at the time. The wife would have had a stroke if I had even
attempted to find a way to get the money.
But I DID think about it, regardless, and still yearn for an opportunity to come across another one someday, hopefully with a better chance to work out the financial details. THIS is the Martin that I had hoped to find. When I was single, I'd have took on a second job to pay for it, if necessary.
Here's a fine example of one; a superlative guitar, IMHO: a
1998 Martin D-45SS.
... JT