[New 12 String Mike]

I'd have to disagree that Martin laminate guitars are of lesser quality. Lesser grade materials, sure, but the quality is still there. I too played an Ovation, in my case for 30 years.

Then after all that time, I played a Martin DXM. The DXM is a Martin HPL all laminate guitar. The "wood grain" is counter top photos. Didn't matter. After Ovation, owning a synthetic guitar wasn't a problem. Regardless... the sound was there. My DXM isn't my D-28, but then it only cost a couple hundred dollars.. The sound is excellent. It IS a Martin. These guitars allow players without lots of money to own and play a Martin guitar if they want to. They work.

They may not be to everyone's taste, and that's OK. If you don't want to play laminates, only play solid wood, sure. A good laminate is still a good guitar.