C.F. Martin is known for making extremely good quality instruments. There are several Martin guitars that I have tested, everything from the DM to the D-41. The guitar that I personally settled on is the D-16. After testing lots of guitars, I have found that the D-16 series can provide everything that a player needs. It comes with several options, such as different woods, different pickups, and different sizes. My D-16 is a DC-16RGTE Custom. Below are the specs from the Martin Website for this guitar, except I have custom hardware on mine. Please feel free to take a look at the pics below for some of the custom work.

My D-16 has everything that a D-28 series or above guitar has, with the exception of pearl ornimentation, Brazilion Rosewood (really expensive), and other features that enhance the look of the guitar. If you are looking specifically for sound, I recommend this guitar, as you can get the solid Indian Rosewood back and sides with the spruce top.

Model Specifications:

MODEL DC-16RGTE Premium Custom
CONSTRUCTION: Mortise/Tenon Neck Joint
BODY SIZE: D-14 Fret CUTAWAY
TOP: Solid Sitka Spruce
ROSETTE: Bold Herringbone
TOP BRACING PATTERN: D1 Hybrid
TOP BRACES: 1 Style/Scalloped
BACK MATERIAL: Solid East Indian Rosewood
BACK PURFLING: none
SIDE MATERIAL: Solid East Indian Rosewood
ENDPIECE: White Boltaron®
ENDPIECE INLAY: Black/White Boltaron®
BINDING: White Boltaron®
TOP INLAY STYLE: Multiple Black / White
SIDE INLAY: none
BACK INLAY: none
NECK MATERIAL: Select Hardwood
NECK SHAPE: Modified Low Oval
NUT MATERIAL: Bone
HEADSTOCK: Solid/6 String No Diamond/Standard Taper
HEADPLATE: Solid East Indian Rosewood-Gold Foil Logo
HEELCAP: Solid East Indian Rosewood
FINGERBOARD MATERIAL: Black Micarta®
SCALE LENGTH: 25.4"
# OF FRETS CLEAR: 14
# OF FRETS TOTAL: 20
FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT NUT: 1 11/16''
FINGERBOARD WIDTH AT 12TH FRET: 2 1/8''
FINGERBOARD POSITION INLAYS: Style 28
FINGERBOARD BINDING: White Boltaron®
FINISH BACK & SIDES: Satin / Dark Filler
FINISH TOP: Polished Gloss
FINISH NECK: Semi Gloss/ Dark Mahogany Stain/ Dark Filler
BRIDGE MATERIAL: Black Micarta®
BRIDGE STYLE: 1 Style Belly
BRIDGE STRING SPACING: 2 1/8''
SADDLE: Compensated White Tusq
TUNING MACHINES: Gold Grover with Ebony Buttons
RECOMMENDED STRINGS: Martin MSP 4100 Light Phosphor Bronze
BRIDGE & END PINS: Black with Pearl dot
PICKGUARD: I-02 Tortoise Color
CASE: 345 Hard Shell
INTERIOR LABEL: Paper Label
ELECTRONICS: Fishman® Prefix Premium Stereo Onboard Blender
HARDWARE: Gold