do you like teles or strats?
in my experience, martins play more like teles and taylors more like strats, if that makes any sense. so you might feel more at home with one than the other. i've played some taylors that had actions better than a lot of electrics i've played (not really my cup of tea for an acoustic--i feel a lot of the tone comes from the action) as well as some washburns/alvarez guitars i've liked ok, but in that case i prefer solid wood and american hand-made craftsmanship. unlike with mic stands, i'd FAR rather have my guitar made by american craftsfolk who do their job with loving care. some things you just don't screw around with--the tone of your guitar is one of those things.
that said, i play teles.....and martins just felt "right" to me. i bought a (new)
martin d15 about 2 years ago and absolutely LOVE it. it's got a much more mellow sound than a d28, and i find it actually cuts through pretty nice due to the mahogany top. this thing is *loud*. excellent bass response, too, due to the d-size. got it for right around $700 with case. and it records real well, too.
didn't get any electronics in it, though, but the d15ce will run you another ~$150 or so, and is even better if you're looking for one with a cutaway (i wasn't.....although part of me wishes i had).
that said, i'm really thinking about getting a passive
lrbaggs ibeam and a paracoustic DI for mine. the combo's about $200 and is a pretty simple install (and the folks on the UMGF seem to far prefer them to the fishmans for after-market pickup installs). i like the passive better than the active b/c the idea of a 9v battery inside my acoustic frightens me (we've all had one leak inside a pedal, haven't we?).
i too like the idea of a used d18 or d28, or even maybe a d17. i'm still waiting for a good deal on a pre-69 d28 to come my way.....don't really want one if it's not brazillian. doubt you'll be able to get an hd-28v for under a grand, but i think the extra cash would be worth the wait--a buddy of mine has one and it's a freaking hand cannon. such a stark contrast to my smoother/mellower d15. i can't wait to get that thing in front of the mics and whomp out some neil young.
the d15 has the "satin" finish. it's one of those "love it or hate it" things. i love it--it's understated and humble, just like the guitar. certainly a satin finish would look out of place on a pearly d45, but works well with the simple mahogany. over the last couple years the neck has become much more "glossy" as my fretting hand has effectively buffed it. i've got an "arm spot" on the top part of the lower bout where it's a tad "shinier" than the rest of the guitar for the same reason. they're really love spots.
i went new with the d15 b/c i loved the sound of this particular d15 (and it's gotten better over the couple years i've had it) and i got the lifetime warranty from martin. that helps me sleep better at night--there's very little work i can't do on my tele.....but my martin.....i'd rather have them do it. and the warranty's not transferrable, so while used is oftentimes a great deal, make sure you have it checked out first.
good luck! aside from coming home with whatever you pick, this is the funnest part--trying em all out and seeing what you like best. enjoy!
wade
), he also recommended the LR Baggs Dual Source. He said he's had a lot of folks get that combo and rave about it. He mentioned the Ibeam would sound excellent with it as well. 
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days after playing a cheapo for a while. So I know there are differences 
