Welcome. I started out the same way. Dad grew up where "blue" met "grass" so the only guitar brand I ever heard of as a kid was Martin. I only knew of both kinds of music - country and bluegrass - until high school in the late 70's, when I discovered rock & roll. I got a used D-28 after college then eventually ordered a custom shop J-40 in 1991. At one point there were four Martin guitars in the house. Now they are all gone, and only Taylor (wood) or CF guitars remain.
While I have several Taylor's, the 414ce is my primary gigging guitar when I play in public. It is not so valuable or pristine that I'm afraid to use it at gigs. That is an issue with my koa Taylor's - they are SO nice and in brand new condition, I am reluctant to take them out to perform, where most dings and dents occur.
