Flexo over at Consumerism Commentary recently purchased a Martin D-15. It’s a great solid mahogany guitar. I actually prefer it over the more popular DM Road Series. Regardless you can’t go wrong with Martin guitars.

If you’re shopping around for a new guitar, let me give you an awesome tip. Check out Buffalo Bros Guitars down in Carlsbad, CA near San Diego. They have an “upgrade policy” that can’t be beat. You can purchase any guitar from them and when you decide to upgrade to a more expensive/better guitar, they will take back your old guitar and credit you the purchase price.

So for example, you purchase a Martin D-15 for $800, and a few years down the road you decide that you really wanted a Taylor 710ce instead, Buffalo Bros will deduct $800 from your purchase price of the new guitar. When you upgrade the only requirement is that you spend $100 more on the new guitar. And obviously your old guitar can’t be broken, but normal wear and tear is fine.

I have a couple of friends that have purchased from Buffalo Bros, and a couple of them have upgraded. They have competitive prices, similar to Sam Ash or Guitar Center, except with much better customer service.

Purchasing a guitar can be an expensive investment. Fortunately, this upgrade policy will insure that you’ll end up with a guitar you really like.

If you’re in the Carlsbad area, you can also stop by the Taylor guitar factory. I’ve been on the guided tour and it is really neat. Plus they give you free coasters.