Regular readers know that I’m a big fan of Martin Guitar because they treat their employees well and care about what they build. But I’m a little befuddled–yes, I just used the word befuddled–by their latest press release on prweb.com:

Responding to the troubled economy, C.F. Martin and Company has announced the introduction of a new 1 Series, a lineup of value-oriented Martin guitars based on instruments the company introduced during the Great Depression. Direct music-gear marketer Musician’s Friend is accepting preorders starting today and expects to begin shipping the acoustic guitars in late May.

Great. I’m all for lower-priced guitars in a troubled economy. But Martin’s supposedly recession-friendly guitars range in price from $899 to $1100, which isn’t any cheaper than other Martins.

In fact, it’s twice the price of their DX1 models ($499). The difference, of course, is that the DX1 is built with laminate sides and back and a “Stratabond” neck. The 1 Series is all wood. But I own a DXK and love it. Sure, an all wood guitar is better, but if you’re really concerned about shelling out bucks for a guitar during these craptastic economic times, stick with a DX1. It’s a better value.

Or, if your rich great, great aunt just passed on to her great reward and left you a wad of cash, why not shell out your inheritance for this wallet buster: the $32,000 Martin D-28 Dreadnought. But hey, it does come with free shipping, so there’s that…