On the western side of the pond

Derick, wow! twice the price?- the link I posted is for the one with open tuners- maybe that's why - the specs did get me to wonderin about Pao Ferro wood- maybe I'd like to hear it- I've been curious about rosewood and why it's so popular and apparently the Pao Ferro is similar- alas- I don't know where to accomplish that listenin except on you tube and that ain't the same as in person-

Derick, from what I've read- Sigma is a Chinese manufactured Martin- if the construction details are the same I don't know what the difference would be, with another "if" thrown in- quality control by inspectors who are picky- my Martin 00015M was manufactured in the US and cost me 1175 USD, with a case-
The manufacturer(s)/designers produce the specs for quality control people to adhere to- so, all else being equal (quality of machinery, etc) the quality should be at least comparable-yes, the people employed in the manufacturing process do count, but, at the end of the day (I despise that phrase but it fits)the results are what counts and people, as a rule, regardless of the nationality/ethnicity take pride in their work- there are some, if not many (numbers change but I doubt percentage is but minimally affected) who, like me, believe their work is their signature - their product, labor, is time consuming and there are typically time constraints placed on mass producers so there will be those that slip through the cracks-

Am I preaching to a choir member- if so, I'll shut up -