I guess I touched a nerve. Lol. Hey Steve, since you're such a genius in all things ukulele, please do let me know what a vintage Martin 3K kite/bow tie would cost me. I paid 2k for mine, and it was made by one of the world's premier ukulele makers. It's brand spanking new, too- no issues, none- awaiting decades of glorious play by my ham-handed stylings.
I did a lot of research on Laughlin prior to the purchase. By all accounts of ukulele players and luthiers alike, he's one of the best in the business. In fact, I know of at least one long standing member of both this forum and FMM who sold his vintage Martin 3K in favor of his Laughlin 3K. They're that good. Hey, I'm over the moon with THAT particular purchase. I'm fairly certain I could get back a sizable portion of what I paid for it. Now, if I'd chosen instead to go for one of Elderly's vintage Martin 3Ks for 4 thousand bucks? One of the ones that have been sitting up there for at least over a year? Sans the custom inlays? Riddled with cracks, holes drilled through the headstock, etc.? Would I get that back on resale? No way.
So, maybe for a Martin O your argument about saving money and whatnot would hold water, but as a whole it's just another opinion, and we all know what opinions are like...
-- Matt