I echo the "go for it" sentiment. My first kit guitar was the StewMac HD. Components wise it is very close (missing a backstrip, but woods were every bit as good as what Martin uses). Build wise the specs and bracing are the same but as others have said you probably won't make the Martin employees nervous about their jobs with your first effort. Finish wise let's just say I kept this one at home, in a spare room, in the closet. Tone wise I shouted out for joy the first time I strung it up and hit that g chord. incredible rich, big, dry tone.
That was seven years ago and just recently I rescued it from its shameful life in that back room closet, stripped the finish and am redoing it now that I have more experience under my belt. Using brush on KTM9 instead of lacquer in a spray can...and also have learned to be more patient. That's the key.
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