What are the main things you think about when shopping for an acoustic? Is it sound? Asthetics? Material? Name? Price?

ON any instrument, it's sound for and playability for me. If it looks nice, that's a plus. I've played guitars from the '60s that sounded great but look terrible. Had an old Silvertone jazz guitar with pickups that was sold by Sears and it also sounded wonderful. Paid $25 for it. Name hardly ever enters into it. It seems that technology has made many of the cheaper acoustics about equal. I've played guitars by Canvas, Washburn, Yamaha and Taylor that all sound good. Every once it a while I'll see a guitar that just looks cool, but if it doesn't play, I don't consider it.

I hear you there. I have an old HI-LOW hollow body electric that has a very unique sound. It was given to me because my buddy hadn't heard of the brand... Lucky me.

I LOVE good low end any acoustic. Deep, full tone is what I desire most out of my instruments. The tone and overall sound of the guitar is what really sells me when I'm trying out different models.
Other than the sound, the playability is important. I like low action and light gauge strings on mine.
Looks are also a factor. Simple is usually better for me, but flashy can be good sometimes too.
If I could pick a guitar that has the top spot in these categories in my book, it would be the Paul Reed Smith Angelus. Gorgeous guitar, great tone and anyone can pick it up and play it with ease. Too bad it costs around $5,000.

I've been through a good number of acoustic guitars so far and everytime that I go to buy, I try to forget about name brands, wood types, inlays, and all that jazz and just sit down and start playing everything I can get my hands on. It's all about the sound - it has to have a full body with a super warm tone. I like a loud acoustic so It must project well.

After I pick my top three then I'll plug them and in and go from there. The important thing for me is that I love to play it and that it feels good, sounds good, and keeps me excited about music.

I think that is a very good way to go about things Alex. There are many things that can be tweaked on an acoustic guitar, sound is not one of them. If a guitar doesn't seem to play quite how you like it, a good guitar tech can set it up differently if sounds good. I think this is why a lot of people wind up with Taylors. Some Taylors sound great but for the most part, they are very mediocre in my opinion, but they are set up extremely well from the factory which often is a major deciding factor for buyers.

Find the sound you like then go from there. You can't change the sound. Only time changes it.

Have to agree Matt. The number 2 priority for me after tone is action. Does it sound good - check. Is it smooth for my stubby digits - check. Take er home..

Ahaha I could help but comment on your stubby digits comment, Chris. I too am blessed with short chubby fingers. Gods gift? Who knows...

I can wear women's large gloves but I have no problem playing 35" scale bass. Are my fingers stubby? At what inch does stubby stop?

I think we call that gracefully agile with a pinch of stubbs!

Did I mention they are pink gloves?

Did I mention I'm officially hoping you don't bring them to Nashville for NAMM?

But they go with my Taylor Swift outfit!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, well then I think I can make an exception, but only because I know you'll make it look good. Haha!