Back with LMI

I'm back leaning toward LMI. The Martin kit cost $425, going the LMI route will cost me an extra $90. But in the end I think I will be happier. The primary reason is probably the instructions, since it comes with the O'brien DVD and a full size plan compared to a thin, vague manual from Martin. Having better instructions as a first timer gives me peace of mind, whereas the Martin manual gives me anxiety. Secondary to that though, I think I will learn more. Martin does certain easy steps for me (shape braces, mark bracing locations, etc) and doesn't do other tricker steps like joining the back. I will also have to make my own bridge since I want 2-1/4" spacing. Thirdly, it allows me a more figured AAA bearclaw top, a back/side wood OTHER than East Indian Rosewood, 25.5" scale, and a few other customizations. The Martin kit is really a heck of a deal dollar wise... if only they would upgrade their manual. LMI, on the other hand, simply allows so many options that it is worth the extra cost.

Martin Neck width

Martin confirmed that the jumbo only comes with a dovetail neck, 1-11/16 nut, 2-1/8" bridge. The OM is available with either dovetail or bolt-on, and only with a neck width of 1-3/4", bridge of 2-1/4". Partial bearclaw tops are available, but it isn't a full bearclaw nor highly figured.

Back & forth & back...

About a day after my last post, I was back on the LMI kit for a very good reason. I have decided that I want a wider neck. My Martin DCME has a 1-11/16" nut, 2-1/8" bridge... and I don't like that. So by default I was back with LMI which allows me to change/customize just about everything. The neck/fretboard comes wide enough for this, and I could also make the scale up to 25.5", which to me is preferrable to the Martin 25.34". The LMI kit cost is more... roughly $50-75 all things being equal. And since LMI has soooo many options, its hard for me to NOT tacked on another $50 in a nicer top and Camatillo B/S. In addition to this, there were a few more tools required... so the cost difference is over $100.
However, recently I learned that it might be possible to get an Martin OM kit with 1-3/4" neck width at the nut, 2-1/4" bridge. If this is possible I will probably do it, preference being with a bolt-on neck over the dovetail and jumbo over OM. But due to cost considerations the 1-3/4" nut is all that matters.