Ok, Ok, I hear you. So, say I take another tack and go for a new guitar? I'd have to come up with almost double the money, but what do you think of Yamaha guitars? Our local Costco has the Yamaha FG403S with soft case and a few other goodies for $189. It has a solid sitka spruce top with nato back, neck and sides, mahogany body. 1 yr warranty parts/90 days labor.

And thanks so much for your input--I've realized I simply don't have the time to scout out the kind of used guitar at the price that I was hoping for.