Hi bik1933,
thanks for your info & advice.
it looks as though the blues master is out, i don't want a guitar with a wide neck - no good if you have short fingers.
i've since found that i can get a new EL00 from USA in Jan 2006.
for $345 ( Gibson / Epiphone have a offer on ). not sure about the neck size - will check it out.
as regards to the other makes you mentioned, worth looking into.

thanks.

nico