The Norman I mentioned earlier in the thread (in '04) was subsequently sold for double my cost, and it was still a good deal. From what I hear and see (dozens of students), the Godin/Lasido brands (A&L, S&P, LaPatrie, Norman, Seagull) still offer great bang for the buck.

Most of the major importers have figured out that "solid top" is a sales point that is virtually always made in the lucrative insrument markets, so they have "solid top" instruments at nearly every price point above dirt cheap. But alas, "solid top" doesn't necessarily equate with good. I've seen and heard (and serviced) some that were so badly constructed otherwise that even hotrodding them with bone nut and saddle, high end strings, great set-up, etc wouldn't change their nature. It seems a waste of even mediocre top wood, and I've heard some laminate top instruments that sounded better, much better. (No, I'm not excusing my own instruments, they're well documented in Mudville.)

In any event, if I were shopping for a cheap and decent solid top axe, used instrument dealers of repute would be my first choice. Take your time, take another pair of ears, visit the shop and any particular guitar more than once, ask for fresh strings if possible, listen as you play and another plays, buy for sound and general playability (ultimate playability can be achieved by a good set-up), cosmetic considerations are secondary to sound, check for construction issues, don't be pressured, don't be conned by a cutaway and electronics if you don't need or like them (they're not an indication of quality), get a case or bag, don't be lured by included accessories like strap/strings/picks/case/polish in leau of sound...sound first.

Peace, Mooh.