Murray,

Being into other instruments, you probably have an eye for good quality. Think of your prospective guitar as a fine quality hand tool: If it's cumbersome to hold you won't enjoy playing it hold it in a playing position and see how it feels. Pluck the bass strings and listen for a good melow tone, good woods make for good sustain on the low notes. If the "bottom end" sounds chunky with little sustain, it's probably a cheap guitar.

I would suggest steel string instrument over the classical only because the classical is not as versital but play what sounds right to you. If you want to play guitar, you have a sound you want the selection process is about finding that sound.

Happy hunting

Gene E