Tigger, it would probably be helpful to know what your price range is.

Saul, you're sure right about Ebay. I picked up one of Nick's used for $300 - it had some ugly cracks, but I figured the hardshell case was worth $150, so it was worth the risk. I had it shipped directly to Nick and said "Do whatever it needs." He said it needed a tug on the truss rod and a new set of strings - the cracks, while ugly, were purely cosmetic. Now I have a backup 12 - I plan to pick it up from Nick in a couple weeks.

You can see that guitar (though not hear it) in this video, about 2/3 of the way through, when he's talking about Spruce as a top wood.

But that kind of deal comes up maybe once every decade or so, if you're lucky. Still, there are bargains on used instruments and seconds even from the makers, if you keep an eye out for them.

What's important, beyond cheer leading for my personal favorite builder, is that you enjoy playing the guitar. With 12s sometimes you end up wrestling with them, and that's no fun. Or they sound too thin - they just miss the potential of that big sound. Keep looking until you find a guitar that you love playing and love listening to, and that doesn't break the budget too badly. Fall in love. It'll be worth the wait.

Warmly,
Dan