You can buy a really good Art & Lutherie Guitar on Ebay for $150 or so. Please note, I did say REALLY GOOD. These are made by Seagull and they are wonderful guitars. I've been a Martin snob for years ( I still own several)but played a Seagull and loved it and bought it. Then found the cheaper version, Art & Lutherie. I gig them now. There's nothing lost in tone or playability and I don't spend hours worrying about the safety of the guitar. You can't go wrong! Lefty