Bought my first Martin - a D18 - back in '74. Cost me a wallet breaking £190. I still have it along with 3 Santa Cruz guitars and a host of others + several mandolins. Good guitars/mandolins cost but you have to know what you're buying. Don't assume that because it has a particular name on the headstock its any better or worse than anything else. If you're spending a fair sum you really need to know what you're buying so take it slowly, try as many as you can and buy what you like and feel comfortable playing. If the shop won't leave you alone to try a guitar out, or they insist on chaining them to the wall, go somewhere else!