I want to re-iterate the advice I started with and others have supported. Try, try, try and keep trying until you find a guitar that sounds and *feels* good to you. Advice on brands and models is valuable but I would not advise anyone to buy on that alone. For example, Martins are fine guitars but I have never played one that I wanted to own. That's just me and my experiences so far. I may love the next Martin I pick up.

So, don't limit yourself to recommended brands/models, try everything and don't buy mail order unless there is a good return policy.

I guess I should also state again that this advice is for finding the guitar that will be your life long companion. You need the experience of playing to by able to do all the test driving. Brand, model and reputation can be used for a first guitar.