One thing I highly recommend, as someone did above, is that you check into smaller guitars than dreadnoughts. They were invented in the 30's when a whole band had to play into one microphone for radio or recording, and are bass-heavy by design. I play mostly on a 1933 Gibson L-00, which is the sweetest guitar I've ever heard, and every note from open E bass to way up the neck is the same volume. I play it sometimes plugged in (Barcus-Berry hot dot near the bridgeplate inside) and I don't ever have to use any equalization. It also has a somewhat wider neck, which can be good for fingerstyle. Gibson is making a reissue of the L-1, which is the guitar that Robert Johnson played, and is very similar to mine, but you should be able to find an old one for less money; I'd say around $1000 in good shape. The smaller Martins, like 00's and 000's are usually very good, but that's just a matter of your sound preference. My partner plays a Taylor about the same size that is also wonderful, don't know the model number. But, again, the equalness of the volume of all notes makes a big difference, especially for fingerstyle. And grow some nails!

Chet