Thanks everybody for the tips and advice. Right now I am just window shopping. While I am open to pretty much any brand, I would like this guitar to the type I would pass down to the next generation. While I really like my new GAD, I would like this next one to be of a higher level. Probably will stray away from custom shops (Collings, Santa Cruz, Olson, etc...) just due to price, but a small bodied Martin or a good Gibson may be more up my alley. I really like the 1 3/4 inch nut and the string spacing at the saddle would have to be sufficient. I guess this would knock out any American Guild.
I will let you guys know when I get more serious about it, but other's suggestions are highly welcomed. The modified V neck is something I have had trouble with in the past especially with a large nut, but maybe I have not given it enough time.
Again, thanks alot everybody.[/quoteRidge;
Ridge Check out this website
http://www.elderly.com
Go to new instruments - Martin Guitars - 000 & OM then click on price and see all the Martins they have listed. I will tell you this I looked at a Martin OMC-1E which is a new model just introduced in 2009. It is solid Sapele back and sides and a solid Sitka Spruce top all US made and with a Low Oval neck and a 1 & 3/4 in nut width at a local shop for $903 + tax. I played it and it is a great guitar I am just not convinced I can get used to the wider fingerboard or I would have bought it myself. Every place else I have seen these they were going for 1099. BTW it has a Fishman pick-up system on board just to sweeten the pot. If it has to be a Rosewood bodied guitar then look at the 16 series. They are less expensive then the 28s etc and some of them are very nicely decked out.