Hello Chris. If you haven't deceided yet, you might want to check out the Guild GAD30series. These are OM size guitars, all solid woods, beautifully made, very affordable, though a bit outside of the price range you listed. New, they run about in the $600-$650 range for a mahogony model with a natural finish, a bit more for rosewood and/or sunburst finish. However, there is a barely used one listed in the classified section on the Acoustic Player Magazine forum for $500. The owner is selling because he succumbed to GAS.
I have a redwood version of this guitar. I also have some much more expensive guitars, and I think this is evey bit as good as guitars that cost much more money. Imo, this is a great guitar for beginners (as well as everyone else). Very easy to play, fast, comfortable neck, plenty of room at the nut,and best of all, great tone. I truly don't think you can beat it for the money.
And no, I'm not a salesman for Guild.
