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In addition to barring, some chords (i.e. Jazz) require you to mute certain strings.  This will be a bit difficult if your thumb is not behind the neck!

dajamu,

I would suggest you don't look at a guitar for its low action.  Any guitar can be set-up to have low action.  Yes, a Martin may be lower, but only because it's already set up from the factory.  Not true in all cases either.  But, Martin would be a good choice. 

I, personally, like the Takamine.  I had my eyes on the EAN10C for quite some time.  And, hope to get it next year.  I just bought me a jazz electric guitar, so I can't spend any more moola!  And, the Tak is in your price range.  So, that's my two cents.

It looks like you play the two (or three) strings (at different fret) at the same time.  Just don't play the X'd out strings.  Notice there is two fret gap throughout the progression.  So, you change both fingers two frets throughout.

You can get yourself a nice Mexican Strat for under $250!  I bought one from a local guy, had it cleaned up/set-up, and now playing it more than my Les Paul!  Of course, it's not as good as the $1,200 American strat, but it plays nice and a good practice guitar for folks on a budget! 

If you're trying to switch between Eb to A, why not play your A on the 5th fret (barring E shape?)  So, when you're barring the 6th fret for your Eb, you can then move your barre to the 5th fret in the E chord shape for the A chord!  Very small transition between the two. 

John,

Not necessary all in electric blues.  The comments were to open up another place where one can use the same Am Pentatonic scale.  In addition to playing it at the A root, 5th fret.  I am also a big fan of BB King, Eric Clapton, and Muddy Waters.  These legends also play up the neck as well.  For example, the BB box scale uses the 10th fret.  But, I do agree with you on the point that to play the "down home" blues is where one can start his/her experience.  Nonetheless, a player should be familiar with all the arsenals available to him/her.

Rebel,

What you can do, also, is move your scale patterns up the neck.  For example, you can play the Am pentatonic on the 5th fret or the 17th fret.  Same goes for the G, either on the 3rd fret or the 12th fret!  For C, I like to stay on the 8th fret. 

Hope this helps!

PJ,

All sound advice from everyone here.  If I may add, try to see if you can make your lesson a 60 minute session, instead of a 30 minute one!  From my experience, 30 minute sessions are too short and do not allow you to ask many questions or actually allow you to practice in front of the instructor.  It felt, to me, like a production line.  Where you sit down, play a few things, then have to leave before the seat is warm!  A longer session gives you time to review what you've learned and allow you to 'decompress' and get you mental ready for new lessons. 

Just my thoughts.

Kahuna

Or you can just learn the scales and then making licks will become easier and repeatable!

Did you check Harmony Central for reviews?

Lowering the action is one thing, having your guitar "set-up" correctly is another.  Unless you're an expert guitar repair person, the set-up should be left to those who know!  I've seen players tried to adjust their own truss rod and snap the neck!  Not good! 

When a guitar is set up correctly, the action should be at its lowest.  Without any fret buzz or uneven spacing from fret 1 to fret 22 (if you have that many.)  My local music store charges $50 including strings to set up an acoustic guitar.  The action is nice and close, and I don't have to press as hard to get a clear sound from chords.