I have a Takamine TAN 16C with the cool tube technology. I like it fine. Sounds very good with the amp and sounds good without. I don't believe spending more at this point in my tenure as a player as it would not make me sound better but I would love to buy many. I have heard several players who gig swear by one manufacturer or another. Try many and find what works for you. I also own a Martin DCX 1E which run about 650.00 w/out the case new. This is a good sounding guitar as well and has Fishman electronics built in. The TAN 16C was alittle over 1000.00 brand new. If you are in a very humid state and want to play outside often, a few friends swear by the Ovation that has a composite exterior and wood interior (not sure of the model but it has offset soundholes) and I was told they run about 900.00 with a case. I have also heard some of the less expensive Takamines, like the G220 and they sound great for the dough. A friend of mine picked one up for about 240.00 with a gig bag. Again, like anything, there are people out there far better than myself that could pick up a 150.00 guitar and sound far better than I do with the TAN 16C. Hope this helps.
Rich