I'm a firm believer that the name brand means a lot less than the quality of the guitar itself. Pretty well every brand makes guitars from entry-level to top-of-the-line, and are priced accordingly. Coming from a +30-year retail background, I know firsthand that the companies with the highest profiles, celebrity endorsements, extensive marketing campaigns, etc. simply must build those expenses into the cost of their product.
Great quality guitars are made by Takamine, Larrivee, Eastman, Guild, Norman, Seagull, Simon & Patrick, Yamaha, Cordoba, Epiphone, Sigma, etc., as well as by Gibson, Taylor, and Martin. My 12-string is a Takamine, which I like very much. Most of them also make lower priced guitars so they don't miss that market, so the brand-name sticker can't really be the criteria to base a purchase on.
Regardless of brand, an all-solid-wood guitar (no plywood) is going to give you that deep & rich tone you're looking for, much better than a plywood one. At the least, an all-solid-wood top with laminate sides & back will be a more economic second choice. That's how my Takamine is made, and although I like it, it is a bit "shallow in the deep end" if you get my meaning. Next to that, the guitar has to "fit" you in terms of size, neck shape / width, etc. Do a bit of self-education on guitar construction, find ones that are well-made, and then let your ears and hands do the talking. As UJB has already said, the Epiphone Masterworks are an all-solid-wood construction that are priced reasonably, as are the Yamaha "A" series.
Happy hunting!
