Do you live by some small privately owned guitar shops? If so, take a look at their guitars. They will have guitar brands that have never heard of. The reason is cause their not MASS PRODUCED! Your price range will yeild and awesome guitar. If I were you, dont spend it on a big named guitar such as PRS. They make fine guitars, but 25 to 35 grand, its not worth it. Try some HAND-MADE guitars. They will be around 3000 but will kick any guitar's ass as far as tone and feel, and even looks. PRS guitars are now made by C&C machines like any other mass produced guitar company (Fender, Gibson, Jackson, Ibanez, ect...). They used to be hand made 30 years ago.

Not to say they they are bad, actually PRS is probably a better buy than any Gibson in its genra. But, anything over 3000 is a SERIOUS buy. Dont be too quick to find guitar company that you may already know of and is popular. Some of the best guitar companies are ones we have never heard of because they dont endorse, or because they produce 100 guitar in a year.

Good luck buddy, and I'm very jealous of you... :mad: