I am fairly new to playing guitar also. I knew nothing about buying guitars so I went to a guitar store that has a very good reputation. I bought a Martin DCX for around $700.00. I got the rosewood finish and it is beautiful. It was a little more than I wanted to spend but I think that it will be a guitar that I will play for a long time. Everyone who has played it raves about how it sounds. After a few months of lessons, at the same store, I decided to buy a Taylor T5 because it kinda blends an accoustic with an electric. I really enjoy both of these guitars. The Taylor was quite a bit more expensive than the Martin and if I had to get rid of one it would probably be the Taylor, just my preference, nothing against the taylor I just like playing the Martin accoustic better.