The best advice I can give is to buy locally so you can try the guitar out first. I've sworn by Carvins for years, but last year I got one that I'm still not satisfied with. It's a gorgeous guitar, but I've taken it to several luthiers and nobody can seem to get the action on it to where I like. My $400 Ibanez LP-style guitar has better action than my $1000+ custom built Carvin.

Go to a couple places, try every guitar you are even remotely interested in, and go with the one that plays/feels best to you.