New guitars! Thank you to everyone for their helpful advice! I pretty much devoted my life to visiting every single music store in a 100 mile radius to test their different acoustic guitars, and can now say definitively that it was time well spent. It was amazing to feel the difference between a quality, professionally set up instrument and the one I was "attempting" to play. The fingertips still have some developing to do, but they're on their way. I ended up with two very nice Breedlove guitars; my 16 year old son (youngest of my 9 kids) is learning with me. I loved the way they looked, sounded, and especially the way they fit in my smaller hands. NO COMPARISON! Someone should tell all aspiring guitarists to skip the cheap "Learn To Play Guitar" ripoffs and get to a music store where they can get an instrument they have a fighting chance with ASAP! There are functional instruments at all price points and having someone experienced set it up correctly is well worth the cost of the gas to drive there. I'm well on my way to becoming the rock star I've always known I could be. Just kidding! Thanks again!