Good points all around.
There are a lot of good choices in solid top, lam back and sides, acoustic guitars for not a lot of coin. Washburn, Epiphone, Blueridge, Morgan Monroe. I don't own one but I'm a big fan of the Epi line of acoustics. The solid top 200 series and the all solid wood Masterbilts.
Last time I was in the local GC they had the low end Breedloves on sale. It's a been a couple of weeks, but I think they were priced under $500.
"The music business is a cruel and shallow money trench, a long plastic
hallway where thieves and pimps run free, and good men die like dogs.
There's also a negative side."
--Hunter S. Thompson
Guitars: Dean Sweet Wood 00R, Martin D2R, Guild D60, Guild D35NT, Morgan Monroe M30, OS baritone Uke