My one thought is to go out and play every guitar that you can. If there are people around, ask them to play the guitar as well while you listen.

I had a chance to do that when I was shopping for my first "expensive" guitar. At the time, I was playing my "affordable" Garrison G-40 and, after hearing the guitar compared to a Taylor and a Larrivee, I thought it might be time to do some exploration.

I shopped around for a while, looking at those two brands and many others as well. In the end, I was really drawn to a Morgan DR that I played and I asked a guy in the store to play. I went off to play a few more guitars at different stores (and even a guitar show that came through town) and I still thought about it. The store was selling it at the same price as their Taylor and Martin guitars so it was a no-brainer for me. I had no clue about who made this guitar, except that I liked the way it played.

Have fun exploring and finding the ONE!

Thanks for the help
 

Good comments, Living in the adirondack mountains I can't easily go out and audition new guitars, the nearest dealer of any size is in albany (2.5 hours away) However, I do a lot of research on youtube (i Know its not the same but it gives me a place to start)

In any respect, I listen to the sound tests of the j200 and the j-45 custom rosewood. The j-45 seemed to have the great gibson sound but articulate much better than sj. The sj seemed to vibrate and overtone all over the place when strummed. I have been drawn to rosewood giuitars of other brands..This would knock the price up another.....even for a used one. Can't wait to go play them sometime this month.

thanks again
Dan

go out and play a bunch, and buy what speaks to you. For me, it was a good d18 and j-45.