Buying a guitar

Acoustic-I am partial to Yamaha.A higher grade Yamaha is well within your price range. Electric- a mexican Fender stratocaster is affordable(especially used),and you will still have enough to buy a decent amp. Hope that helps. Best bet is to go to stores and look what they have in your price range and play with them. Don`t worry about what the name on the headstock says. If it sounds and plays good to you,it is a great guitar.That is why my favorite guitar is a 1984 Yamaha sj-180.Probably worth about 50.00 usd. It sounds great and plays great to me,so it is a great guitar.Go for a test drive like you would a car.

I wish I couid help.  I do the same thing.  When I feel I am doing quite a bit better, I start looking for the next better.  Good luck to you.

I want to know how you're going to better that Martin of yours Pete!!! I reckon you're about there buddy

Jerry

I'll second JJJ's opinion of Yamaha's. I have 3 of them. Also, you can't go wrong with a Godin brand. Seagull, Art & Lutherie, Norman, Simon & Patrick. I have an A & L and love it. I'd buy a Seagull S6 in a second.

Go to your local guitar shop and touch every one of their guitars and see what gets you excited.

Yamaha SJ-180s are great guitars.

Are you thinking another dread or a smaller body?  Yamaha does make some some great guitars... If you're wanting fairly new (gently used) I'd  consider either a LS or LL 16 series Yamaha....   They're a real gem tonally   If you're wanting Vintage be very cautious with yamahas,  they're known for developing bad neck angles and needing a reset which is very costly with them being dovetail and hide glued... Just be sure to ask plenty of questions and ask for plenty of pics Make sure the action is fairly low and you have enough saddle above the bridge for further adjustment. Other than that, A 70's Yamaha Red Label Nippon Gakki would be an excellent choice... IMO

I'll second Godin also (Simon & Patrick, Norman, Art & Lutherie, Seagull, etc..)  They're slightly shorter scale making them easier to play and giving them a slightly "looser/more mellow" tone. You could find a S&P Pro or Seagull Artist used in that price range and they are both great guitars with the only real difference being the 1.8 vs 1.72 inch nut width...   The only real word of caution about buying these used is to be careful for excessive bellying in models over 7 years old....   Before then they were true flat top guitars and while they sound excellent they are prone to bellying so just be careful if buying online.  About 7 years ago they switched to slightly radiused top that solved the problem but to me they don't sound quite as lively as the flat tops so it was a little of a design trade off.  But then again ageing could be a factor there....  I've got 2 of the first S&P Pro's and a newer S&P Showcase. The new ones are more heavily built and braced...

I'd like to add Yairi to your list as well    Didn't see that coming huh guys...lol  It's no secret that I'm a Yairi nut!!  IMPO They are the best bang for the buck out there!  I'm especially partial to the 70's thru early 80's models

Great advice! going to be very careful on this one,I'll stick with the Blueridge for now.
Regards.
John.
P.S.I used to collect film cameras,now I have a house full!

You can always get what you have upgraded.A good setup can do wonders.My yamaha played awful after 25 years of playing.A good setup and 65.00 later,it was better than ever. Like the old cliche: stick with the devil you know.

Many thanks for that,but you know I think because I found this guitar in a market ( paid £20.00 )for it, I some how think it's a cheapy! I know that I don't wan't a new chinese version of a big brand named guitar,so I will take my " cheapy" have have it set up before deciding to up-grade.
Cheers.
John.