My story:

2010/2011 I was on that same road. I needed a guitar with a longer scale than most factory models offer. (I have a 1950 archtop with a neck big enough to beat somebody to death -- it is wide enough to offer ample room to accomodate seven strings and a 650 mm scale.)

I went to several stores and tried a lot of different guitars, expensive to cheap, new and used, some vintage. I always compared it with my old box. Some had more bass but less sustain. Others had a flat tone, others didn't feel right... in short: No guitar did the trick.

I made up my mind what I want and started to save. I also planned to buy a guitar for practice and a little playing until I have the money for what I really want.

At that time a store offered six 17'' archtops (laminated wood) with a 650 mm scale on ebay in three different models. No brand that I know, good reputation on ebay, not so good reputation in some of the forums. But the guitar looked good, and the given specs met my standards. And they even put the stings on that I wanted.

My limit was 250 Euros for that auction and I won the second one I entered. Now I have a surprisingly good sounding guitar -- much better than those that I tested.


So my advice is simple:
Play many guitars to find out what you want -- and to find out what you can expect for the price you're willing to spend.
Narrow it down to a specific style (flat top, arch top, 335 style, body size...). try some more guitars of your target style.
Look on ebay: A used guitar that is 30 years old and has a straight neck will maintain a straight neck -- you cannot be so sure with a new guitar. And maybe there is one for sale in your neighborhood.

Good Luck.
Guido

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