for acoustic guitars it is all about the sound.
don't listen to anything someone says about the looks or brand or whatever.
if you are the one playing it, it needs to sound how you want it to.
i have played a $150 off brand that sounded heavier (as in more bass and more clean mids) than a $3500 gibson acoustic.
with your eyes closed have someone somewhat skilled play each guitar, and choose which sounds best. do the same yourself. play it eyes closed, and see which sounds better.
also, dont forget to notice how much different it sounds when you are playing it, and your are listening to it being played.
also what are the end uses of this guitar? plucking around, and general sitting by a campfire maybe with a friend? or playing serious, possibly recording some of the work?
you need very different guitars for each. if you plan on any recording, get a "duller" or more bassy guitar wiht crisp mids. the highs will naturally come on recording especially depending on where you put the mic. thick solid lows on the otherhand can not be faked by a mic.
think of it like this. mic near the neck / soundhole will pick up the mids, and the highs from the neck, but the bass will be soft. normally too soft. think 80's glam rock ballads, tinny bright acoustics. mic near the bridge, and the butt of the guitar gets the mids and bass better, but on a crummy guitar the bass sounds muddy and droning.
some of the best acoustic recordings are country music. listen to somethign you like, and find out what it was recorded with. generally it will be a $2500 + guitar, but pick up and play one. then go looking for a similar sound from something less. it can be done rather easily.
hope that helps
