Nigel, Godin is the other brand that makes good players at reasonable prices. My patio guitar now is a Godin A6...piezo and humbucker...two outs...$699.00. And my "beater" jazz guitar is a 5th avenue. Rory Hoffman plays the same one (just way better than me).

The imported electric Guilds I just got are really nice, also.
I played a Starfire III in my college Rock and Roll days; then switched to the one you know and will own one day.

Guitars....man, I LOVE them!

Russ