i play ovations also, for $600, you'll be able to find a pretty nice guitar dude, you wont have to get a beginners, unless you're unsure you'll stay commited. Id recommened something with a cutaway body

Play as many diferent ones as you can, investigate a couple that you like (Harmony Central will tell you what others think), and buy the best one you can. The better the guitar the more likely you are to continue to play it when it starts to get tough.

Depends on what you plan on doing with it. I'd personally get an acoustic-electric so you can get the most out of your guitar, but if your just gonna play acoustic then you could probably save some money. If you want a good acoustic that sounds good with and without an amp then I'd get the Epiphone EJ-160E John Lennon acoustic-electric for $500.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Epiphone-EJ160E-John-Lennon-AcousticElectric?sku=518653

But if you just want an acoustic I'd get a Seagull for $380. My friend has this one and it plays really amazing and is a great starter guitar.

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Seagull-The-Original-S6-Acoustic-Guitar?sku=512120

Ibanez and Ovation make really good guitars in that price range too.

I am an electric player that got an acoustic jsut to have one. I wanted something decent but didn't want to spend more that $300. I got a Yamaha FG720S. It was the only solid spruce-top guitar that was in that price range. The rest were laminate top. I got the guitar and case at Guitar Center for $300 including tax. It sounds pretty good too!

I've had a takamine acoustic-electric for about a year or so and it feels and sounds great. doesnt sound quite as good as lets say,,,a martin,,but for the money you cant beat it...there is also a 600$ martin on guitarcenter and musiciansfriend now ,,ive played it and it also feels very nice, and with martin sound quality.

I have a Takamine EAN10C that plays and sounds like a dream. Found one at GC for $850. The solid cedar top and no pickguard give it an amazing sound. If you can find one in a music shop, definitely pick it up and play it. I've played $2000 Martins and Taylors that don't sound as good as this one.

i would recommend a takamine, the g series ones are under 600 and are great. I would say look for one with less of a shiny finish, the more matte ones have a better sound.