You don't have to go out and buy the best guitar made... BUT stear clear from walmart cheapo's...

I've been playing an acoustic for over ten years (my skills don't show that of course lol) and i've had some inexpensive guitars that sounded great.. anywhere from 150-200...

i'm now rocking a yamaha thats a little over 600...

hit up guitar world or a kenstanton.. find a good brand, yamaha/ibanez/epiphone.. (which is really a gibson)... they all are great guitars and you can find some on the lower end of the price spectrum...