Well, I am a fan of BOTH acoustic and electric.
And while electric rocks and can use distortion and effects....
..nothing beats the pure sound of acoustic, just think of Gregg Allman's introduction on ''Melissa'' or the rhythm part on most of Boston's songs by Tom Schulz.
For my book, a MARTIN acoustic has the finest, purest, sweetest sound...PERIOD.
But, Taylor, Guild, Gibson and Takamine are fine as well.
And remmeber that some of rock's and other genre's of musci's greatest guitarists, Hendrix, Clapton, Page, BRIAN!!!!, John Williams, Montoya, Segovia, and more have all played some stunning acoustic that adds color and defenition to many songs.
I've seen both Martin's and Taylor's, (top of the line mind you) run as high as $2500, more than an electirc, because they are such high quality, have such great sound.
But you can buy a lower make by them, or a brand like Guild, Yamaha, Ovation for as low as $300-$400.
There is a store here in Maryland that ONLY carries acoustic instruments called The Appalacian Bluegrass Shoppe, (But they don't jyst carry bluegrass, they carry rock, blues world instruments.)
They carry tons of Martins and Taylors acoustic guitars....as well as Dobros (my favorite!!!!!!!),
National Steel Body (my 2nd favorite!!!!) and Lap Steels!
Go online to link
Get on their FREE mailing list for monthly catalogs. I started getting their catalogs because they got my name off the mailing list for a guitar magazine I used to write for...but...
they have GREAT selection of both AFFORDABLE and expensive guitars, some are Korean knockoffs made FOR Gibson, Fender, Martin etc. and cost only $300-$400. They also have payment plans.
Here's one ON SALE for $69 to $169!!!!
It's an Epiphone (excellent guitars made in Korea FOR GIBSON, is Gibson's affordable guitars and are great! and alot of FAMOUS musicians like Charlie Sexton use them!) link
Here are more.
Look at the LEFT hand side of the page and pick your affordable price range example $50-$100, $100-$200, $200-$300, $300-$400, etc.
..as well as on the left hand side of the page it lists the Brands/Makes and models, and price ranges for each you might be in the market for.
...Body size, pickups, scale, laminate, etc..... link
Top line guitars are more consistent in quality so about 1 in 10 is a real gem. Mid line instruments aren't quite as consistent(You might find 1 in 1000 is a gem) but if you have the time you can find a mid line gem. Don't go cheap unless you want a disposable guitar.
You might want to look at used instruments. Some people sell off their mid line guitars when they upgrade. If you buy used look for signs of abuse.
Good luck.