well, i've been researching quite a bit more, and i keep hearing great things about carvin electrics.
so i built my custom on the website, and it clocks in at $1768.
i'm also leaving in a few minutes to audition some acoustics--the local place i'm headed stocks martin, taylor, seagull, breedlove, cole clark, luna, alvarez, and godin.
still not sure which one i'm gonna buy first, but if i play that magical acoustic today i'll probably snag it. otherwise i'm getting more and more tempted to order that carvin.
it's a ct6 carved top, quilted maple, deep blue w/ black burst edges, floyd rose, black hardware, abalone logo. i can see it in my head and man it's a thing of beauty!
thanks again for all the input!
i think i'll hit up metalhead28 to quote me the same specs in a stinnett custom.