What part of CT are you near? Out west in Danbury we have Eastcoast Music Mall. The luthiers there have been doing their stuff their entire lives (they're in their 40s I believe) and the salesmen are the most informative I've ever encountered. Not a question they can't answer. Right now they're in New Milford, but they're in the process of moving into a HUGE place which should be open pretty soon.
Easthampton, Mass. Worth the drive. This guy wrote the bible on guitarbuilding and his instruments are, well, masterful. I don't know what budget you're looking at, but anything off a production line will be available at almost any guitar store. Individual luthiers are different... very different.