I payed $1395 for my C, then last year a got a D and I think that was 14-something. That was a bit more because it was curly maple. Let me know if you change your mind about an Ariette. If you never played before it really isnt a bad box to start out on. I enjoyed the heck out of it.
A friend of mine is selling a German made ( not Chinese ) HA 114B in C, but he's in the UK, so shipping may be dearer.
He wants £325 - ish , so double it for US dollars.
I'll send you his e-mail when I find it.