Martin does make mostly excellent bows (I'd avoid the "Twig" and "Stick"), but I believe they are all out of your price range--at least new.
I haven't had any recent experience with PSE trad bows--what I had in years past wasn't good, to the point I haven't given them another look since.
Samick makes some nice, and very affordable recurves. Look at the "Sage" from Lancaster Archery. It's not a custom bow, but it is a new bow with a warranty at a price that won't break the bank. I don't know if you could make a laminated bow yourself that cheap (after you had all your tools).
Longbow or recurve, personal choice. I think you can get decent recurve cheaper. Some of my early experiences with "cheap" longbows nearly turned me against them completely.
The monkey pulling the string will make the most difference. Some bows feel better, some shoot faster, etc. but any decent bow will do the job as long as you do yours.
Keep in mind that a high price doesn't always mean a good bow, or a good warranty. I'd be sure to get a good warranty, in writing. Don't accept a "guarantee" over the phone.
Get good instruction. "Masters of the Barebow, Volume III" is the best and easiest to follow that I know of when it comes to videos. I expect Vol. IV will be very good also. I and II are interesting and entertaining, but III has the "meat 'n taters".
If you know of a good coach or clinic in your area, spending a little now could save you years of frustration fighting the learning curve. Rod Jenkins is doing clinics all over the country--you might accidently learn he'll be in your area.
Good luck, and have fun with it!
Chad
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"We can have no '50-50' allegiance in this country. Either a man is an American and nothing else, or he is not an American at all."-- Theodore Roosevelt
A wise man's heart is at his right hand; but a fool's heart at his left. Ecclesiasties 10:2
The last four letters in American..........I Can
The last four letters in Republican........I Can
The last four letters in Democrats.........Rats
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