i'd quickly say get a Gibson Explorer. i played one at guitar center the other day and it is really really good! i have $380 to spend myself, and i'm gonan try to get an epiphone explorer.
but really, go to guitar center, bring a pick, and try some of the gutiars out. you'll find a couple that you'll like. i played an old old strat there a few days ago, and i like it alot, more than any other strat i've played. i probably would have bought it if i had the money. so go to gutiar center and check it out.