Harley Benton are pretty difficult to beat these days for value for money. Yamaha is usually the first brand I think of where you get a great guitar for the money, that will last, and is upgradable.
Schecter has some awesome guitars that are very affordable. I do think the lower priced Gretsch are amazing for the price. I've never played one that was a dud (full disclosure, have never owned a Gretsch--nearly bought one a couple of times but backed out in favor of a nice pedal.)
I've played tons of really great cheap guitars . . . but have found that they're not usually consistent. You need to actually go to a store and try a whole bunch back to back to find the great ones. Few are really dogs, but there tend to be a couple dozen 'meh' for every 'woah'.
Get anything and have it set up professionally. Brand is inconsequential compared to having it be playable. And it's so much easier to maintain a good setup once it's in place - no second guessing.
Get anything and have it set up professionally. Brand is inconsequential compared to having it be playable. And it's so much easier to maintain a good setup once it's in place - no second guessing.
I own a Schecter Omen Extreme S-2 (2017), cost about $400 new. It is great value for the price. Smooth neck, feels great, holds tune well. Stock pickups replaced by a Nazgul-Sentient set. It sounds beastly in D standard. I'm eyeing one of the newer Omen Elites now ($500) in which a set of Black Winter pickups will go.
For something pointy look for a used LTD Gus G 200 series, $300+, or even better a 600 series, pro quality with Seymours, but a few more$, great guitars though! The JS series Jackson version is about $400 new, those are cool too!