I'd recommend checking out some low end Dean models (EVO is a sweet guitar), or some Kramer's. These guitars retail for $250-$300 but they easily sound as good as higher end guitars that cost up to $1000. I was in the music store the other day and I got an $1100 Jackson model off the wall and was looking forward to trying it out because I play a $300 dollar Dean. My Dean is way better than that P.O.S Jackson I had. My perception was that Jackson's were made for speed, but the frets were way fatter than I was used too and the action was too high as well.

Any way, I got off track there a bit, but try a few out in the music store that's in your price range. Buy whatever feels and sounds best to you, I'd just recommend starting your search at the store with a Kramer or Dean as (in my opinion) they have the highest quality low-end models. Good Luck.