I think in that price range, Schecter is hard to beat. I think they're just built better than the Epiphones, Ibanez, Fender/Squire, etc that compete with it. I tried to talk my friend into buying one (can't remember the model but it was about $400) instead of an Epi Les Paul but he had his heart set on that Epiphone. I wouldn't tell him to his face, but I think the Schecter was for sure a superior guitar! Another friend has a C1 Plus - also a great value, albeit a little more expensive...