go an OLP axis or the like
the pickups will help you out and they are far superior to the fender squier and epiphone crap in that price range.

Try to get an ibanez, very good guitars and they have a few models in your price range that are good.

dude, dont forget about an amp. :-/

you can find some good **** on CL. **** pawn shops

try yamaha. very affordable, have the quality