Guitar recommendations needed

LTD/ESP guitars are really good bang for the buck.

Second vote for PRS SE............ I have a cheap PRS SE soapbar 2 That I like more than my strat, flying V, and Ibanez guitars. I bought it new for $250 when CC's went out of business in BR. It plays better than any Gibson I have ever played.

I would recommend a PRS, specifically the Tremonti signature model, or an Agile, especially the 3100 series.

Used Edwards or Burny les paul

The $500 price point for a single cutaway style guitar is going to be difficult.

In the used market, this is a decent starting point.

The Supro revival brand produces some slick looking instruments. Here's one that is above your budget, but in the secondary market you could find it at your price point, and you wouldn't need that many upgrades, as the gold foil pickups are cool as hell.

Here's another Supro that also comes at a good price point for a used instrument.

If you want a project, this looks like a good starting point, but it is a lawsuit era Les Paul copy.

If you want to go to a hollow body, this is a good starting point I believe the famous TV Jones Broad'tron pickups come standard on this Gretsch, and those pickups are highly regarded.

Peavey used to make some super heavy instruments, made in the USA, but I don't think they do any longer. Regardless, if a project guitar is what you want, a Peavey like this isn't a terrible choice.

For your price point, I'd definitely go for a Supro though. They are fun instruments to play, have fairly cool retro designs, and the gold foil pickups sound great. Supro amps are also superb, as they are designed by Bruce Zinky, who did a lot of Fender's amp work. I'm definitely looking at getting a Supro Sahara as a cheap guitar to play around the house. I nearly pulled the trigger on a Supro Westbury Baritone a couple of years ago, and only stopped myself because I was moving with 11 other guitars. I'll get it eventually.

Takamine. Narrow neck and playability. Everyday guitar. I have a Taylor I'm going to sell. Actually, interested in a 1995 910?

Gretsch G5220. I bought one on Reverb.com recently and love it. I normally play Les Paul's and this thing is pretty damn close for half the price.