What's the best 'value' of electric guitar?

Question:I'm referring to price:quality ratio. For example, I know that ESP's cost more than an Ibanez guitar of equal playability, Jackson's only slightly more than Ibanez. With Fender and Gibson, you're paying a lot just for the name (although the guitars are good too).

I'm just curious because I've recently been looking at a lot of semi-mainstream brands, that are slightly harder to find than those mentioned above. Examples would be Dean, Scheckter, BC Rich, Cort, etc.

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I'm referring to price:quality ratio. For example, I know that ESP's cost more than an Ibanez guitar of equal playability, Jackson's only slightly more than Ibanez. With Fender and Gibson, you're paying a lot just for the name (although the guitars are good too).

I'm just curious because I've recently been looking at a lot of semi-mainstream brands, that are slightly harder to find than those mentioned above. Examples would be Dean, Scheckter, BC Rich, Cort, etc.

I've never owned a Schechter but I have played them. They SEEM like an excellent value. The fit and finish is fantastic for any guitar, let alone for one in its price range.

I own Fenders and an Ibanez and I think they're both excellent values. Just like a car, the cost of owning it is not just the initial investment but the depreciation. A Fender or Gibson is going to be much easier to sell used if/when you want to trade up later. If not, there's a lot of replacement parts for Fenders and they're built with quality parts that will last a long time...well, excepting the whammy bar.