As others have mentioned, get down to a couple of guitar shops that have a decent stock and try as many as possible. I've heard too many stories of people buying a guitar based on style to then find they don't like the neck, weight, or tone, to leave it just choosing by manufacturer or model alone.
I'm lucky enough to live close enough to a [urlhttp://www.guitarguitar.co.uk/[/url shop to be able to go into their and try out the large amount of kit they keep in stock.

I got an Epiphone LP Standard in Tabacco burst off the wife for xmas. The Gibson version has been my dream guitar for years and I've played various LP's in the past so knew I liked them, which meant she was pretty safe buying me one without me trying it first. We aren't in the financial position to blow a few grand on a Gibson so the Epi was a happy compromise. I saw your comments on the quality of the Epi's and I can only guess that the quality must vary. Mines cracking, is well built, has a good feel and sound, and looks gorgeous.

I've had a few guitars over the years and my current other electric is a Washburn N1 that I've had for about 17 years. It's a completely different guitar to the LP, but it has a fantastic neck and plays very easily. I bought it the day I tried it and I've never been tempted to get rid. It has a good mixture of tones as the pot is set to split the two double pickups to give a clean sound like a strat if you want it.

One thing to bear in mind when buying a guitar for around the £500 mark is that the guitar will probably need some after market setup. There are plenty of guides kicking around on the net that can talk you through doing this. But depending on how far you want to take it (I've seen some guys get their Epi's setup to close to a Gibson standard), it may be better to get a professional to do it. It's worth keeping that in mind when you decide whether to pay a bit more for the guitar in a shop and see if they'll throw in a setup with the purchase, or whether you'll buy online and probably make a saving on the guitar but maybe have to get it setup for a further cost afterwards.
From the sounds of the probs you've been having with your current guitar, getting someone to check the setup (especially the action and bridge settings) for the gauge of strings you are using might help.

A Telecaster would be my choice if you're afraid of getting an Epiphone Les Paul. I have an Epi Les Paul I bought maybe 10 years ago and it's about as good as the late 70's Les Paul my mate had. Try one first and you might be surprised. The problem is though you can get one mail order at a better price so I understand the temptation and it's not unheard of for people to end up with a lemon.

There are a dozen different Tele versions, they're widely stocked so you get a choice, and they are (IMO) the most playable guitar ever made - ideal for rock and blues. If you want a more heavy sound then you have a bewildering array of pickup options (hot rails can be added for very little money). However, you can buy one with humbuckers, you can buy them with P90's you can get them with almost anything, but the neck and the feel is usually awesome.
I have one of the early Highway 1's and it's beautiful. I prefer jumbo frets, so it suits me perfectly. I play through an old Marshall valve amp and it works a treat.

Also, as one other poster mentioned, the PRS is an option at around 500 quid as well. I personally think they look like childrens guitars and are as cool as driving a Lexus, but quality should be very high.

Thanks for all the replies guys.

I sort of knew I was gonna have to spend an afternoon somewhere trying 'em out but was hoping there was a short cut.

Anyone have any experience of 'Indie' as a make? I was recomended that as a nice sounding LP type.

I'll probably get one this weekend and let you all know what it is, hoping I don't get a dozen replies along the lines of "What the fsk did ya get that for?"

If you like it then it was the right choice. You won't stop at one anyway - it's impossible

Buy a Yamaha Pacifica 112 and spend the £250 on prostitutes.

As he's already got one (see previous page) he could spend the full £500 on prostitutes.

I've only been playing for a couple of years using a Les Paul Studio. Beautiful guitar and suits me perfectly.

My instructor had a Danelectro DC59 which I thought was stunning. I bought one for £220 from eBay (brand new), amazing guitar with wonderful tone. Pretty lightweight too.

Personally I'd save or borrow another 300 quid and buy a Japanese-made Tokai or keep an eye out for a pre-loved one. Also I would rather have the Korean-made Tokai than the Epi they churn out these days.

please 'pm' any recommendations please DHM...