not a big trem guy and i'll probably slap an old bill lawerence i have sitting around in the back. so a double, couple single coils would be great. this is just for playing out local, blues jam at the local bar/pub etc...
Craigslist/eBay - you should be able to find all kinds of great guitars at that price point.
I got a LTD MH-350NT for $350. EMG 81/85, stop tail, 25.5" neck through. Plays and sounds great.
Also Gibson Les Paul studio for $400
Just pay attention and watch for a bit.
In addition, Epiphone/Squier have come a looooong way in just the past few years. Those Epiphone Prophecy models feel great and TO ME feel on par with the ltd/schecter stuff. The Squier CV series is also in this same qaulity range to me...
for blues/hard rock, i would also say to find one of the LTD EC models, probably with the JB/59 pickup set rather than EMG's. while all the other guitars mentioned here are great, i dunno if they can cover the blues territory as well.