I pulled an Epi off the wall at Best Buy and was surprized at how nice the neck felt. I think it was like $499, and was pretty well done - for the money. I didn't plug it in because...... well, it was Best Buy........... It would never touch a USA Standard, but - with the imports - you gotta go by what feels the best to you, as opposed to the name on the headstock. I've never tried a import Standard, but the earlier Korean-made ones would probably be better (if they are like other MIK Hamers I've used). Pretty solid and, on the used market, pretty cheap.