I am the very proud owner of two newer Gretschs (g5120), and I have to say that your prejudice towards them is, well, completely unfounded. They are made by Fender, and they hold with my ethos concerning everything Fender churns out, that is, yeah, there's gonna be a lot of total dogs when looking for a good instrument. But, that one out of twenty or fifty that you do find that's put together just right, that was in the care of technician that really cared that day, you've got a good instrument for life.
I would say check Craigslist for Gretschs. Most people get rid of them soon, in favor of more "conventional" solid body electrics, or just because they can't handle a guitar that big. Go for the 5120. I'm not terribly impressed by the new duo jets. With a few upgrades, they are completely bulletproof guitars.
For instance, my main guitar, Gwen (the ashbringer....) has been equipped with a new TV Jones pickup (mounted expertly by Jeff Fisher, a true legend among men, and our Rock n Blues guitar tech), a new pickguard, dice knobs (that I made), and new tuning machines (Grover Imperials, the model that come on the white falcons).
And, ask anyone around the school about Gwen. She is EPIC.