How about a less-known brand (except among professional musicians)..... Hamer.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamer_Guitars
Bought by Fender some years back, and finally closed a couple years ago, my niece's husband worked for them in Illinois, and later in Connecticut after they moved (he was one of the best they had). Still in Connecticut, he is now making his own brand of elite guitars.
http://shishkovguitars.com/