my suggestion, you should go and try out guitars with certain specs like neckthru/setneck/bolt on, H-H/HSH/HSS/SSS/swimmingpoolroute/HHH, body shape (if you are getting a dean i suppose try a razorback and see if you can withstand the shape for long periods)
then do some research on wood and pickups and then determine which sort of wood you want (Eg mahogany or alder/ash?)
and research all at once what kind of electronics you want, do you want on board booster/distortion? Fernandes sustainer perhaps? how many knobs, are you content with just one sound or do you want versatility? wad kind of wiring? what kind of bridge, do you feel you need the floyd? or a fixed bridge? or string through body for more sustain?
wad kind of fretboard feels most comfortable to you? rosewood, ebony, maple? can try all those out also, and the fret sizes also you need to see if you can get comfortable with it
since you got the budget i hope you won't splurge on looks alone, splurge on looks AND comfortability.