Buying a new guitar... Please help me!

[elcid]

Right, but if he's looking for versatility he might want to split the coils. Personally I dont like to split coils but I can see where some people would want to.

[Ki swordsman]

check out the RGA121 or any RGA, they are fixed bridge prestige so you can detune to your heart's content.
they have a mahogany body with maple top so some pretty cool deep sounds there. personally i think they have great necks and you can also put in any new pickups to get the sounds you want and harmonics.

i don't think there actually is another fixed bridge prestige? or is there one i'm forgetting?

[Ki swordsman]

i run EMGs on 18v also(60a neck, 85 bridge), it's much nicer to me and more dynamic