What is the best guitar for me?

I have been wanting to get a new guitar for a while now, all I have is a cheap Strat Ripoff. I have already decided to go with Gibson, as I love the sound their guitars make, and hate Regular Strats, my Uncle has offered his to me, but I don't like the tone. I only have like $500 to spend on it, so I'm restricted to Epiphones. Right now I'm leaning twords the Epi Firebird, but I am wondering what would be best. I play a lot of Southern Rock, Clic Rock, Country, and a Bit of Metallica.