Semi hollow VS telecaster/stratocaster electric guitars?

You're pretty limited with a Tele - you just have that bright single coil sound. A semi-hollow or hollow body with humbuckers will give you more versitility. If you're looking for something different, check out the Taylor T5 or the Carvin SH550. You said no Ibanez, but I would check out their Artcore Series anyway. The new Gibson ES339 is a smaller body version of the 335 series - very nice.