Str8axe,
Don't know what a Dean Evo cost up there, but a few years ago I bought Dean Evo Special Select. I was looking at Epiphone LPs and saw this. Played it (fortunately they had a Peavey Classic 30, like my own amp) and fell in love with the tone and feel!! Plus it weighed a lot less than a LP.
Now, at about this time, I was 10 months away from turning the Big 50
and the wife told me if I waited I could buy "whatever guitar I wanted"...within reason.
I had been looking at a Gibson LP but after hearing the Dean and knowing the price on the Gibson LP was gonna jump from $1300 to around $1600 by that November, I opted for the Dean. Right price, right tones, right feel. And I think Looks real Nice.
Cost $600 total including hardshell case & Tax. Never looked back! The regular Evos cost a bit less than the Special Selects.
Just my Opinion, YMMV