Got... the LACS (L.A. Custom Shop). But they only build for endorsees... Only way to get one without getting an endorsement deal is to buy 2nd hand off the market... but 2nd hand prices can probably challenge 1st hand price of the J.custom...

Yes. I think that's the most important question!

If it's around RM1k, you'd probably be able to scout around a few deals for 2nd-hand guitars that are not MIC...

Actually SX vs Gio, I think you'd be better of going for a SX, provided that you find one that is decent. The thing about Gio is that the QC is pretty consistent, the problem is that the level of quality isn't very high at all!

IIRC, there are some SXs which have quite decent build quality, but you'll have to test it out first...