Best electric guitar for strumming?

I am looking for an electric guitar that sounds great for strumming. I am into folk music but I want to start a band that plays louder, faster versions of the types of songs that would typically be played on acoustic guitars. I've looked into some rickenbackers but im looking for something less expensive. The epiphone dot seems like it would suit me but ive heard mixed things about it. Are there an hidden gems out there that I can plug into a Vox and play some faced paced, clean sounding tunes on?