Considering a G&L S-style guitar. Anyone played one?

Obi Wan gives good advice. I have a G&L Comanche (S style with Z pickups). Tribute model (made in Indonesia with US pickups), Brilliant guitar, flawless build. Still, not for everyone. Played one at store, but one I ordered online had swamp ash body, which is not all that light. Whammy bar that actually goes back into tune! I think I'd go with the S-500 of your two choices. Bit more punch.

I have not, but I highly recommend that you do.  There's more to a guitar than just who made it, it has to fit the person playing it.  Lemmy explain...

I started out with a cheap made-in-Korea knockoff guitar, which my parents gave me for Christmas when I was a teen.  They didn't get anything really good, because they were hoping the rock-star thing was just a phase.  I spent years saving up for my dream guitar, a Jackson Custom V, because any guitar played by Randy Rhoads and Dave Mustaine must be the perfect instrument.  When I got to the shop and picked one out, the owner insisted that I plug it in and play it before making the purchase.

Good thing he insisted, because that guitar just didn't fit my playing.  It looked great, but nothing about it felt right.  I tried a few others, including Fender and Kramer, and ended up buying a BC Rich Warlock (like Lita Ford).  That guitar felt like it was made just for me, and I've had it ever since.  

Forget what all the guitar nerds tell you about this brand is better than that brand, because it doesn't matter what works for them.  You need the guitar that works for you, no exceptions.  It might be a G&L, or it might not.  The only way to find out is to play it.