So kind of a newbie question here, but I don’t know if any of you guys could help me here:
I used to have a Mexican Fender Strat when I was 10 or 11 and very enthusiastic to learn guitar. It was a very decent guitar as I recall, with three or four knobs and a vibrato bar. But, due to some reasons that I don't think are important to talk about, I became disillusioned with playing the guitar. When we had to move to another place for some time, we left the guitar with some members of my family.
The years go by and a couple years ago my brother needs a guitar for music lessons in junior high. It turned out the members of my family we left the Fender with sold the guitar! I was a little upset but I kinda understood, seeing as how I hadn't touched the guitar in years and they are always short on money. So my parents buy my brother a relatively cheap Squier Strat, with only two knobs and nothing more (well except for the strings and all that jazz).
Now, my brother became interested with playing the drums rather than the guitar, and I have gained back my interest for playing the guitar, and maybe even forming a band in the near future.
Of course, I'm still a beginner and I've been mostly slamming power chords into the thing and trying to figure out simple songs I like by ear, but I've been taking care of the thing. I made a much needed string change (we hadn't changed the strings since we bought it), bought a new cable as the one that came with it was screwed up, and even bought a new strap. Most recently, I saved up to buy an Orange amp, which I heard has a dirtier sound than Marshall or Fender amps.
Now, I have always been interested in getting a Les Paul, but a) I'm not a pro musician and b) I ain’t willing to sell my kidney to get one, yet. However, there exists the Epiphone Les Paul. So my real question after so much blabbering is: should I get an Epiphone Les Paul or should I stick to my Squier Strat, or are there any other beginner guitars that you would like to recommend? Is it all just a waste of money and maybe I should wait until this music thingy starts going somewhere to consider getting a new guitar (maybe a real Les Paul)?
Remember, I'm relatively a beginner slamming mostly power chords and two note solos into the thing, looking for a crunchy, garage sound.
Advice will be much appreciated.