Verified answer

It depends on what you like, I personally would choose the Epiphone Les Paul because les pauls tend to have a richer, more rock 'n roll sound than strats, and they have better sustain...

well my first guitar was a silvertonem, kinda a fender ripoff (IMO)

i just got a epiphone les paul special II, last friday, and i have to say

OMG so much better, it just sounds so much richer and cleaner, only down side is, depending on your amp, overdrive may sound a little off by what i hear.

hope that this helps.