id say to start with go for a amp and make sure it has a effects loop then if you get tired of the sound again you can start adding pedals in and efects processors......
if you get one with digital effects built it doesnt sto you adding others
or if you have a lot of money to spend go for a tube combo but they do cost alot.

changing your pickups might help and it would be cheaper than getting a new guitar, if you just get a humbucker for the bridge it will cancel alot of the noise and will give u a more distorted sound