Count the cost first, what brand guitar is this?, there are some good copies that make great guitars, and there are copies that aren't worth a new set of strings, price the items you want to replace/upgrade, figure in what the new finish is going to cost, add it all up, look at some used Fender Strat prices, how close are the two? If you have a good quality copy and just want a good player, then you might save some cash, resale is not good for copies, but thats a different story, on the bright side I guess, be aware that their are many Fender Strat owners, who have or are planning to do the same thing you are, and the name on the headstock is not much of a guarantee of quality these days........