Okay, I've been playing for the best part of a year now, and I think it's time I got myself a proper guitar and amp Squier strats sounds crap, especially played acoustically (my cheapo amp is completely fecked.)

Now, from what I've heard, the fat strats are just my kinda thing (though they apparently could use a stiffer trem. What's new?)...but you know how Fender like to complicate things by seperating the models into American, Deluxe, and Standard series.
Is there that much of a difference? And how much do they cost?

Also, what amp would you reccommend? I gather that Marshalls are generally good, but that's as far as my knowledge goes...

Some help would be much apprecciated...