I currently have an Westfield cheapy acoustic guitar, and am now thinking about purchasing an electric guitar. I only need a practise amp so I am gonna go for one of the cheaper marshall ones. I have a £350 limit (enough to buy a standard fender strat or tele) but am really interested in the les pauls from epiphone. I was have seen one at exactly £350 called the Black Beauty. It has 3 pick ups (which I don't know what they are, cos I am new and sorta a dumbass). Does anyone know what they play like? Is it worth overlooking a fender for one? What effects do you get with them? And I know this sounds dumb but, hey I'm a beginner, what are pickups and what are all the buttons on the les pauls for????

Any advice would be greatly appreciated :)