fender wide range pickups

What guitar design is better for a beginner – the Epiphone Les Paul of Statistics or Mexican Fender?
I'm in the price range $ 500 or less and have very broad musical tastes. The main points of confusion are: 1) single-coil humbuckers vs (does it really matter) and 2) the quality of Epiphone, as it is made in China)
They are really really good instruments. A face-Epi Les Paul will beat a Gibson Les Paul low grade the feel and tone … and of course is much cheaper. Mexican Strats in some cases may be as good as regular Strats. By the way if you like the humbucker sound to go with them Paul Epi-If you like the Fender single coil. My Fender has 1 humbucker and 2 single tablets
Quercus – electric guitar duo – free improvisation – two telecasters – 2008