I have a Fender Squier Strat (made in china) because I've only been playing for 10 months or so and it's my first guitar. However, I have nearly enough money to buy a better Fender Strat (like a highway 1), preferably made in the USA. At the moment I am learning Four Kicks and Molly's Chamber by Kings of Leon (got everything but the solos), but I can't get a tone nearly as good as them, and was wondering if I could achieve their tone if I upgrade guitars. Oh and I have a VOX Valvetronix VT50 amp.

oh and I know Matt Followill uses a Gibson so I wont get the tone EXACT, and I know my guitar is crap, but is my guitar THAT bad that I won't be able to get a good tone at all (and will getting a Fender Highway 1 be a good idea---> aiming for it because of price and quality

But ixto facto...by switching guitar will I be able to achieve a more professional/realistic tone