I've ended up using an Epiphone SG guitar (wine red), though not really suited
for shredding, I find the broad neck to be quite comfortable. I have a 100W Marshall Valvestate I use
at band rehearsals, and at home I have a 15W Squier amp (that's been going strong since the 80s!!).
I use a Boss PW-10 wah/drive pedal through my amp, and a Line6 Guitar POD 2.0 for recording.