A nice starting amp would be from the 'cube' series, I have been playing for quite a few years now and know my stuff (fairly well lol). I don't teach, I don't know enough or what I do know well enough, to be doing so. But if you would like to talk more on the fourms I would be glad to put my input.

Amp: 20x Cube (larger or smaller)

Guitar:
Electric:
Fander Telecaster: Older sounding soft rock
Fender Strat: A good standard 'all around' sound
Ibanez: Metal / Hard Rock / Rock distortion
Acoustic:
Yamaha: I have been using this one forever, and I will stick by it

edit: Schecter, I too have been hearing more and more about this brand and I might look into it here soon. I can't tell you much about it, but from what I hear, it's a good brand!
edit edit: A custom built Gibson would be nice if you had some cash to spend lol!