Hi dalesman, this is my first posting, as I'm a newbie to this forum. I've been playing "Hank Marvin" in a Shadows Revival Band for almost ten years.
You're a beginner? Buy a Strat with maple neck. The mexican strats are quite good.
For echo, I use the Digitech Digiverb, for delay the Digitech Digital delay.
For rehearsing, a VERY useful tool is the Tascam guitar trainer.
There's no need for an unbelievably expensive Vox AC30, take any clean tube amp.
Above all, don't forget: the sound comes from your fingers!
Let the apache ride to wonderfiul land! Sorry for my horrible English!