Regards Amps - I can't agree that any "fender" amp will be fine. Fender mass produce almost everything now, and that was always Leo's philosophy too!
There are lots of valve amps that do the biz, depending on your needs, at affordable prices.
I own a Fender Princeton Reverb reissue which I gig with ALL the time, and I love it. Other folks don't like them.
I also have a HotRod Deville, which I used for years. It's a different beast and is kind of a budget version of the legendary Fender Twin - I love it also, but it's a monster to carry and gig with'!!
There are certainly some VERY good solid state amps these days, and if you're just mucking around at home, then yes, follow your ears...
those Vox emulators are quite versatile buy awkward to fiddle with. I've got an Ad50vt too!! I never use it
but the kids can haha!
I love gear talk, so many different opinions, but once your on stage and turned up loud, you play with what you've got!!
Recording, well that's a whole other debate.