@thor Amps are a more difficult choice as they change all the time. What used to be good turned to trash and so on. It's best to buy a used model that has been researched than a new one from a good brand.

A Squire Stratocaster is one of the best guitar options. They aren't trash guitars but they are very clearly budget models. A guitar tech can do the proper finishing, setup and install aftermarket pickups to make it sound indistinguishable from a Fender Stratocaster. These are actually used as touring guitars and some special models can cost the same as a Fender would.

I would recommend Fender Bullet strings in any Strat or Strat clone. They just work and have a better tone. String gauge will effect the sound and so will the type of pickup being used. I would recommend having at least one humbucker. All single coils will make it have that crisp sound but a humbucker has a bit more character. I'd recommend some gain so it gives it character but not a growl like distortion. It's a lot of work to get that golden tone with different guitars and amp setups.

The above is why Active Pickups exist. Active Pickups will make guitars sound the same and are mostly used as a base to add effects on so engineers can be sure of the sound on whatever it is used with.