Sounds like you've got some good gear picked out. The Schecter's I've played had nice, thin necks. Great for smaller hands. Good tone. The Classics are beautiful guitars.
When I say "guitar is set up", I mean how it is "configured" or how easy it is to fret notes (across the entire neck). Lots of cheap guitars have uneven fretboards, warped necks and/or bridges that are set too high, making the guitar difficult to play. Many acoustic guitars fall into this category.
What guitar are you playing now?
If you want to make a move to a better guitar without coughing up a lot of skiv ($300 or less), check out a Schecter Omen. Very slick for the money.
If you're after a guitar with a tremelo, the Jackson JS (something) is not bad - a no frills rocker. Only drawback is it's not a 24 fret neck like the Omen is.
Oh, bass amps. Marshall-no. Your buddy will just have to shop. Don't ever buy an amp without first playing through it with YOUR own guitar.
I once thought a "Sweeping Arpeggio" was an Italian janitor.
