The right equipment
Sure, when you first started out, plucking a few strings on a hack-around guitar back in the day, Having the right equipment, or any equipment at all", didn't really seem to matter. But sooner or later, you start to get better, and realise that your going to need to get some good quality gear, to compliment your good quality guitar playing.

There are many good quality makes and models around, but i would recommended top shelf makes such as Ibanez, Fender,Gibson, ESP and some others, but on a slightly cheaper budget, there is absolutely nothing wrong with the Yamaha's, or the peavey's, B C rich, etc... But go and compare them yourself as every ones style is different. You will probably find though, these puppies mentioned above will be more likely what you're after.

As for Amplifiers, you should be checking out Marshalls, Peaveys, Mesa boogies, fenders and Vox, But there are many very good sounding amps around. As for effects pedals, makes, such as Boss, Ibanez and Yamaha have a good, large variety of sound enhancing, multi effects pedals at the highest of quality to choose from, depending on what style you're playing guitar with .