Hi Skarpi,from what I know of country a Tele is the thing-though I've seen players with every kind of guitar. Perhaps to get your sound, an efffects box, like a zoom (cheap!!) or something will give you the tones, you know how you want to sound. I think steel guitar is the really good thing to play lead work on, but haven't a clue how to even start.

Talking about electrics, effects, amps and the like will maybe get us shot !!

maybe A minor pentatonic, a major pentatonic will be a start.

best of luck from a crap guitar player.
Eric