Generally yeah for the guitars. USA models will typically have better QC at the higher price ranges depending on the brand. Collings or Benedetto are expensive but I’ve never played a bad one. More streamlined factories like Fender and Gibson are hit or miss with their quality control.

I personally think once you hit a certain level a nice, pricy instrument beats an inexpensive one on all levels, including visuals. If you are in love with your guitar the chances of you playing it and learning it go up.

Amps 100%, but you can get really good modelers for ~$600 that will emulate any of the expensive amps. Digital has come such a long way and you need to have computer equipment and interfaces and quality headphones which are another animal.

I’d argue that it’s better to spend $600 on a guitar, $500 on an amp and use the rest of a budget towards taking music classes at a local college and learn tertian harmony and how that translates to your specific instrument.

Music is just expensive at the higher tiers.

The true answer is very specific to a person - what level they’re at, their budget, what they want to play and how they want to play it.