I agree with matty about line 6 stuff but there is nothing in the world like the options you can get with recording on your computer. a couple hundred bucks on a line 6 ux2, plug your guitar into ux2 and the ux2 into your computer and you bring up the line 6 pod farm software that comes with the ux2 and you have tons of effects, different amp styles at your fingertips. You bring up garageband or pro tools or sound forge or acid and record straight into your computer. I know some people dont like the digital effects but its so simple and so inexpensive and the variety of effects,stomp boxes,amp models and sounds you get to mess around with is phenomenal , even if you dont care about recording
I have tons of effects and multi effects like korg toneworks and I have that line 6 matty mentioned as well but digital recording is so easy and tons of more variety of effects and amp models. I still use some wah wah pedals and other pedals but line 6 ux2 and the options like the vintage amp models you have on pod farm are phenomenal. I rarely even use my stomp boxes and my other stuff anymore, once you use pod farm and record into computer you will be amazed at the sounds you get, a whole new world of recording and incredibly simple and inexpensive to set up.
You dont have to be some recording engineer or know anything at all really to figure out settings and the amp sound you want, with the presets they have on there, you just just plug in and start exploring, takes months to explore all the options, its so simple to get started.
stones fuzz effects and amps, ac dc,floyd type echoes,country presets,metal,fuzz, early elvis scotty moore type settings and amps tremolo and surf sounds, vintage marshall and leslie amps, wah wah,clean acoustic amps and sounds , jazz amps. you name it, its on pod farm. Just choose the sound you are looking for int he presets and start playing