One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is ... you really need to learn to play the amp and any pedals as well as your guitar. Thankfully, the amp is a bit easier. That being said, having the right guitar & amp helps a lot. Guitarists are always searching for great tone. Usually what sounds good for the kind of music you play. A Tele sounds like a Tele, Les Paul sounds like a humbucker equipped instrument. That sort of thing. Personally, I have a Strat. It covers 90% of what I play.

You have to learn what all the knobs and sliders do on your amp, right along with your guitar. Pick a real easy song, it can even be a warmup exercise. Use some of the settings posted here as a base. Play some... tweak some settings. Repeat. Don't be afraid of going back if you need to. Write your settings down when you find stuff that sounds good! You might find that a very slight adjustment here and there is all you need.

__________________
Still learning. One riff at a time.

Great place to mess with tone:

http://www.bossus.com/go/vpb-2/