I did research the amps, the Washburn, and Mex Strat. All got good reviews, and I played em before I bought.
The Digitech pedal, I picked up on the word of the salesman, and the stuff on the Digitech web site. I really don't like it. It's probably because I haven't had it long enough to get to a "sweet spot", but the distortion seems to be either too crunchy, or nothing at all. I got it so I wouldn't have to overdrive the Gibson amp for a little warm distortion. Two points, the Gibson amp is the cleanest amp I've ever played through, (tube amp I mean). It has a full rich sound, and the reverb is room filling! That said, it may be the reason I can't get a good sound out of the Digitech?