I agree, to me multi-effects sound sterile and plastic, but it's your ears that count when it comes to your rig. I think Vox makes the best guitar wah these days, but try a few different ones out to see what you like. Cry Baby's are also good, and I have a Morley Bass Wah (for my basses of course), and it's been great. As for other effects, distortion+wah can get you a long long way. I can get turn table sounds, screeches, whistles, as well as traditional wah sounds w/ just my 4 string, wah and a ds-1. I've used my wah to simulate an envelope filter, flanger, and chorus effects. But generally, my phylosophy is to keep as little between my bass/ guitar and amp as possible. I'll probably invest in a chorus pedal, talk box, and maybe a couple of other things before I'm done, but I want to keep it as simple as possible. But again, shop around, try things out, and go by your ear.