It would probably be wise to just save for a good amp. I have a fender deville which I love and it's under a grand too. ($750) It's an amazing amp and the sound quality is awesome. Although, if you really want to get pedals, then I would suggest a blues driver or a tube screamer. One of my friends has been toughing in out with a marshall 50dfx, his ts-808 tube screamer and mxr phase 90. I would have to say its the best sounding 50 watt solid state setup I've ever heard. I myself am currently using a boss sd-1 which is a great pedal, and for the price its probably the best. I hope that helped. Good luck with your pedal search.