I used Boss effects pedals for ages...even built a custom box to stick em all in. But as soon as I got a MultiEffects pedal (Boss ME-5), it made all my old stuff obsolete.
All of a sudden I had every effect I wanted plus MIDI control which is invaulable in live situations. I can't stand trying to remember to hit patches all the time... so everything I do is synced to cubase and all the patch changes are done automatically. One patch is left silent for the beginning of songs so I can tune up or practice a tough lead, then my part kicks in and it's there without even having to think about it.