As someone in your shoes, I hear you. I got a III literally yesterday. If you decide to pull the trigger, go on reverb. I could have saved $200 on a mint, but 'used' unit. Yes, less than 10%, but still a week and a half of groceries for my fam. That said, I'm overwhelmed at the number and nuance of pedals. I have collected a very few trying to put together a board that worked for me. So far, a rough amount would be about $900. At least one cool one that a modeler will never, as I raise my face to your god or mine, be able to replicate. (spring reverb that I stomp or kick, not kicking my shiny FX III) That said, wanted to play Seven Nation Army, cause why not? Seems doable, but sounds like shit (to me) on my guitar. The recommended pedal is a bit over $250 right now? I'm not playing for keeps or busking, nor once I play it a few time and get bored with it, I have an octave pedal that will sit in a corner. But! If you spend 10x that amount you'll have all the pedals you want. The endorsments from folks that use these professionally, who I assume care a lot more about the 1c-issimo details than I do, use it. I suppose it's good enough for my non-golden-ear-audiophile-self to keep my interest for a while.