fireberd
I quit using "stomp boxes" when I got a Line 6 POD X3. I use the POD X3 for effects only, no amp modeling. I have my main "digital delay" and "Spring Reverb". I have others for Chorus, Leslie Sim, Phase Shifter, Tremolo and Fuzz.
Similar thing here. Got really sick of patch cables, batteries, the time & hassle taken to switch between sounds etc.
I first moved on to an Alesis Quadraverb GT with a midimate pedal board, then a Roland GP16 / FC100 II, then finally a Roland VG88 which is what I use now for the most part.
When recording, I record 3 tracks: the stereo effected output from the VG88, plus the mono dry guitar output.
This gives me the options of going with my original guitar sound, starting again from scratch using by putting the dry signal through plugins and/or external inserts, or a combination of both.