Thanks for the generous help everyone. I went ahead and sold my AxeFX II XL+ in order to fund an AX8. I don't need all the features and processing power, and it's more useful for my needs to have a foot controller built in. Once I can get my hands on one, I'm going to get the Austin Buddy Tone Pack. I like what I've heard of it so far and it seems like the right product to get started with.