best advice i ever got was to go to the music store and find a guitar and/or setup like you have already and then plug into different amps and listen. the one that sounds best to you is the one you should buy....
but i'm with these guys on the mesa.... i'd get a triple rectifier if i could afford one. or two.
i've heard great things about the line6 spider and vetta.
and personally, i use a roland jc-120 to play everything from metal to jazz, to funk, to reggae, to experimental. i never thought i would like it for metal, but it does it.
**** oh, and if you want to see what other people think about music gear, check <a href="http://www.harmonycentral.com">harmony central</a> ****