The VM is definitely a good amp. I've always liked it.
My main set-up is as follows:
Gretsch G5120 w/ 11-50 flatwounds >>> MXR Dyna Comp >>> ProCo Rat >>> '59 Fender Bassman LTD.
Picture of my amp/pedals:
Yeah, I keep my pedals on top of my amp, because I never really turn them off when I'm playing, thus it saves me the trouble of using two ridiculously long cables to connect my guitar to the pedals, and my pedals to the amp. Instead, I just have my long cable running into the Dyna Comp, some nondescript 6' cable running from the Dyna Comp to the Rat, and a regular patch cable from the Rat to the amp's input.