OK, so first things first. I know that running an electric guitar direct is a cardinal sin. My problem is that at my church, they don't want me using an amp. We have a small stage and don't have room to put an amp there. Even if I could have an amp, I couldn't get it loud enough to sound any good.

I'm looking for the best alternative. I was looking at some tube driven pedals, mainly the Vox Soundlab. Would a tube help the tone that much? That pedal is awfully expensive and I already have a delay and volume pedal. What are your opinions? Could I just buy a tube driven distortion/od pedal and run that straight through in to a DI box?