Amp, effect, USB interface and other recommendations for a newbie!

[podstawek]

Hi all,

My first posting here, so first let me introduce myself: I have just re-started learning guitar at 41 after an adventure with this instrument back in my teens. I'm feeling great learning from my old book (Guitar Handbook by Ralph Denyer), and I'm not planning a career at this point . I just want to play for the joy of it. As far as genres go, I am very much into jazz, as people tend to be in my age, which must be also the most difficult one to play on guitar I guess... Now, to the point:

I bought a Takamine acoustic guitar with a built-in preamp. It sounds great by itself (to my hairy ear), but I want to enjoy the electrical part of it too. I want three things:

• An amp that will be used at home (I'm looking at this shop-soiled one which is around USD 330 -- what do you think?)
• An effect that allows me to record a few chords and play along (I believe it is called a loop or looper, right?)
• A way of connecting my guitar to GarageBand to add effects/record on computer (I believe it is called a USB interface)

Any recommendations / pointers for a beginner from more experienced players are very welcome.

Any unrelated advice on learning, or life, or universe welcome too!

Thank you!

Adam