Question Inexpensive amp that deliver Petrucci like tone?

[ohdamnitsdevin]

Inexpensive amp that delivers Petrucci like tone?

For Christmas I'm thinking of treating myself to an amp upgrade. I've only ever used the Roland Cubes and for the most part, have been very satisfied with them. They have great tone for the price. I've been looking at the Dark Terror as its not too loud at 15 Watts and from what I can tell, the tone quality is pretty amazing.

Any suggestions?

 

[ksandvik]

You are looking at a Mesa-Boogie like sound? What price range?

 

[ohdamnitsdevin]

Yes and no. I know John uses a Mesa Boogie Mark V but I dont need that kind of volume and I dont want to drop 3k on a rig just for home use/practice. I do however, want to feel my own playing a bit more and I think a tube amp would do the trick. I've looked into a ton of high gain amps and the Orange Dark Terror is the most appealing one so far and its only around 500-600 bucks. I'd like to stay around $800-900 USD.

 

[Voo]

If you can look for a Mesa Boogie 5:25
they should be in that range used

 

[Tollywood]

Hi Devin,

I've played a Dark Terror once and I thought it sounded good. I think it's a hybrid (tube and solid state).

I'm about to pull the trigger on the Carvin Legacy III head and 2x12, in Vai green, of course. They are $1300, but used they are in your range. They can step down to 15 watts. Made in USA, which is a pretty big deal to me. Three channels.

Good luck on your quest...

Carvin.com : Steve Vai Legacy 3 Series Tube Guitar Amplifiers

 

[dkannen]

In that price range, look no further.
ENGL Gigmaster 30 Combo Guitar Amplifier - YouTube
Engl GigMaster 30 Tube Guitar Combo Amp Black | Musician's Friend

ANYTHING ENGL makes. Can't go wrong.

 

[dkannen]

And I'd get one of these WAY before a Dark Terror if you're looking for a petrucci-esque tone.
Peavey 6505+ 112 60W 1x12" Tube Combo Guitar Amp Black | Musician's Friend

But Voo is also correct, those Mesa Express amps are great too.

 

[JAMz]

You can always look for a used mesa Mk-IV. These can be found for very good prices, used of course.

 

[ksandvik]

Mesa Express might be somewhat close sound-wise. Try also the 6L6 versus EL34 versions as they sound somewhat different. ENGLs are nice, Orange, too but I suspect that Orange is more rock sounding and ENGLs could be very gainy compared with a Mesa Boogie. Also, in many cases you need to crank up the amp to get the true tube saturation sound so the windows will rattle...

Personally, for home practice I just load NI Guitar Rig and launch Logic X with drummer and a couple of bass loops over a good reference monitor pair, more fun this way.

 

[Gio_Force_One]

I would suggest mesa boogie dc 3 or dc 5 I have the 5 and I love it and it gives me that tone. I Payed 350 for the head and I have a 1x12 cAb and it sounds great and it's my live rig and practise rig . Look it up and check it out they made combos and heads.

 

[ohdamnitsdevin]

Hi Devin,

I've played a Dark Terror once and I thought it sounded good. I think it's a hybrid (tube and solid state).

I'm about to pull the trigger on the Carvin Legacy III head and 2x12, in Vai green, of course. They are $1300, but used they are in your range. They can step down to 15 watts. Made in USA, which is a pretty big deal to me. Three channels.

Good luck on your quest...

Carvin.com : Steve Vai Legacy 3 Series Tube Guitar Amplifiers

I'm definitely looking into that! Thanks for the suggestion! Looks/sounds awesome!

 

[ozzyrules]

Mesa Mini Rectifier?? Egnater tweaker 30 combo? H&K Statesman quad el84 combo??

 

[ohdamnitsdevin]

In that price range, look no further.
ENGL Gigmaster 30 Combo Guitar Amplifier - YouTube
Engl GigMaster 30 Tube Guitar Combo Amp Black | Musician's Friend

ANYTHING ENGL makes. Can't go wrong.

Watched both videos and I'm sold! haha I'm going to try and plug into one of these at my local guitar center. Hopefully they have one!

 

[Eric O'Reilly]

Mini rectifier, or peavey 6505+ combo, evh 5150 III 50 watt head, around $700, or an old peavey 5150 combo,( awesome frickin amp for anything!). Keep lookin, lots of good tube amps, and make sure you try'em first!

 

[acwild]

Yes and no. I know John uses a Mesa Boogie Mark V but I dont need that kind of volume and I dont want to drop 3k on a rig just for home use/practice. I do however, want to feel my own playing a bit more and I think a tube amp would do the trick. I've looked into a ton of high gain amps and the Orange Dark Terror is the most appealing one so far and its only around 500-600 bucks. I'd like to stay around $800-900 USD.

The Mark V can sound great at really low volumes. I've seen used combos for around $1800. It's not in your target range but I felt that you might want to know that. The Dark Terror is high gain but I didn't think it's in the Mesa territory. I think you need to get a Mark IV or V to get his sound. When I went amp shopping recently I've seen a bunch of Mark IVs for around $1400. While it's still more than you're planning it should almost guarantee the target sound that you're after.

 

[ohdamnitsdevin]

The Mark V can sound great at really low volumes. I've seen used combos for around $1800. It's not in your target range but I felt that you might want to know that. The Dark Terror is high gain but I didn't think it's in the Mesa territory. I think you need to get a Mark IV or V to get his sound. When I went amp shopping recently I've seen a bunch of Mark IVs for around $1400. While it's still more than you're planning it should almost guarantee the target sound that you're after.

I'd be willing to stretch my budget to 1400 if I was able to find a Mesa Boogie Mark (Anything)!

 

[ksandvik]

Maybe even a Mark III.... Also don't underestimate the mini Rectifiers. Maybe a more metal-centric sound but they are affordable and 25W is plenty for even gigging with the right cab.

 

[MrJJoncas]

I just saw a Mark IV for $1250 shipped on JP's forum:

FS: 2007 Mesa Mark IV Head

 

[Tanax]

What about an Axe-FX II? That's inexpensive, especially for the amount of quality sounds you'll get from it!

 

[DrugDM]

Used peavey 6505 or JSX are great and very inexpensive. If you need effects as well, perhaps the Line 6 HD500 and dt25 combo amp. You get tube goodness, a ton of options, and sounds real good. Good luck.