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Question Inexpensive amp that deliver Petrucci like tone?

ohdamnitsdevin

ohdamnitsdevin

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Nov 11, 2010
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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?
 
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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.
 
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.

vl3212g.jpg


Good luck on your quest...

Carvin.com : Steve Vai Legacy 3 Series Tube Guitar Amplifiers
 
You can always look for a used mesa Mk-IV. These can be found for very good prices, used of course.
 
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.
 
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.
 
Tollie said:
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.

vl3212g.jpg


Good luck on your quest...

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

I'm definitely looking into that! Thanks for the suggestion! Looks/sounds awesome!
 
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!
 
ohdamnitsdevin said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
acwild said:
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.
Click to expand...

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