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Question Inexpensive amp that deliver Petrucci like tone?

Which sound of Petrucci's are you looking for, he's used Mark IIC+, Mark IV, and V, even rectifiers and triaxis. You can find Rectoverbs for under 800 USD nowadays, and definitely Mark IV's and dual rectos for under $1400.
 
Talking about Legacy III - it's a wonderful amp, the cleans are just godlike.
However, dirt channels may not work like you would expect from a Petrucci's amp. They sound more like a Marshall amp and in case you're riding a 7-string, on the higher gain settings you may experience a bit of fuzz-like gating on the lowest string.
 
The Mesa Mini rectifier is simply the best performing amp I have ever owned, great cleans and Dirty dirties !!!

I have a Mesa Mark 4 a DC 3 and an Orange terror, all left gathering dust now I have the mini
 
Talking about Legacy III - it's a wonderful amp, the cleans are just godlike.
However, dirt channels may not work like you would expect from a Petrucci's amp. They sound more like a Marshall amp and in case you're riding a 7-string, on the higher gain settings you may experience a bit of fuzz-like gating on the lowest string.

This sounds about right. I was an early adopter of this amp, and I'm very happy with mine.
I did get a wild hair awhile back and did a rat-rod inspired refinish on it -

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Fabulous amp (especially for the $$), but not sure how close to JP's tones it would get. Most of his recordings have various degrees of processing involved anyways, so a good sounding and responding amp is just part of the equation.
That being said, I'm still looking to add a Boogie to my collection someday, and those Engl gigmasters have my attention now too...
It just never ends....:p

What about a good clean amp and a few of the newer Mesa pedals in front of it??
 
I'd suggest a Mark III (bought one recently, the sound and feel is totally there), as you can find them used for 700-800. If loudness is an issue and you still want to go Mesa, either a DC-3 or a Mini Recto would be a good choice. However, they are still quite loud for your typical 30 watt amp.
I can't speak for the Axe Fx as I haven't played one, but most people seem to praise it a lot.
Good luck and report back!
 
Another idea is the new distortion pedal from Mesa called the Throttle Box(SP?)...I just listened to a demo at it sounds like a dual rectifier in a box.
 
I don't know if it was already suggested, but have you ever thought about an ENGL Ironball? 20 watts, power soak-able to 1W and either to be used with headphones, 2 channels, gain boost, lunchbox size, darn good sound...
 
ENGL Ironball is a groovy little amp, but OP asked for inexpensive option. These things are going for $1100+ USD on Musician's Friend.
**edited** nevermind, didn't see that his budget was raised to $1400.
 
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Dude, just snag a used Mark IV. In all honesty, just save a few more hundred and snatch a used Mark V head while you are almost there.
 
Sorry, last response..

Mesa Mark IV - Guitar Center
Wilmington, Delaware 19803
Used Price $899.99

Mesa Mark IV - Guitar Center
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15205
Used Price $849.99

there are a couple others for over 1K.
Snatch one and be happy!
 
Engl Fireball 60 60W Tube Guitar Amp Head | GuitarCenter
In Store USED ENGL RICHIE BLACKMORE SIGNATURE 100 HEAD W/FTSW | GuitarCenter
In Store USED ENGL FIREBALL 100 | GuitarCenter
In Store USED ENGL FIREBALL 60W HEAD | GuitarCenter
In Store USED ENGL POWERBALL TYPE E645 100W ALL TUBE HEAD | GuitarCenter

ENGL ENGL ENGL ENGL!!! I have a Steve Morse sig, best thing I've ever played through. You'd LOVE the Powerball devin. The Fireball is voiced similarly to the powerball but shares an EQ section for both the clean and dirty channels, which some don't like, whereas the Powerball has separate EQ sections.
 
This paintjob looks incredible...and, the snakeskin is a nice touch. Is that the Carvin snakeskin covering?

23637d1385054218-inexpensive-amp-deliver-petrucci-like-tone-7940.jpg
 
Honestly, even a 30 Watt combo will be silly loud for playing at home... My budget suggestion is to find a used Mesa Boogie Quad preamp and run it through any Fender-like amp. The idea being that the Quad will bring the tone and the amp the volume.
I did this some 15 years ago to great effect: the Quad through the FX-loop of an old Blues deLuxe was pure Images & Words.

Cheers

Eske
 
Another idea is the new distortion pedal from Mesa called the Throttle Box(SP?)...I just listened to a demo at it sounds like a dual rectifier in a box.

I've been using the Mesa Flux Drive for over a month now, on top of my Brunetti MC2. It just sounds immense ! It really adds the Mesa vibe to the amp. Just a bit of crunch on a valve amp + Flux Drive + JP and you'll nail the tone !!
 
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