I would say that is most dependent on the guitar player in question, and the way the guitar was played.
For example, I recently worked on a project where a performer was finger-picking clean electric guitar. His technique was far from refined, and he was FAR too dynamic for the particular song he was playing. We had his Fender Deluxe Reverb here and he was tracking through it. Every time he would pluck either the E or A strings, the built in speaker was farting like a redneck after an all-you-can-eat bean buffet. I realized I should start tracking DIs at this point. If I didn't I would have been really screwed.
What it came down to, is that I had to go through the DIs, eq out specific resonances that were caused by his playing (which I actually got him to change for the better during tracking), but it still wasn't enough. I ended up using a pretty awesome vibey-sounding Revalver patch I made with a Ribbon Mic Impulse.
When I showed him a rough mix he said, "The guitar tone is so warm and analog-y. This is why you should get a Deluxe Reverb for your collection."
Anyhow, 5150 III, Baron XTC, Baron K2, as well as the JVM are my go-to clean amps for recordings. The Barons have the best clean out of any channel switcher I have ever heard.
If I had to buy a dedicated clean amp, I would go for an AC30 or perhaps a sort of Rivera. Those Riveras have mighty good clean tones.
Also, to the OP, I am honored to be lumped into a group of "professionals" here. I can only hope to one day do this for a living.
