Convince me not to buy a Jet City

[EET_FUK]

First I wanted an Orange, then a Laney, but now I think I'm set on a Jet City JCA22h, and matching cab. I've played them on multiple occasions and I really dig it. I found a few good deals online ($230 for head, $225 for cab), and I'm about to take the plunge. I know the head is great, but does the cab do it enough justice? Should I wait? Help me out here forum bros.

Thanks for your advice fellas.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Convince me not to buy a Jet City

With those small amps, I never like the way they sound with their cheap cabs or open back cabs. Avoid that.

Just get the heads you like and run them into high quality cabs with name speakers.

I've played nearly all of them, and have owned a few. The other day, I think I played the amp that really kicks ass....the Orange OR15. I own the Tiny Terror and like it, and I like the Dual Terror too. But ever since I demoed the OR15 (which has an FX loop), I'm sold on that one being the lunch boxer with serious tone.

Jet City? Eh...maybe for a cheap price. It'll just be a stepping stone amp though. Shoot higher like Orange, Marshall, and H&K.

 

[misterwhizzy]

Re: Convince me not to buy a Jet City

I have a Jet City and love it. A couple of problems, though. First of all, you have very, very little headroom. That being said, the crunch channel can get stupidly heavy. Low output pickups can help a lot there, but it's not going to stay clean and get loud. The only real issue I had with my JCA20H was the lack of an effects loop. I finally installed one, but the JCA22H doesn't have that problem. Also, I EQ clean and dirty drastically differently, so just rolling back the volume will only get you so far. But through a Governor and Wizard 2x12 it really does sound great.

 

[Drunken Bowling]

Re: Convince me not to buy a Jet City

Jet City cabs are very well built. However, the amps themselves come with tubes that are less than spectacular. I didn't like the stock speakers either. But change the tubes and put a V30 in the cab and they sound great.

There's a site where you can order a custom Jet City:
http://ampfactory.com/

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Convince me not to buy a Jet City

OR15 is the correct answer for <15w electric guitar amplification in a head configuration.

**** WHATCHA HEARD

 

[BloodRose]

Re: Convince me not to buy a Jet City

I want a mini that has a really awesome crunch.. the jet city has a good classic rock to 80s metal think.. Most of the lil ones Ive tried are dirty enuff with out getting cluttered. ALso, most oranges have not tripped my trigger, but that or15 sounds wikked.. will it crunch like that at low volume or does it have to be cranked?

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: Convince me not to buy a Jet City

I am not going to comment here, becasue my target" budget" amp is a new Mesa 5:50 , running 1300.00, and way out of the league of so called budget amps, but worth every single penny, and worth saving for. Peersonally , for me, that is entry level, and I wouldnt go any lower. I guess budget a different word to different people, but I posted this just so youd maybe think about it. I think Jolly uses those cheapo Jet Citys to fart around on.

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: Convince me not to buy a Jet City

Jet City = Soldano clone . . . in my opinion, they do not sound anything like the REAL deal SLO.

If you want the SLO tone, look else where.

If you want a cheap valve amp, i s'pose they are OK !

 

[Toe-Knee]

Re: Convince me not to buy a Jet City

The jet citys are hotrod based. The 22/50/100h can be modded into a pseudo SLO for less than £13 throw in a different OT and you are as close as you can get without building/buying an SLO

Also for what it's worth the Jet City amps are very solidly built apart from the first run of 100s and punch far above their price bracket tonally.

 

[CTN]

Re: Convince me not to buy a Jet City

heads are great, cabs are great, but those amps really shine with Vintage 30s and similar speakers.

the stock Jet City speakers are kinda flat-response and don't really bring out the best the amps have to offer.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Convince me not to buy a Jet City

My next amp is probably going to be in this category, so I'm paying attention. :reporter:

And now I have that Queensrÿche song stuck in my head.

 

[Ascension]

Re: Convince me not to buy a Jet City

I own a JCA 22H and love the little amp. The Just City cab I don't care for it's to small and boxie sounding. I run my head on a Blackstar 1/12 with a WGS retro 30 in it and like the tones a lot.
Pre amp tubes are ok in the amps but the power tubes need to go ASAP!! Also be aware that unlike other EL 84 amps these are not cathode biased so they are not plug and play but need to be biased to sound good . Mine was way off out of the box and a quick bias did WONDERS for the tones.
Here is a live clip with the set up.

 

[EET_FUK]

Re: Convince me not to buy a Jet City

I should specify that I don't want this amp for "SLO tone on a budget," just "tone on a budget." If that makes sense. Think 70's through to 90's heavy metal tones. While I could go higher budget, I would prefer keeping the total of a head and cab under $1000.

How does a Blackstar HT-20 and matching 2x12 compare? And what should I expect used for the HT head?

If the matching cabs wouldn't do the amps enough justice I'd pick up an Avatar cab with V30's.

 

[CTN]

Re: Convince me not to buy a Jet City

yep it'll get you all the classic rock and heavy rock tones you could ever want.

more gain, just boost it with an OD. The low and mid-gain tones are lovely too, unlike the Blackstar, which I find really shines at the high gain stuff. Even though it shines at that, I also find it to be quite sterile in character. The Jet City has lots of tubey warmth, character, and sounds great.

damn, I'm kinda missing my old 100H now.

 

[everdrone]

Re: Convince me not to buy a Jet City

tough to say what heavy metal and what application you are using it for, just jamming at home?

I am convinced Orange is the best amp for me, but I dont play speed metal or anything like that. I have an orange thunderverb 50 and love it.!

for just jamming at home, if you have an apartment on the second floor then do NOT get a tube amp. way too loud, even if only .25 watts.

depending on the band, at practice you might get kinda dwarfed if you get a 112 combo.

like the others said with a nice cab the jet city head is prolly kewel for certain types of heavy metalz:

 

[everdrone]

Re: Convince me not to buy a Jet City

I like their cabinet design specs wise as far as being a vertical 212 with a slant:

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/ampl...2-120-watt-extension-cabinet-with-vintage-30s

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Convince me not to buy a Jet City

I think Jolly uses those cheapo Jet Citys to fart around on.

I got rid of my Jet City after about a month or so. It sounded good when mixed with my Blackstar HT-5, but I didn't care for it on it's own.

 

[Rory61]

Re: Convince me not to buy a Jet City

I got a JCA20 dirt cheap, put some JJ's in it and it sounds good for practices. I play out with a Rectoverb 50 watter, and the Jet City isn't good enough to displace that live. It just saves my back from having to lug around the Mesa so much.

 

[EET_FUK]

Re: Convince me not to buy a Jet City

I'd be using it for anything from bedroom practice, to band rehearsal, to small and medium gigs. With a 2x12. Nothing to extreme as far as metal stuff goes. Metallica, Sabbath, AiC, etc. I don't have a problem using pedals to goose the amp if needed. Would those that can compare the tones the HT-Dual pedal from Blackstar to their HT range of amps? I've heard that they offer similar sounds, so I'm wondering if I'd be better off getting the Jet City, and then getting the Dual, so I could essentially have both amps. I have been gravitating towards the Blackstar though because (I've heard) of the more headroom it has.

 

[dominus]

Re: Convince me not to buy a Jet City

No matter what small amp you get, just get one with an Effects loop. That will give you the best options.