JSX or XXX?

Re: JSX or XXX?

Personally I'd pass up both in favor of something from the 5150 family.
 
Re: JSX or XXX?

isnt the 5150/6505 a lot grittier and fuzzier than the XXX? more similar to a dual rectifier or mark V?
 
Re: JSX or XXX?

isnt the 5150/6505 a lot grittier and fuzzier than the XXX? more similar to a dual rectifier or mark V?

fizzier, but I found that the XXX had more grit and grime. 5150/6505 has a smoother sounding distortion, but there's lots of top end articulation, and a massive low-mid grunt. Cuts like a knife, punches like sledgehammer.

I'd actually say the XXX has some commonality in terms of grit, with a recto, but not the 5150.

The JSX like I mentioned before is much smoother sounding than the XXX, and less fizzy on the top end than the 5150. Can still cut through really well though.
 
Re: JSX or XXX?

See, the XXX always seemed like it just had gain for gain's sake. I could never get a smooth enough sound out of it and the mid-gain tones always kind of lacked something to me. The JSX was definitely smoother with better-mid gain tones but there was this annoying nasally mid frequency in it I could never dial out. Both amps are too compressed for my tastes. I like a little natural compression, but not that much.

The 5150 family always seemed like it had plenty of usable gain on tap, pretty decent mid-gain tones and just enough compression to make it fun, and they sound great boosted. I never cared for them as a personal amp, but I tracked one of my best recorded solos with one. Not the best clean tones, but you don't buy a 5150 for that. You buy a 5150 to rock balls.
 
Re: JSX or XXX?

i am finding 5150 combos on craigslist for less than $400 around here... .hmmmmm

i like my gain to be very clear and articulate when dimed.

the best way i can explain is...... you know when you palm mute, and you get a lot of low end, but the breakup stops? that's what i like. i hate when i hit i hit an extended palm mute and it keeps fizzing during the palm mute.
 
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Re: JSX or XXX?

i am finding 5150 combos on craigslist for less than $400 around here... .hmmmmm

i like my gain to be very clear and articulate when dimed.

the best way i can explain is...... you know when you palm mute, and you get a lot of low end, but the breakup stops? that's what i like. i hate when i hit i hit an extended palm mute and it keeps fizzing during the palm mute.
Well, the 5150 will get fuzz and muddy with lots of gain. The reason players boost the is to make the low end and gain tighter. When I use to boost that amp I had the gain at 2/10, now I keep my gain a 6/10 with no boost. Beyond that and it gets unmanageable. You should have a tight pickup and even tighter right hand to have the 5150 performing really tight the XXX/JSX.
My JSX has never needed a boost for tightening. It's is razor sharp and lightening fast with palm mutes. The 5150 is a little more wooly. But I do love the little bit of looseness my 6505 has. It adds a natural feel and character to it. The XXX/JSX isn't as natural sounding. It's more like a finely tuned machine IMO. Whereas the 6505 is like a pissed off animal. A little more reckless in that sense.
 
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Re: JSX or XXX?

I am a big fan of the XXX. I've owned 2 of them both swapped over to EL34's, currently running the head w/Tung Sols and they are fantastic.

I use the Crunch and Ultra channels mostly, can't say I play much Metal but it is pretty ferocious when need be. You can dial it back to get a pretty incredible range of sounds and the clean channel handles pedals really well but if you want the C50 thing as well I think a JSX is your best bet, the clean channel is a C50/Bassman if I remember correctly. Both are killer amps but the combos weigh an ungodly amount.
 
Re: JSX or XXX?

For metal... It's hard to argue with a Randall RG100es. I've got one and it's crazy how good it sounds if you ask me. Yes, it is quicker in the response and isn't as tubey... But it cuts, it snarls and it even cleans up ok. Add a good clean channel and the fact that they can be found for around $150... It'd be dumb not to try it.
 
Re: JSX or XXX?

Which is actually a JSX with a new look, IIRC.
*And* a higher price point.
Didn't Peavey add a couple of bells and whistles for the hell of it?

I've always liked the JSX.
I'd love to pair it with my Carvin V3 for sh*ts and giggles, some day.
You can find used JSX's all day long on eBay for less than $600.
 
Re: JSX or XXX?

For metal... It's hard to argue with a Randall RG100es. I've got one and it's crazy how good it sounds if you ask me. Yes, it is quicker in the response and isn't as tubey... But it cuts, it snarls and it even cleans up ok. Add a good clean channel and the fact that they can be found for around $150... It'd be dumb not to try it.

What guitar/pups do you use with it?
 
Re: JSX or XXX?

Out of the XXX/JSX I would go for the JSX as it will do pretty much everything just as well/better and more. If you don't need the amp to be that versatile then I would suggest you go with a 5150/6505 as ultimately it tops both those amps in terms of high gain metal tones.

As for the Valvestates, fizzy thin sounding things I wouldn't even bother, the video in the previous page just reinforces what i think, I don't think it sounds great in the slightest personally!
 
Re: JSX or XXX?

so i found a supreme transtube 100w locally with a 412 XXX cab for $300. if i can keep the wife from killing me, i'm doing it.

i've used transtubes before and really dig the crunch channel for metal/modern rock.

i'll definitely keep the C50 for clean and classic tones.
 
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Re: JSX or XXX?

As for the Valvestates, fizzy thin sounding things I wouldn't even bother, the video in the previous page just reinforces what i think, I don't think it sounds great in the slightest personally!

Ibanez TBX150 I believe:



Probably a Valvestate here:

 
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Re: JSX or XXX?

The Peavey Transtube Supreme was my first head; they suck pretty badly. The XXX cabinet, on the other hand, rules.


I'd go JSX over XXX, for what it's worth. More versatile and less edgy/abrasive overall. Those recommending the 5150 over either... totally different beasts, and the JSX is certainly capable of pulling off tones just as (if not more) brutal than the 5150. I'd know; I've owned seven 5150s and both the JSX and XXX.
 
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