Just caught a new Jet City JCA22C at $264!

Re: Just caught a new Jet City JCA22C at $264!

I've never heard the 22 Custom, but the original 22H was made for JJ 12AX7s. I know you don't care for them in your Mesas, but they work great in the gain stages (V1-V3) of my 22H. Tames the lead channel fizz wonderfully with little if any change to the crunch channel.

In case anyone is wondering, this is the tube chart I've used:
V1a Shared Crunch/OD
V1b Crunch
V2 OD
V3a Shared Crunch/OD
V3b Cathode Follower
V4 Loop
V5 Phase Inverter

This is helpful on your tube chart,good info for sure..my new 22 Custom should arrive by Monday,and I already emailed Doug at Jet City and he said to email him right when mine arrives and he will email me complete schematics and tube location chart..and this was at damn near 9pm when I emailed not expecting any response until next day or whenever and he emailed me right back, so that is a huuge for me + seems like their customer service is top notch. Can't wait !
 
Re: Just caught a new Jet City JCA22C at $264!

I've never heard the 22 Custom, but the original 22H was made for JJ 12AX7s. I know you don't care for them in your Mesas, but they work great in the gain stages (V1-V3) of my 22H. Tames the lead channel fizz wonderfully with little if any change to the crunch channel.

In case anyone is wondering, this is the tube chart I've used:
V1a Shared Crunch/OD
V1b Crunch
V2 OD
V3a Shared Crunch/OD
V3b Cathode Follower
V4 Loop
V5 Phase Inverter

Have you swapped power tubes out yet from the stock ones,I presume JJ's ? I have read some say the Mullards run the best in these but cost much more ..? I will have to research that for myself,but I already have a brand new Matched Quad of JJ's el-84's and lots of preamp tubes..if I get my amp before anybody else here does and i swap tubes around I will post my results,but I am looking for the best overall highest gain sound !! Plan on trying Tungsol re-issue 12ax7 in V1 and looks like V2 & V3, just for kicks,probably be pretty bright with all 3 tungsols..waiting waiting waiting as patiently as I can !
 
Re: Just caught a new Jet City JCA22C at $264!

And I just bought a new Boss Katana 1-12" combo yesterday..I always miss the Musicians friend sales..bad thing is I bought my new Katana at a Guitar Center,and they are Musicians Friend ! I didn't see one of these or any Jet City amps where I got my amp yesterday,so maybe online only..well I still have 44 days to turn this Katana back in..haha..

Answering my own posts..I did return the Katana 100wt 1-12" combo,sounded great but I loaded the Katana V2 stuff into the amp and my computer 8 times and erased it all and kept starting over,couldn't get it to work properly in the editing mode so I could swap their 55 pedals around and make custom presets,so I hauled ass back to G-Center,got the refund check and hauled ass to the bank to get it deposited asap,when it cleared i scored my 22 Custom !
 
Re: Just caught a new Jet City JCA22C at $264!

What I wish they would do is a JCA25 in a 6V6 version like the new PRS Sonzera.
Here is a JCA 22H tha has been converted to 6V6 and the tones are just WICKED!


Wonder how much it cost to get the amp able to run the 6v6's ? will look on Youtube under the comments for this video and see if he gives any info out,but does sound huge !
 
Re: Just caught a new Jet City JCA22C at $264!

Have you swapped power tubes out yet from the stock ones,I presume JJ's ? I have read some say the Mullards run the best in these but cost much more ..? I will have to research that for myself,but I already have a brand new Matched Quad of JJ's el-84's and lots of preamp tubes..if I get my amp before anybody else here does and i swap tubes around I will post my results,but I am looking for the best overall highest gain sound !! Plan on trying Tungsol re-issue 12ax7 in V1 and looks like V2 & V3, just for kicks,probably be pretty bright with all 3 tungsols..waiting waiting waiting as patiently as I can !

Haven't swapped tubes yet still trying to get a full set up together with a pedal board. Came with Chinese Shunghangs and sounds good as is but is noisy on the OD side.
Personally I absolutely HATE JJ pre amp tubes!! have a box full round here some where and to me they are instant tone killers! They make any amp instantly sound like it had a blanket thrown over it so unless I am trying to tame an amp with a harsh high end or use them as PI tubes (they do sound good here IMO!) I never run JJ's in my amps. Have a bunch of stuff to plug in and out and try so will get back to you on the tube combos.
 
Re: Just caught a new Jet City JCA22C at $264!

Quick phone clip running using my 1992 Washburn USA MG 104 with the stock Custom Custom bridge through a Fender 2/12 cab loaded with 70/Eighty's on the OD side of the amp with gain at 3 running my Supernatural delay and Boss DD-6 verb in the loop but nothing else. Home with the flu today and cut my left index finger just below the 1st knuckle yesterday so sorry for the very sloppy playing.
https://app.box.com/s/ci76wewlbs4v6lxoc92m08q6d3gcq5pp
 
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Re: Just caught a new Jet City JCA22C at $264!

What I'm REALLY digging about his new little amp is the way it just SINGS on the Overdrive side for solos! Gain s at 3 I'm running a DD-6 in the loop playing my 92 Washburn USA MG and the amp is running through my Blackstar 1/12 with a WGS Retro 30. Fighting a cut on my left index finger so playing is pretty sloppy right now but check this cell phone recording out just playing this little beast over a backing track at super low volume!
https://app.box.com/s/lumdakko58cjkknmkca1ptr1i0z20faf
This thing is not quite a match for my precious Zinky on fluid expressive solo tones but darned close!! Stomps a flat mudhole in my 3 Boogies for this stuff!
Haven't got to doing any tube swaps yet so just wait this things going to get even BETTER! Guys this little amp ROCKS and is a SO much better sounding amp than the 1st gen JCA22H I had!!!
 
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Re: Just caught a new Jet City JCA22C at $264!

Off topic just a hair, but thought I'd mention the JC 212 cabs (even the vertical) are on big discounts at MF.
They're in the $200 area after discounts.

I know they are Emi-loaded, but I've read they're close to the p50e that Fryette uses,,,,,,,though I might well be wrong on that (?).
 
Re: Just caught a new Jet City JCA22C at $264!

Knob settings please !! Mine will arrive probably Monday morning..ready for it now Dammit!!

Running the EQ's pretty much set straight up at noon the low boost on and bright off Crunch gain at noon OD gain at 10:30 or so. Just super easy to dial this amp in!!
 
Re: Just caught a new Jet City JCA22C at $264!

Haven't swapped tubes yet still trying to get a full set up together with a pedal board. Came with Chinese Shunghangs and sounds good as is but is noisy on the OD side.
Personally I absolutely HATE JJ pre amp tubes!! have a box full round here some where and to me they are instant tone killers! They make any amp instantly sound like it had a blanket thrown over it so unless I am trying to tame an amp with a harsh high end or use them as PI tubes (they do sound good here IMO!) I never run JJ's in my amps. Have a bunch of stuff to plug in and out and try so will get back to you on the tube combos.

If you dislike JJs that much, would you consider selling them? I've recently picked up a few amps that like them and find myself rather short of supply.
 
Re: Just caught a new Jet City JCA22C at $264!

Off topic just a hair, but thought I'd mention the JC 212 cabs (even the vertical) are on big discounts at MF.
They're in the $200 area after discounts.

I know they are Emi-loaded, but I've read they're close to the p50e that Fryette uses,,,,,,,though I might well be wrong on that (?).

Always had several cabs so never run a JC cab but hear good things about them so--.
 
Re: Just caught a new Jet City JCA22C at $264!

My new Custom 22 finally got here today..so far loving it,I did take out the factory Shuguang el84's and put in a matched set of JJ's and preamp tubes stock for now,I did also while back cover off use my 9 pin bias probes to check ube bias milli amps just to see what they run at in this amp..I got 26.1 and 26.5 milli amps so pretty good set of matched tubesI like the Low Fat/Mid Boost switch,so far liking the Low Fat setting using my EVH 2-12" with the stock 70th Anniversary Celestions in it..one thing I have noticed is a pretty loud pop when switching on my reverb pedal,anyone else have that happening to theres ? Originally I was going to get the 22H and do some mods to it but this Custom 22 to me needs no mods to get it where I need it on the chnl 2 high gain setting,I do like the amp and very happy with it right now,my EHX Holy Grail neo reverb pedal sounds perfect in the loop and as said above the amps sings right along..about to hook up my Partcaster on the crunch setting with gain dialed down to see what and if I can get a nice bluesy tone,if not I always prefer high gain ! Nice sounding amps and the quality has gotten better IMO than my 20 watt combo 5-6 years ago..I might even make this a combo amp,I can't find one I like and this would be an easy starting point ! Be back after swapping preamp tubes,and also I did communicate with Doug and these guys have it together,emailed me schematics in about 5 minutes ! Happy Happy I bought this amp !
 
Re: Just caught a new Jet City JCA22C at $264!

Glad you got yours today man.
On the POP not had that issue in the loop at all with mine sounds to me like it's something to do with that pedal. Now mine does have a very pronounced POP when using the footswitch to change channels at low volume though.
How is yours noise wise on the OD side? Mine is pretty noisy at anything over 3 or so on gain with the stock tubes.
The amp likes lower gain pickups a lot and works REALLY well with single coils. My Tele an Strat with true singles both sound fantastic on the OD high gain side. The Crunch side with the gain up around 5.5 or so is giving me some GREAT vintage Marshall style edgie expressive crunch tones that clean up really well with touch and a little volume roll off. Overall REALLY liking this amp so far and see it gettin gigged out a LOT! I am getting my best tones out of this one with the Blackstar 1/12 and WGS Retro 30.
 
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Re: Just caught a new Jet City JCA22C at $264!

Yes that is the same one,the Custom 22 with the 3 small switches underneath the control knobs..keep checking MF because they always are changing the prices,after these went off sale they went back to I believe $450 somewhere around that price and now I see back down so check lots during the day if you can.
 
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Re: Just caught a new Jet City JCA22C at $264!

Glad you got yours today man.
On the POP not had that issue in the loop at all with mine sounds to me like it's something to do with that pedal. Now mine does have a very pronounced POP when using the footswitch to change channels at low volume though.
How is yours noise wise on the OD side? Mine is pretty noisy at anything over 3 or so on gain with the stock tubes.
The amp likes lower gain pickups a lot and works REALLY well with single coils. My Tele an Strat with true singles both sound fantastic on the OD high gain side. The Crunch side with the gain up around 5.5 or so is giving me some GREAT vintage Marshall style edgie expressive crunch tones that clean up really well with touch and a little volume roll off. Overall REALLY liking this amp so far and see it gettin gigged out a LOT! I am getting my best tones out of this one with the Blackstar 1/12 and WGS Retro 30.
I went ahead and pulled the chassis out this morning so I could get to all the tubes and noticed 2 small places where the tolex was just hanging there on the inner cabinet,not bad and have seen this before on other amps plenty of times and glued it back down,looks great..now to the Volume tests with stock tubes and the 2 matched JJ's el84's..on the stock tubes with the amp on close to halfway up/ in between the 4 & 5 the amp was pushing my 2-12" cabinet hard,my amp is very quiet,just barely any feedback when stopped playing and it was controlled,I had already ruined my ears with the JJ's so the Shuguang power tubes held there own but just got kind of brittle,now with the JJ's at the same 4-5 volume the amp has infinite sustain and the bass,mid & treble & presence knobs were very sensitive in a good way,small changes made especially with the treble & presence made a big difference,amp has lots of bite and grind and with the fat/mid switch down on the FAT setting massive bottom end,the chugging was tight and defined,I know the Celestion 70th Anny speakers have excellent low end and high end capabilities in my 2-12" and nice mids as well..I did change out V1-V3 with 2 Tungsol re-issue 12ax7's and 1 EHX 12ax7 and cranked it up and way too much high end that had the treble and presence down to about 3 and was still edgey,so I was running out of time for any higher volume testing so back with all the stock Shuguang 12ax7B tubes I have bought the 12ax7B tubes as 9th Gen high gain tubes from several sellers and they have worked pretty good for me so far in several other amps..I will do more preamp tube swaps as the days come and go,but my amp has very low noise,almost too low ! Happy still with the amp,a solid backup for sure for now..I didn't run any effects in the loop for this testing or check out the stock footswitch yet either,that will be next..
 
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Re: Just caught a new Jet City JCA22C at $264!

Thanks for the update on yours man. Lets me know I need to look at mine because of the noise issue on the OD side in particular. My amp is definitely on the dark side with the stock tubes but is REALLY punchy and smooth. If I can get the noise floor down this amp will be a real winner. It's still very usable but where I would be using it I REALLY need it to be quiet as it will be miked.
I am running a set of the Mullard reissue EL84's right now in the Zinky and one of my Mesa Rockets and REALLY like the way those respond so will throw a set of those in he 22 Custom just to see what the do. I also have TAD, JJ and Sovetec EL 84's on hand to head to head with the stock Shunghangs and the Mullards + a bias probe so will get back to you guys on what I go with in the end once I get it tweaked in.
Keep the updates coming bro and I will do the same. Wonder do we need to throw up a new thread on these as we work through dialing them in?
 
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Re: Just caught a new Jet City JCA22C at $264!

Thanks for the update on yours man. Lets me know I need to look at mine because of the noise issue on the OD side in particular. My amp is definitely on the dark side with the stock tubes but is REALLY punchy and smooth. If I can get the noise floor down this amp will be a real winner. It's still very usable but where I would be using it I REALLY need it to be quiet as it will be miked.
I am running a set of the Mullard reissue EL84's right now in the Zinky and one of my Mesa Rockets and REALLY like the way those respond so will throw a set of those in he 22 Custom just to see what the do. I also have TAD, JJ and Sovetec EL 84's on hand to head to head with the stock Shunghangs and the Mullards + a bias probe so will get back to you guys on what I go with in the end once I get it tweaked in.
Keep the updates coming bro and I will do the same. Wonder do we need to throw up a new thread on these as we work through dialing them in?
Probably will need a new thread,I am not real good at descriptions but I try ! HAHA ! I saw a few people say the Mullards work well in these amps so I am interested in those for sure .really all of the tubes you listed..I did make a mistake on my earlier post about the JJ's milli amp rating with the 2 bias probes in yesterday,should be more like 24.68 milli amps and other tube 24.23 milli amps..I had made a video with my phone and looked at it last night after posting the other values. also my plate voltage was 377 volts so the tube bias is close enough..Doug did message me and said he doesn't recommend changing the bias,power tube swaps are just pull out and replace w/no biasing..sounds good to me !
 
Re: Just caught a new Jet City JCA22C at $264!

Have a bunch of pre amp tubes also to swap in and out. SoveTecs a couple real, Mullards, Tung Sol RI , EH's , JJ's and a few old USA production Baldwins I can think of . Hopefully will get time to do some tube swaps on tomorrow.
 
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