Just how good is the Peavey JSX??

JeffB · Apr 10, 2010

I played a combo briefly back when they first arrived , but I have not put enough time on one to really say how I like it.. Seems like a really good value in EL34amps. 3 channels, all the bells & whistles, very reasonably priced for a MIA amp.

Just how "marshall-esque" is it? The clips on the Peavey site suck, and I haven't been able to find many decently recorded clips on youtube either (they all seem to be done either with badly distorting camera mics, or someone is playing along with a backing track)

Binnerscot · Apr 10, 2010

Re: Just how good is the Peavey JSX??

The JSX and Triple X are closely related amps. The JSX (stock EL34) is a slighlty tamed and refined version of the Triple X (stock 6L6). The cleans are a little nicer on the JSX and channel 3 is a little more usable, channel 2 on both is close in tone.

These amps are really half way between a Marshall and a Boogie. You have the high gain of a Boogie with plenty of thump, but the mid voicing is a little cloaser to a Marshall.

I have a Triple X and didn't find the JSX enough of a new flavor to get one. I think they are stellar amps in general, but I do use V30s in my 212, which I like much more than stock.

...then there are the variables of guitar, pups, EQ, tubes, cabinets, etc.

They are US made and built well. Try one and see what you think.

greatbob6 · Apr 10, 2010

Re: Just how good is the Peavey JSX??

I played a JSX head at GC a few times a while back and was really digging it but its way more than I need.

I played a used combo once too and I wasn't as impressed...it could have just been something with that particular unit though because it was not in the best condition.

They seem to be pretty good amps for the money.

ACH91332 · Apr 10, 2010

Re: Just how good is the Peavey JSX??

Dunno bout the JSX but I've played a XXX and it was a horrible amp. I soon after got a JVM and the difference was night and day. The XXX bias may have been off though so maybe that was part of it but the XXX just sounded flat compared to the JVM. It made noise but wasn't anything special in my opinion. The JVM had more of an identity where as the XXX was just "there". It was a step up from my Marshall MG which is a good amp might I add. For a solid state it kicks some @$$ so I dont know why it gets so much ridicule. I got a XXX cuz it was a good deal and I wanted a tube head after recording my first time. The XXX like I said was a step up and awesome at first but after having it awhile I realized how blah it was for me. Hopefully the JSX is a step up from the XXX. Satch has good tone so I doubt it sucks but if you want something Marshally then try a Marshall.

This is just my experience with the one XXX though. Like I said the bias might have been off. I wasn't as amp savvy back then as I am now so I didn't bother to check the bias of the power section. It had EL34s in it too. So maybe the guy tossed them in, flipped the bias switch from 6L6 to EL34, and left it instead of biasing correctly. I don't know if he did it right or if he didn't so consider what I said but don't base your opinion of the amp on what I said alone.

anewdefguitarist · Apr 10, 2010

Re: Just how good is the Peavey JSX??

not to pimp my own band - but my other guitarists uses a JSX. its a pretty sick amp. hes gotta good sound. for our latest record, he went into a noise gate then straight into the amp for all his rythm sounds playin an LTD EC1000 with 81/81. he did 95% through the bridge pickup. he's panned hard left, and mixed a little in the middle on his solos (incinerate, buried inside, and sick). his solos he had wah, and noise gate, as well as some studio added delay (not much). also, on Empty Promise i used his guitar/head to do some clean parts in the chorus. (it ALMOST sounds like backwards guitar - its the picked barrchords in the chorus). i can also tell you, lol, his eq setting is say b/m/t - 6/6/8. and he uses the middle channel with the FAT switch on for all his dirty rythms. his solos are all channel 3 - with fat switch - + some treble and a hair more mids. lol, hope he doesnt mind i give all this out, but lets face it...we're not big lol.

heres the link:
http://www.myspace.com/anewdefinitionband

hope it helps!
:friday:

Empty Pockets · Apr 10, 2010

Re: Just how good is the Peavey JSX??

they sound so good and have such rich and diverse gain settings that Satch leaves them on the clean channel and gets his dirt from his distortion pedal.

korovamilkdud · Apr 11, 2010

Re: Just how good is the Peavey JSX??

I love mine. I actually love it even more with 6L6 than EL34, but hey it's all preference.

You might not be looking for the same sound if you want more Marshall-esque.

The JSX Crunch channel is nice and fat, and probably more appropriate for Marshall sounds than the Ultra channel. There's that sweet "metallic" quality i associate with Marshalls, but it isn't harsh at all. No fizz.

The Ultra channel can get fizzy if you go for a brighter tone. This channel is at its best when you dial in a bit more mids and bass. The advantages this channel has over the Crunch channel is that you have maybe 75% more gain to work with (if you're gain-crazy, this is your channel) and it has more punch, and works great for solos with the extra high end.

The clean channel I think is actually REALLY nice. It's got great warmth, but it's also very articulate and responsive. A decent chorus into this channel sounds lush and three dimensional.

Yeah, um...I like.:naughty:

JeffB · Apr 11, 2010

Re: Just how good is the Peavey JSX??

Thanks guys- I appreciate the feedback- will have to check one of these out when I move later this year.

Is it true that Satch is no longer using these though? He's using marshalls again?

the guy who invented fire · Apr 11, 2010