JammerMatt
New member
Pros and cons. Discuss.
Peavy XXX versus JSX versus 5150 (6505) series
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UberMetalDood
New member
Re: Peavy XXX versus JSX versus 5150 (6505) series
I want a JSX. It has a wonderful clean channel and smooth overdrive. I dont think the XXX or 6505 is as versatile. I made a more comparable comparison recently when I was evaluating the 6505+ and Evh 5150 III. The Evh sounds kind of a like a Soldano. I would get a JSX or EVH if I had to choose.
I want a JSX. It has a wonderful clean channel and smooth overdrive. I dont think the XXX or 6505 is as versatile. I made a more comparable comparison recently when I was evaluating the 6505+ and Evh 5150 III. The Evh sounds kind of a like a Soldano. I would get a JSX or EVH if I had to choose.
Binnerscot
New member
Re: Peavy XXX versus JSX versus 5150 (6505) series
All three are very good. The JSX is a slightly different take on XXX...I have a XXX and tried a JSX, but it such a similar amp I didn't bother getting it.
All three are very good. The JSX is a slightly different take on XXX...I have a XXX and tried a JSX, but it such a similar amp I didn't bother getting it.
korovamilkdud
WhoDatologist
Re: Peavy XXX versus JSX versus 5150 (6505) series
Side by side I preferred the JSX over the XXX. I can't tell you about the 5150, but what I have heard of the 3120 has actually been VERY impressive.
Side by side I preferred the JSX over the XXX. I can't tell you about the 5150, but what I have heard of the 3120 has actually been VERY impressive.
Petrovsk Mizinski
New member
Re: Peavy XXX versus JSX versus 5150 (6505) series
The JSX is everything the XXX should have been IMO.
The JSX will do any genre of rock and metal, seriously.
The JSX is everything the XXX should have been IMO.
The JSX will do any genre of rock and metal, seriously.
korovamilkdud
WhoDatologist
Re: Peavy XXX versus JSX versus 5150 (6505) series
Amongst those choices, IMHO....the XXX should be omitted. It's just not as good.
Amongst those choices, IMHO....the XXX should be omitted. It's just not as good.
CTN
The Drama Dude
Re: Peavy XXX versus JSX versus 5150 (6505) series
I wanna get a 6505, mostly because I want a kickass ripping punchy growly thunderous distortion that cuts like a knife. don't really care about cleans too much because I rarely use them. I hear the 6505 is good for this sorta thing.
Will most likely be using it with a noise gate, compression and reverb/delay.
I wanna get a 6505, mostly because I want a kickass ripping punchy growly thunderous distortion that cuts like a knife. don't really care about cleans too much because I rarely use them. I hear the 6505 is good for this sorta thing.
Will most likely be using it with a noise gate, compression and reverb/delay.
Binnerscot
New member
Re: Peavy XXX versus JSX versus 5150 (6505) series
The 3120 is the continuation of the XXX.
The 3120 is the continuation of the XXX.
Binnerscot
New member
Re: Peavy XXX versus JSX versus 5150 (6505) series
It seems lots of folks bag on the XXX, and I don't want to come off as ranting....but the XXX is no joke of an amp.
It does exactly what it was designed to do for Lynch. It takes the middle road between a Recto and a Marshall and has more than enough gain to achieve certain tones with low output 'buckers.
The JSX is a scaled back XXX, as Joe wanted because the gain levels of the XXX are literaly insane - I have not found a higher gain amp yet (that doesn't turn to mush at those levels)
If you want to put a JSX and XXX head to head....the JSX has a nicer clean channel...but I liked the aggressive nature of the gain channels on the XXX more. The JSX is pretty high gain itself....but is more tame sounding.
It seems lots of folks bag on the XXX, and I don't want to come off as ranting....but the XXX is no joke of an amp.
It does exactly what it was designed to do for Lynch. It takes the middle road between a Recto and a Marshall and has more than enough gain to achieve certain tones with low output 'buckers.
The JSX is a scaled back XXX, as Joe wanted because the gain levels of the XXX are literaly insane - I have not found a higher gain amp yet (that doesn't turn to mush at those levels)
If you want to put a JSX and XXX head to head....the JSX has a nicer clean channel...but I liked the aggressive nature of the gain channels on the XXX more. The JSX is pretty high gain itself....but is more tame sounding.
Petrovsk Mizinski
New member
Re: Peavy XXX versus JSX versus 5150 (6505) series
The XXX is good, I just prefer the JSX more.
For balls out metal, and if one does not really need a good clean channel, i'd take the 5150/6505 over the pair any day.
The lower mid sexyiness is just pure magic for super saturated modern metal and there's a reason why it's been on so many metal albums since the 90s.
It just holds it's own under a mic extremely well and it has a supreme mid range character.
Another advantage is that the 6505 is cheaper than the 3120 (seeing as how the XXX is discontinued anyway), and the JSX.
The XXX is good, I just prefer the JSX more.
For balls out metal, and if one does not really need a good clean channel, i'd take the 5150/6505 over the pair any day.
The lower mid sexyiness is just pure magic for super saturated modern metal and there's a reason why it's been on so many metal albums since the 90s.
It just holds it's own under a mic extremely well and it has a supreme mid range character.
Another advantage is that the 6505 is cheaper than the 3120 (seeing as how the XXX is discontinued anyway), and the JSX.
LesPaulRules
New member
Re: Peavy XXX versus JSX versus 5150 (6505) series
I went looking for a high gain amp to play in an original metal band about a year ago. Tried all three of the amps you mentioned (along with a bunch of others) and walked away with a JSX head.
Channel 2 has a modded Marshall/JCM 800 kind of vibe that sold me. The clean channel is decent and channel 3 is killer for leads. The only issue with the JSX is that it can sound a little compressed, though the easy fix for that is to turn down the preamp gain a little.
I owned an original 5150. Liked the sound but found it wasn't versatile. The XXX seemed good for metal, but I thought the JSX was a little more refined.
I went looking for a high gain amp to play in an original metal band about a year ago. Tried all three of the amps you mentioned (along with a bunch of others) and walked away with a JSX head.
Channel 2 has a modded Marshall/JCM 800 kind of vibe that sold me. The clean channel is decent and channel 3 is killer for leads. The only issue with the JSX is that it can sound a little compressed, though the easy fix for that is to turn down the preamp gain a little.
I owned an original 5150. Liked the sound but found it wasn't versatile. The XXX seemed good for metal, but I thought the JSX was a little more refined.
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ACH91332
New member
Re: Peavy XXX versus JSX versus 5150 (6505) series
XXX sucks. It should only be whether or not you should get a JSX or 5150. The XXX is just lacking in every way. It has a poor clean channel from my experience and the crunch channel just sounds undefined and muddy.
I cant comment about the 5150 and JSX but from what I hear the JSX is a good amp and from what I know it has a lot more flexibility and features such as having fat switches and a built in gate.
XXX sucks. It should only be whether or not you should get a JSX or 5150. The XXX is just lacking in every way. It has a poor clean channel from my experience and the crunch channel just sounds undefined and muddy.
I cant comment about the 5150 and JSX but from what I hear the JSX is a good amp and from what I know it has a lot more flexibility and features such as having fat switches and a built in gate.
FuseG4
Our Neighbor Totoro
Re: Peavy XXX versus JSX versus 5150 (6505) series
there's no reverb on the JSX head, IIRC.
The clean and slightly dirty channels are what i thought were best about the amp. The clean is very close to fender "quality" but isn't the fender "sound", y'know? It's a good clean tone. Round, full, smooth, plenty of headroom. A good, all around clean.
The crunch channel's got a lot of gain on tap and sounds pretty smooth, and there's a lot of tweakability. Really, all sorts of blues and classic rock sounds are there, and although I haven't played a ton of peaveys, I'd say the best sounds I've gotten from a peavey have all been on that channel.
I'm sure that the crazy-ass-gain channel sounds better at higher volumes, but I didn't get to crank the master when I played one. To me it sounded a little buzzy. There was a LOT of gain there, maybe I was just playing with more than I was used to.
there's no reverb on the JSX head, IIRC.
The clean and slightly dirty channels are what i thought were best about the amp. The clean is very close to fender "quality" but isn't the fender "sound", y'know? It's a good clean tone. Round, full, smooth, plenty of headroom. A good, all around clean.
The crunch channel's got a lot of gain on tap and sounds pretty smooth, and there's a lot of tweakability. Really, all sorts of blues and classic rock sounds are there, and although I haven't played a ton of peaveys, I'd say the best sounds I've gotten from a peavey have all been on that channel.
I'm sure that the crazy-ass-gain channel sounds better at higher volumes, but I didn't get to crank the master when I played one. To me it sounded a little buzzy. There was a LOT of gain there, maybe I was just playing with more than I was used to.
Wattage
High Voltologist
Re: Peavy XXX versus JSX versus 5150 (6505) series
The XXX is a fine amp, don't like the tubes Peavey ships them with but that is almost all their amps. The XXX clean is really for running pedals into as far as I am concerned, the Crunch channel is the meat and the Ultra the gravy.
I like the JSX a little better because f the better clean, modeled on a Bassman Joe has from what I understand. The Crunch is fine and so is the hi-gain channel. Got some nice control options as well, dig the amp probably will be my next amp purchase.
Not a fan of the 5150 really don't dislike just never got excited for it. Ran an LP with a '78 SD pup through it and got really sharp EVH sounds which was a lot of fun though.
The XXX is a fine amp, don't like the tubes Peavey ships them with but that is almost all their amps. The XXX clean is really for running pedals into as far as I am concerned, the Crunch channel is the meat and the Ultra the gravy.
I like the JSX a little better because f the better clean, modeled on a Bassman Joe has from what I understand. The Crunch is fine and so is the hi-gain channel. Got some nice control options as well, dig the amp probably will be my next amp purchase.
Not a fan of the 5150 really don't dislike just never got excited for it. Ran an LP with a '78 SD pup through it and got really sharp EVH sounds which was a lot of fun though.
Binnerscot
New member
Re: Peavy XXX versus JSX versus 5150 (6505) series
Your comments lead me to believe that you have never played one, as "muddy and undefined" is as far from XXX territory as you can get.
...and you haven't played the other two, and know little of these amps...the fat switch is pretty mild and the JSX contains the same noise gate at the XXX, but with a threshold control.
Your comments lead me to believe that you have never played one, as "muddy and undefined" is as far from XXX territory as you can get.
...and you haven't played the other two, and know little of these amps...the fat switch is pretty mild and the JSX contains the same noise gate at the XXX, but with a threshold control.
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Virtual Kevorkian
New member
Re: Peavy XXX versus JSX versus 5150 (6505) series
I've owned the XXX, the JSX, and I'm on my 6th 5150. I know these amps front and back.
The XXX is the most 'chainsaw' of the bunch - similar to a Recto in the top end, but it's got the low mid squish of a Peavey for sure. Tightest amp of the bunch, but can be grating.
The XXX's crunch channel is by far the best channel on the amp, as the Ultra can get a bit messy/muddy in comparison. Clean channel is solid, if a bit bland. Not Fender-esque, but you don't buy an XXX for the cleans. Ultra channel is lead-only territory for me; Crunch is definitely what I'd spend most of my time on.
The JSX is a more refined version - not quite as aggressive (not like it's lacking, but still), and maybe a bit looser, but also more lively, smooth, and organic sounding. 'Liquid' is the first word that comes to mind when I plug into these amps, and the compression to them makes them super fun to play.
The Ultra channel is the main 'heavy rhythm' channel, but the Crunch channel can get pretty aggressive, as well. I used Ultra for rhythms and Crunch for a more... well... crunchy tone. Cleans are really quite good actually - very warm, and don't break up easily.
I prefer both the XXX and JSX with 6L6's in the power section, but I generally prefer 6L6's in all amps. The only exception so far has been the JVM I've been playing with as of late.
The 5150 is more organic than the XXX, but not as smooth as the JSX. As aggressive as the XXX, but not as grating in the top end/upper midrange. Still grinds like crazy up top, but it's more controlled. Very raw, a definite 'roar' to the lower midrange.
The clean channel is nonexistent. Literally. There is a Rhythm and a Lead channel - people complaining about 'crappy cleans' out of the 5150 have really not read the control plate of the amp. The Lead channel is more aggressive and 'liquid' than the Rhythm, which is drier and a bit more raw sounding. I use the Lead channel for all my heavy and lead tones, and the Rhythm channel for a lower gain, crunchy tone.
I've owned the XXX, the JSX, and I'm on my 6th 5150. I know these amps front and back.
The XXX is the most 'chainsaw' of the bunch - similar to a Recto in the top end, but it's got the low mid squish of a Peavey for sure. Tightest amp of the bunch, but can be grating.
The XXX's crunch channel is by far the best channel on the amp, as the Ultra can get a bit messy/muddy in comparison. Clean channel is solid, if a bit bland. Not Fender-esque, but you don't buy an XXX for the cleans. Ultra channel is lead-only territory for me; Crunch is definitely what I'd spend most of my time on.
The JSX is a more refined version - not quite as aggressive (not like it's lacking, but still), and maybe a bit looser, but also more lively, smooth, and organic sounding. 'Liquid' is the first word that comes to mind when I plug into these amps, and the compression to them makes them super fun to play.
The Ultra channel is the main 'heavy rhythm' channel, but the Crunch channel can get pretty aggressive, as well. I used Ultra for rhythms and Crunch for a more... well... crunchy tone. Cleans are really quite good actually - very warm, and don't break up easily.
I prefer both the XXX and JSX with 6L6's in the power section, but I generally prefer 6L6's in all amps. The only exception so far has been the JVM I've been playing with as of late.
The 5150 is more organic than the XXX, but not as smooth as the JSX. As aggressive as the XXX, but not as grating in the top end/upper midrange. Still grinds like crazy up top, but it's more controlled. Very raw, a definite 'roar' to the lower midrange.
The clean channel is nonexistent. Literally. There is a Rhythm and a Lead channel - people complaining about 'crappy cleans' out of the 5150 have really not read the control plate of the amp. The Lead channel is more aggressive and 'liquid' than the Rhythm, which is drier and a bit more raw sounding. I use the Lead channel for all my heavy and lead tones, and the Rhythm channel for a lower gain, crunchy tone.
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MonkeyDungologist
Re: Peavy XXX versus JSX versus 5150 (6505) series
now i want one...
cool, thanks for that man.
good info.
now i want one...
Rowan
New member
Re: Peavy XXX versus JSX versus 5150 (6505) series
I haven't played the JSX. But I have played the XXX and 5150 amps. The XXX middle channel is indeed nicely voiced. I found the heavier channel on the amp to be meh though. Its too much of not a good thing.
The 5150 series is awesome if you need a crunchy rock sound that can kick up into a seriously killer lead. Or vice versa, a heavy metal amp that can drop into a crunchy rock sound. If only the 5150 had a respectable clean...it would be unstoppable.
I haven't played the JSX. But I have played the XXX and 5150 amps. The XXX middle channel is indeed nicely voiced. I found the heavier channel on the amp to be meh though. Its too much of not a good thing.
The 5150 series is awesome if you need a crunchy rock sound that can kick up into a seriously killer lead. Or vice versa, a heavy metal amp that can drop into a crunchy rock sound. If only the 5150 had a respectable clean...it would be unstoppable.
PVFan
Fudgeitallologist
Re: Peavy XXX versus JSX versus 5150 (6505) series
Giant Ice Demon
Classic Plus Deluxe
Marshall Killer
I've had them all in my studio cranked up, owned the "Ice Demon" and own 2 "Marshall Killers" currently. I am a Peavey fan after all. There are no real cons, just have to see which one you like best.
Cleans are just fine on all 3.
Giant Ice Demon
Classic Plus Deluxe
Marshall Killer
I've had them all in my studio cranked up, owned the "Ice Demon" and own 2 "Marshall Killers" currently. I am a Peavey fan after all. There are no real cons, just have to see which one you like best.
Cleans are just fine on all 3.
