HowieJams
Active member
I have had the JEL-20 for two days and had a chance to really try it out while my wife was taking a walk, so I was fairly loose and just able to improv.
Let's get this out of the way - THIS AMP IS AMAZING!!!!
My 1st video in another thread comparing it to my Pink Taco was rushed so I was tight, these videos should give you a better idea of the JEL-20s tones.
I did a 17 minute video of me just doing miscellaneous riffing without a backing track, then I did a lead over a rock backing track, and last a lead over a Blues backing track.
I also had my Ibanez TS808 mini as a boost in the riffing and rock videos, so you can see how the JEL-20 responds to a boost.
I am still so surprised at the amount of gain this amp has, it actually has more than I even need, it actually gets too saturated with the gain cranked, the SAT switch on and the Gain Knob pulled out.
Even my Pink Taco, which has a ton of gain, I can run full out and I am OK, but the JEL-20 just gets be too much all out, not a bad thing, you just need to back the gain off.
The JEL-20 takes the Ibanez TS808 mini as a boost well, especially on the Plexi Channel where it is needed to get in to high gain territory.
If I would have bought the JEL-20 first I probably might not have bought the other amps, it is that good.
If I had to play out somewhere this would be the amp I would take.
The 2 channels give it so much flexibility without having to roll off guitar volumes like I need to do with the Pink Taco V2 and Little Sister.
Even the JJ Jr. which has 2 channels is not as versatile, the JJs clean channel is too clean, so you either need to use an overdrive to get gritty cleans or just use it as a single channel amp on the gain channel and roll back the guitar volumes.
Other comparisons:
The Pink Taco V2 also has amazing gain, but doesn't have 2 channels so you need to work more to get your tones.
The Little Sister Combo probably has the best tone of all 3 amps, but being single channel you need to work the guitar volume to get your tones.
Also, it has less gain than the Pink Taco and JEL, so a boost is needed, the other 3 amps you can get by without a boost.
The JJ Junior combo is my least favorite of the 4 amps. I like the HBE channel, but it is voiced more modern than the other 3 amps.
It is a very portable combo, much smaller than the Little Sister combo, but it sounds smaller also.
The clean channel is just a clean clean, you would need a pedal for gritty cleans.
The HBE channel has a lot of gain, but again, it is a more modern flavor than the other 3 amps, think Alice in Chains instead of Hair Bands.
Hopefully this review and these videos help some of you who are thinking buying this amp.
Let's get this out of the way - THIS AMP IS AMAZING!!!!
My 1st video in another thread comparing it to my Pink Taco was rushed so I was tight, these videos should give you a better idea of the JEL-20s tones.
I did a 17 minute video of me just doing miscellaneous riffing without a backing track, then I did a lead over a rock backing track, and last a lead over a Blues backing track.
I also had my Ibanez TS808 mini as a boost in the riffing and rock videos, so you can see how the JEL-20 responds to a boost.
I am still so surprised at the amount of gain this amp has, it actually has more than I even need, it actually gets too saturated with the gain cranked, the SAT switch on and the Gain Knob pulled out.
Even my Pink Taco, which has a ton of gain, I can run full out and I am OK, but the JEL-20 just gets be too much all out, not a bad thing, you just need to back the gain off.
The JEL-20 takes the Ibanez TS808 mini as a boost well, especially on the Plexi Channel where it is needed to get in to high gain territory.
If I would have bought the JEL-20 first I probably might not have bought the other amps, it is that good.
If I had to play out somewhere this would be the amp I would take.
The 2 channels give it so much flexibility without having to roll off guitar volumes like I need to do with the Pink Taco V2 and Little Sister.
Even the JJ Jr. which has 2 channels is not as versatile, the JJs clean channel is too clean, so you either need to use an overdrive to get gritty cleans or just use it as a single channel amp on the gain channel and roll back the guitar volumes.
Other comparisons:
The Pink Taco V2 also has amazing gain, but doesn't have 2 channels so you need to work more to get your tones.
The Little Sister Combo probably has the best tone of all 3 amps, but being single channel you need to work the guitar volume to get your tones.
Also, it has less gain than the Pink Taco and JEL, so a boost is needed, the other 3 amps you can get by without a boost.
The JJ Junior combo is my least favorite of the 4 amps. I like the HBE channel, but it is voiced more modern than the other 3 amps.
It is a very portable combo, much smaller than the Little Sister combo, but it sounds smaller also.
The clean channel is just a clean clean, you would need a pedal for gritty cleans.
The HBE channel has a lot of gain, but again, it is a more modern flavor than the other 3 amps, think Alice in Chains instead of Hair Bands.
Hopefully this review and these videos help some of you who are thinking buying this amp.
Glad you found the tones you like!