JJ: Questions to owners

[Ventura]

Without starting a pissing match, I just want to ask:

- what made you choose the JJ over the BE?
- who tried the Helios and decided to go with the JJ instead?
- what do you love about it and what does it bring to the table?
- home user or gigging?

I ask these because as a die-hard Bogner-fanboi, I found myself - after countless clips and the like - hearing less of what I liked in the Helios and more in the JJ. For the record, the BE never did it for me. I can't test drive one because of my location, but I'm ordering it for when I get back to my home country. Clips, YT, all of it - it's hard to really know, so this is why I am asking these questions.

For what it's worth, I've been a fan of Cantrell's tone for years, hence my ownership of 6 Bogners, Fish, etc. along with a lot of other great amps and gear *yay*, but whatever. I am just wondering what it is that made YOU pull the trigger.

Thanks for any intel. As mentioned, already got one on order, but am just intrigued as I'll be quietly in pain knowing I can't play it till I get back to my hometown in the next 6 months or so.

Peace!
Mojo

 

[sleewell2]

haven't played either but I would love to. I hear both sides. some say they played both and preferred the JJ while others say they preferred the helios. it really boils down to personal preference. I would take the JJ myself but would be interested to hear experiences from those who have played both. I think the JJ just has that low mid grind that I like but the helios demos are sick too so its a super tough call.

 

[Superunknown]

All just my opinion...

- what made you choose the JJ over the BE?
I own and love both of these amps but my JJ is much more quiet, has a better clean channel(Vox voicing), and has an overall clarity, incredible sustain, and great mid-range on the two gain channels that just sounds and feels great.

- who tried the Helios and decided to go with the JJ instead?
The main factor was the feel of the JJ versus the Helios. Both are great sounding amps but the JJ just felt right where the Bogner felt a bit stiff to me.

- what do you love about it and what does it bring to the table?
The JJ really cuts live and brings the overall tone that I was looking for...and it's a very easy amp to play. I really like the BE channel on the JJ just as much as the JBE. Again, tons of clarity and sustain on both channels.

- home user or gigging?
Both. I can get everything from EJ to Schon to EVH to AIC and heavier out of the JJ. There are not many for sale, and for a damn good reason!

 

[Ventura]

^ Awesome intel. Thanks...

Any more info - greatly appreciated!!

 

[iamjoe]

- what made you choose the JJ over the BE?
My wife chose for me, I came home one day and there it was. It was my XMAS/Birthday/Fathers Day/Anniversary gift.

- who tried the Helios and decided to go with the JJ instead?
Have not tried the Helios, no comment

- what do you love about it and what does it bring to the table?
Incredible cleans, think VOX! We all know it does metal, and does it well. What I love is how you can tame it with volume swells and so forth.
This aint a one trick pony, when I first got it I was like hell yeah, let me just dime it, set it and forget it. Now that I have gotten to know it better, its a whole new ball game. Did I say it was quite too.

- home user or gigging?
Both. When I gig I switch between the JJ and my Uberschall (Green). I can go from Bytor and the Snowdog to the Motherload.

That said, in my sights is a Small Box and a Helios 50. I have gone from being a Les Paul addict to being an amp addict.

 

[Ventura]

I'm a Les Paul addict too... And an amp addict.

JJ is really under my skin - I'm stoked!!

Thanks for the review and info - so stoked!!

 

[GregM]

If you're a big enough Cantrell fan that you've owned six Bogners and a Fish I promise a JJ will not disappoint you. I preordered mine last summer and have had it since they first started shipping in November, all home/recording use. I don't use the BE mode often because I'm almost solely playing and recording AIC songs but I plan to start blending BE with JBE on my recordings. In JBE mode listening to it in person the tone is essentially identical to Jerry's on the last two albums, but even going back to Dirt and some of Facelift's tones were really close to this. I'm using G&L's with Afwayu pickups.

The JJ's feel and sustain are probably something you'll have to feel for yourself to fully appreciate. I've only played a Bogner a couple times and it's been a couple years so it's hard for me to compare but I think you'll find the JJ more responsive, tighter and smoother (at least smoother on JBE). My brother had an Uberschall and he was instantly impressed with the feel of my JJ, he's since sold his Uber and is leaning heavily toward a Friedman to replace it. You won't be disappointed. Congrats!

 

[Ventura]

If you're a big enough Cantrell fan that you've owned six Bogners and a Fish I promise a JJ will not disappoint you......You won't be disappointed. Congrats!

Thanks Braddah!!

Believe it or not, it's not my liking Cantrell's tone that has me in the Bogner camp so heavily, but I am a fan of AIC and Cantrell all the same. It's more just a "personal taste coincidence". I've got a mess of great amps, but I just love the "chew" Bogner has consistenly offered. I never set out going "I want and need the tone of JC", no, it just so happens I fkn love his tone for the most part, and Bogners respond well with my style of playing. I've got several other amps too - and also love a lot of other players' tones - Adam Jones, Steph Carpenter, Devin Townsend, John Frusciante, Robben Ford, Steve "Luke", Steve Hackett, Noel Gallagher, Brad Paisley...the list is quite large. And hey, inerestingly enough, some of these cats, I don't even like their music - or I know they're now Fractal converts - but when I hear good tone, hey, I dig good tone.

The JJ seems to deliver what I want in the particular genre of thick, heavy, thumpin', low-mid growl, and just happens to have a decent clean and a boosted JBE option. I'm in!!

Hope everyone's having a killer weekend up ahead - we've got a sweetass swell hitting the coast for the next 10 days so I'm back to being "on board".

Keep 'em coming

 

[Ventura]

Ack!! I'm exhausted - what I was trying to say ABOVE (LOL!!!) is that, in short, I've never purchased a "signature" amp or instrument (other than "Les Pauls", ahem) in my life. The notion irks me. But in the case of the JJ, it's delivering the goods regardless of the "JJ" badge.

Needed to clarify.
Need to sleep.
Sayonara y Buenos Noches Amigos!!

 

[hatrick00]

Ventura, I will cut to the chase. Get a JJ, it will not disappoint. It is my go to amp... And that is between my Twin jet, 20th Shiva, nitro, and that is just is what is left after selling all my other amps after getting my JJ. Get the matching cab also though. Makes it really shine. Just my opinion of course but honestly man haven't heard anyone say anything negative about this amp.

 

[Ventura]

Ventura, I will cut to the chase. Get a JJ, it will not disappoint. It is my go to amp... And that is between my Twin jet, 20th Shiva, nitro, and that is just is what is left after selling all my other amps after getting my JJ. Get the matching cab also though. Makes it really shine. Just my opinion of course but honestly man haven't heard anyone say anything negative about this amp.

Was planning on pairing it to my 20thA Bogner 412 loaded with V30s...

But hey, another cab, so be it

Thanks for the straight up opinion. Greatly appreciated.
Mo

 

[hatrick00]

don't get me wrong man, you know I love that 20th Shiva as it is a different beast... but the JJ gain is just so clear and articulate, very focused.. I first had a BE, then got the JJ (going through Splawn 4x12 all V30s). the JJ sounded great through the splawn but AMazing through the matching cab. i like the 20th for the extra amount of gain it seems to have if that is even possible.. all different and all good, but the JJ to me is the best example of what a modern high gain amp should be. match it with some motor cities and you are all set... for what it is worth i was playing only through my 20th for about 3 months, and last week went back to the JJ setup and forgot how much i love that amp. those 4 amps i mentioned though are all keepers for life, they all have their place. will never part with my 20th shiva.

 

[///MK]

Just got my jj100 today. I am already on my second kitchen sink. And AB'd to the Friedman modified plexi I'm glad I Got the JJ over the brown eye 100. It really is voiced differently and imo is very complementary to the kitchen sink. More modern growly but behaved. Where is the kitchen sink which to me sounded a lot like the BE100 is brighter and hairier. Together they sound amazing. I do gig with the Friedman amps more often then not and listen to them at full song where they are at there best. The master volume on the JJ works great. Sounds very similar at whisper level to full blast.