NEED advice, please!

[C1-ocaster]

I'm looking at some used amps, namely:
Peavey JSX 2x12
Peavey XXX 2x12, or 1x12
Genz Benz Diablo 60 1x12

I've only played the JSX and I LOVE that amp, so it's #1 on the list.

Differences, similarities between JSX and XXX?
Clean channel.
Higher gain channels.
Preferences, good, bad?

What about the XXX 1x12?
It doesn't have the individual clean channel.
Can it still get a good clean?
How does it compare to the JSX clean?

The Genz Benz has great reviews. I didn't read one bad one.
Looks like it's built like a tank.
I found a NEW one for less than half of what they were selling for when they were being produced.

Please advise.
I'd like to make a decision tomorrow, cause I'm tired of reading and researching.

Thnx.

 

[cardinal]

If you've played one and love it, that would be my answer. Who knows what you'd think of the other two.

 

[C1-ocaster]

If you've played one and love it, that would be my answer. Who knows what you'd think of the other two.

That's true.

But, the XXX is supposed to be a slightly stripped down JSX.
And, if it's similar to the JSX, then I could save some money and have more to choose from.


The 1x12 XXX is even lower cost and even more to choose from online.
I just can't find one locally to try out.

I'm really leaning towards just the JSX or the Genz Benz.
And even more towards the Genz B because it's brand spanking new in the box.
That amp sold for like $1300-$1400 when they were being produced.
I think that ended about 2 years ago.
I just found out that Fender owns Genz Benz. Maybe that's why it stopped production.
Makes me wonder if the Fender Machete is using the Diablo's design, especially since it's not like any other Fender amp.
It's more of a "Metal" amp with high gain and other little tone things, plus it's crazy price more like what the Diablo used to cost.

 

[cardinal]

Just because something's cheap doesn't mean it's a good deal or a good amp. Could mean it's just cheap? But I've never played any of the amps you're looking at, though, so I'm not really much help.

 

[Mesa\Kramer]

Skip the Genz Benz and thank me later .......................

 

[C1-ocaster]

Just because something's cheap doesn't mean it's a good deal or a good amp. Could mean it's just cheap? But I've never played any of the amps you're looking at, though, so I'm not really much help.

 

[C1-ocaster]

Skip the Genz Benz and thank me later .......................

Why?

 

[charveldan]

Skip the PV & benz and get a used DSL for $600 ...

 

[p4vl]

DO NOT GET THE XXX 212. You probably shouldn't get the JSX 212, either. Get a used XXX head ($400 in the used section of Guitar Center) or JSX head ($600) and find a cheap, closed back 2x12 cab and fill it with a pair of Eminence v128's. Also, get a couple of low-gain preamp tubes.

People dump on the XXX because they've usually paired it with Vintage 30's, which are fizzy icepick speakers that only compound the XXX's fizzy high gain. Even worse, they've tried it with the XXX cab.

 

[chunktone]

If you've played one and love it, that would be my answer. Who knows what you'd think of the other two.

That's true.

But, the XXX is supposed to be a slightly stripped down JSX.
And, if it's similar to the JSX, then I could save some money and have more to choose from.


The 1x12 XXX is even lower cost and even more to choose from online.
I just can't find one locally to try out.

I'm really leaning towards just the JSX or the Genz Benz.
And even more towards the Genz B because it's brand spanking new in the box.
That amp sold for like $1300-$1400 when they were being produced.
I think that ended about 2 years ago.
I just found out that Fender owns Genz Benz. Maybe that's why it stopped production.
Makes me wonder if the Fender Machete is using the Diablo's design, especially since it's not like any other Fender amp.
It's more of a "Metal" amp with high gain and other little tone things, plus it's crazy price more like what the Diablo used to cost.

I don't know about a XXX being a stripped down JSX, but I do know Satriani started with a XXX as the basis of his JSX. I personally like the XXX better. It seems more aggressive to me.

I've had a XXX for many years, and still have it. It's a workhorse for sure! Built like a tank. I've never so much as blown a fuse in it! They are pretty cheap too! That's the main reason I kept mine. They don't bring much $, so I kept is as a backup to my Framus Dragon.

 

[cardinal]

Just because something's cheap doesn't mean it's a good deal or a good amp. Could mean it's just cheap? But I've never played any of the amps you're looking at, though, so I'm not really much help.

I'll be more blunt. I suspect the GB is so inexpense because it's a piece of crap no one wants to buy. Again, I've never played one, so maybe it's awesome and it was discontinued for reasons other than it didn't sell because it sucks and maybe I don't see anyone playing them because they're a hidden gem rather than a lousy amp, but I kinda doubt it.

 

[moronmountain]

I would personally get the head version of the JSX or XXX, but I have only played the XXX. I thought it was decent for the money, but I don't like combo amps. They don't seem to hold value well, and they are heavier than stink.

 

[C1-ocaster]

Skip the PV & benz and get a used DSL for $600 ...

Why skip those?

Generally, I'm not a Marshall fan.
I haven't played through a DSL15, but I did play a DSL40 and it was ok, nothing fantastic.
The JSX had better and more tones, and externally, better build.
I was quite impressed with the DSL15 on youtube videos.

There was a Guitar World test of both versions side by side, and I actually prefered the DSL15 with it 6V6 tubes.
I seem to like amps with those tubes.
They were in the Egnater Rebel 30 I had for a bit, and in the Fender SuperSonic 22.
Both of those amps have stellar clean tones and give great gritty blues.
But they are not high gain at all.
And I'd rather not have to use pedals.

 

[C1-ocaster]

DO NOT GET THE XXX 212. You probably shouldn't get the JSX 212, either. Get a used XXX head ($400 in the used section of Guitar Center) or JSX head ($600) and find a cheap, closed back 2x12 cab and fill it with a pair of Eminence v128's. Also, get a couple of low-gain preamp tubes.

People dump on the XXX because they've usually paired it with Vintage 30's, which are fizzy icepick speakers that only compound the XXX's fizzy high gain. Even worse, they've tried it with the XXX cab.

So you like the amps, but you don't like the speakers in the combo's?

I'm actually looking for a combo. I have a half stack and it's too big for the house, plus too much to lug from home to my buddies studio. The half stack stays there.

I did toy with the idea of getting a head and then using the faulty B52's combo speakers.
But guess what they are.......? Yup, V30's.
It's a matter of taste, and I actually like those speakers.

As for low gain tubes, I like the JSX's high gain channels, and the JSX clean is excellent with plenty of headroom.
Maybe the XXX neads lower gain tubes, but I haven't tried those yet, none around to try.
I didn't find the JSX's high gain to be fizzy at all.

Your suggestions are good, but it's a completely different set up than what I'm looking for.
Did you get low gain pre's because the regular tubes had too much gain for your style?
Did you try some better standard gain pre's to see if it's the stock tubes and not the actual gain?

 

[C1-ocaster]

I don't know about a XXX being a stripped down JSX, but I do know Satriani started with a XXX as the basis of his JSX. I personally like the XXX better. It seems more aggressive to me.

I've had a XXX for many years, and still have it. It's a workhorse for sure! Built like a tank. I've never so much as blown a fuse in it! They are pretty cheap too! That's the main reason I kept mine. They don't bring much $, so I kept is as a backup to my Framus Dragon.

Cool.

It's my understanding that the XXX II is a rebadged and slightly changed JSX.
Perhaps that's the difference, the "II".

Maybe it's XXX, JSX, then XXX II?

 

[C1-ocaster]

Just because something's cheap doesn't mean it's a good deal or a good amp. Could mean it's just cheap? But I've never played any of the amps you're looking at, though, so I'm not really much help.

I'll be more blunt. I suspect the GB is so inexpense because it's a piece of crap no one wants to buy. Again, I've never played one, so maybe it's awesome and it was discontinued for reasons other than it didn't sell because it sucks and maybe I don't see anyone playing them because they're a hidden gem rather than a lousy amp, but I kinda doubt it.

Well, that's a load of assumptions.

From what I read and heard, they seem like they might very well be gem.
Not hidden btw, cause they are out there to buy, nearly all used of course.
Finding this one new in the box with a warranty sounds quite enticing.
I haven't played one, but I've at least heard what they sound like.
That's why I'm asking about the amps, so I can get info from people who have actually played them.

GB started making amps a number of years ago, but like many start ups they went down for whatever reasons, and I doubt it was because that amp sucked.
If it sucked it wouldn't have got all the great reviews it has received.
BTW, Fender bought the group that included GB, and Fender is honoring the warranties for them.

As for the price, it's that low because they don't make them anymore and I'm sure the retailer wants to move it and at least get some back. When they were making them, people were buying them at the much higher retail price.
Those people must have liked something about them, and they were willing to pay $1200-$1400 for one.

 

[C1-ocaster]

I would personally get the head version of the JSX or XXX, but I have only played the XXX. I thought it was decent for the money, but I don't like combo amps. They don't seem to hold value well, and they are heavier than stink.

I'm not really concerned about resale.
I need a combo cause I want it for home use.
I've never had problems with combo's, likely because I use them at home at low volumes so no issues with loose tubes, rattling, ringing, etc...

What didn't you like about it?
What amp/s do you own or like?

 

[moronmountain]

I would personally get the head version of the JSX or XXX, but I have only played the XXX. I thought it was decent for the money, but I don't like combo amps. They don't seem to hold value well, and they are heavier than stink.

I'm not really concerned about resale.
I need a combo cause I want it for home use.
I've never had problems with combo's, likely because I use them at home at low volumes so no issues with loose tubes, rattling, ringing, etc...

What didn't you like about it?
What amp/s do you own or like?

I don't like ANY combo amp. Mostly because of the weight, and the fact that you pretty much have to use a stand to angle it up at you. Heads are lighter than combos by a ton, and 4x12 cabs have wheels. A half stack is the perfect height because it gets the amp controls where I need them, and the speakers are closer to ear levels. As far as say "home volume" goes??? well a 2x12 50 or 100 watt amp is still a 50-100 watt amp, and is loud as heck. I never consider how an amp will sound at bedroom or living room levels. If it won't work for me on stage then I don't want it.

Like I said, I only played the XXX head version, and I thought it was a decent amp. I've heard 5150 combos compared to a head through a marshall 4x12, and I liked the sound of the head version better. I have never tried a JSX in either form.

 

[moronmountain]

Also, I think most combos have open back cabinets, and I don't like open back speakers, so that probably has alot to do with it.

 

[cardinal]

I think there are legitimate reasons to want a 1x12 combo. Small foot print can fit into a small space, including the corner of the living room, trunk of a car, etc. Truly grab and go for jamming with buddies. They will never sound like a half stack, but that is what it is. You can still buy a separate 4x12 for the occasions you can haul out the big guns.

I don't understand 2x12 combos. Same foot print as a 4x12 and heavy as hell, so not really grab and go. At that point, I'd strongly recommend a head and cab with castors.

As for the GB, obviously do whatever you want with your money. Buying an obscure, discontinued amp that's being blown out for cheap that you've never played over an amp you say you love seems absolutely like a bad idea. Just remember that if you try to sell it in the future, you were the only one who was willing to buy it at even this very cheap price. Otherwise, it would have sold already. So be prepared to take a loss.