Peavey XXX II

[maggotspawn]

I love my JSX. Had the Crunch channel gain pot switched to 1 meg for a little more gain.
I like this amp more then my 6505+.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

KT77's work best, IMHO. I don't know how much truth there is to it being a "tweaked" JSX, I've read many accounts that say it's the very same.

I will say this, I have a JSX, and it is the 4th I've owned. To each their own, I still say to poster above, whatever. Tubes, bias, speakers, guitar, pickups, etc., all play a role, of course. I recently bought and returned an Engl Fireball 100, and kept the JSX.. Go figure..

I run Mullard EL34's in it, an NOS Blackburn Mullard in V1, an NOS GE 5751 in V2, a Ruby 12AX7HG in V3, and balanced Sovtek 12AX7LPS in V4. I boost with a TC Spark Booster, and my Randall cab is loaded with G12T-75's and V30's in X-pattern. It's just plain devastating, pure, crushing tone. I'm really digging my 5150 III 50 watt as well, but the JSX isn't going anywhere. It's an underrated beast of an amp. I truly didn't care for 6L6's, to me, it smoothed it out too much, and lost some of it's aggressiveness. KT77's always worked best for me, I just happened to have the Mullard on hand. No complaints.

As for the Triple XXX II being a slightly tweaked JSX, I got it straight from talking in great length with more than one Peavey engineer when I was considering buying one. They told me: "The Triple XXX II is essentially the same circuit as the JSX only the mid range voicing and gain structure have been slightly modified". FWTW.

To each their own is exactly right. Couldn't agree more!

In no way was I trying to convince the OP, or anyone else, that its a bad amp; was just stating it was just a bad amp for me. This is just the first thread that I've seen pop up on this amp, and I felt the need to rant on my experience with it.

Fair enough. Interesting take on the "tweaked" comments. Maybe that "tweak" to the circuit is what you didn't like? Maybe it was just enough to fuck up a good amp? I owned one, briefly. I didn't really have it long enough to recall a big difference. I am a fan of the JSX, however. One of my all-time favorite amps.

Maybe I should have just a bought a JSX; would have been MUCH cheaper !!!

The whole reason I bought the Triple XXX II was because of the raving reviews I read from JSX owners and the initial hype on the XXX II being the same amp just re-badged. I have a suspicion that the original Triple XXX or the revised 3120 would have suited me better, oh well.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

And I do know that this amp is just a JSX with the mids re-voiced.

my buddies local shop has a JSX head for $200, of course I can get a better deal but was wondering if it was worth it

It's worth a try. If it's got a loose, flubby low end like the XXX II, set the gain low and clean boost it and it should be killer.

Just a tip if you weren't already aware, you can max the send/return level knobs for the effects loop on this amp and it boosts the volume. Sounded much better to me with those knobs dimed.

 

[Beyond Black]

And I do know that this amp is just a JSX with the mids re-voiced.

my buddies local shop has a JSX head for $200, of course I can get a better deal but was wondering if it was worth it

It's worth a try. If it's got a loose, flubby low end like the XXX II, set the gain low and clean boost it and it should be killer.

Just a tip if you weren't already aware, you can max the send/return level knobs for the effects loop on this amp and it boosts the volume. Sounded much better to me with those knobs dimed.

No, I didn't know that. I'll try it tonight. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Beyond Black]

And I do know that this amp is just a JSX with the mids re-voiced.

my buddies local shop has a JSX head for $200, of course I can get a better deal but was wondering if it was worth it

It's worth a try. If it's got a loose, flubby low end like the XXX II, set the gain low and clean boost it and it should be killer.

Just a tip if you weren't already aware, you can max the send/return level knobs for the effects loop on this amp and it boosts the volume. Sounded much better to me with those knobs dimed.

Tried it out and it definitely made if way louder. Don't know if it made it better, but definitely louder. Louder's better, right?

 

[Beyond Black]

Ok, tried 6L6's in place of the EL34's and didn't dig it. Smoothed it out and it lost a lot of the anger and snarl. Made it much drier and tighter, less juicy. Been reading that KT77's are the shit in this amp. How would they differ/compare to EL34'S?

 

[napalmdeath]

Ok, tried 6L6's in place of the EL34's and didn't dig it. Smoothed it out and it lost a lot of the anger and snarl. Made it much drier and tighter, less juicy. Been reading that KT77's are the shit in this amp. How would they differ/compare to EL34'S?

They're a little more aggressive, and deeper, tighter bass. They are the shit in these amps, IMO. Gets a really pissed off tone! I felt the same way about 6L6s. Way underwhelmed.

 

[Beyond Black]

Ok, tried 6L6's in place of the EL34's and didn't dig it. Smoothed it out and it lost a lot of the anger and snarl. Made it much drier and tighter, less juicy. Been reading that KT77's are the shit in this amp. How would they differ/compare to EL34'S?

They're a little more aggressive, and deeper, tighter bass. They are the shit in these amps, IMO. Gets a really pissed off tone! I felt the same way about 6L6s. Way underwhelmed.

I'm really leaning toward trying some out. Would you say they have that EL34 snarl/growl in the mids? What brand do you dig? Did you mess with the pre amp tubes at all? Thanks for the help!

 

[MetalHeadMike]

And I do know that this amp is just a JSX with the mids re-voiced.

my buddies local shop has a JSX head for $200, of course I can get a better deal but was wondering if it was worth it

It's worth a try. If it's got a loose, flubby low end like the XXX II, set the gain low and clean boost it and it should be killer.

Just a tip if you weren't already aware, you can max the send/return level knobs for the effects loop on this amp and it boosts the volume. Sounded much better to me with those knobs dimed.

Tried it out and it definitely made if way louder. Don't know if it made it better, but definitely louder. Louder's better, right?

It's been a while, but I just remember liking it better with the loop knobs dimed.

 

[mesaboogie616]

My band played a show with Havok and Exmortus on 2-17-07 in Dayton Ohio, they both use 6L6, and yes their tone crushed, not better than mine, but yeah.

sounds like you are on the right track, good luck man!

 

[Beyond Black]

My band played a show with Havok and Exmortus on 2-17-07 in Dayton Ohio, they both use 6L6, and yes their tone crushed, not better than mine, but yeah.

sounds like you are on the right track, good luck man!

Thanks, man! That's a good gig. Exmortus' frontman makes shredding and doing vocals simultaneously look as easy and natural as breathing. That guy and band are sick.