Picking an amp

[BrentSSL]

Owned a Triple XXXII which was supposed to be a slightly tweaked re-badged jsx and couldn't jive with it. Had it for two years and tried all kinds of power tubes and preamp tubes as well as a couple different cabs/speakers. Wanted to like it, but it just wasn't for me I guess.

Some people don't bond with it's aggressive mids. The active EQ can be tricky to some as well. Subtle changes go a long way, like some Mesas. My Mark V 25 drove me bat shit crazy too. Something as simple as changing guitars took 10 minutes of adjusting. Loved the amp, hated the drastic EQ.

My Triple XXX has been a set it, and forget it. If I need a slight tweak as the volume goes up, I tend to use my 10-band in the loop, and its usually a slight cut in the highs. If it gets boomy, a minuscule move with the bass on the amp tightens it right up. I love it!

Preach man the Mark v and mini Mark V/25 are the most over priced bedroom amps I've ever owned. The Jp2c doesn't have that problem it's just a bit pricey.

 

[BrentSSL]

Does the Blackstar have the same problem the 5153 does where it doesn't protect sound very well with a drummer it just sounds good on its own?

Bro I really don’t mean to be snarky here; but, if the Evh wasn’t cutting it in a band mix, something else was wrong. I’ve had my little 50 watt in a room with my old Vht, a pair of 6505+’s, a Mesa, a jmp, etc...., and it wasn’t lacking at all. I’ve surprised a couple folks with it now, and can run you out of a room with it.
I’m never gonna say the tone kills these other amps, and to be fair if my deliverance was the size and weight of the Evh, I never woulda got rid of it, but it has never lacked in punch or volume, and I can get hella different tones with it.
IMO

I think the 5150iii has awesome tone but it didn't cut through and when it did it sounded stale and thin. It could have been me the pickups or the cab. I've noticed these amps need those EVH cabs to get thier peak performance. However I think it was the 50 watts.

 

[harddriver]

In that price range I would recommend the Peavey 5150, 6505 over the JSX. I have played the JSX and think the 5150/6505 platform does hard rock/metal better.