Carvin v3 or Peavey JSX

[connorguitar15063]

im looking for a decent amp (my first tube amp) im only 16 so i cant spend that much on a amp considering i only get paid 7.25 and hour....but anyways. im looking at the v3 or the peavey jsx. the half stacks, not the combo. i play metal and classic rock. i need heavey distortion (but also light for some classic rock) and i need a good sounding clean channel to. both these amps are in my price range. any help would be much appreicated

[Dino]

You will have a hard time finding any negative reviews of the JSX.

[MFB]

Really, the JSX is one of the best things I've played on

If your looking for some effects too in there, you might wanna check out the new Peavey Vypyr, it's insane

[lynchfan6]

Good for you.....I'm glad to hear that you are able to get an amp like this for your age. I was playing solid state Crate amps for my teen years,,,so for you to get a decent tube amp is awesome. Best of luck to you on the amp you pursue. I can't comment , as I've never played through these particular amps, but I've heard good stuff about both of these amps. As a diehard Soldano SLO player, I'd like to add that you might be able to find a good used HR-50+ head and used cab for close to the price these amps go for new, too. I wasn't sure if you were buying new or not, though.

[connorguitar15063]

Originally Posted by lynchfan6

Good for you.....I'm glad to hear that you are able to get an amp like this for your age. I was playing solid state Crate amps for my teen years,,,so for you to get a decent tube amp is awesome. Best of luck to you on the amp you pursue. I can't comment , as I've never played through these particular amps, but I've heard good stuff about both of these amps. As a diehard Soldano SLO player, I'd like to add that you might be able to find a good used HR-50+ head and used cab for close to the price these amps go for new, too. I wasn't sure if you were buying new or not, though.

ya im buying new. but yea, i work hard for my money. and i love music and its what i do best, so im putting all my pay to it haha

[connorguitar15063]

Originally Posted by MFB

Really, the JSX is one of the best things I've played on

If your looking for some effects too in there, you might wanna check out the new Peavey Vypyr, it's insane

them vypyrs do look nuts.but i need a head

[Smitty]

I own a V3 and have played many JSX's.
I feel that the JSX doesn't have as much class as the V3's tone. This is based on the fact that I've owned the V3 for a while now, so the tubes are on the downside (though still great) and the Vintage 30 speakers in my avatar cab worn in.
The V3 on the thick setting can get Steven Wilson's rhythm tone and it can nail Warren Hayne's Soldano tone PERFECTLY.
Amazingly clean. Sparkly, beautiful, full. The high gain tones are thick and beautiful.
Granted, it does take time to tweak it. The high end can be intense and should be set low, and finding balance between the master section and the individual channels' controls can be a bit of a task. But the rewards are great.
Also, it does get better with time. It was fizzy and harsh when I got (I also had brand new speakers). Now, it's just SO smooth. Probably more the speakers than anything.
There's no sharp edges unless you want them. The midrange has a bit of 6L6 characteristic to it...sort of that Petrucci Mark IV ish thing. Impossible to explain, only heard. It's not dramatic, just underlying, but beautiful. It's like EL34 bread with one single piece of 6L6 turkey.
Hope that helps.
Smitty

[connorguitar15063]

Originally Posted by Smitty

I own a V3 and have played many JSX's.
I feel that the JSX doesn't have as much class as the V3's tone. This is based on the fact that I've owned the V3 for a while now, so the tubes are on the downside (though still great) and the Vintage 30 speakers in my avatar cab worn in.
The V3 on the thick setting can get Steven Wilson's rhythm tone and it can nail Warren Hayne's Soldano tone PERFECTLY.
Amazingly clean. Sparkly, beautiful, full. The high gain tones are thick and beautiful.
Granted, it does take time to tweak it. The high end can be intense and should be set low, and finding balance between the master section and the individual channels' controls can be a bit of a task. But the rewards are great.
Also, it does get better with time. It was fizzy and harsh when I got (I also had brand new speakers). Now, it's just SO smooth. Probably more the speakers than anything.
There's no sharp edges unless you want them. The midrange has a bit of 6L6 characteristic to it...sort of that Petrucci Mark IV ish thing. Impossible to explain, only heard. It's not dramatic, just underlying, but beautiful. It's like EL34 bread with one single piece of 6L6 turkey.
Hope that helps.
Smitty

thanks alot, i appreciate u taking the time to type all that. ive been looking at them avatar cabs, there pretty sweet (that or a basson). but with celestion gt-75 or w.e there called.instead of the vintage 30s cuz i heard there made for metal and classic rock. and vintage 30s are made for more british type stuff,not my thing. idk if thats true or not. but yeah.

[MFB]

Michael Amott (of Arch Enemy/Spiritual Beggars) runs Celestions with a Randall head and if you've ever heard his work you know it's got that Swedish metal sound to it

Have you considered a Peavey 6560?

[connorguitar15063]

Originally Posted by MFB

Michael Amott (of Arch Enemy/Spiritual Beggars) runs Celestions with a Randall head and if you've ever heard his work you know it's got that Swedish metal sound to it

Have you considered a Peavey 6560?

yes i have actully, i narrowed down 3 heads, peavey 6505, peveay jsx, and the carvin v3. all in my price range, but i know peavey is like a straight up metal head. and the jsx and v3 are more versatile, and for the money. i need a amp that can do everything.

[MFB]

Yeah, that's a good point. I forgot you had mentioned the clean channel, and unfortunately not many people who run Peavey 6560's do clean stuff

The closest I can think of would be any In Flames stuff like the title track from "Come Clarity" and stuff

[fyrie]

I hope this doesn't offend anyone, but I would only go with the 6505 if you primarily play heavy music because that's the only thing that amp does extremely well. The JSX and V3 can do much better clean and crunch tones.

Personally I like the V3 because it has the best clean of the three amps mentioned. Also, it it has a less distinct voicing than the JSX does, meaning it's easier to approximate some classic sounding amps with the V3. The JSX is an awesome amp, but it definitely has it's own sound.

[Smitty]

The V30s and G12T75s have different voicings, and that's it. The V30s have a more pronounced midrange, and the G12T's have a scoop. John Petrucic uses V30s, as does Vai, Richie Kotzen, Slash...Yngwie uses G12's, and a plethora of other people with Marshall cabs. I prefer V30s because I like the more pronounced midrange, because a scooped amp with a middy speaker just sounds more natural, rather than vice versa. A scooped speaker with lots of mids on the amp to me just sounds sterile.
Smitty