JSX Combo Vs. JSX Head + Cabinet

[RG_76]

Hi all!

I some questions on the JSX combo and head/cab setups.

1. Is there a huge sound difference between the combo and a head + 4x12 cab?

2. Is the reason for the combo simply convenience of portability?

3. Is the combo just as loud as a head + cab?

Thanks in advance for the help!

[ibanezcollector]

I love the Combo which I told ya already

But I think for the bang for the buck the combo amp is far superior unless you feel the need to have the male testosterone head and cab..

For most people the combo will be plenty loud, hell louder than they need to begin with..

Thing I hate the most at local shows and even some bigger named shows is people feel the need to play so loud you can not even distinguish what the hell is going on..

If you get the combo im coming to AZ and kicking your ass and taking it back with me along with my bass you bought LOL ....

[screamndemon69]

i tried the head vs the combo when they were released at NAMM '05. the head was plugged into the Classic 4x12 cab. the head sounded bigger than the combo and as well it should have thru a big cab with 4x12 spkrs. i tried the combo and immediately heard a huge sound difference. side by side the sound of the cab made a huge difference but i woud really need to hear the combo by itself or next to my current combo ('65 reissue fender deluxe reverb) to give a better comparison as i personally was shocked at the sound coming out of the combo - i didn't like it at all. it didn't even come close to the head and cab. they didn't sound like they were both JSX models but rather a JSX head and some other combo that i didn't like.
please don't take my word for it as it was an unfair test IMHO. i just know i was dissapointed at the tone from the combo and thought that James Brown (the Godfather of Tone who designed it) changed everything when putting the head into a combo version - at least that is what it sounded like to me.
i fell in love with the JSX head but i would be willing to give the combo another go if i had the chance as i like good combos for easier portability.

[rgr]

Originally Posted by RG_76

2. Is the reason for the combo simply convenience of portability?

I find carrying a 2-12 combo to be much more of a PITA than carrying a head and a 2-12 cabinet. It also gives you the choice of open or closed back.

[Myst and rain]

From http://www.peavey.com:

The Peavey all-tube JSX™ 212 combo guitar amplifier translates the tonal flexibility and responsive, and versatile gain structures of the JSX™ head into a combo amp. The JSX™ 212 is the latest product of the company's partnership with legendary virtuoso Joe Satriani.

Augmenting the original JSX™ amp's three-channel, 120 watt configuration are two custom-designed 12" JSX™ speakers in an open-back design, plus a master analog reverb and line out with level. The amp also includes global presence and resonance controls; three-band EQ and level on each channel; and FAT switches and a fully adjustable noise gate for the Ultra and Crunch channels.

"We designed the JSX™ 212 not only for practicality, but also tone and versatility," says Satriani. "The amp's tone comes to life in a big way using this 2x12 design, and the relationship between the combo and the player sets up an interesting interplay that you can't get with a head. It's a special experience having the amp and speakers in one unit."

On Peavey's website there are sound samples. I don't think it's that much different than the head.

I'm thinking about buying this amp, actually. One thing I was wondering about is feedback. Will this amp give one enough feedback to do the things Joe does? Like the beginning of Flying in a blue dream for instance?

Kind regards,
Myst and rain

[screamndemon69]

i guess a good question to ask would be wether you plan to mic or play unmiced? if you are micing the combo should only need to be loud enough to get a good tone but you should hear yourself thru the monitors in that case. if you don't mic your rig then it becomes a personal preference between the combo and the head/cab version.
my little (all tube) 22wtt Fender combo is loud enough to be unmiced at bars and still keep up with the band thru the mains. i prefer it to be miced so i'm going thru the mains and can be more easily balanced with the rest of the band. there has been times when using the Fender combo that i would swear it sounded like a full stack behind me when i'm not miced. that little monster has TONE for days.
i REALLY want to try the new mini colossal JSX. if it has the tone then that would be my choice for portability otherwise i'm getting the Delta Blues Peavey 2x10 combo....possibly.

[jb4674]

Personally, I spoke with a few friends whom have had different gear through the years and they all said the same thing, get a combo if you're looking to get a nice amp. They would tell me that it's incredible easier to carry and use anywhere.

When I got the chance to audition the JSX212, I liked the sound. If you take both amps apart (head and combo) you will see that they are the same unit. The only difference is that the combo has a reverb and the head doesn't. As far as price goes, the combo is the better alternative because you can play it out of the box, whereas with a head you have to purchase a cab.

Personally, I think the combo is loud for its size. I've had mine since thanksgiving of 2006, thanks to my wife because she decided to buy it for me as a surprise, and I still haven't turned it up past 4 on the master volume.

In January, I purchased a used JS1000BP and, I gotta tell you guys, the guitar has a lot of gain due to the pickups. I noticed a big difference when I played my strat plus with lace sensors and then went to Earl (1000BP). The difference was so noticeable that I had to turn the volume on the amp down some because it was louder than the strat.

RG, If you decide to get the combo, I suggest you start working out because it is quite heavy for a combo (close to 90lbs). My only gripe with it is that Peavey didn't even include a nice cover for it or even offer one as an option. I have gotten some info about a guy in Canada that does covers in leather for any amp provided you send him the measurements and such. With shipping, it's going to run about 115 bucks, so I might get one for my b-day.

Screamndemon69, I feel that you might have to give the combo another chance. Sometimes when manufacturers put these things on display at shows like namm, the amps are not completely bug free. since the amp has been in production for a bit now, most of the issues with it have been ironed out. Take a drive to a GC and test one out, I'm sure they got them in stock.

Jimmy

[Myst and rain]

I'm going to use a microphone. I thought about getting the head, but then I saw the combo and that was a way better option than the head for me. It's way more compact and mobile, and 120 Watts is more than enough for me.

Thanks.

Myst

[screamndemon69]

Originally Posted by jb4674

Screamndemon69, I feel that you might have to give the combo another chance. Sometimes when manufacturers put these things on display at shows like namm, the amps are not completely bug free. since the amp has been in production for a bit now, most of the issues with it have been ironed out. Take a drive to a GC and test one out, I'm sure they got them in stock.

Jimmy

you are very possibly right about the bugs getting worked out over the past two years and the fact that James had just left Peavey to design new tube amps for Kustom might factor in a bit. the JSX combos might have been an added amp to their lineup post Brown days. (i have to give props to the stuff he designed for Kustom too - wow!)
i prefer combos since i have to haul my own gear and a 2x12 extension can always be added if you find a need for the extra bottom end.
i'll be on the prowl for a new combo (my Ampeg is reaching its breaking poinr ). if my local store gets in a JSX combo i will surely test drive it. in the meantime i have been drooling over the Super Sonic Fender combo.

[rgr]

Originally Posted by jb4674

RG, If you decide to get the combo, I suggest you start working out because it is quite heavy for a combo (close to 90lbs).

Yeah, that sounds convenient and easy to move around (sarcasm intended). That's why I have a head and 2-12 cabinets, I can carry a head in one hand and a cab in the other, but whatever floats your boat. If I need more, I can add another 2-12 without killing myself. Still 120W is loud through in a combo or stack.

[screamndemon69]

i had the 5150 head a few years ago and it also rated out at 120+ watts and was louder than all hell breaking loose. can you say "overkill"?
i like what they have done with the JSX by taking what worked best in the peavey lines (5150 gain, XXX over the top gain and Classic 30 clean) and putting it all in one box with a little tweak here and there plus the bonus reverb. i'll have to make a trip to a GC and try it out again when i get closer to laying down the dough for a new combo.
i still would like to try the V3 Carvin too.

[RG_76]

Thanks for all of your responses! I am looking to throw down some cash later this year for one nice amp that is going to have to last me a long time ;p After reading alot of reviews and talking with a few people, the JSX kept coming up again and again. I have not gotten to try one out yet, but I will make it a point to try one soon.

To Ibanezcollector: If you come to AZ I will definately buy the beer, and the pine box I will send you back in if you try and take my amp and bass ;p

On the adding a 2X12 extension cab, does peavey make those? Or would I have to look elsewhere to get one?