Peavey XXX vs. JSX

[Mister CCJ]

How do they compare? I haven't spent enough time with the JSX to be able to tell. I want to have two amps eventually to run stereo, preferably the same amps. The XXX is a sweet amp, but from what I read the 3 channels are more diverse in the JSX and the eq is different. If the JSX is more to my liking I might sell the XX and get the JSX and then later on another one.

[alex10]

I think the JSX is actually a modded/based on the XXX.

[MadRyan]

The XXX is a bit less organic sounding. It's got some killer metal sounds and tons of gain. The JSX is more rock oriented in the way the EQ works and whatnot. They're essentially voiced the same, as in bright and lots of gain. An EQ in the loop of either is the ticket as they both have great FX loops.

[Mister CCJ]

I was playing a JEM7vwh through both of them for about 30 minutes each at guitar center yesterday. First thing i learned... it sounded 10 times better through the XXX than my 1570 with the stock pickups. Wow... Those pickups scream, especially on the high E string. I have to dig twice as hard on a high e string bend than on that Jem. But besides that, I really don't know which amp I like better. The XXX is brutal; the JSX is more vintage, but they do have similarites cuz theyre based on each other. Which would you people choose and why? (those who have played both)

[texshred777]

i prefer the jsx, it has a warmer sound to my ears. i can believe it's based on the xxx though, it definately has plenty of gain and can get pretty nasty if you want it to.

[Mister CCJ]

So the MXR 10-band helped the XXX's sound a lot. Better pickups will definitely find the few frequencies the 10-band hasn't found but it really made it punchier and better for lead playing. I just wish this amp didnt have so much gain. I've been trying to figure out the sound I want for a while and I know I've probably annoyed a few people in doing so, going between the Legacy, Mesas, etc. What could be a deal maker for me though is having an amp similar to this new sound I have with less gain and more clarity. JSX? How does it clean up? I play the XXX with the gain between 3 and 4 (10:00 and 11:00); can't use any more and less than that become muddy. Can you get a slight breakup on the JSX and get as heavy and the XXX on 4? I can't get to GC for a few days.

[screamndemon69]

The JSX is based on the XXX, 5150 and Classic 30 from what I was told but all channels were modded to suit Satch's taste and needs.

I prefer the JSX out of the two personally. I tried to like the XXX more than a few times thru many different cabs but it always ended up sounding like a bad version of a Mesa Triple Rec (which is saying something for me since I don't care for the Triple Recs either).

[Gurj]

I have both amps and found that they sound similar, but the JSX is much more user friendly as the gain is more usuable. You can get a really nice heavy sound out of it as well, it's now way as brutal as the XXX, but it does the job. I'd say the Ultra channel on the JSX is roughly the same amount of gain as the Crunch channel on the XXX. Plus I always found the Ultra channel on the XXX to be unusuable as it has a stupid amount of gain! What also adds to the variety of tones on the JSX is the FAT switches and the prescence and resonance controls.
Also, the clean channel on the JSX is much better than the XXX.

Overall, I'd say that the JSX is a much more versatile amp than the XXX and you can dial in some great tones. I never thought I'd say this, but chances are I'll be selling the XXX as JSX is all the amp I'll ever need.

[screamndemon69]

It would make a nice backup.

[Mister CCJ]

So would you say its worth selling the XXX to get the JSX? I have the 1x12 btw and i would probably want the head and a 2x12 cab because the combo is way heavy, but I know I'd be puttin out bucks. Worth it?

[Gurj]

Definately, I haven't made up my mind yet! I'm more tempted to keep my triple rectifier though

[Gurj]

Originally Posted by Mister CCJ

So would you say its worth selling the XXX to get the JSX? I have the 1x12 btw and i would probably want the head and a 2x12 cab because the combo is way heavy, but I know I'd be puttin out bucks. Worth it?

Personally speaking, I'd try one out first as it may not suit you. If you do, try the head with a 2 x 12 loaded with v30's, it sounds awesome

[Mister CCJ]

Well I did play with one but didn't have enough time with it to say if I liked it beter, but I figure if I didn't like it as much a switch to 6l6's would fix that.

[Tank]

I went for the JSX.

Clean: JSX has more warm sound to it and funny has more headroom in the clean channel.

Crunch: JSX sounds more like an old 5150, whereas the XXX sounds like a "Blow my roof off" Nu-Metal Machine.

Ultra: I really like the Ultra of the JSX, hard to compare it to anything, has a little Mesa touch to it. Cool thing is (at least with my JEM) it always stays melodic even at insane gain settings you can hear every single note. The XXX is the contrary, I was not able to dial in a sound past 12 o'clock gain that would not sound like mud.

[Darin]

Please demo the Fender Super Sonic before you buy anything.