JSX Joe Satriani Signature Head Review

This amp delivers sounds ranging from the Classic 50 to vintage British to the modern Triple XXX and all tones inbetween.The versatile and comprehensive control section supplies a master volume pot and independent volume knobs for each of the 3 channels (Ultra, Crunch and Clean).

Features:	8.5
Sound:	10
Reliability:	9.5
Impression:	9
Overall rating:	9.3
Users rating:	9.3
Comments:	15

overall: 9.5

Featured review by: nic_2090, on november 23, 2005

Purchased from: N/A

Features: The JSX features 3 channels, clan, crunch and ultra (lead). It has channel switching and an effects loop, along with a built-in noise gate. It is 120 watts, all-tube, and has more power than you'd ever need for conventional gigs. It features a 'fat' switch on both of the distortion channel. // 9

Sound: I've ran a few guitars into this amp, including an Epiphone Les Paul Standard Plus, a PRS Custom 22, and an Ibanez RG1570. With the noise gate activated, the amp is almost silent. It is extremely versatile, which is the amps strongest quality. The cleans are modelled after the Peavey Classic 50, and are crystal clear. The clean channel also takes pedals extremely well. The Crunch channel is nice, but has a little bit too much gain for crunch. I was able to get a nice metallica tone on this channel, and also found that it has a fuller tone than the Ultra channel. With the 'fat' switch engaged, the tone gets a boost in bottom end, and also has the mids boosted. This causes the amp to take on a darker voicing, which is great for playing british rock, etc. The Ultra channel is pretty thin, which is great for shredding. It also has more gain than the Crunch channel. With the 'fat' switch engaged, the channel loses it's thin sound, and takes on more of a conventional lead tone. All in all, the sound of the JSX is great. // 10

Reliability & Durability: This amp is very dependable, and is well built. I'd deffinately trust it to gig with. // 9

Impression: The JSX makes a great first impression, and the good news is, that that impression lasts. It's great for almost any style of music (I play blues, metal, pregressive rock, classic rock, and virtuoso and it suites me great). If you're in the market for an all-tube half-stack, and you want something with great tone and a ton of versatility, then the JSX is deffineately worth a look. // 10

Reviewed by: unregistered, on june 23, 2005

Price paid: $ 899

Purchased from: American Music

Features: The Peavey JSX is a three channel chromed out 120 watt tube amp based on the XXX but built to the specifications of Joe Satriani. There are 4 EL34s and four 12AX7s. The clean, crunch and ultra channel can be controlled via a fairly easy footswitch, (a fourth button would have been nice for the crunch channel) and there is a fat switch for the two distortion channels and a noise gate. The amp has no reverb. // 8

Sound: I use a Fender Fat Strat and a Gibson MIII and am able to get everything here from nice rich bassy clean to over the edge modern distortion. Turning back the gain on the crunch channel makes for great blues guitar. I play the amp through a Marshall 1960A and it really is good sounding at all volumes. By the way channel volume can be set individualy with a master volume to control the global volume of all channels. // 10

Reliability & Durability: Reliability, this baby is a tank and heavy. No problems for hours on end and I never take a backup. The looks of it are also cool plenty of chrome with big red lights and big chrome knobs. Very retro looking. // 10

Impression: What would be on my wish list would be a nice spring reverb unit and a button for the ultra channel on the footswitch. The pedal has only three buttons one for effects loop, one for clean and one for dirty. The dirty button bounces between the crunch and ultra channels. It's ok and there are lights to clearly let you know what channel is active, but in a hurry you have to think for a moment and it would have been better to just make it dummy proof for a guy like me. Also, while at it. The perfect amp would have one more channel for blues. This way a guy like me who plays alot of covers would be able to go clean, classic rock, blues and modern edge distortion. Maybe I ask for to much. In the end it is a great amp and very very versitile while still being tube. Tube rules! I am for sure not sorry I bought it and would buy it again. // 8

Comments

[physalis]

i dunno could the red lights in the first review be the tubes?:

[wicked.wisdom]

lol

[wicked.wisdom]

:Oyou think

[JS5150]

The combo for this amp is incredible. If I only had $1600....

[ascendancy2]

bit of a dilemma.

this or the 6505?

[nitro_emil]

I have this amp, it's ****ing incredible!!

[RG_FANMAN]

the JSX is the best i've played

[-Rock-N'-Roll-]

RG_FANMAN wrote:

the JSX is the best i've played

lmao

[EveryLegend]

i want it soo bad

[colster6000]

im getting this amp next weekend, i can't wait!! Ive been trying out all the amps i could find over the last few weeks and the JSX has beaten them all in every way. Great clean tone, nice crunchy bluesy channel (not that i will really use it) and my favourite, the Ultra channel...best metal tone i have found of any amp so far! (Ive played all the major marshalls, 6505, mesa stiletto, a couple of engls). Three great channels, versatility and features to boot, awesome look, and reasonable price when compared to others of same level.

ascendancy2 wrote:

bit of a dilemma.

this or the 6505?

Dude i tried the 6505 before trying this and the JSX was way more impressive. The 6505 needs to be loud (and i mean LOUD!!!) before it starts to sound good (but does sound very nice once its up there) while the JSX sounds awesome at lower volumes and only gets better when u crank it up.

[SkateEmerica987]

ya i tryed this and the 6505 out at guitar center today, the jsx sounded incredible at a low volume, while the 6505 would barly distort at low. once i save enough im going to get the jsx combo.

[metal Lover]

Also, the JSX can sound different than other JSXs. I've tried one that could get very distorted on the crunch channel but mine sounds classic rock ACDC type distortion on the crunch channel. Make sure you play the exact amp before you buy it.

[metal_maniac#1]

yeah, im saving up for this head after the holidays, tried it at guitar center, and it sounds sick for the type of music i play.

[Dr. No]

I have the JSX and its great..but really it doesn't sound that great at low volumes to whoever said that above. When you crank it, that's when you get the great tone.

Also, I'm kinda bummed theres no reverb. The good thing is this amp takes effects very well.

[guitarinchris]

Like Dr. No said, it's gotta be cranked at least a little bit to get a real smooth distortion out of it. Low volumes are still good, but just not quite the same. Really, though, when you're in your bedroom or you can't turn up your amp, you need to just take that into consideration if your tone is off--it's like that for many amps.

If I could change one thing on this amp it would be to make the clean channel a bit brighter. However, I have found out that if you have a higher input level going in (say, use the high input or a clean boost pedal set to 4-5 dB) it comes through with a lot nicer of a punch

The Mids are fantastic on this amp, and to get satriani's sound you just need to keep a flat EQ and play with the gain.

The resonance/presence knobs are quite responsive.

All around great amp. Perfect for someone who's into an "articulate high gain" amp with a nice amount of chug on the thick strings. Very versatile. Does most styles justice.

The clean is also much better with effects. Slap some delay in there. Yum