Triple XXX Head Review

An amp not for the faint of heart, it comes loaded with practical features such as a high-gain input and paralleled speaker outputs. Utilizes four 12AX7 preamp tubes and four 6L6GC power amp tubes.

Features:	8.5
Sound:	9
Reliability:	10
Impression:	9.5
Overall rating:	9.3
Users rating:	8.7
Comments:	16

overall: 10

Featured review by: MadMudgeN, on january 07, 2008

Price paid: $ 800

Features: This amp is pretty awesome. I just got this today, the amp and matching cab that was the new model in 2003, but for 800 bucks on a stack that looks practically new, I felt that was a steal. There are 3 channels: 2 Distortion(Ultra and Crunch), each with there own 3 band EQ (dubbed "bottom", "body", and "hair" for lo-med-hi), gain, and volume, then a clean channel with bass-mid-treble and volume controls. Then there's a master volume knob and a channel selector, and on the back there's an effects loop complete with send and return signal level control. It has no effects on it, but it does have a damping Switch to control resonance and reverb. It came with it's matching footswitch, which allows channel select between all 3 channels and a bypass on the effects loop. It's also got a line out control, so that could be used as a headphone jack since it's also got it's own volume control. // 10

Sound: I'm currently playing a Washburn WI66 Pro with Seymour Duncan 59/57s (I think, I dunno check their webpage) through this beast, and let me say, it does not screw around. The distortion on the Ultra channel can vary from a cleaner, solo-esque lead guitar sound to an absolutely brutal metal tone if you crank the gain. It's fantastic sounding and easy to coax different tones out of for the proper feel. The crunch channel is alright, but it's a muddier, rhythm style distortion. The clean channel actually sounds better at high volumes than low ones. This amp can really run the gamut in almost any style. I play Hardcore to Metal to Indie to Classic rock and I can get most of the tones I want out of this, but the classic rock tone is a bit harder to get with this one, though you can suffice, I promise. In fact, the only thing I can dock this amp on is that it breaks up a little at really low volumes, but what can you expect when you buy an amp that's loud enough to power a venue. And plus, I would seriously recommend this to anyone Who likes distortion, because I can't get enough of the Ultra channel. It's distortion is simply amazing. // 10

Reliability & Durability: This thing is a friggin tank. It's also really easy to move around, because most of the weight is in the head and the cab has wheels so you really only need one person unless you have to battle some stairs. I would definitely gig without a backup, but being a tube amp, I might consider taking extra tubes on the road for an extended tour. // 10

Impression: I've been playing nearly 4 years now and I play lots of different styles, but it can match pretty much anything I want it to. This blows away my AD30VT in tone, but then again, it's a hell of a lot louder too. In fact, I have yet to go past about 3 on the Master volume because this thing is powerful, but soon I'll gig with it and perhaps post an update comment. If it were stolen, I would totally go annihilate whoever stole it, and buy a new one if I had the money. I think it's overall a very solid amp for anyone looking to upgrade to a gig amp. However, I'd recommend trying to find one used in good condition, because if you're gunna pay the new price, you might as well get a Marshall or a boogie or something, but I think this definitely contends with all other name brands. Great amp. // 10

overall: 8.5

Reviewed by: SMK626, on march 22, 2007

Purchased from: Sam Ash

Features: This amp is a pretty great amp. I'm mostly a metal player so this fed my needs very well. It has 3 channels; clean, which is a very warm clear clean which actually does sound really nice and smooth, crunch, which if you do try on this one, you can pull out a more 6505 sound to it, and well, the name describes the gain, crunchy, and last of all, ultra, which is a very clear high gain distortion. These are all great features but feels a bit overpriced. It's great tone but your paying for as much as the JSX and they both sound simular but the JSX has more features dispite the small price difference. // 7

Sound: I played this with a ESP EC-1000 with EMG pickups. The combination suited my tone extremely well. It was easy for me to tune in my own settings and tone into this amp. Along with my style of music, it perfectly fit in and beat most of the other amps I have played. It can be noisy if you blast the gain though. I suggest putting the gain up only half way because even then it's a good amount of gain. The bad thing is the amp isint too versitle. It would work good for any kind of metal, rock, alternative, progressive and etc. but isint able to reach some more Vintage classic rock tones or blues tones. It seems to made direct for the metal audience, if so, they did a damn good job there. The clean channel actually sounds better in high volumes (sounds more warm and slightly less distorted). The Distortion is everything you can dream of when it comes to wanting a heavy clear high gain amp. // 8

Reliability & Durability: I have used this amp for everything so far. I really do love it. It is extremely durable. It has had it's fair share of amps bumps and bangs and still works as if new. it's very durable, and seems to never give out. I've never had to have it repaired once. Considering it's a tube amp, you will have to change the tubes once in a very long while but other then that, flawless. // 10

Impression: For my style of music, It is a perfect match. I just wish it gave you the little features the JSX has. The price difference for them is very little. If this were stolen, I swear I would do some crazy DNA crap, and track the ****er down Who stole it, and do thing too graphic to post on this review, I love my amp, and It does me well. It gives me nice warm cleans as well as heavy clear distortion with a nice big bite. I compared this to a few amps, like the JCM2000, and the Triple blew it away. In the end, It just leaves you hanging on features, yet gives you a mind blowing awesome sound (If you want a metal/rock tone) and durablity. // 9

Comments

[High_o]

you seem to favour the JSX over this (due to the features). would you buy a JSX if this was stolen/lost/etc.?

[screamsoftly]

Ah, so much innuendo in the name of this amp.

[Ibzman]

I like my 6505 better

[AGL23]

Why did you not put the price on? I don't understand why you wouldn't do that???

[nickmarshall69]

yeh i want one of these.

does anyone know how much they are in australia?

[DaBlackE]

AGL23 wrote:

Why did you not put the price on? I don't understand why you wouldn't do that???

It costs $1199 new

[SMK626]

High_o wrote:

you seem to favour the JSX over this (due to the features). would you buy a JSX if this was stolen/lost/etc.?

well i do sort of favor the JSX a bit more but i've become too accustom to my Triple XXX more and favor the tone difference to this.

[SMK626]

AGL23 wrote:

Why did you not put the price on? I don't understand why you wouldn't do that???

sorry for not puting the price, i resubmitted this 3 times due to getting the model name wrong -_- (i didn't know i was supose to put "Head") and i never noticed it took off the model price

[chantryguitar]

An Amazing Amp!!! A great performers amp in my opinion.

www.myspace.com/chantryrock

[MadMudgeN]

I thought of one thing I do wish it had, and that is a Wattage output control in the back. Vox does that and it's nice to be able to play at max volume just for tone, but oh well. This amp is a great buy anyway.

[astateofmind834]

actually i got mine yesterday they have a great sound and i got mine for 600 new because my local sotre was goin out of buisness and it wasnt a chin store(last day). I feel like i got a steal becasue this amp is great, but it could just be me because i got it for half price new.

[delzoppo]

this thing is amazing! i just got it today, at the store it was plugged into a crate, and it sounded godly through that. im going to get the xxx cabinet latter this week

[metal jello]

Should I get this, the JSX head, the Valveking head, or the XXL? I HAVE TO KNOW!!!!!

[metal jello]

If it helps any, I play kinda thrashy 80's metal and classic rock. I also do a lot of slightly distorted fingerstyle ballads and such.....

[bite_the_bullet]

The XXX isn't clear enough for my taste, especially compared to my JCM2000 TSL. I had to crank the treble (called "hair" on this amp, god knows why) and completely drop all the mids to get an even slightly useable tone, even with my emg's. If you have the cash to buy this amp new, go for the JSX or a 6505+ if you don't need a clean channel (although I know there are mods you can get to improve the second channel on 6505s/5150s).

[twirly boggs]

this amp will do classic rock
secret:
master on 10 & channel vol on 5-7
gain on about 2-3
ROLLBACK YOUR guitar vol between 4-7
and try playing with pickup selector ( i found selected to middle works for me - beefs up tone a bit)
guitar vol 4 will do great blues
guitar vol 5&6 good rock n roll
guitar vol 7 classic rock