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:	8.3
Sound:	9.3
Reliability:	10
Impression:	9.3
Overall rating:	9.2
Users rating:	7.7
Comments:	32

overall: 8.5

Featured review 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

overall: 10

Reviewed 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: 9.3

Reviewed by: gameguru007, on november 05, 2008

Price paid: $ 550

Purchased from: eBay

Features: I purchased this amp with Mesa 6L6s installed. 120 watts, 3 channels tube. Effects loop, switchable with included footswitch. It has a line out, but that's pretty much worthless. I gig regularly with the amp, and it has never let me down, and has never been too soft. I run this amp through a ValveKing 412 cab, and it's loud enough to break windows. I've actually done it and then I had to replace the windows haha it's loud enough. Needs a reverb unit, but I bolted one on, and it's great. // 8

Sound: I use a modded Dean From Hell, it has an original Floyd Rose, a Bill Lawrence L500XL, and a DiMarzio Super Distortion in the neck. I play everything from jazz to rock'n'roll to metal to death stuff. In short, this amp delivers. The Mesa tubes that were installed give the clean channel a pristine sparkly clean, and when cranked, a great Santana-esque tone. The crunch channel can get everything from blues to Lamb Of God stuff. The Ultra channel is just that. Ultra. Super hi gain, and wonderful thump and sound. It does every higain sound I need, and I have never needed to use a boost to get the buttery-smooth shredding tone. I love it, and I don't need any pedals anymore. It isn't noisy at all, at least with the Mesa tubes and my custom guitar // 10

Reliability & Durability: This thing has taken a stage dive from the top of a half-stack, and it stayed on and crunching. I messed up a tube from that 3-ft drop... but I have a Peavey center nearby, and they replaced the tubes for free. I would gig her without a backup, but that's just me. It's a Peavey... 'nuff said // 10

Impression: Perfect match to my playing style and guitar. I've been playing for 2 years, and I'm a metalhead to the core. it's perfect. If it was lost or stolen... I'd try to find another on eBay. She's kinda pricey new (1200), but it'd be worth it to me. // 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

[Astray57]

I currently own this head and i think it is amazing but im pushin it through a 300w fender bass cab...wut would u say is a good cab for this head? cuz i heard the peavy cab it comes with is kinda shitty...

[justinb904]

i want one sooooo bad, a friend of mine just offered me his for $600 but im currently jobless and low on the monies, aahhhh

[metal jello]

screamsoftly wrote:

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

Did you figure that out yourself?? retard

[b-rock34]

metal jello wrote:

screamsoftly wrote:

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


Did you figure that out yourself?? retard

Wow! That is pretty harsh! I guess you were the school-yard bully?

[schnibbel666]

engl powerball wins against this one.

[CapnKickass]

b-rock34 wrote:

metal jello wrote:

screamsoftly wrote:

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


Did you figure that out yourself?? retard

Wow! That is pretty harsh! I guess you were the school-yard bully?

lol probably. What a meanie.

schnibbel666 wrote:

engl powerball wins against this one.

lol also probably.

[Burnt Ice]

Last time I checked ENGL > Everything else.. so kind of defeats the purpose of bringing it up in the first place. Thats like saying Chris Broderick or Marty Friedman are better than us and always will be, so we may as well quit playing guitar.

[gameguru007]

lol of course an ENGL kills the Peavey.....

its also how many times as expensive?

It's like trying to compare a Lamborghini to a Mustang.....the Lamborghini will always win, and it will likely always be 10x as expensive.

You get what you pay for =)

[schnibbel666]

yeah i thought so too. but i decided to say it anyway ^^

and i think the xxx should be about 1000€, whereas the engl is at about 1500€. which makes latter a rather hi-mid-class head. i still consider them to be in the same league but that might be a mistake.

[jolleymuse]

Last time I checked ENGL > Everything else.. so kind of defeats the purpose of bringing it up in the first place. Thats like saying Chris Broderick or Marty Friedman are better than us and always will be, so we may as well quit playing guitar.

Diezel > ENGL
and the triple x is just trying to be a recto but it just isnt, not that it isnt a good amp, its just no mesa/boogie

[Viking_Swede666]

yeah, I own a Peavey Valveking atm, but look forward to getting an Engl SE or an Engl Powerball.

[Altoidwithmelon]

Haha I was trying to read this review at school and the school corp blocked it cuz it has xxx in it ..i was like WTF?!?!?!

[Holy-Diver]

jolleymuse wrote:

Last time I checked ENGL > Everything else.. so kind of defeats the purpose of bringing it up in the first place. Thats like saying Chris Broderick or Marty Friedman are better than us and always will be, so we may as well quit playing guitar.

Diezel > ENGL
and the triple x is just trying to be a recto but it just isnt, not that it isnt a good amp, its just no mesa/boogie

hahaha
no
rectos fail

[johnsmith175]

SMK626 is a retard,,, you dont post a review on the day u get the amp, thts just ridiculous

[shredrick]

Let me say that I own this amp and to the guy with the DSL. The X can do classic rock just fine all you have to do is turn the gain down. We do so many classic covers and this is the amp that I chose, and it delivers flawlessly. And to the guy with the 6505 for some reason that head sounded like a fart trying to squeeze out of a speaker cabinet. I mean no matter what you do to the eq on that amp it always sounds like it's missing the midrange.

[shredrick]

And one more thing, before I was using this I was using a TSL head and the peavey just sounds better and more articulate. And of course peavey's are very reliable which is another reason to choose peavey over marshall or boogie. The thing about the 6505 it was supposed to be the EVH signature sound, not even close lol. I had a chance to hear the new EVH 3 fender amp and it nailed it to the tone. But the 3rd channel on that amp sounded like the peavey 6505 high gain channel