SickBoy, I tried it in the store. Had it pretty damn loud too. It sounded really close to a Recto in a lot of ways. In other words, all the fundamentals of the Recto tone are there, and then of course since it's not actually a Recto, it had it's own little things here and there. It sounds like a typical metal amp, nothing to "brag" about, but if you want Recto sound at a $600 off (or more) price tag, the Thermion is a great steal.
It's true though, for the same price (nearly), the JSX is basically a XXX...which was little spin-off of the 5150...and it sounds fucking amazing. A 6505/+ would be probably the best bet, but if you already have a 5150, like myself, then you don't need another one, heh. I really like the JSX because of the EL34's, it's got a different taste of tone to it, but the basics of the 5150 that I really have always died for are there. The smooth distortion, signature 5150 type tone, but with a little twist on it. Those EL34's are really great for cutting through with just that little extra "oomph" you need, especially if you switch over to the Ultra channel to do some leads and you guys have a loud drummer/2nd guitarist/whatever. If you thought you could cut through with a 5150...wait until you try the JSX,
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It also seems to have a bit more range on the EQ section compared to a 5150. That might be because it is active, but who knows. Just that little adjustment from 3 to 3.5 on any of the EQ knobs makes a very noticeable difference. I would have to go from 3 to 5 on my 5150 to notice it as much as I do on the JSX. I like the sturdiness of this amp as well, even though I know my 5150 is a fucking tank, the JSX feels more like a tank. With the metal dome knobs instead of the plastic chicken head ones, and it being a bit heavier in weight compared to the 5150 head, it just makes you feel assured in a way. Don't get me wrong, I know it would take a head on hit from a speeding freight train to take out my 5150, but the JSX just has that extra "oomph" in this category as well.
In the end, I feel as though the JSX really is everything the 5150 is, with a few extra things here and there and a lot of nice touches. At the same price...I really don't see why someone shouldn't just get the JSX instead. Who cares who's name is on it? If it sounds good, then fuck it man. I've heard so many people gripe "I hate signature equipment", but when this head is just as good as the 5150 but has all the bells and whistles, I'll be glad to have my JSX when my friend is gleaming at me with jealousy, he can have his generic Marshall JCM that everyone and their dog uses.
~006
It's true though, for the same price (nearly), the JSX is basically a XXX...which was little spin-off of the 5150...and it sounds fucking amazing. A 6505/+ would be probably the best bet, but if you already have a 5150, like myself, then you don't need another one, heh. I really like the JSX because of the EL34's, it's got a different taste of tone to it, but the basics of the 5150 that I really have always died for are there. The smooth distortion, signature 5150 type tone, but with a little twist on it. Those EL34's are really great for cutting through with just that little extra "oomph" you need, especially if you switch over to the Ultra channel to do some leads and you guys have a loud drummer/2nd guitarist/whatever. If you thought you could cut through with a 5150...wait until you try the JSX,
. It also seems to have a bit more range on the EQ section compared to a 5150. That might be because it is active, but who knows. Just that little adjustment from 3 to 3.5 on any of the EQ knobs makes a very noticeable difference. I would have to go from 3 to 5 on my 5150 to notice it as much as I do on the JSX. I like the sturdiness of this amp as well, even though I know my 5150 is a fucking tank, the JSX feels more like a tank. With the metal dome knobs instead of the plastic chicken head ones, and it being a bit heavier in weight compared to the 5150 head, it just makes you feel assured in a way. Don't get me wrong, I know it would take a head on hit from a speeding freight train to take out my 5150, but the JSX just has that extra "oomph" in this category as well.
In the end, I feel as though the JSX really is everything the 5150 is, with a few extra things here and there and a lot of nice touches. At the same price...I really don't see why someone shouldn't just get the JSX instead. Who cares who's name is on it? If it sounds good, then fuck it man. I've heard so many people gripe "I hate signature equipment", but when this head is just as good as the 5150 but has all the bells and whistles, I'll be glad to have my JSX when my friend is gleaming at me with jealousy, he can have his generic Marshall JCM that everyone and their dog uses.
~006
wasn't the 5150 kind of a signiture amp itself?
