Jet City JCA20H Owners Thread

[guitarmadman85]

I decided it would be sweet to start a Jet City JCA20H owners thread. There is a similar thread on Harmony Central, but it is more focused on mods.

I have re-tubed with JJ Tubes from eurotubes. I have a balanced 12AX7 in the V3 position, and a matched pair of EL84s. I also purchased a bias probe from eurotubes, and biased it up to 70%.

The tubes and the bias took a really good sounding amp and made it great. The gain is much more focused, and less muddy in the lower range. It really helped to smooth out the highs too. Everything is much more clear, in a good way. I can crank the gain up to 9, and it still sounds great and holds together well. The bias really helped the responsiveness of the amp, and made everything smoother. Biasing it up really helped it sound better at lower volume too. Before I was never really happy with high gain sounds at home, but now it plays much better and I am much happier.

Next order of business if to buy a new metal front baffle for the head, and a black baffle for the matching cab, and then a weber mini mass attenuator.

 

[bcdon]

About how much did all those mods run you? How long did it take to complete? Thanks!

 

[guitarmadman85]

I ordered the JJ tubes from eurotubes. For 3 12AX7s, one of those balanced for the phase splitter, and 2 matched EL84s it was $50.00.

I also ordered the bias probe from eurotubes, but it is actually made by Weber. It ran me about $50.00 as well. I already had a volt meter that would work with the probe.

I haven't bought the baffles yet. They are on sale from Jet City. They have a store on their website where you can pre-order them, but they won't be in until sometime is August. The black metal baffle for the JCA20H runs about $15.00, and the black tolex baffle for the cab runs $10.00 I believe.

The tube change and the bias didn't take more than about a half hour to an hour. I spent quite a bit more time than that researching everything.

The attenuator is separate, but Weber makes some of the best sounding in the business, and by far the most affordable. I have owned their mini mass before and loved it, it just wasn't rated at enough power to handle the amp.

 

[marnold]

I've been on vacation since the 4th so I didn't see this thread until now. I really like my Jet City. I've toyed with the idea of retubing it but I think I'm going to hold off for a while. I want to get a metal baffle for the front those so I can see the tubes glowing. Gotta love the blinkenlights!

 

[marnold]

By the by, the Jet City store is open. They offer replacement baffles, covers, and now "JetPacks" which is the JCA20H head with different tubes, mods, etc. I don't know that the mods are necessarily worth the extra that it costs, but it's nice that it's available anyway.

 

[marnold]

Next order of business if to buy a new metal front baffle for the head, and a black baffle for the matching cab, and then a weber mini mass attenuator.

Well, I just ordered the metal baffle for my JCA20H. I debated about the black baffle for the cab, but I thought that the blue thing makes it look unique. I mainly want the metal baffle so I can see the tubes a-glowin'. Free shipping, even!

 

[hooch1]

I bought the combo (JCA2112RC).

So far I really like it. I first bought a Peavey Classic 30 since it is very highly recommended but I just wasn't feeling the tone. Not a bad tone, just not sure if its for me. I was going to get a Tweaker until I saw these on sale and the coupons brought it down under $300 so I jumped on it.

So is JJ the recommended preamp tube type? I currently have a Tung-Sol, standard Solvtek and a Solvtek LPS (PI position) that I was going to put in the C30.

 

[marnold]

So is JJ the recommended preamp tube type? I currently have a Tung-Sol, standard Solvtek and a Solvtek LPS (PI position) that I was going to put in the C30.

Hi Hooch! Welcome to The Fret. I've heard a number of people recommend JJs for these amps. You might want to check the discussions on Jet City's Facebook page.

How do you like the reverb? I sometimes wish that the head had it.

 

[guitarmadman85]

I know that when you buy the "Jet Pack" JCA20H, with the improved "tube cocktail," they give you sovtek preamp tubes and JJ power tubes. I have never used sovteks, but I would be interested in seeing how they affect the sound. I really feel like the JJ power tubes, biased at 70%, helped the amp the most. It just sings now. I am going to be getting a metal baffle for the head as well. I'm just waiting to make sure everything works out to pay for school in a couple weeks. I have also debated on the black baffle for the cab.... I'm still undecided though.

 

[hooch1]

Hi Hooch! Welcome to The Fret. I've heard a number of people recommend JJs for these amps. You might want to check the discussions on Jet City's Facebook page.

How do you like the reverb? I sometimes wish that the head had it.

Actually, I think the tube reverb is really good. I don't have a lot of experience here but I like it better than the Classic 30's reverb.

 

[marnold]

Not for nothin' but I noticed that Musician's Friend has the JCA20H and the JCA2112RC combos on sale with free shipping. Basically it makes them the same price they were originally selling for before the ~10% price increases went into effect a while back.

Head: http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/...on-JCA20H-20W-Tube-Guitar-Amp-Head?sku=583597
Combo: http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/...CA2112RC-20W-Tube-Guitar-Combo-Amp?sku=583601

Their 1x12" and 2x12" cabs are also on sale.

As an aside, there is a review from a "Woody" on there for the JCA20H. I couldn't disagree more with him, although everyone is entitled to their opinion. Some Jet City owners have commented that these amps seem to "like" humbuckers more than single coils. I personally like humbuckers more than single coils, but the amp itself seemed to sound just fine with my old Squier '51 and its nondescript pickups.

 

[hooch1]

Not for nothin' but I noticed that Musician's Friend has the JCA20H and the JCA2112RC combos on sale with free shipping. Basically it makes them the same price they were originally selling for before the ~10% price increases went into effect a while back.

Head: http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/...on-JCA20H-20W-Tube-Guitar-Amp-Head?sku=583597
Combo: http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/...CA2112RC-20W-Tube-Guitar-Combo-Amp?sku=583601

Their 1x12" and 2x12" cabs are also on sale.

As an aside, there is a review from a "Woody" on there for the JCA20H. I couldn't disagree more with him, although everyone is entitled to their opinion. Some Jet City owners have commented that these amps seem to "like" humbuckers more than single coils. I personally like humbuckers more than single coils, but the amp itself seemed to sound just fine with my old Squier '51 and its nondescript pickups.

Well I agree with you but I think part of the problem is the owners manual which recommends humbuckers. They probably should not have done that.

 

[marnold]

My metal baffle came in! The original blue one was in there VERY tightly, but it eventually came out. Here's a few pics:
With flash in the light:

Sans flash in the dark (You can make out the EL84s very clearly, it's a bit harder to see the 12AX7s. Two are on the left and one is between the EL84s.):

New family photo:

 

[Kazz]

Rev I would say the metal grill is a major improvement on the looks of that amph. It looks like a serious rocker now. Can't say I cared much for the blue front on it before.

 

[marnold]

Rev I would say the metal grill is a major improvement on the looks of that amph. It looks like a serious rocker now. Can't say I cared much for the blue front on it before.

The blue never bothered me and, after all, the tone's the thing (to paraphrase Shakespeare). But the black metal grill is definitely metal, figuratively and literally. And I can see my tubes doing their thang! Now looking at the pic, a black baffle for the cab probably would match better. Not a biggie. My guess is that they'll still take my money at a later date

I emailed them about this and got a reply within 24 hours again. I've been really happy with the service I've gotten from them.

 

[marnold]

I thought this might interest some metalheads on here. Someone posted this on Jet City's Facebook page. The guitar has an EMG-89, the signal goes into a TS-808 clone with the level dimed. It then goes into a JCA20H and JCA12S cab. Pretty doggone heavy.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1809705/JCA20HRoseOfSharyn.mp3

 

[Perfect Stranger]

I have the JCA-2112RC combo. The only thing I've done to it is change out all the knobs on it for chickenhead knobs in different colors.
I have a red one for PreAmp/Gain, blue for Master, and black for all the rest. The reason for this change is it pretty much let's me change
the settings for individual knobs without looking directly down at the knobs. I can tell by feel. The colors are more for preference. I'll probably
get around to changing out the tubes for JJ's from Eurotubes.

 

[marnold]

Sweet, PS! How long have you had it?

I'd be interested in your thoughts on the tube change when the time comes.

 

[Perfect Stranger]

I've had the combo for a little over 2 months now. Am loving it so far.

 

[marnold]

American Musical has the combo for $299 now--and they ship to Canadia!

http://www.americanmusical.com/Item--i-JET-JCA2112RC-LIST

 

[bcdon]

I have a major GAS attack coming on so am thinking about selling my Jet City 20 Head + Jet City CAB. I bought it last year and it has very few miles on it (less than 20 hours). Any body interested? It would be a fair price for fellow fretters.

Cheers,

don

 

[Eric]

I have a major GAS attack coming on so am thinking about selling my Jet City 20 Head + Jet City CAB. I bought it last year and it has very few miles on it (less than 20 hours). Any body interested? It would be a fair price for fellow fretters.

Cheers,

don

My bank account says no, but I'll bite anyway. What's a fair price?

More importantly, what's your GAS attack?

 

[bcdon]

My bank account says no, but I'll bite anyway. What's a fair price?

More importantly, what's your GAS attack?

Glad you asked. I bought it last Christmas for $500 and some change, is $300 + shipping fair?

EDIT: Since I know you are a frugal man, Eric, how about $250 + shipping for you. :dude

 

[Eric]

Glad you asked. I bought it last Christmas for $500 and some change, is $300 + shipping fair?

EDIT: Since I know you are a frugal man, Eric, how about $250 + shipping for you. :dude

Geez, that's an awesome price. I'll give it some thought.

 

[bcdon]

Geez, that's an awesome price. I'll give it some thought.

Take your time.. you get first dibs.

 

[ZMAN]

I just saw the head alone up here on a used board for 430 Firm. So that IS a decent price.
I just bought a super Champ XD or I would be next in line.

 

[Eric]

Take your time.. you get first dibs.

I thought about it and I'm going to pass. I do appreciate the excellent offer, but I'd probably have to ditch something if I bought that amp, and I don't think that would help me right now.

Good luck with the sale!

 

[marnold]

I just saw the head alone up here on a used board for 430 Firm. So that IS a decent price.
I just bought a super Champ XD or I would be next in line.

$430?!? Brand spankin' new ones are $299!

 

[bcdon]

I thought about it and I'm going to pass. I do appreciate the excellent offer, but I'd probably have to ditch something if I bought that amp, and I don't think that would help me right now.

Good luck with the sale!

No worries. I'm still going to blow some money (tomorrow, if I'm lucky) on something I don't need but really, really want. I'll post a thread if I end up caving into GAS. Good thing the wife is out of town. ;-)

 

[bcdon]

I just saw the head alone up here on a used board for 430 Firm. So that IS a decent price.
I just bought a super Champ XD or I would be next in line.

Hey ZMAN, I'm up here in the Great White North too, so shipping would be much easier to you. ;-)