Guitar Amp Board

Same club, new crib. With the blessing of our illustrious host and founder of the original Jet Setters, Mr Billy, I'm currently pulling content from the old site and will post any informative / relevant stuff I can find, including setups, effects loop compatibility, modifications, resources, and whatever else looks and sounds good. I'm not claiming to be the foremost expert on these amps, but I've got a good enough grasp on what works and what doesn't, and am hoping that those of you that are (or were) using Jet City equipment will pipe in with your own expertise and insight to build a strong community here.

To (re)join the group, please let us know who you are and insert a link to this thread in your signature, as follows:

Jet Setters 2.0 (Jet ★ City Lounge Redux)

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You can call me Steve - proud member of the Jet Setters 2.0 (Jet ★ City Lounge Redux)

Guitars: SG Std, Carvin DC135
Amps: JCA50H, 4x12, homebrew 2x12 (C90 / EVM12L Thiele), '73 Fender Pro Reverb
Pedals: Crybaby, Bad Monkey, Joyo UD, Small Clone, TC Flashback, MXR Micro Amp, MXR 108 EQ, homebrew Looper
Out of Commission: Rat, TC BLD, DOD 250

MUROFNIKUFESIN

The following list of effects found to be compatible with the JCA effects loop was compiled by GuitarBilly74. I'll continue to update / modify the list as needed.

Modulation:
Eventide Mod Factor
Eventide Pitch Factor
TC Nova Modulator
TC Vortex Flanger
TC Shaker Vibrato
TC Corona Chorus
TC SCF Stereo Chorus Flanger

Delay:
Hardwire Delay
TC Nova Delay
TC Nova Repeater Delay
TC Flashback
Boss DD-20
Tech 21 D.L.A/boost
Eventide Time Factor

Reverb:
Hardwire Reverb
TC Hall of Fame Reverb
Blue Sky Reverb
TC Nova Reverb
Eventide Space
Tech 21 RVB

Floor Multi effects:
TC Nova System
Line 6 M9
Boss GT8
Zoom G3
Vox Tonelab LE (thanks, Promit)

Volume Pedals:
EB VP Jr (for passive pickups)
Boss FV300L

EQ:
MXR 10-band
Boss GE-7

Loop Level Stuff:
Ebtech Line Level Shifter (streets for $75.99, according to racerevelon)

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You can call me Steve - proud member of the Jet Setters 2.0 (Jet ★ City Lounge Redux)

Guitars: SG Std, Carvin DC135
Amps: JCA50H, 4x12, homebrew 2x12 (C90 / EVM12L Thiele), '73 Fender Pro Reverb
Pedals: Crybaby, Bad Monkey, Joyo UD, Small Clone, TC Flashback, MXR Micro Amp, MXR 108 EQ, homebrew Looper
Out of Commission: Rat, TC BLD, DOD 250

MUROFNIKUFESIN

Here's some useful JCA-related materials, threads, sites, etc. Please feel free to let me know about others and I'll put them here.

HCAF Threads ...and don't be flamin' me about these. Until I can get time to copy / summarize some of the better ones, there's still some killer info over there

• Old Jet City Lounge - the original started by Billy, before he strayed
• Pedal List for JCA Loop - lots of information, including some that won't work - most of the working stuff is summarized above
• Biasing the 50H - make sure you read and understand how to discharge your caps before you even think about opening the chassis!
• Mods for the 20 - Edge11's mod thread for the 20 head and combo - excellent technical resources and discussions
• Mods for 50/100/22 - Edge11's technical resources and discussions for the multi-channel series' with much recent activity on the 22h
• Alternative channel switching
• KT66 Tubes in JCA50 - Although KT66's are intended to be a drop-in replacement for the 6L6, there is some concern that the stock PT may not be able to supply the additional current required by the bigger tube. There is considerable discussion about PT and OT upgrades starting on page 4 of this thread.

Reference and Modifications Threads We've begun creating new threads for each mod, to keep things clean - if you have a mod to post, please put start it in the DIY area and let me know about it in this thread so I can reference it here.

• JCA50H Documentation
• JCA100H Documentation
• Channel Switch and Jack mod

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You can call me Steve - proud member of the Jet Setters 2.0 (Jet ★ City Lounge Redux)

Guitars: SG Std, Carvin DC135
Amps: JCA50H, 4x12, homebrew 2x12 (C90 / EVM12L Thiele), '73 Fender Pro Reverb
Pedals: Crybaby, Bad Monkey, Joyo UD, Small Clone, TC Flashback, MXR Micro Amp, MXR 108 EQ, homebrew Looper
Out of Commission: Rat, TC BLD, DOD 250

MUROFNIKUFESIN

I'm in! Going on 2 1/2 years with the JCA 100H and I still love it

I'm currently running it on the normal channel with the gain a little past noon and boosting it with a Fulltone OCD. Alot of punch, clarity, and twang running it this way with my Fender guitars. Cut's through the mix like a machete.

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(Formerly known as FuelGTRX)

Jet Setters 2.0 (Jet ★ City Lounge Redux)

PREVIOUS BAND:
http://www.facebook.com/themedicineyears
https://soundcloud.com/themedicineyears

Here's my JCA50H, with a couple mods - custom panel (built-up frame around expanded metal grille with velcro hold-downs), front-panel depth control, clean and scoop switches (thanks Edge11!). Finished the look with chicken heads. I really like both channels, and recently got into boosting the lo-gain channel with my new Bad Monkey. Good stuff! I generally keep the gain to 3 (give or take) on the OD channel - I think I need to lower my pickups, 'cause it's gainy as hell. Love the tone, though - running mids and bass pretty high and dropping the treble and presence to tame some of the brightness of the amp. Also retubed and biased with all JJs from Eurotubes.

Speaker cabs are a <ahem> Line6 4x12 that (to me) doesn't sound too bad, although I'm really after a Randall XL with V30s. Also have a 2x12 that I built up from scratch using speakers from my old Boogie vertical half-back. I divided the cab in two - a partially open section for the C90 and a Thiele side built to TL806 specs.

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You can call me Steve - proud member of the Jet Setters 2.0 (Jet ★ City Lounge Redux)

Guitars: SG Std, Carvin DC135
Amps: JCA50H, 4x12, homebrew 2x12 (C90 / EVM12L Thiele), '73 Fender Pro Reverb
Pedals: Crybaby, Bad Monkey, Joyo UD, Small Clone, TC Flashback, MXR Micro Amp, MXR 108 EQ, homebrew Looper
Out of Commission: Rat, TC BLD, DOD 250

MUROFNIKUFESIN

Welcome! I really like the tone on your SoundCloud songs - were they recorded on your JCA?

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You can call me Steve - proud member of the Jet Setters 2.0 (Jet ★ City Lounge Redux)

Guitars: SG Std, Carvin DC135
Amps: JCA50H, 4x12, homebrew 2x12 (C90 / EVM12L Thiele), '73 Fender Pro Reverb
Pedals: Crybaby, Bad Monkey, Joyo UD, Small Clone, TC Flashback, MXR Micro Amp, MXR 108 EQ, homebrew Looper
Out of Commission: Rat, TC BLD, DOD 250

MUROFNIKUFESIN

I'm in !!! Just got a 22h. Ready to rock it !!!!

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"Madison Square Basement !!!!"

I'm in! I started with a JCA20h and JCA12 cab. Last year I pulled some strings (I don't work for JCA but dud write the user manuals) and scored a JCA22H that Mike Soldano modded so that the Crunch channel is a true clean channel. Also switched to chickenhead knobs. I loves it so!

Welcome! I was really in a quandary about the 22h, which was announced, but not quite available in the summer of 2011, which is when I had cash in hand and lack of patience. Ended up getting the 50 and have been really happy, but the form factor of the 22h was what I really wanted at the time.

I'm curious -have either of you done a comparison of the 22 to the 50 or 100? Does the el84 make a big tonal difference to the 6l6 design?

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You can call me Steve - proud member of the Jet Setters 2.0 (Jet ★ City Lounge Redux)

Guitars: SG Std, Carvin DC135
Amps: JCA50H, 4x12, homebrew 2x12 (C90 / EVM12L Thiele), '73 Fender Pro Reverb
Pedals: Crybaby, Bad Monkey, Joyo UD, Small Clone, TC Flashback, MXR Micro Amp, MXR 108 EQ, homebrew Looper
Out of Commission: Rat, TC BLD, DOD 250

MUROFNIKUFESIN

Yeah, the power tubes make a difference but mostly at higher volumes. I actually prefer el84s so I am quite happy.

I have a BFG modded JCA22.

And it rocks.

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Pete

The BFG mod looks and sounds amazing from the vids I have seen, I would probably do the Double Deuce mod.
Mine is stock, I can see a separate BFG modded one in the future, I just can't bear to mess with the one I have, it sounds great as is.

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Gibson Les Paul R7
Gibson Les Paul Traditional Plus Blue
Gibson Les Paul Traditional Pro Goldtop
Egnater Tweaker 40
Jet City JCA22H

I'm in. Here's mah rig, a 100H with a Depth mod on the front. I was Blakkwater back on HCAF btw.

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My Music

Fender MIJ '62RI strat: Rose BuffBeauty/Robusta/Robusta | Jolly Roger Cutlasscaster: CC/Little'59 | Epi G400: '59A8/'59A4 | CTN Polaris: JB8/Hot Rails(b) parallel
CTN Exploder 880 bass
Boss GE7 (monte allums mod) & NS2, Crybaby, OCD, Pitchblack, Nova Repeater
H&K Tubemeister 18 | CABLESS!
Persian Rug

Rockin' a JCA22H, bros!

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Jet Setters 2.0 (Jet ★ City Lounge Redux)

HCAF Expatriate

So the LED pilot light on my JCA100H is dying/dead.


I want to replace it with a normal bulb-based amp light like the fender lights for example. Anyone here know if it;s more or less a direct swap or do I need to do any other mods?

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My Music

Fender MIJ '62RI strat: Rose BuffBeauty/Robusta/Robusta | Jolly Roger Cutlasscaster: CC/Little'59 | Epi G400: '59A8/'59A4 | CTN Polaris: JB8/Hot Rails(b) parallel
CTN Exploder 880 bass
Boss GE7 (monte allums mod) & NS2, Crybaby, OCD, Pitchblack, Nova Repeater
H&K Tubemeister 18 | CABLESS!
Persian Rug

Don't know how easy the swap is but I do know that JCA will send a new one for free.

That is sexy!

thanks mang! I really dig the new look too.

Also as far as the pilot light, I'm kinda tired of the blue. I want to change it to a yellow/orange light instead. I think when I next bias my amp I'll check the voltage at the pilot light and see if I can just use a standard bulb assembly instead.

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My Music

Fender MIJ '62RI strat: Rose BuffBeauty/Robusta/Robusta | Jolly Roger Cutlasscaster: CC/Little'59 | Epi G400: '59A8/'59A4 | CTN Polaris: JB8/Hot Rails(b) parallel
CTN Exploder 880 bass
Boss GE7 (monte allums mod) & NS2, Crybaby, OCD, Pitchblack, Nova Repeater
H&K Tubemeister 18 | CABLESS!
Persian Rug

My parts on those tracks were done on the overdrive channel on my JAC100h into my Mojo 4x12 loaded with Greenbacks. The other guitar player was running through the green channel on a Marshall DSL100 halfstack. He played lead on "Not Quite Home" and I played lead on "Joyride".

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(Formerly known as FuelGTRX)

Jet Setters 2.0 (Jet ★ City Lounge Redux)

PREVIOUS BAND:
http://www.facebook.com/themedicineyears
https://soundcloud.com/themedicineyears

In. Hmmm mayhaps I should go crank mine tonight.

Why not just do the loop mod to the 50H and 100H so all pedals work? Just a resistor and cap addition! Just put a 860r-1k resistor in // to the 2k2 in R25 and a 4u7 cap in // to the 2k2 in R21. The cap and the 1k over R25 should be about 0dbv level or the 860r over R25 should be about -4dbv. Makes the amp a little stiffer/clearer, but the difference may never be noticed. I did the change to my SLO Clone.

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Les Paul Custom
20w SLO (build in progress)
Greenbacks
Blackbacks
Assorted pedals

I did the loop mod and did not like the tone at all, it takes off a lot of the organic feel of the amp. I spoke with Mike Soldano about it and he also advises against it.

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Rig:

Guitars:Gibson Les Paul Signature T, Hamer Studio with EMGs, Strat partscaster

Amp: Marshall DSL100 / Randall 4x12 XL w/ K85s

Effects: Boss TU-2, Morley Bad Horsie, Boss SD-1, Boss CE-5, TC Nova Delay

Like my band on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/thefew1

Hey, be sure to add the Zoom G3 to "works in the loop." Love mine!!!

The 22H has a good loop design, though. Too bad the bigger guys didn't get it. Oh well, at least you found a whole bunch of pedals that get along with the loop. I didn't mind the difference in tone/feel with my Clone. I had changed a lot of that one, anyway. Was more like a Bogner XTC when I was done with it.

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Les Paul Custom
20w SLO (build in progress)
Greenbacks
Blackbacks
Assorted pedals

Got it!

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You can call me Steve - proud member of the Jet Setters 2.0 (Jet ★ City Lounge Redux)

Guitars: SG Std, Carvin DC135
Amps: JCA50H, 4x12, homebrew 2x12 (C90 / EVM12L Thiele), '73 Fender Pro Reverb
Pedals: Crybaby, Bad Monkey, Joyo UD, Small Clone, TC Flashback, MXR Micro Amp, MXR 108 EQ, homebrew Looper
Out of Commission: Rat, TC BLD, DOD 250

MUROFNIKUFESIN

This is good to know - was wondering why something like this wasn't feasible.

Billy - I asked you a while back about the Alesis Quadraverb. Did you state it was compatible, and was there something special you advised I do about making patches work?

_________________
You can call me Steve - proud member of the Jet Setters 2.0 (Jet ★ City Lounge Redux)

Guitars: SG Std, Carvin DC135
Amps: JCA50H, 4x12, homebrew 2x12 (C90 / EVM12L Thiele), '73 Fender Pro Reverb
Pedals: Crybaby, Bad Monkey, Joyo UD, Small Clone, TC Flashback, MXR Micro Amp, MXR 108 EQ, homebrew Looper
Out of Commission: Rat, TC BLD, DOD 250

MUROFNIKUFESIN

Guys, I'm a self admitted noob to most of the tech stuff, so dont be too hard on me! haha
Anyway I have a JCA22H and when i first turn the amp on there's an initial burst of volume for a second then
it settles down. Its also a bit noisy.
Anyone have any ideas??

Cheers

Just a combo with depth mod and clean switch.. And little tinkering with the tone to make it a touch more darker and pedal friendly.

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Ex HCAF member
Gear
Edwards Les paul, Modded strat
Some pedals (some modded) into a JCA20 combo (modded)

Spam None at the moment

Looks like most of the old gang has checked in now - except Edge11, of course. Glad to see ya'll made it, and we have some new blood, too.

Jase - I'm not sure what you're describing - only time I might get a rush of volume is when I kick the channel switch the first time after I power up (not sure if its going from clean to OD or vice-versa). I do get some hiss on my amp, but I'm dealing with shitty power at my house, have the covers off my pre-tubes, and may have some wiring on my mods that may not be 100% kosher. But it still sounds gooooood . Can you post a clip?

Neil - I'm dying to grammar nazi your 'more darker' thing as payback for the legos lecture (I just can't help myself), but I'll just leave it at that. Can't wait to hear what you come up with on the tone and pedal quests.

CTN - that baffle and speaker grillcloth looks friggin' killer!

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You can call me Steve - proud member of the Jet Setters 2.0 (Jet ★ City Lounge Redux)

Guitars: SG Std, Carvin DC135
Amps: JCA50H, 4x12, homebrew 2x12 (C90 / EVM12L Thiele), '73 Fender Pro Reverb
Pedals: Crybaby, Bad Monkey, Joyo UD, Small Clone, TC Flashback, MXR Micro Amp, MXR 108 EQ, homebrew Looper
Out of Commission: Rat, TC BLD, DOD 250

MUROFNIKUFESIN

I miss my modded JCA100. Had the Depth mod. It was a great second amp. It was just sitting around and my buddy needed a new amp, so i sold it to him.

I also had the effects loop mod for about a week. It killed the amp volume-wise and tone-wise. Don't ever do that mod. Honestly, it didnt help the issue that much anyway. Delays sounded slightly better i guess.

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Guitar builds and shit

My metal band, Sulaco
My instrumental prog band, BML

Some Motion Graphics
2010 MoGraph Reel

1981 2203
2013 5153 50 watt

also.. anyone with a 50 or 100, i highly recommend trying the Sovtek 6l6wxt+'s. They really tightened up the low end made that amp scream.

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Guitar builds and shit

My metal band, Sulaco
My instrumental prog band, BML

Some Motion Graphics
2010 MoGraph Reel

1981 2203
2013 5153 50 watt

I've heard that from more than one place - might have been you and Billy a while back. I'm still using the set of JJs I picked up when I first got the amp, so I don't really have any basis of comparison. Might just have to check into the wxt+'s when I change them out.

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You can call me Steve - proud member of the Jet Setters 2.0 (Jet ★ City Lounge Redux)

Guitars: SG Std, Carvin DC135
Amps: JCA50H, 4x12, homebrew 2x12 (C90 / EVM12L Thiele), '73 Fender Pro Reverb
Pedals: Crybaby, Bad Monkey, Joyo UD, Small Clone, TC Flashback, MXR Micro Amp, MXR 108 EQ, homebrew Looper
Out of Commission: Rat, TC BLD, DOD 250

MUROFNIKUFESIN

I'm going to bring a consolidated version of the mod threads here in a couple of days.

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Jca 22h/50h/100h Mod thread
http://www.guitarampboard.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=3840

The Quadraverb is fully compatible. Most rack effects are.

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Rig:

Guitars:Gibson Les Paul Signature T, Hamer Studio with EMGs, Strat partscaster

Amp: Marshall DSL100 / Randall 4x12 XL w/ K85s

Effects: Boss TU-2, Morley Bad Horsie, Boss SD-1, Boss CE-5, TC Nova Delay

Like my band on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/thefew1

+1 Really miss my JCA100. I will buy another sometime this year.

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Rig:

Guitars:Gibson Les Paul Signature T, Hamer Studio with EMGs, Strat partscaster

Amp: Marshall DSL100 / Randall 4x12 XL w/ K85s

Effects: Boss TU-2, Morley Bad Horsie, Boss SD-1, Boss CE-5, TC Nova Delay

Like my band on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/thefew1

oh hell yes. Welcome dude. Good to see you here. What took you so long??

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Rig:

Guitars:Gibson Les Paul Signature T, Hamer Studio with EMGs, Strat partscaster

Amp: Marshall DSL100 / Randall 4x12 XL w/ K85s

Effects: Boss TU-2, Morley Bad Horsie, Boss SD-1, Boss CE-5, TC Nova Delay

Like my band on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/thefew1

Glad to see you, Edge - we need to get those other guys that have been posting like crazy over on the mod thread at HCAF to come here, too. I think they're the only ones keeping the lights on

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You can call me Steve - proud member of the Jet Setters 2.0 (Jet ★ City Lounge Redux)

Guitars: SG Std, Carvin DC135
Amps: JCA50H, 4x12, homebrew 2x12 (C90 / EVM12L Thiele), '73 Fender Pro Reverb
Pedals: Crybaby, Bad Monkey, Joyo UD, Small Clone, TC Flashback, MXR Micro Amp, MXR 108 EQ, homebrew Looper
Out of Commission: Rat, TC BLD, DOD 250

MUROFNIKUFESIN

I'll try and dig out my notebook of mods that should work with the JCA that I did to an SLO Clone. Got misplaced in the moving......or did I hide it from my kids? I can't remember. lol

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Les Paul Custom
20w SLO (build in progress)
Greenbacks
Blackbacks
Assorted pedals

It's not that the change isn't feasible. After the change, the tone gets a bit brighter and the playability is a little stiffer. But if you have an FX unit that doesn't work with the stock loop, and you can't live without it, it's a good compromise. You just don't get as much of that liquid flow that you had before. I built my SLO while I was also playing a Splawn QR and a Mark III, so I was used to "unforgiving". lol

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Les Paul Custom
20w SLO (build in progress)
Greenbacks
Blackbacks
Assorted pedals

SED =C= and Svetlana 6L6s have a nice tight bottom too, but with fatter mids, where I'd say the WXT+ has a glassier top end.

EH 6L6 is VERY warm with big lows.

JJ, Ruby MSTR, and TADs are kind of in the middle.

Ruby and TAD are very "3D" sounding.

JJs scream, but also have a big bottom end.

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Les Paul Custom
20w SLO (build in progress)
Greenbacks
Blackbacks
Assorted pedals

Now I'm kind of wondering: For those of you who did the FX loop mod and came out with poor results, did you also do the SLO mods to your amp? Just wondering if some of the other stock values around the JCA loop just don't agree as well as it translates from the SLO to the JCA.

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Les Paul Custom
20w SLO (build in progress)
Greenbacks
Blackbacks
Assorted pedals

you also lose a considerable amount of volume with the mod. Olaf explained to me why, but i don't remember. You just have to kick up the volume a couple numbers, so if you are already pushing the amp volume-wise, it may be an issue. For me though, i just hated the tone with the mod. It was very stiff and awkward.

_________________
Guitar builds and shit

My metal band, Sulaco
My instrumental prog band, BML

Some Motion Graphics
2010 MoGraph Reel

1981 2203
2013 5153 50 watt

I did not have the SLO mods. Just some SGR switchouts to allow EL34's if i wanted and a depth mod.

_________________
Guitar builds and shit

My metal band, Sulaco
My instrumental prog band, BML

Some Motion Graphics
2010 MoGraph Reel

1981 2203
2013 5153 50 watt

When I did the mod to my SLO clone, I didn't notice much of a volume drop, if any. Some extra stiffness and brightness, yes.

Not trying to kick a dying horse here, guys. Just trying to find a good alternative for some guys and gals who can't live without certain pedals. My Carbon Copy and old Boss DD3 delays and some old reverb (can't remember which one) used to get all garbled with the stock loop. They were much happier with the loop mod.

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Les Paul Custom
20w SLO (build in progress)
Greenbacks
Blackbacks
Assorted pedals

My friend has an Digitech RP500 cheap, will this work with this amp?

I've had my JCA100H for 2 1/2 years and I tell you I'm not looking back. Only thing that would rip me from this is a fully loaded 3 channel monster from Jet City

Latest incarnation of my rig. This thing SMOKES with the Gflex cab (Eminence Wizards loaded). Peavey/'Bogner' rig was my backup (The rack was just for the P.A)

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Jet Setters 2.0 (Jet ★ City Lounge Redux)

JCA100H
Earhart 50
G-Flex 2x12
Avatar 2x12
Soldano 4x12

What are good tubes for all around sound from classic rock to metal?

Bitchin'

_________________
You can call me Steve - proud member of the Jet Setters 2.0 (Jet ★ City Lounge Redux)

Guitars: SG Std, Carvin DC135
Amps: JCA50H, 4x12, homebrew 2x12 (C90 / EVM12L Thiele), '73 Fender Pro Reverb
Pedals: Crybaby, Bad Monkey, Joyo UD, Small Clone, TC Flashback, MXR Micro Amp, MXR 108 EQ, homebrew Looper
Out of Commission: Rat, TC BLD, DOD 250

MUROFNIKUFESIN