I'm happy to see that you're back! I have a Peavey 3120 (just a rebadged XXX shipped with EL34) and it’s still one of my favorite amp of all time. I run mine with one JJ 5751 in V2 to tame the gain a bit, 4 JJ KT77 in the power section and this amp roars!! I've owned a shit ton of amps over the last 20 years, but I always come back to Peavey. Always. My main band amp is a Ceriatone King Kong (with the Chupacabra voicing for the distortion channel instead of the stock one) and I love it very very much but I still I play with my 3120 all the time! For punk/metal/post hardcore, I think the Ultra line in general is the best bang for your buck. I love the clean channel too when I play more ambient stuff. With the current situation, I think a lot of guitar players are not looking for the new ''best'' thing right now, but more for great tones at a decent price and the Ultra Plus 120/XXX/3120/Jsx are being ''rediscovered'' as all around great amps. And they are pretty tight for fast punk or metal (no need for a boost pedal), which is awesome!
They are great amps - I wish I could go back in time and tell myself to buy more of those peavey’s when they were cheap. I still would like to find a Triumph, Ultra, Bravo, and a VTM - and both the old and new Butcher amps to compare. The prices have gotten higher and the people that love them really love them and don’t let them go. Still not sure if I need a JSX too but I might find it hard to resist if I caught one at the right price. The 3120 is a lot prettier than the XXX but harder to find and thus more expensive - there’s one on musicgoround right now for $600 (twice what this xxx cost me). Still tempting, although I could just swap in some EL34’s on this one and it should be the same sound in theory. I also have a King Kong, beautiful amp. I am not sure what voicing it has as I bought it used but I’ve found it to be a very good amp. I feel like that’s understating how much I like it… I’ll have to do another hour long video on that one haha
@@totallyradguitars959 A long video about the King Kong could be great! Especially since Ceriatone makes bad ass amps and they are hard to beat for the money you pay since they are ''affordable'' in the boutique world compared to Friedman, Mezzabarba, Omega, etc and the customer service is second to none. For your XXX, I highly suggest the KT77 instead of EL34 because the former have more low end, cleaner highs and less compression, which helps a lot to open the sound of the amp. My two cents ;) But yeah...the 3120 still looks way better though hahaha
@@bengirard1984 I'm not sure why but I have trouble ordering Ceriatone amps, I guess because of the wait list I don't get instant gratification haha. Someday though I'd really like to just blow $5k or something and order one of each - AH50, Gargoyle, Leviathan... and try them all out side by side. Who knows, maybe I will! I really like KT77's too, I had a quad that I put in my Marshall TSL that I really loved the sound of. At the moment, the KT77's are all nearly double the price of EL34's or 6L6's though so I may wait a while and see if the prices level out again.
Your HAVE to review the mkiv combo. Just found you and this is a super legit resource. I can definitely see a few production improvements blowing this channel up!
Thanks! I need to spend some more time planning the shots and in editing - I also tried writing scripts but can't read them. Just need more practice really. I did do a long review on the Mk IV B head I had, which is the same circuit. Sadly I've already returned this combo and bought another head instead. I did really like the C90 speaker and probably will try to get my hands on a pair to try out in one of my cabs.
@@totallyradguitars959 your perspective is great so it's boy they paramount for me personally. Keep doing what you're doing. I watched that mkiv video and loved it but I just got a combo this weekend after about fifteen years of not having my original head. So that's why I wanted to see a combo specific one ha ha
@@pullthatwigback5969 Well if I've learned anything in my gear collecting saga - that won't be the last IV combo I pick up. They are just too cool - and I REALLY want to try one with the EV speaker in it.
That's a beautiful Baretta. I have a 1987 one too. Mine has a Dennis Kline graphic. My favorite finishes are the black and blue painted ones. I'm thinking a JB pickup would sound best in yours. That along with a 500K audio potentiometer.
Thanks - I’ve got a whole drawer full of 80s JBJ’s but I wanted something a little different since I have 3 other barettas with JB’s. Nice to have a little change of pace here and there!
I was lucky with my markIV revB widebody. Guy I bought it from got it as a 'spare' in 2008, I bought it in 2021 for £1500 (British pounds not dollars). He had never used it. It was like NOS. Combo. Yeah, I'd prefer it was a head. But I'm absolutely not bothered about it. Because it's so pristine. I bought a 1x12" wide body extension cab, and I have it set up like a 2x12" mini-stack. I swapped the speakers for V30s. I didn't like the black shadows for the high gain sounds. Sounded mushy to me. Nice for cleans though. I also have a Mesa 4x12" and a Boss TAE so I can pretty much do everything with it. It's so good, I'd never sell it. Just dreading something going wrong with it.
Sounds like an awesome setup! I’ve got a quad of V30’s in that fender cab but I’m tempted to replace it with a slightly larger cab for more bass response. They are complicated amps but the plus side is the schematic is readily available so getting it fixed isn’t too bad - I love my VHT’s but if those go bad you basically have to send it back to the manufacturer which adds a lot of expense.
@@totallyradguitars959 thanks for the reply. I've also been wondering about the oversized, straight cab bass response. I went through a (possibly I'll advised) period of buying lots of different V30s, and I actually have enough for another 4*12. So I might build a kind of Mesa oversized clone. Messing around with this setup and another old Randall 4x12" I have with their jaguar speakers. The biggest difference I've found to how it sounds and the response I feel coming back, is where I sit or stand. They're very directional. Even with 8 speakers going at once. Just like the effect of mic placement. Another thing I've been trying is twin amp setups. I use a boss line selector to run my MkIV and my 5150, or my Randall RH100 in all combinations. I can report that when it's all dialled in, it chugs hard. I really like it when I see a notification from your channel. I'm into all the same era stuff. I've got a charvel model 3 - the SSH one.
@@johnwardle9667 I have a couple of nice Charvels too, even though I had to sell a few to make room I have 2 model 4's that I'll never let go. It's hard to do a video that really captures it but I also have an ABY switcher pedal that I use a lot when testing different amps against each other in the room. It feels nice to do it "live" rather than listening to a recording. An added bonus though, putting two cabs with two different amps both dialed in side by side and putting it in "Y" mode and blasting both at once. Especially if I sit in between them for a stereo kind of effect.. truly and incredible sound in the room. It translates well to headphones too when I recorded some clips but I've discovered that a lot of people watch my videos on their phones and other mono devices, which makes sense but it surprised me at first.
That’s the Baretta that was one reverb from PA right? I almost bought that when he dropped the price, nice snag. I actually just added a Nightswan II (HSS version, hard to find) to my collection. Posted a short hamfist video of the Kramer Liberty I got a few weeks back. I also like these kind of inbox videos, nice job
Yep that’s the one! After the last price drop I just had to make an offer and I’m glad I did - it’ll definitely need a refret sooner than later but it’s in playable shape already - better condition than some others I’ve bought in supposedly “excellent” condition. I’m not sure how consistent these videos will be but for a while there I was getting a new guitar or amp every week so I wish I’d started this kind of thing way sooner, may as well start now PS- super jealous of the Liberty. That was my dream Kramer a while back and I just could never find one that I could afford. Absolutely gorgeous guitars
That’s a great pickup! I also swapped an A2 magnet into a JB which is supposedly very similar to the RTM and loved it - but for now I’ve put a spare Full Shred into this guitar. Sounds awesome so far!
Absolutely! I was hoping to find a schematic before I did a video on it, and I’m also on the lookout for a Royal Atlantic for a side by side comparison (I’ve heard they are similar-ish). It’s very gainy and has some really cool features like a built in headphone amp/power soak.
I’ve heard great things about those, I almost bought one a decade ago from JCGuitars and ended up with another Kramer instead. They are tough to find but definitely on my list! As far as spending I’m always on the lookout for some new G.A.S. Haha
Sounds like a cool idea. I might do a bit of a "new (old) gear day" kind of thing because I do have a couple of guitars that have been sitting in their cases for a year or longer. Might be a fun way to check them out as if they were new again. I'll have to learn how to do shorts, that's a new concept to me (I'm old I know).
I'm happy to see that you're back! I have a Peavey 3120 (just a rebadged XXX shipped with EL34) and it’s still one of my favorite amp of all time. I run mine with one JJ 5751 in V2 to tame the gain a bit, 4 JJ KT77 in the power section and this amp roars!! I've owned a shit ton of amps over the last 20 years, but I always come back to Peavey. Always. My main band amp is a Ceriatone King Kong (with the Chupacabra voicing for the distortion channel instead of the stock one) and I love it very very much but I still I play with my 3120 all the time! For punk/metal/post hardcore, I think the Ultra line in general is the best bang for your buck. I love the clean channel too when I play more ambient stuff. With the current situation, I think a lot of guitar players are not looking for the new ''best'' thing right now, but more for great tones at a decent price and the Ultra Plus 120/XXX/3120/Jsx are being ''rediscovered'' as all around great amps. And they are pretty tight for fast punk or metal (no need for a boost pedal), which is awesome!
They are great amps - I wish I could go back in time and tell myself to buy more of those peavey’s when they were cheap. I still would like to find a Triumph, Ultra, Bravo, and a VTM - and both the old and new Butcher amps to compare. The prices have gotten higher and the people that love them really love them and don’t let them go. Still not sure if I need a JSX too but I might find it hard to resist if I caught one at the right price. The 3120 is a lot prettier than the XXX but harder to find and thus more expensive - there’s one on musicgoround right now for $600 (twice what this xxx cost me). Still tempting, although I could just swap in some EL34’s on this one and it should be the same sound in theory.
I also have a King Kong, beautiful amp. I am not sure what voicing it has as I bought it used but I’ve found it to be a very good amp. I feel like that’s understating how much I like it… I’ll have to do another hour long video on that one haha
@@totallyradguitars959 A long video about the King Kong could be great! Especially since Ceriatone makes bad ass amps and they are hard to beat for the money you pay since they are ''affordable'' in the boutique world compared to Friedman, Mezzabarba, Omega, etc and the customer service is second to none.
For your XXX, I highly suggest the KT77 instead of EL34 because the former have more low end, cleaner highs and less compression, which helps a lot to open the sound of the amp. My two cents ;) But yeah...the 3120 still looks way better though hahaha
I have EL34's in my Trip X and I boost the front of it. So good.
@@bengirard1984 I'm not sure why but I have trouble ordering Ceriatone amps, I guess because of the wait list I don't get instant gratification haha. Someday though I'd really like to just blow $5k or something and order one of each - AH50, Gargoyle, Leviathan... and try them all out side by side. Who knows, maybe I will!
I really like KT77's too, I had a quad that I put in my Marshall TSL that I really loved the sound of. At the moment, the KT77's are all nearly double the price of EL34's or 6L6's though so I may wait a while and see if the prices level out again.
Your HAVE to review the mkiv combo. Just found you and this is a super legit resource. I can definitely see a few production improvements blowing this channel up!
Thanks! I need to spend some more time planning the shots and in editing - I also tried writing scripts but can't read them. Just need more practice really.
I did do a long review on the Mk IV B head I had, which is the same circuit. Sadly I've already returned this combo and bought another head instead. I did really like the C90 speaker and probably will try to get my hands on a pair to try out in one of my cabs.
@@totallyradguitars959 your perspective is great so it's boy they paramount for me personally. Keep doing what you're doing.
I watched that mkiv video and loved it but I just got a combo this weekend after about fifteen years of not having my original head. So that's why I wanted to see a combo specific one ha ha
@@pullthatwigback5969 Well if I've learned anything in my gear collecting saga - that won't be the last IV combo I pick up. They are just too cool - and I REALLY want to try one with the EV speaker in it.
That's a beautiful Baretta. I have a 1987 one too. Mine has a Dennis Kline graphic. My favorite finishes are the black and blue painted ones. I'm thinking a JB pickup would sound best in yours. That along with a 500K audio potentiometer.
Thanks - I’ve got a whole drawer full of 80s JBJ’s but I wanted something a little different since I have 3 other barettas with JB’s. Nice to have a little change of pace here and there!
I would convert the mark IV to a head
I may just do that, I know Mesa will make a shell for it and there are also some aftermarket options too
@@totallyradguitars959 exactly ! And then u have a spare 1x12 =)
I was lucky with my markIV revB widebody. Guy I bought it from got it as a 'spare' in 2008, I bought it in 2021 for £1500 (British pounds not dollars). He had never used it. It was like NOS. Combo. Yeah, I'd prefer it was a head. But I'm absolutely not bothered about it. Because it's so pristine. I bought a 1x12" wide body extension cab, and I have it set up like a 2x12" mini-stack. I swapped the speakers for V30s. I didn't like the black shadows for the high gain sounds. Sounded mushy to me. Nice for cleans though. I also have a Mesa 4x12" and a Boss TAE so I can pretty much do everything with it. It's so good, I'd never sell it. Just dreading something going wrong with it.
Sounds like an awesome setup! I’ve got a quad of V30’s in that fender cab but I’m tempted to replace it with a slightly larger cab for more bass response.
They are complicated amps but the plus side is the schematic is readily available so getting it fixed isn’t too bad - I love my VHT’s but if those go bad you basically have to send it back to the manufacturer which adds a lot of expense.
@@totallyradguitars959 thanks for the reply. I've also been wondering about the oversized, straight cab bass response. I went through a (possibly I'll advised) period of buying lots of different V30s, and I actually have enough for another 4*12. So I might build a kind of Mesa oversized clone. Messing around with this setup and another old Randall 4x12" I have with their jaguar speakers. The biggest difference I've found to how it sounds and the response I feel coming back, is where I sit or stand. They're very directional. Even with 8 speakers going at once. Just like the effect of mic placement. Another thing I've been trying is twin amp setups. I use a boss line selector to run my MkIV and my 5150, or my Randall RH100 in all combinations. I can report that when it's all dialled in, it chugs hard. I really like it when I see a notification from your channel. I'm into all the same era stuff. I've got a charvel model 3 - the SSH one.
@@johnwardle9667 I have a couple of nice Charvels too, even though I had to sell a few to make room I have 2 model 4's that I'll never let go.
It's hard to do a video that really captures it but I also have an ABY switcher pedal that I use a lot when testing different amps against each other in the room. It feels nice to do it "live" rather than listening to a recording. An added bonus though, putting two cabs with two different amps both dialed in side by side and putting it in "Y" mode and blasting both at once. Especially if I sit in between them for a stereo kind of effect.. truly and incredible sound in the room. It translates well to headphones too when I recorded some clips but I've discovered that a lot of people watch my videos on their phones and other mono devices, which makes sense but it surprised me at first.
Newer subscriber here. I enjoyed your JCM900 videos quite a bit, thank you for doing them. That Baretta looks sharp! Good gear day for sure brother
Thanks!
Just found the channel, really good content!
Thanks!
Bro, your collection is smokin! If you want to add a Randall T2 to your collection let me know!
That’s the Baretta that was one reverb from PA right? I almost bought that when he dropped the price, nice snag. I actually just added a Nightswan II (HSS version, hard to find) to my collection. Posted a short hamfist video of the Kramer Liberty I got a few weeks back. I also like these kind of inbox videos, nice job
Yep that’s the one! After the last price drop I just had to make an offer and I’m glad I did - it’ll definitely need a refret sooner than later but it’s in playable shape already - better condition than some others I’ve bought in supposedly “excellent” condition.
I’m not sure how consistent these videos will be but for a while there I was getting a new guitar or amp every week so I wish I’d started this kind of thing way sooner, may as well start now
PS- super jealous of the Liberty. That was my dream Kramer a while back and I just could never find one that I could afford. Absolutely gorgeous guitars
Good video man.
Combo amp usually end up being better than the heads, eg the 5150 combo. The triple XXX has gone way up in price for sure.
I’m jealous dude, I’d put a Warren de martini Seymour in that one
That’s a great pickup! I also swapped an A2 magnet into a JB which is supposedly very similar to the RTM and loved it - but for now I’ve put a spare Full Shred into this guitar. Sounds awesome so far!
Dude has a thing for Kramers
Can you do a video on that triple crown?
Absolutely! I was hoping to find a schematic before I did a video on it, and I’m also on the lookout for a Royal Atlantic for a side by side comparison (I’ve heard they are similar-ish). It’s very gainy and has some really cool features like a built in headphone amp/power soak.
I love the Trip X
I wouldn't mind see you trying a Valley Arts Custom Pro. Let me help you spend your money lol.
I’ve heard great things about those, I almost bought one a decade ago from JCGuitars and ended up with another Kramer instead. They are tough to find but definitely on my list! As far as spending I’m always on the lookout for some new G.A.S. Haha
Can do a guitar collection vid or do shorts featuring a different ax each time.
Sounds like a cool idea. I might do a bit of a "new (old) gear day" kind of thing because I do have a couple of guitars that have been sitting in their cases for a year or longer. Might be a fun way to check them out as if they were new again. I'll have to learn how to do shorts, that's a new concept to me (I'm old I know).
@@totallyradguitars959 We are all old or will be someday but its important to always try new things.