Krank Krankenstein vs Peavey Triple XXX?

JamesTSi · 05-06-2012, 09:17 AM

I may be running into an opportinuty to trade my Peavey Triple XXX amp head with an Avatar 4x12 cab for a Krank Krankenstein head, and matching Krank cab. Good deal, bad deal? Thoughts? How is the tone on the Krank? Any thoughts or comments are greatly appreciated

Gryphon · 05-06-2012, 09:32 AM

What kind of music do you play?

JamesTSi · 05-06-2012, 09:36 AM

A lot of what we play is all over the place. old Killswitch Engage, Bury Your Dead, A Static Lullaby. I want something with a really tight high gain tone that cuts through with good mids.

HeHasTheJazzHands · 05-06-2012, 09:37 AM

Keep the XXX, IMO.

TheEntheogenEgoKiller · 05-06-2012, 12:32 PM

Go with the krank.. I can't say enough about the cabs. The amp is dark sounding, tight and perfect for high gain mids.

USMarine75 · 05-06-2012, 12:34 PM

Peavey XXX all day every day. Try the Krank and see for yourself.

xCaptainx · 05-06-2012, 05:02 PM

I can't stand XXX heads, love Krank heads, but I don't like Krank cabs.

Perfect world? keep the avatar cab and replace the head haha.

CYBERSYN · 05-06-2012, 05:07 PM

What dont you like about the XXX?

amarshism · 05-06-2012, 05:59 PM

Keep your head, trade the cab.

HeHasTheJazzHands · 05-06-2012, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amarshism

Keep your head, trade the cab.

+1. Even though I dislike Krank amps, their cabs are supposed to be ....ing amazing.

Eric Christian · 05-06-2012, 06:34 PM

To me Krank amps have this really husky bark sort of tone with not much fizz or gain. Plus with the pregain cranked they hiss like a cobra. If that's what you're into then go for it. Personally I'd trade the XXX for a 6505+...

artmachine · 05-06-2012, 08:00 PM

I've only heard a krank once in a band setting, but it sounded surprisingly muffled and it was even being played through a mesa cab. On the other hand, I got a xxx a few months ago and it's the best high gain head I've owned and played thus far even while I had a 5150ii for a year and a half. I think the biggest problem people have with the xxx is that it's definitely not plug and play and that the eq is very touch sensitive. I agree that a 5150/6505 has this undeniable bite, but it certainly lacks in tonal range and the clean channel, even on the 5150ii, is extremely bland and doesn't have a ton of headroom. Obviously, everyone has their preferences and there wouldn't be so much to pick from if that wasn't the case, but I think the xxx is an incredible amp that can cover a solid amount of ground too.

jllozano · 05-06-2012, 09:25 PM

Just got a XXX and i am loving it with a vader 412....definitely get the XXX retubed... JJ 12dw7 in V2 works some magic in that amp

asilayamazing · 05-06-2012, 09:28 PM

mesa power 6l6's really smooth the tone out.

Wookieslayer · 05-07-2012, 03:26 AM

.... if I still had my XXX I'd throw some KT77's up in there. Bitches love KT77's.

evilsaint · 05-07-2012, 06:59 AM

I'd say keep the XXX. I never get enough gain and good modern tone from my Krank amps.

blackrobedone · 05-07-2012, 08:37 AM

Get the Krank. It's worth more, and has less fizzly gain. It must be dialed in properly though, with the presence almost at 0.
I'm referring to my personal experience with the XXX and the Krankenstein +.

EvolDerek · 05-07-2012, 09:56 AM

Stick with the Krankenstein, I love mine. Ive played a few XXX's before, but they didnt wow me like my Krank did when I first plugged in.

sage · 05-07-2012, 02:37 PM

Oh, the lateral swap is always the hardest to evaluate. Personally, I didn't love the Krankenstein head. I found it muddy and difficult to pin down a sound that I found usable. I had less troubles with the XXX. The cab situation is an interesting one also. The Krankenstein cab is solid maple with 150W Eminence Texas Heats. The thing about the TH speakers is that they have mondo headroom, which really translates into nearly no speaker distortion. Which is great if you either A: require cleans at massive volumes or B: are totally in love with your amp's distortion, such that you do not require (or desire) the breakup offered by a Vintage 30 (or similar, lower wattage speaker). The Avatar is also a very well put together cab, but made with 13 ply birch instead of solid wood. And, if it's been your cab since new, you probably chose the speakers.

Personally, I own the Krankenstein cab and love it, but it's not for everyone and I also have a 1x12 with a V30 in it for extra flavour when I record. If I were you, I would probably not make the trade based on your cab being a part of your sound and the XXX being a better sounding head. Unless you are totally bored with your rig, in which case I'd make the swap as, as someone pointed out earlier, the Krank rig is worth more and if you hate that too, you can sell it or trade it at a higher value.

sage · 05-07-2012, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wookieslayer

.... if I still had my XXX I'd throw some KT77's up in there. Bitches love KT77's.

Yes, them bitches sure do. I put some in my JSX and it was like a new amp. Considering that the JSX ultra gain channel was based on the XXX, it would probably be a sweeeeeet upgrayedd. (spelled thusly with two D's for a double dose of this pimpin')

JamesTSi · 05-07-2012, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sage

Oh, the lateral swap is always the hardest to evaluate. Personally, I didn't love the Krankenstein head. I found it muddy and difficult to pin down a sound that I found usable. I had less troubles with the XXX. The cab situation is an interesting one also. The Krankenstein cab is solid maple with 150W Eminence Texas Heats. The thing about the TH speakers is that they have mondo headroom, which really translates into nearly no speaker distortion. Which is great if you either A: require cleans at massive volumes or B: are totally in love with your amp's distortion, such that you do not require (or desire) the breakup offered by a Vintage 30 (or similar, lower wattage speaker). The Avatar is also a very well put together cab, but made with 13 ply birch instead of solid wood. And, if it's been your cab since new, you probably chose the speakers.

Personally, I own the Krankenstein cab and love it, but it's not for everyone and I also have a 1x12 with a V30 in it for extra flavour when I record. If I were you, I would probably not make the trade based on your cab being a part of your sound and the XXX being a better sounding head. Unless you are totally bored with your rig, in which case I'd make the swap as, as someone pointed out earlier, the Krank rig is worth more and if you hate that too, you can sell it or trade it at a higher value.

Well I'm not totally bored with my rig. Just curious as to what else is out there. My Avatar cab is a custom one with Green tolex, and V30s and Lead 80s in an X pattern. Oh, and I can't forget the Saints Row cab case that wouldn't fit the Krank cab. I believe I will stick with my rig now, maybe play with the tubes some. The tones I am getting out of it since I played with it yesterday are really close to Killswitch Engages tone (which is what I am honestly after)

VBCheeseGrater · 05-07-2012, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackrobedone

Get the Krank. It's worth more, and has less fizzly gain. It must be dialed in properly though, with the presence almost at 0.
I'm referring to my personal experience with the XXX and the Krankenstein +.

Agreed, i'd go with the higher value, especially in an undecided type situation. You can always trade again or sell for more than you could with the XXX, hell maybe get a XXX and another head.

sage · 05-07-2012, 07:55 PM

Upon review of cab details, do not execute trade.

7stringDemon · 05-08-2012, 03:03 PM

I'd keep the XXX. For some reason, all I think of when I see Kranks is fizz and thrash metal. I can't really get them to sound brutal without pedals and such.

MF_Kitten · 05-08-2012, 03:14 PM

I have yet to hear a Krank amp sound good in a serious setting. Every time i've seen someone use them, they have been using a distortion pedal into it's clean channel because they were disappointed in the distortion in the amp itself.

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05-06-2012, 09:17 AM	#1
JamesTSi ss.org Regular Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 73 Thanked: 3 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Krank Krankenstein vs Peavey Triple XXX? I may be running into an opportinuty to trade my Peavey Triple XXX amp head with an Avatar 4x12 cab for a Krank Krankenstein head, and matching Krank cab. Good deal, bad deal? Thoughts? How is the tone on the Krank? Any thoughts or comments are greatly appreciated

05-06-2012, 09:37 AM	#4
HeHasTheJazzHands Eck! Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Louisiana Posts: 6,811 Thanked: 47 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Keep the XXX, IMO. FireInside and asilayamazing like this.

05-06-2012, 12:34 PM	#6
USMarine75 糟糕 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: MA Posts: 1,704 Thanked: 24 Feedback Score: 2 reviews	Peavey XXX all day every day. Try the Krank and see for yourself. asilayamazing likes this. I'm a lover… Not a fighter... But I'm also a fighter, so don’t get any ideas.

05-06-2012, 05:02 PM	#7
xCaptainx SS.org Regular Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Auckland, New Zealand Posts: 1,248 Thanked: 31 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I can't stand XXX heads, love Krank heads, but I don't like Krank cabs. Perfect world? keep the avatar cab and replace the head haha. proudly endorsed by B.C Rich Guitars, Line 6 Amplification, Seymour Duncan Pickups, MacBeth Shoes, Ultimate Ears, In Tune Guitar Picks and Matrix Amplification www.savingxgrace.com www.facebook.com/indreadresponse

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05-06-2012, 09:32 AM	#2
Gryphon SS.org Regular Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Collegeville, PA Posts: 140 Thanked: 7 / 1 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	What kind of music do you play?

05-06-2012, 09:36 AM	#3
JamesTSi ss.org Regular Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 73 Thanked: 3 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	A lot of what we play is all over the place. old Killswitch Engage, Bury Your Dead, A Static Lullaby. I want something with a really tight high gain tone that cuts through with good mids.

05-06-2012, 12:32 PM	#5
TheEntheogenEgoKiller C.R.E.A.M Join Date: May 2012 Location: South Florida Posts: 54 Thanked: 0 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Go with the krank.. I can't say enough about the cabs. The amp is dark sounding, tight and perfect for high gain mids.

05-06-2012, 05:07 PM	#8
CYBERSYN CYBERnetic SYNergy Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Sunny Coast, Australia Posts: 5,359 Thanked: 33 Feedback Score: 2 reviews	What dont you like about the XXX? Make a rule where, who ever messes up gets punched in the face. That is how I run my solo project. - Floppystrings Search this site by going to Google and adding site:sevenstring.org after your search word!

05-06-2012, 05:59 PM	#9
amarshism SS.org Regular Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Brisbane/World Posts: 241 Thanked: 6 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Keep your head, trade the cab. HeHasTheJazzHands likes this. Guitarist @ THY ART IS MURDER www.facebook.com/TAIMMETAL Instagram\|stillupsocut

05-06-2012, 06:34 PM	#11
Eric Christian SS.org Regular Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Lake Oswego, OR Posts: 1,161 Thanked: 21 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	To me Krank amps have this really husky bark sort of tone with not much fizz or gain. Plus with the pregain cranked they hiss like a cobra. If that's what you're into then go for it. Personally I'd trade the XXX for a 6505+... @zeaoth I just shoved the damn p/u into the cavity. I forced that shit. It works. @DTo8 Does every 8strings buzzes on the low strings? @MatthewLeisher I'd take a dump on a 6505 if the Axe FX asked me to.

05-06-2012, 08:00 PM	#12
artmachine ss.org Regular Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 80 Thanked: 5 / 1 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I've only heard a krank once in a band setting, but it sounded surprisingly muffled and it was even being played through a mesa cab. On the other hand, I got a xxx a few months ago and it's the best high gain head I've owned and played thus far even while I had a 5150ii for a year and a half. I think the biggest problem people have with the xxx is that it's definitely not plug and play and that the eq is very touch sensitive. I agree that a 5150/6505 has this undeniable bite, but it certainly lacks in tonal range and the clean channel, even on the 5150ii, is extremely bland and doesn't have a ton of headroom. Obviously, everyone has their preferences and there wouldn't be so much to pick from if that wasn't the case, but I think the xxx is an incredible amp that can cover a solid amount of ground too. asilayamazing likes this.

05-06-2012, 09:25 PM	#13
jllozano SS.org Regular Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Laredo, TX Posts: 1,275 Thanked: 5 Feedback Score: 11 reviews	Just got a XXX and i am loving it with a vader 412....definitely get the XXX retubed... JJ 12dw7 in V2 works some magic in that amp

05-06-2012, 09:28 PM	#14
asilayamazing SS.org Regular Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: washington Posts: 1,094 Thanked: 7 Feedback Score: 4 reviews	mesa power 6l6's really smooth the tone out. smooth transactions with: djpharoah, bob123, Sevenstringer, Jolo5150, kfiggy If you're gonna "Thank me" then Thank (post) me, or give rep "With the amount of flak I've been receiving lately, i may just keep this post to myself!"

05-07-2012, 03:26 AM	#15
Wookieslayer OOOAAARWWWRR Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 3,670 Thanked: 19 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	.... if I still had my XXX I'd throw some KT77's up in there. Bitches love KT77's. myampslouder, sage, incinerated_guitar and 1 others like this. http://www.soundcloud.com/wookieslayer My Youtube channel - Randall demos and stuff

05-07-2012, 06:59 AM	#16
evilsaint SS.org Regular Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Earth Posts: 345 Thanked: 15 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I'd say keep the XXX. I never get enough gain and good modern tone from my Krank amps. My Blog : http://powerdragon-powerdragon.blogspot.com/ That's all about guitars and amps.

05-07-2012, 08:37 AM	#17
blackrobedone ss.org Regular Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: huntsville, al Posts: 533 Thanked: 5 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Get the Krank. It's worth more, and has less fizzly gain. It must be dialed in properly though, with the presence almost at 0. I'm referring to my personal experience with the XXX and the Krankenstein +.

05-07-2012, 09:56 AM	#18
EvolDerek BEADGBEG Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Utah Posts: 221 Thanked: 5 Feedback Score: 3 reviews	Stick with the Krankenstein, I love mine. Ive played a few XXX's before, but they didnt wow me like my Krank did when I first plugged in. RIG 65 Twin - Wamplers,Mxr,Way Huge Stein + -> Stein Cab White V 2010 Firebird SG Fender Tele Nat. ash Modded Classic Vibe tele Butterscotch Pine Soon: Gibson Acoustics, Strats...

05-07-2012, 02:37 PM	#19
sage Banned Join Date: May 2011 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,313 Thanked: 16 Feedback Score: 5 reviews	Oh, the lateral swap is always the hardest to evaluate. Personally, I didn't love the Krankenstein head. I found it muddy and difficult to pin down a sound that I found usable. I had less troubles with the XXX. The cab situation is an interesting one also. The Krankenstein cab is solid maple with 150W Eminence Texas Heats. The thing about the TH speakers is that they have mondo headroom, which really translates into nearly no speaker distortion. Which is great if you either A: require cleans at massive volumes or B: are totally in love with your amp's distortion, such that you do not require (or desire) the breakup offered by a Vintage 30 (or similar, lower wattage speaker). The Avatar is also a very well put together cab, but made with 13 ply birch instead of solid wood. And, if it's been your cab since new, you probably chose the speakers. Personally, I own the Krankenstein cab and love it, but it's not for everyone and I also have a 1x12 with a V30 in it for extra flavour when I record. If I were you, I would probably not make the trade based on your cab being a part of your sound and the XXX being a better sounding head. Unless you are totally bored with your rig, in which case I'd make the swap as, as someone pointed out earlier, the Krank rig is worth more and if you hate that too, you can sell it or trade it at a higher value. JamesTSi likes this.

05-07-2012, 07:55 PM	#23
sage Banned Join Date: May 2011 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,313 Thanked: 16 Feedback Score: 5 reviews	Upon review of cab details, do not execute trade. JamesTSi and asilayamazing like this.

05-08-2012, 03:03 PM	#24
7stringDemon SS.org Regular Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Joliet, IL Posts: 1,613 Thanked: 13 Feedback Score: 1 reviews	I'd keep the XXX. For some reason, all I think of when I see Kranks is fizz and thrash metal. I can't really get them to sound brutal without pedals and such. Music lovers show eachother bands. Guitarists show eachother tones. Trans Blue/Teal Quilt Maple tops

05-08-2012, 03:14 PM	#25
MF_Kitten Fully Ramblomatic Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Stavanger, Norway Posts: 8,986 Thanked: 298 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I have yet to hear a Krank amp sound good in a serious setting. Every time i've seen someone use them, they have been using a distortion pedal into it's clean channel because they were disappointed in the distortion in the amp itself. Eric Christian likes this. -------------------------------------- What will metal be doing in ten years? What ever Meshuggah will be doing in two. -Anthony

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