Amp Query

[SuperSwede]

Hey guys, I know this isn't a amp forum, but I was wondering if anyone had any experience with the Peavey Classic 30 amplifier. Right now I am playing through a Line 6 Spider III and I want to upgrade to something with a more vintage sound. Any insights are welcome. Thanks in advance!

[cdntac]

Kinda. Sorta. :-

 

I play my '68 Byrdland through a Peavey Classic 50 410. Previous to the Byrd it was a '76 ES-175 Thinline.

 

Compared to a 100 watt Marshall MG100DFX that I had (which is NOT a tube amp)....I prefer the Peavey.

 

It has a sharper and more clear sound (I can notice the tone difference in my strings within about 4 days of only light use) though if you enjoy playing music that necessitates a high gain (Metallica, etc), you'll need a foot pedal --- the gain (at least in my 50/410) is more condusive to playing '70s style rock (ZZ Top, Nugent, KISS, etc) as opposed to heavy metal.

[SuperSwede]

Awesome. Thanks for replying so quickly. I usually play classic rock (Zeppelin, Rush, etc.) so I wouldn't need too much distortion. I've read some reviews that say the tubes, after a while, rattle at certain frequencies. Has this ever happened to you?

[cdntac]

Not that I've noticed.

 

One thing I did notice last week was that one tube (in the pre-amp) was not glowing. A quick call to Peavey tech support taught me that not all tubes actually glow --- some brands hardly glow at all.

 

The tube that was in the 3rd pre-amp slot in my amp was one of the "hardly glows at all" brands.

 

I've noticed that a few stores in the Toronto area are now stocking Classic 30 and 50s (though most of the 50s I've seen are 2x12). Can't recall the price of the 30 but the 50 212 was (I think) $950.00.

 

I bought my 50/410 at St. John's Music (just south of Eglington between Leslie/Bayview). Got a good deal on it because they wanted to sell it --- it must have been sitting there a while.

 

In this YouTube video I have my 50/410's gain at 10 (it goes to 12), bass @ 12, mids @ 6, treble @ 6 and presence @ 6. You can hear that there's not a huge amount of distortion (as compared to other amps).

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn6hmvbxHyw

[SuperSwede]

That sounds pretty good actually, haha. Good song too. I was at Steve's the other day and they have a Classic 30 on for $600. I'm still thinking about it, but its looking good so far.

[LPguitarman]

Awesome. Thanks for replying so quickly. I usually play classic rock (Zeppelin' date=' Rush, etc.) so I wouldn't need too much distortion. I've read some reviews that say the tubes, after a while, rattle at certain frequencies. Has this ever happened to you?[/quote']

 

I have a Peavey Classic VT Series. It is great for Rush & Zeppelin. I add chorus for Rush and straight tube distortion for LZ. Never had any problems with rattling tubes. Looks like we have the same taste in music.:-

[deepblue]

SuperSwede....do you use a Hagstrom by chance?

[Boston004681]

(I can notice the tone difference in my strings within about 4 days of only light use)

 

You must have great ears! :)

[SuperSwede]

DeepBlue, I do in fact play a Hagstrom at this point in time, although I am saving for an R9.

[SuperSwede]

Thats awesome, LPguitarman! I will take that into heavy consideration. And to deepblue, I do in fact play a Hagstrom at this point in time while I save for a R9.

[cdntac]

I dunno about the great ears thing but with this Peavey tube amp I can easily discern semi-dead strings.

 

But with my old Marshall 100 watt MG (which is not a tube amp) it wasn't nearly as noticeable.

[Kimolas]

Hagstroms are great! One thing to know about Hagstroms and tube amps, coming from a Hagstrom player and Peavey Windsor Studio owner: The pickups on the Hagstroms aren't very hot, and as such you might have some trouble getting even a little bit of break up in the sound, there's very little distortion, even at the highest gain. The sound is still great, and if you decide you need more gain, it's a simple pickup swap, or you can also use an overdrive pedal.

[deepblue]

I do in fact play a Hagstrom at this point in time while I save for a R9.

 

I used a friends Superswede last year to check one out.....Sounded great, and felt good in the hands too.

[SuperSwede]

Thanks for the tip, Kimolas. I love my Hagstrom! I recently removed the pickup cover from the bridge one and wow. I mean what a difference! I love how much more tone and grit I get from it.