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**Vasshu the humanoid typhoon** · 07-29-2004, 03:45 PM

Re: Problems with Peavey Classic 50 212

Well the trafo's are not the worlds best sounding ones nor very powerful, plus filtering is pretty meager on a C-50, makes it sounds worse when volume is going up, and the amp is pushing the tubes pretty much as it is stock...how it can push to the claimed 50w is kinda fishy.

**aleclee** · 07-29-2004, 03:55 PM

Re: Problems with Peavey Classic 50 212

IMHO, it's a myth that power amp distortion necessarily sounds better than preamp distortion. It can definitely be true (just ask AC/DC) but a lot of amps flub out when pushed hard. When you are getting power amp distortion, it often sounds less mushy if you turn down the preamp gain a bit. That might help a bit with the harshness, too. If it sounds harsh at any volume level, swapping preamp tubes might help. Smoother preamp tubes (like JJs or GT 12AX7M) might help a bit.

Another thing that might help with the harshess is a product called "beam blockers". They might help with the super-directional sound issue as well. An extension cab would probably help the sonic spotlighting as well.

**Vasshu the humanoid typhoon** · 07-29-2004, 03:59 PM

Re: Problems with Peavey Classic 50 212

As pointed out...most new amps has nothing trafo or filtering wise, that is why they sound bad when cranked...they have nothing left to draw from.
While an old Marshall/Hiwattt/Vox/Carlsbro etc etc has big supply's and lots of big bad caps for filtering, they deliver current in plenty with lots of extra to spare, that is why they are fatter and creamy, and good poweramppush od is way more pleasent than a buzzy gainy pre-thingy!

**Gearjoneser** · 07-29-2004, 04:01 PM

Re: Problems with Peavey Classic 50 212

I noticed that problem with a Classic 50 4-10 combo once. I agree with RID's assessment. I'm sure it could use a set of new JJ EL-84's and 12AX7's, but those amps tend to sound best at moderate levels. They sound like they're ready to explode when turned up....and not in a good way. I'm sure the 6l6 version would sound better, louder.

**texasguitarslinger** · 07-29-2004, 04:16 PM

Re: Problems with Peavey Classic 50 212

Become a Hot Rod Deluxe convert!

**aleclee** · 07-29-2004, 04:23 PM

Re: Problems with Peavey Classic 50 212

Originally posted by Rid

As pointed out...most new amps has nothing trafo or filtering wise, that is why they sound bad when cranked...they have nothing left to draw from.
While an old Marshall/Hiwattt/Vox/Carlsbro etc etc has big supply's and lots of big bad caps for filtering, they deliver current in plenty with lots of extra to spare, that is why they are fatter and creamy, and good poweramppush od is way more pleasent than a buzzy gainy pre-thingy!

Agreed on the impact of power supply design on tone.

As for the "buzzy gainy pre-thingy" comment, I find that to be overly broad. Though there are plenty of buzzy preamp-driven tones out there (especially in modern rock), there are plenty that aren't buzzy. Would you call Santana's Boogie/Dumble tones "buzzy"? How about anyone who uses distortion pedals? Both of those examples get most (if not all) of their OD in gain stages before the power amp. Even a lot of classic Marshalls get their crunch from overdriving the cathode followers, not the power tubes.

**Vasshu the humanoid typhoon** · 07-29-2004, 04:39 PM

Re: Problems with Peavey Classic 50 212

Ok lets go with a different term then, big ballsy sounds then.
And Santana does not have that, he has a compressed smooth sound.
Most middle/low price amps has no power to their sound, no juice to get from small underspec parts, that gets fitzy buzzy.
As for pedals, most actually depends on having a good amp, otherwise they does get small and fitzy.
I am oldschool and I had been in both camps, and the most important thing after oneself is the amp.
I had a Park 75 top, one day one of my friends who had just bought a Classic 100 top wanted to compare them, he was convinced that his 100 watter would smoke my old Park 75(which essentially is a 1987 with KT-88 tubes)
We used another friends old 30 watts greenback equipped 4x12 cab, that Peavey never took off, it sounded nice at normal levels, but it severely lacked at more pushing volumes, it had way more preamp gain, sounded like a nest of angry bees next to the Park.
The only modern amps that has the same sound as the old amps are those expensive specialised amps, they cost a fortune because of the bigger trafo's and big caps.
The rest are what they are, inexpensive workhorses which tends to sound fitzy when compared to more expensive made ones.
It is not a snob statement or a pain in the a$$ opinion, big sounds costs money.

**rspst14** · 07-29-2004, 08:21 PM

Re: Problems with Peavey Classic 50 212

You said that the tubes haven't been replaced in ages, how long is that exactly? Under normal use, power tubes need replaced yearly. I use JJ preamp and power tubes, and my Classic 50 sounds great no matter what volume level I'm playing at. The stock Sovtek tubes just don't have the warm, smooth sound of the JJ tubes. You should really get a new set of preamp and power tubes.

If you're handy with electronics work, there are some simple mods you can do to the amp to make it sound even better. Check out www.blueguitar.org.

Ryan

**inter** · 07-29-2004, 09:21 PM

Re: Problems with Peavey Classic 50 212

Originally posted by Dills

Yesterday at practice I tried putting the peavy classic 50 to the test and cranked the post gain and master volume to hopefully work the tubes, there was little difference in quality it was actually worse than at quiet volumes. I noticed that the most anoying thing is that the harshness in the highend and shrillness seem to come out of the amp in one direction, but if you move to the side slightly you can hardly hear the amp, so its either real loud or real quiet. the harshness made my ears deaf and i even tried lowering all the treble and prescence knobs to near 1 to get rid of the harshness but could not dial it out. The mid knob when turned up made the tone less smooth when turned up it kind made everything sound more brittle with distortion. The tubes havent been replaced in ages and Im assuming theyre all stock, Even my Vox Pathfinder 15R (pretty good small amp) sounds better.

My god man, If that isn't the exact signs of your tubes being stuffed................

I've gigged with the classic 50 4x10 (fx loop version) many times and I never had to turn up past 5/6 (PA or no PA). Any louder and you can't hear the drums' acoustics.

What kind of volume are you guys talking about playing at? I find it irritating that some guys seem to take pleasure on beating up on a Peavey, just, well because it's a Peavey. If you play almost any amp with worn out tubes, it will sound shrill and harsh.

Check out www.eurotubes.com and let Bob sort you out. He tests his tubes so you know exactly what your getting. Great prices too.

**That90'sGuy** · 07-29-2004, 10:10 PM

Re: Problems with Peavey Classic 50 212

I feel kinda like that with my Triamp. Cranked it sounds good, but it's so loud, it loses a bit of that "something" you get when it's at lower levels. It's punchy without being flubby with all the knobs up, but I prefer it when it's on the verge of being cranked. It's not quite as powerful, but still enough to get the power tubes cooking while still getting a bit of that preamp vibe.

**metal101** · 07-29-2004, 11:06 PM

Re: Problems with Peavey Classic 50 212

You should go here and read the info they have http://www.vibroworld.com/parts/tech2.html

plus really good place to get replacement tubes. I have been using Peavey amps for near a decade and your tubes are about shot.

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Problems with Peavey Classic 50 212

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