NAD - Peavey Blues Classic 50W 1x15

[muttznmongrelz]

Re: NAD - Peavey Blues Classic 50W 1x15

Well...I’ve owned three of these to date and bought this one with the intention of keeping it along with my 5150 Combo.

Back in August I was looking to improve the sound by installing new tubes and an upgraded speaker so I bought a set of JJ Tubes and a Celestion Fullback for it.

After the new tubes and speaker were installed it sounded different but not better. No matter what adjustments I made it sounded dull and lifeless. So, after about a month and a half of being dissatisfied with the tone I put it up for sale or trade. I had some offers but notthing that really peaked my interest.

So...today I decided to give it the once over and pulled the back panel then decided to pull the new JJ Tubes and see what it sounded like if I reinstalled the old tubes which were Russian Tung Sols. Started with the EL84s and it was much better so I then pulled the 2 JJ ECC83S/1 ECC832 and reinstalled the Russian Tung Sol 12AX7s and the amp just came alive...literally like pulling the proverbial blanket off of the amp. Really sounds awesome with the Celestion Fullback; just a great sounding speaker for anyone looking to upgrade their 15”. With the change back to the Russian Tung Sols the Blues Classic is chock full of musically complex tonal goodness!!!

 

[BloodRose]

Re: NAD - Peavey Blues Classic 50W 1x15

So, the new tubes were choking it?? Glad you found joy with it again!

I have a classic 30 and am pretty happy with it. Great cleans. I put an Emi Private Jack in mine long ago. You mentioned the seller told you about an "overtone issue"? (dont recall your exact wording) I know on mine, if I have the reverb on a higher setting, and get some volume going, it will start humming a bit. Its worse with the boost switch in. I have read before that it solves that issue to move reverb tank out of the cab (yuck) or they used to sell a padded bag on ebay you can put the verb tank in..

 

[muttznmongrelz]

Re: NAD - Peavey Blues Classic 50W 1x15

Thanks! Exactly; “choking” the sound is a perfect description. Now it sounds like it should especially with the Fullback in it. It was like getting a new amp after I swapped the tubes. I was looking at amps today - so glad I didn’t jump on anything.

And the previously mentioned noise was actually a crackling/vibration coming from one of the tweeters/horns a prior owner had custom installed - it was his gigging amp for solo acoustic gigs. I disconnected the tweeters and it solved the problem. Other than that all three of the Blues Classics I have owned have been rock solid dependable and problem free.

 

[rbc]

Re: NAD - Peavey Blues Classic 50W 1x15

Yeah, when I saw the manual had a recommended setting for "Metal", I was like..."Hmmm"... :fing2:

This guy kind of puts a "Metal" spin on parts of his demo with the Peavey Delta Blues 115:

 

[muttznmongrelz]

Re: NAD - Peavey Blues Classic 50W 1x15

That’s the Delta Blues; smaller, 30w and a 12”. I’ve never run across one or had the opportunity to try it in comparison.

Sounds similar; although with the additional wattage and bigger/better speaker the Blues Classic does sound as you would expect...bigger and badder. Certainly does AC/DC, Social D and GNR quite easily/well.

The Blues Classics were jokingly referred to as the “Metal Classic” on some forums when they were introduced. With the Tung Sols in it now it can most def go there with the Pre/Post Gain and Presence turned up.