New Peavy Penta Amp!

7th Hell

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Here's what I think might be the re-named Lynch Brahma amp! I hear that Peavey's going forward and releasing the Lynch signature amp under a different name now that the endorsement deal is history. Could this be the amp?
Penta-lg.jpg


Peavey Penta Tube Amp Deubts at NAMM


(Click for a close-up)
January 20, 2005
New at Winter NAMM is the Peavey Penta, a single-channel tube amplifier with five totally different personalities, courtesy its five selectable EQ/gain voicings.

The Penta amplifier combines four matched EL34 tubes with four 12AX7 tubes and features ceramic tube sockets, custom transformers, high quality components and 140 Watts into 16, 8 or 4 Ohms. A product of extensive tube amplifier engineering, the Penta is a completely straight-forward, classic guitar amp. Correction: five guitar amps.

Using 100% analog Pentatone circuitry, this amplifier gives the guitar-playing world its take on five classic gain voicings on a single amp channel. These sounds are identified by corresponding icons and are accessible by a rotary knob. No fancy footswitches allowed, and no shimmering effects included--the Penta is for true plug & play guitar fanatics.

The Penta's "Star" icon reveals a classic British plexi voicing, while the "Bull" icon produces a modified British voicing with tons of added gain and a tighter low end. The "Tree" icon lays on a thicker British voicing with a loose attack and slightly more gain, while the "Mudflap Girl" setting is a super-high gain voicing with a more responsive EQ and power amp section--think Triple XXX. The "Cactus" setting is, simply put, fat and clean.

The Penta will be available in 2005 from authorized Peavey retailers.

Penta Head Features:

140 Watts RMS into 16, 8 or 4 Ohms
Four matched EL34 tubes and four 12AX7 tubes
Five selectable EQ/gain voicings
Gain control
Three-band passive EQ
Master volume
Presence control
Ceramic tube sockets
Custom USA transformers
Ultra high quality components
U.S. MSRP $1499.99
Penta 412 Straight Cabinet Features:

Specially voiced for use with the Penta amp head
11-ply birch baffle
1/2" poplar sides
Four 12" rear-mounted speakers
Striking brown-weave grille cloth
U.S. MSRP $999.99
 
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Re: New Peavy Penta Amp!

This has promise, but 140 watts is a lot for a tube amp, but I cant wait to hear how it sounds! I like the look of it too. Nice to see something different.
 
Re: New Peavy Penta Amp!

Yes, that is the amp that Peavey was working with Lynch on. That pic is computer generated. I saw an actual NAMM pic of it somewhere online today, but I couldn't say where. It looks better in that pic than the computer version.
 
Re: New Peavy Penta Amp!

Rid said:
Hehe no worse than having an old Plexi, everybit as loud.

Good point...some of those old plexi's would put out upwards of 170 watts!
 
Re: New Peavy Penta Amp!

wow that looks good...i'm going to have to give one a test drive on the mudflap girl setting when a local shop gets one it for sure!

-Mike
 
Re: New Peavy Penta Amp!

I remember reading somewhere else about this thing. It's priced quite a bit more than their other amps (I believe retail is 1500), so I wouldn't be surprised if it flops bigtime. If you're spending that much on an amp, you might as well get something like a Bogner, who wants to spend it on a cheaper brand?

Also, if George Lynch canned it, it had to be for a reason. They probably couldn't deliver the tone he was looking for. That's what I like about the guy though, he doesn't sell out. He'll only play what he believes in.
 
Re: New Peavy Penta Amp!

the_Chris said:
I remember reading somewhere else about this thing. It's priced quite a bit more than their other amps (I believe retail is 1500), so I wouldn't be surprised if it flops bigtime. If you're spending that much on an amp, you might as well get something like a Bogner, who wants to spend it on a cheaper brand?

Also, if George Lynch canned it, it had to be for a reason. They probably couldn't deliver the tone he was looking for. That's what I like about the guy though, he doesn't sell out. He'll only play what he believes in.

I would strongly disagree that Peavey is a "cheaper brand."

Ryan
 
Re: New Peavy Penta Amp!

rspst14 said:
I would strongly disagree that Peavey is a "cheaper brand."

Ryan
WORD!!! I think Peavey has came a long, long way in the last 5-10 years!!!
 
Re: New Peavy Penta Amp!

I've played/owned many brands of amps. For the last 5 years, I've used Peavey amps. Why? Because they have the tone I'm looking for at a price that's reasonable. It's really not that much more than other Peavey amps that are doing quite well. And if it has the tone, it's still quite a bit cheaper than Bogner's and so on.
 
Re: New Peavy Penta Amp!

I like and use Peavey gear and I'm sure it's a killer sounding amp. But man, why can't they make something like that in a lower wattage for all of us basement and small club players? It's amazing when I think of all the guitar players that I've known in the past and present and none of them have ever used anything over 50 watts.
 
Re: New Peavy Penta Amp!

Mike M. said:
I like and use Peavey gear and I'm sure it's a killer sounding amp. But man, why can't they make something like that in a lower wattage for all of us basement and small club players? It's amazing when I think of all the guitar players that I've known in the past and present and none of them have ever used anything over 50 watts.

Yeah, that's the one thing I don't like about Peavey amps...the 5150, XXX, and JSX are all killer amps, as I'm sure this one will be. But I can't imagine ever needing that much wattage. They should at least build them with a one half and one fourth power switch. 140 watts, good god. :saeek:

I do love the Classic 50 though, great amps at very reasonable prices.

Ryan
 
Re: New Peavy Penta Amp!

I think they're going for the Plexi sound with this one and that power tube distortion only happens when CRANKED. Also, I doubt that it clocks in at a true 140 Watts. Hey at least it's down some. Roger at Peavey said it was at 170 watts before it was toned down some!
 
Re: New Peavy Penta Amp!

rspst14 said:
I would strongly disagree that Peavey is a "cheaper brand."

Ryan

I strongly agree with your disagreement. :laugh2:

This amp really looks and sounds interesting. Its a shame that I'll probably never be in a position to justify owning one. :yell:
 
Re: New Peavy Penta Amp!

I'm not denying that Peavey makes a good amp, I apologize if I came off that way. It's just that if they want to market this amp it should be around 700 not 1500. For that price, you might as well get a used Bogner Shiva or something. 140w??? No thanks ;) If you want to spend 1500 on a Peavey go right ahead, but you definitely won't be getting your money's worth (unless by some strange reason this new one sounds that good - we'll have to wait and see).
 
Re: New Peavy Penta Amp!

The amp looks good. One thing Peavey does right is they use nice large output transformers, which push better bass and have better headroom. I'm sure that's why its rated at 140 watts. The extra wattage isn't necessarily for volume, but for a tighter bass when loud. I really dig the idea of the rotary knob. It's kinda the same layout as the Bogner Metropolis, although I'm stoked that Peavey went with EL-34's for the first time. This is the first Peavey, besides the Classics, that I've been anxious to check out.
 
Re: New Peavy Penta Amp!

Mike M. said:
I like and use Peavey gear and I'm sure it's a killer sounding amp. But man, why can't they make something like that in a lower wattage for all of us basement and small club players? It's amazing when I think of all the guitar players that I've known in the past and present and none of them have ever used anything over 50 watts.

+1. 140 watts is way more than the average player needs. most of us are not playing the rose bowl or something. 50 watts is plenty for me, Tom Morello, and I heard Jerry cantrell say he uses a 60 watt shiva head now. I love those guys tones.
 
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