New (used) amp questions, Peavey Classic 50.

BigAlTheBird

BigAlTheBird

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What's up guys?
So I got my amp in the mail about a month ago, it's a Peavey Classic 50 from the early 70's. I just played it today for the first time (I've been up at college). I have a few questions.

Basically, on clean it sounds phenomenal, easily the best I've ever played on clean (I'm not including really high-end amps, because I've never played one). This does outshine the Hot Rod Deluxes though, IMO. Anyways, on dirty, it sounds terrible. It sounds like the speakers are blown or something, the distortion is absolutely unusable (this amp should have at least decent distortion, this is completely unusable). So what could be causing this? I think I need a speaker change, what should I get?

Also, there is a switch on the back which says off in the middle, and on on either side (3 positions). The amp works on both 'on' switches, but it sounds noticeably different on one. What are these positions?

The speakers plug into one of two holes, labeled 1 and 2. When plugged into the '2' slot, the amp makes very little sound. Why?

I think the tubes the guy sent are wrong. They're hot right now so I can't check them out, but I'm pretty sure they don't match what the amp says to use. What adverse effects can this have?

Lastly, how much is a new reverb tank? Expensive?

I think that's it! I GREATLY appreciate help.
 
Re: New (used) amp questions, Peavey Classic 50.

Wonderful thanks! :)

It's actually pretty phenomenal sounding clean, I just can't believe how bad the distortion is (I know there's something wrong, but I don't know what). And things get better with age, don't you know? But this thing paid for itself the first time I got goosebumps from the clean sound (which is something that has only happened with a few amps).
 
Re: New (used) amp questions, Peavey Classic 50.

Put a pedal into the clean channel.

I told you the dirty channel would suck went I gave you the ebay link for it.
 
Re: New (used) amp questions, Peavey Classic 50.

This bad? Wow! That's incredible.

Hey Mephis, what is the 3-way witch on the back, and why are there 4 inputs on front? Is there a clean/dirty channel for each setting (bright and normal)?
 
Re: New (used) amp questions, Peavey Classic 50.

bigalthethird said:
This bad? Wow! That's incredible.

Hey Mephis, what is the 3-way witch on the back, and why are there 4 inputs on front? Is there a clean/dirty channel for each setting (bright and normal)?
Click to expand...

The 3-way switch is your ground switch, leave it centered unless you know what it does.

I don't know why it has 4 inputs? Mines the newer all tube model, so I really don't know a ton about that amp.

But the OD on mine is great.
 
Re: New (used) amp questions, Peavey Classic 50.

The 2nd speaker jack should be for an extention cab...I believe it splits the ohms, use #1. I use stomps with my Classic 30, the distortion does suck except for bedroom playing. I put in a used 70s Marshall Celestion...MUCH better than the stock.
 
Re: New (used) amp questions, Peavey Classic 50.

Thanks guys.

Mephis, the switch on the back is the on-off switch, if you leave it in the middle you get no sound. :) And butnut, thanks for the speaker jack answer. That's what I thought, but I wasn't sure. Why no sound from jack 2? Broken perhaps?

Lastly, you guys are WAY overestimating the OD on this. There is none! The speakers rattle so badly, and it is so inarticulate, it sounds literally worse than my 1.5 watt Mini-Fender (a 2" amp). That has more OD than this. There is something broken, because no amp would be sold new sounding this terrible.
 
Re: New (used) amp questions, Peavey Classic 50.

bigalthethird said:
Thanks guys.

Mephis, the switch on the back is the on-off switch, if you leave it in the middle you get no sound. :) And butnut, thanks for the speaker jack answer. That's what I thought, but I wasn't sure. Why no sound from jack 2? Broken perhaps?

Lastly, you guys are WAY overestimating the OD on this. There is none! The speakers rattle so badly, and it is so inarticulate, it sounds literally worse than my 1.5 watt Mini-Fender (a 2" amp). That has more OD than this. There is something broken, because no amp would be sold new sounding this terrible.
Click to expand...


On off switch? Mine has + o - on the switch and according to the booklet it was for selecting the ground type.

Strange.

And I never said the OD on those solid state ones were good... The OD on the all tube later model ones is great though IMO.
 
Re: New (used) amp questions, Peavey Classic 50.

I couldn't care less about it having a decent OD, but this doesn't even qualify as OD. I'm going to take it to a music shop at some point, because something is obviously broken. I'm hoping a speaker change will improve it (to the point where the OD is usable), but until then I can't even use it (it just sounds like absolute bad).
 
Re: New (used) amp questions, Peavey Classic 50.

You might needa tube change. I think that swith is for the ground. There should be a + and - sign on either side of the middle. The two holes are most likely for 8 and 16 ohm inputs. I dont know how they made Classic 50's back then but I have a 410 from '93. Thats how my amp is so yours shouldnt be too much diff.
 
Re: New (used) amp questions, Peavey Classic 50.

The plug has three prongs, so the ground switch confuses me.

I talked to Peavey (they have some fantastic customer support) and they answered each and every single question perfectly, even e-mailed me a pdf of the instruction manual. It's a Peavey "The Classic," not a Classic 50. Regardless, most of my questions are answered.

The nice thing is that this amp has FANTASTIC cleans. Really "make you need to change your pants" cleans. So it should take to a Guv'nor well. I can't wait to hear that combo. I'm waiting to collect some more funds to buy the Guv'nor JeffB has. Can't wait! Speakers will come when I get some $$$.

Thanks for the help guys!
 
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