Peavey in 70's - solid state preamp, KT88 tubes and 2x12 black widow - model?
- Thread starter Larioso
- Start date
JamesPaul
Well-known member
Re: Peavey in 70's - solid state preamp, KT88 tubes and 2x12 black widow - model?
Did it have two KT88's in it? I am thinking a Classic VT or Classic VTX. They had two 6L6's here in the U.S.
Check these manuals and see which looks more familiar.
Classic VT - https://assets.peavey.com/literature/manuals/80343001.pdf
Classic VTX - https://assets.peavey.com/literature/manuals/80343008.pdf
I do see both of these used on my local Craigs from time to time.
I had a Peavey Heritage VTX in the 80's, but sold it. In the 90's I contacted Peavey about something similar, but at that point nothing of theirs had a phaser. Peavey recommended a Classic 50 212 and putting a phaser in the loop. The Classic 50, from the Classic Series produced since the 90's, is different with two 12AX7's for the preamp section instead of solid state. The power section uses four EL84's to get the 50W. It is different than the old solid state preamp Classics, but still has some great tones.
Another couple current options would be the Envoy 110 (40W) or Bandit 112 (80W) with a phaser in the loop, but they are all solid state and only one speaker. The Transtube power amps can get "close" to a tube power amp. [No Peavey haters need to chime in.] Or one of the Vypyr line which will have the phaser and a million other effects built in, but Vypyrs are modelers with FRFR power circuits/chips.
I would truly be interested in seeing what you end up finding/using.
Did it have two KT88's in it? I am thinking a Classic VT or Classic VTX. They had two 6L6's here in the U.S.
Check these manuals and see which looks more familiar.
Classic VT - https://assets.peavey.com/literature/manuals/80343001.pdf
Classic VTX - https://assets.peavey.com/literature/manuals/80343008.pdf
I do see both of these used on my local Craigs from time to time.
I had a Peavey Heritage VTX in the 80's, but sold it. In the 90's I contacted Peavey about something similar, but at that point nothing of theirs had a phaser. Peavey recommended a Classic 50 212 and putting a phaser in the loop. The Classic 50, from the Classic Series produced since the 90's, is different with two 12AX7's for the preamp section instead of solid state. The power section uses four EL84's to get the 50W. It is different than the old solid state preamp Classics, but still has some great tones.
Another couple current options would be the Envoy 110 (40W) or Bandit 112 (80W) with a phaser in the loop, but they are all solid state and only one speaker. The Transtube power amps can get "close" to a tube power amp. [No Peavey haters need to chime in.] Or one of the Vypyr line which will have the phaser and a million other effects built in, but Vypyrs are modelers with FRFR power circuits/chips.
I would truly be interested in seeing what you end up finding/using.
Re: Peavey in 70's - solid state preamp, KT88 tubes and 2x12 black widow - model?
I checked the timeline at Peavey and Black Widow came 1976, that sounds familiar with where I lived and worked for a year.
VTX seems very similar, mine were specified 100W but music watts or so, and that would mean around 70W rms.
Two inputs rings a bell.
VTX pdf also refer to Scorpion speaker having many features as famous Black Widow, so obviously later.
VTX manual was printed 1981 it says in the end.
Would be fun for reference to know exactly what it was in model.
I checked the timeline at Peavey and Black Widow came 1976, that sounds familiar with where I lived and worked for a year.
VTX seems very similar, mine were specified 100W but music watts or so, and that would mean around 70W rms.
Two inputs rings a bell.
VTX pdf also refer to Scorpion speaker having many features as famous Black Widow, so obviously later.
VTX manual was printed 1981 it says in the end.
Would be fun for reference to know exactly what it was in model.
Re: Peavey in 70's - solid state preamp, KT88 tubes and 2x12 black widow - model?
Deuce was the name - here it is
https://assets.peavey.com/literature/manuals/deuce.pdf
When I read the name Deuce, it rang a bell, so pretty sure now.
KT66 as I understand are fairly close to 6L6 that I saw some interchange - so I could have remembered wrong about kt88.
But about wattage still not sure if KT66 will do the job - 90W rms 8 ohm, but as delivered with two give 4 ohm adn 120W rms.
Or if specs were on the limit.
But it's the amp there.
And on us market it was tremolo instead of phaser.
Deuce was the name - here it is
https://assets.peavey.com/literature/manuals/deuce.pdf
When I read the name Deuce, it rang a bell, so pretty sure now.
KT66 as I understand are fairly close to 6L6 that I saw some interchange - so I could have remembered wrong about kt88.
But about wattage still not sure if KT66 will do the job - 90W rms 8 ohm, but as delivered with two give 4 ohm adn 120W rms.
Or if specs were on the limit.
But it's the amp there.
And on us market it was tremolo instead of phaser.
Last edited:
Re: Peavey in 70's - solid state preamp, KT88 tubes and 2x12 black widow - model?
I even heard from Petrucci in an interview, all amps face backwards not to disturb sound guys.
Saw some tour guide YT with Brian May, he ran a bunch of AC30's - all at 234 VAC 50 Hz, everywhere he goes, so he gets the same sound.
Some converter/stabilizer he used.
I only have 15-20W for home studio use, and a tedweber load and radial jdx over that as DI - all quiet and nice.
Was just curious to identify a Peavey I had, and see if anything resembles or better as a head then.
I don't know if anybody today buy so strong amps - all is PA miked today, I assume.
I even heard from Petrucci in an interview, all amps face backwards not to disturb sound guys.
Saw some tour guide YT with Brian May, he ran a bunch of AC30's - all at 234 VAC 50 Hz, everywhere he goes, so he gets the same sound.
Some converter/stabilizer he used.
I only have 15-20W for home studio use, and a tedweber load and radial jdx over that as DI - all quiet and nice.
Was just curious to identify a Peavey I had, and see if anything resembles or better as a head then.
Re: Peavey in 70's - solid state preamp, KT88 tubes and 2x12 black widow - model?
Black Window came 1976, and it was brand new when I bought it - so 1976 or latest 1977 since I then like 1978 sold all gear to release the money to fund gettting to Utah skiing for two months.
Condemnedsoul
Active member
Re: Peavey in 70's - solid state preamp, KT88 tubes and 2x12 black widow - model?
Had a Classic VT for a few years and it came with 6L6's. Remember this being a good solid amp for its time.
Does anyone remember the automix feature on these amps.
The documentation in the links describes this feature. The automix feature required a separate foot pedal to control. Basically, you could use one channel to boost the other channel and the amp could get some good sounds out it.
Got rid of the amp after the channel switching died. Was told that it required a now unattainable transistor and I decided that this was a good excuse to get a new amp.
Had a Classic VT for a few years and it came with 6L6's. Remember this being a good solid amp for its time.
Does anyone remember the automix feature on these amps.
The documentation in the links describes this feature. The automix feature required a separate foot pedal to control. Basically, you could use one channel to boost the other channel and the amp could get some good sounds out it.
Got rid of the amp after the channel switching died. Was told that it required a now unattainable transistor and I decided that this was a good excuse to get a new amp.
JamesPaul
Well-known member
Re: Peavey in 70's - solid state preamp, KT88 tubes and 2x12 black widow - model?
An interesting feature like this is why I got my Heritage. You could pull one of the phaser knobs and then by turning it you could get any tone in the sweep of the phaser. There were really a lot of extra tones available, especially for the 80's.
Weird on the Automix switching transistor. Peavey was not known for using obscure parts. I have repaired several 70's and 80's Peaveys and while the original component may no longer be available, there has always been an electrical equivalent rated the same or better.
Still, a new amp day is always fun!
An interesting feature like this is why I got my Heritage. You could pull one of the phaser knobs and then by turning it you could get any tone in the sweep of the phaser. There were really a lot of extra tones available, especially for the 80's.
Weird on the Automix switching transistor. Peavey was not known for using obscure parts. I have repaired several 70's and 80's Peaveys and while the original component may no longer be available, there has always been an electrical equivalent rated the same or better.
Still, a new amp day is always fun!
Re: Peavey in 70's - solid state preamp, KT88 tubes and 2x12 black widow - model?
I doubt you could sub in 2xKT88 in the old PV Classic---the current draw is way too much for that little PT. Maybe KT66...but none of these tubes were ever stock in those models. 7581A sound good in these amps...
I doubt you could sub in 2xKT88 in the old PV Classic---the current draw is way too much for that little PT. Maybe KT66...but none of these tubes were ever stock in those models. 7581A sound good in these amps...
Last edited:
Aceman
I am your doctor of love!
Re: Peavey in 70's - solid state preamp, KT88 tubes and 2x12 black widow - model?
My first amp was a 65 watt Peavey Classic w/ Tremolo and Reverb. Big, loud, awesome and under-appreciated. I'd totally dig it for a lot of things these days. The Saturation/Distortion sucked. But today, I'd really appreciate the drive tones I could make by using the Parallel and series modes on the channels.
My first amp was a 65 watt Peavey Classic w/ Tremolo and Reverb. Big, loud, awesome and under-appreciated. I'd totally dig it for a lot of things these days. The Saturation/Distortion sucked. But today, I'd really appreciate the drive tones I could make by using the Parallel and series modes on the channels.
