Peavey tube amp choices

[tman]

I wanted to get everyones opinion on three different tube amps from Peavey that I may be interested in getting soon. Its between the 6505/Valveking II/or the classic 30? Which one of these do you like and some good points and bad points on these. Thanks just like peoples inputs on things. I have heard them all but having a hard time deciding.

 

[Spudman]

Re: Peavey tube amp choices

Rather than the Classic 30 (which I sold), my preference is for the Delta with a 1x15" speaker. The amp is everything the C30 is and more. The stock speaker is better sounding, more pleasant to the ears with better bottom end and a smoother output. I thought the C30 was okay until I played the Delta. I've never looked back and have enjoyed my Delta for many years now. There isn't much difference in size and it's essentially the same amp internally. That's my take on it.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Peavey tube amp choices

I'll second what he said
I haven't played a Delta
but the C30 I played didn't have a bad tone in it

Jerry has a 6505 and I plan on playing that monster next time I'm out that way

the ValveKing I played sounded ok but sterile
I dunno maybe it was the speaker or something

just no

the modern features like the usb port
cabinet voiced out
and such on the valveking were nice but
just no

 

[JRSOLDJA]

Re: Peavey tube amp choices

I wanted to get everyones opinion on three different tube amps from Peavey that I may be interested in getting soon. Its between the 6505/Valveking II/or the classic 30? Which one of these do you like and some good points and bad points on these. Thanks just like peoples inputs on things. I have heard them all but having a hard time deciding.

6505 = More for that metal sound and feel
Valveking = solid rock tones/blues
classic 30 = great for hard rock/blues/county..couldnt get much of a metal sound out of it though.

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: Peavey tube amp choices

6505 = More for that metal sound and feel
Valveking = solid rock tones/blues
classic 30 = great for hard rock/blues/county..couldnt get much of a metal sound out of it though.

True, but if you plug into the low gain input of a 5150/6505 and use the crunch channel, you can get quite a few good classic rock & blues tones.

 

[SirJackdeFuzz]

Re: Peavey tube amp choices

I wanted to get everyones opinion on three different tube amps from Peavey that I may be interested in getting soon. Its between the 6505/Valveking II/or the classic 30? Which one of these do you like and some good points and bad points on these. Thanks just like peoples inputs on things. I have heard them all but having a hard time deciding.

Do not overlook the Butcher :

Very underrated, imho, and a GREAT Rock amp.

 

[Kosh Naranek]

Re: Peavey tube amp choices

The Peavey Classic series are supposed to be very good all-around amps.

The 6505 has a tone all its own. I have a 6505+, and if I record a song with one part played through that, and a few other parts through other amps, I'll listen to the song and go "there's the 6505. There's nothing else sounds like that". Whether you have it dialed in for metal or classic rock or blues, it will put its own stamp on it. So make sure that's the sound you want before deciding to get one.

I would second the recommendation for the Butcher.

I also have a XXX combo and a Penta. Both of these are excellent amps for metal and classic rock. I had to install lower gain preamp tubes in the XXX to get the gain down to classic rock levels, but it sounds great. The Penta is a very versatile amp with 4 absolutely great voicings that are reminiscent of a Plexi, an 80's Marshall, and a Bogner, and a 5th that is useable with some tweaking.

 

[iamthesuck]

Re: Peavey tube amp choices

See if there's an old VT classic on your local craigslist/ebay. I've seen them for ~60 bucks before. It's a huge, warm sounding amp that can do any style you throw at it. Just get a distortion pedal if you want to do metal. Also the phaser on it is the best i've ever heard.

 

[Kosh Naranek]

Re: Peavey tube amp choices

See if there's an old VT classic on your local craigslist/ebay. I've seen them for ~60 bucks before.

My brother still has the one I sold to him, which I had for a few years before that. It's the 80's version with built in phaser and gray, white and blue knobs.
You're right. Those amps sound really good. Not for high gain metal, but for medium gain classic rock.

 

[ginormous]

Re: Peavey tube amp choices

I'll second the motion on used USA Peaveys.

The old black Classic VT 212 is LOUD for a combo amp. I've played through them often down here (western KY, outside of Nashville). They'll take pedals pretty well.

I have a current model Classic 50 4x10. It's not a metal amp by any means, but it covers a lot of territory very well.
Cleans are strong and full, but overdrive needs a little help from a pedal.

I nominate the 6505 for modern metal sounds. Again, if you hunt for a used US-made, it'll be a good deal.

I have no kick against Asian-sourced products, but the US Peaveys were built like freekin' tanks. Hartley got it right the first time.

 

[Jason_The_Angry]

Re: Peavey tube amp choices

stupid question time.... did you search through the amp review thread for any ideas? Words fail at describing tone perfectly, but it might help point you in the right direction

FWIW, I have a retubed 6505+112 and I love it for rock and metal. You'll get no true cleans, but that sexy mid-range slays. Just a caution, mine has been in and out of the shop a few times for random failures in the power section. Blew a resistor once, then the power section tube sockets seemed to be having issues with intermittent contact. That's what you get for a 1/2 priced, made in the People's Republic of China amp, I suppose. Also, the mid range knobs don't seem to change much... I think the frequency range they affect might be a little off

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Peavey tube amp choices

The jsx is by far the best decision.

 

[Kosh Naranek]

Re: Peavey tube amp choices

The jsx is by far the best decision.

Forgot about that one. I plugged into one at GC once. It is a fantastic amp for hard rock and metal.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Peavey tube amp choices

You never mentioned what tones you are chasing. That will make a difference, although I would take either of the others before a Valveking.

 

[JRSOLDJA]

Re: Peavey tube amp choices

True, but if you plug into the low gain input of a 5150/6505 and use the crunch channel, you can get quite a few good classic rock & blues tones.

Agreed! Thats if you find a Peavey 5150/6505. The new EVH 5150 III only has one input option...kinda wish it had 2 :sad:

 

[lovesacdc]

Re: Peavey tube amp choices

The Classic didn't have enough gain for my liking. I didn't think it took pedals very well either. The JSX / XXX have the smoothest high gain rock tone that is perfect for classic rock. The JSX is the best rock amp I have owned.

 

[Archer_of_Fish]

Re: Peavey tube amp choices

Do not overlook the Butcher :

Very underrated, imho, and a GREAT Rock amp.

GREAT call. These amps are so underrated its sick.

 

[Detroitblues]

Re: Peavey tube amp choices

I've had several Peavey Tube amps over the past couple of years...

Here's my rundown:

Peavey Valveking 112
Pro's: Verstile Clean and Distorted Tones, can be quiet for home bedroom use or completely melt your face.
Con's: Amp design was prone to failure. I went through three of them for the same problem.. Blowing the V1 preamp.

Peavey DeltaBlues 1x15
Pro's: Excellent Blues Tones, takes pedals really well, and tremolo/vibrato was killer
Con's: Amp cab was really deep and hard to lug around. Tremolo Circuit wouldn't work for the first 10-15 minutes.

Peavey Valveking II MH20
Pro's: Very small, lots of usable feature including iPod input, XLR output, headphone output, great cleans, and reverb. When paired with a 4x12 cabinet, its got plenty of volume to hang with any band and cut through the mix.
Con's: The amp lackes some bottom end and the gain is a bit much when trying to play classic rock or mild breakup.

I still have the Peavey VKII MH20, but I'm considering the Peavey Classic MH20 instead for less gain of an amp. I like the effects loop and footswitchable channels/reverb. I have yet to try one, but if I love the sound of the Jet City HV20, I won't get around to the new Peavey...

 

[Wormhelmet]

Re: Peavey tube amp choices

I have the VK II MH and think its a pretty versatile amp. They have their own high gain sound. They don't sound like the old VK's. It can dial back for some classic rock pretty easy IMO, but its the clean channel that I think is really good. Not too dark, not too jangly bright. Just right. Depends on speaker, guitar, pickups, etc too. I like to tailor mine a little with a 10 band MXR in the loop. I like it better with my active pup guitars too on the gain channel.

I had a Triumph 60 Watt tube combo with 12" Scorpion that really rocked. Used it over ten years. Three channel. The ultra channel sounding like a modded Marshall. Great cleans and crunch channel too. Hard to find now. Plugged into a 412 cab sounded dynamite. Also a versatile amp. Needs no pedal in front for crazy gain on Ultra channel, even with mild pickup.

As much as I like the VK II MH, I like to run AMT preamps in front instead of the VK. I will use either my D2 or my SS-20 into fx return and just use the VK power section with accutronics reverb. Attenuator is cool on lower watts with master up to get some power tube break up with the EL84's. A good combo with the AMT pre's. Just taking a break from headphone jams with SS-20 in front and my Epiphone Les Paul with EMG 81/85. The AMT pre's take pedals well also, so I run OCD with gain on about 1.5 (7:00 position) and volume on about 3 (10:00 position) for a little extra bite while keeping AMT lead channel gain about 12:00 position. Loads of gain for metal. Crunch channel I switch off OCD and run crunch gain around 10:00 position on my SS-20. Classic rock all day. VK II pre I turn gain down to about 9:00 position for classic rock and around 12:00 to 2:00 for Metal (with OCD same setting as before AMT pre) depending on which guitar and actives (Duncan or EMG, Duncan needs less gain on amp)

Saw the 6505 mini's just became available from dealers. If you like that sound and wanted a bedroom lunchbox version, they are out.

Edit - forgot to mention I really like the headphone out and haven't tried XLR MSDI out or USB out yet, but the cab sim on the headphones sounds great to me. Not a lot of difference to Marshall 212 I run with the head. I do need a better pair of headphones and have some Sennheisers being shipped already. Headphone out is great option for when I'm up early and my son is still sleeping (neighbors too).