Peavey VTM?

[BloodRose]

Hey all!
Couple of questions regarding the PV VTMS...
(btw, I did a search and found good info, but not what Im looking for..)

First.. If one was to get a VTM, Is the 60 or 120 watter better?
I know better is probably subjective, but... Do they differ in features at all? Or just tubes?

Second... Id heard before, and read in previous threads here, that the VTM was supposed to be Peaveys answer to a JCM800. However... I recently read an article on Reverb.com, that the VTM was actually based on a Jose modded JCM 800. Tonal similarities??

Lastly, I have an Ultra Plus and like it. Can anyone who has played both tell me how the Ultra Plus and VTM differ?

Thanks

ps..
the article if anyone is interested:

https://reverb.com/news/how-4-high-gain-pioneers-got-their-start-with-mods

 

[Empty Pockets]

Re: Peavey VTM?

Did you seriously just ask if it was based on a JCM800 or a JCM800? If so then, just to make everything clear, it is based on a JCM800.

I bet you already know what the tonal difference between 2 and 4 power tubes is, too.

Don't you have a Splawn? Owning a Splawn and shopping for Peavey is like eating filet mignon and wishing you were at McDonalds.

 

[Boogie Bill]

Re: Peavey VTM?

AFAIK, the 60 and the 120 differ only by the two extra 6L6s. Choose according to the headroom/loudness you need. The front panel has a row of DIP switches that allow some mods to the amp. Good pedal platform. Single channel. They didn't sound like my JCM800 (EL34s).

They were pawnshop prizes, but values have risen in the past few years.

Bill

 

[Gone_Shootin]

Re: Peavey VTM?

Like it was posted above, the only difference between the 120 and the 60 is two power tubes, and the related poweramp components. Other than that, they're identical. I still have my 120, it was my first amp, and I'll never sell it. I had a Splawn, it's gone. But I blame that on my Helix.

And I agree with Bill, while it's based on the 800, it doesn't sound the same. Largely because of the VTM having 6L6s. But that's ok, the VTM does it's own thing and does it well. It's very underrated. Although, I would advise researching some of the common problems (cheap bridge rectifier diodes, and some diodes on the power tubes that are prone to failure). If you want to hear a prime example of VTMs in action, listen to some Soundgarden. From early on up until they broke up in the '90s, the VTM was a mainstay, although for some songs here and there they used other amps to record with.

 

[Joey Voltage]

Re: Peavey VTM?

The answer is both. It’s based on the the 2203/4, but also has the Jose type solid state clipping as well that can be added in with one of the dip switches. You can convert it to the Jose circuit that Friedman, fortin, Trace (the list goes on) all copy fairly easily. Likewise if you adjusted a few things you would have a bone stock 2204/4 on the cheap.

 

[devastone]

Re: Peavey VTM?

I remember the VTM but haven't used one. I do remember that, like all Peavey products of that time, they were pretty indestructible and have heard that they sound good.

Interesting article I didn't know they were based on a Jose modded Marshall, of course, throw in the dip switch settings and the switch to 6L6 tubes, and it's obvious that Hartley had some design "improvements" of his own (the "s mean sarcasm in case that is missed). I'm sure some of his improvements were to improve the reliability, others are probably his opinion of what is best.

That said, if you can find one cheap, could be a cool new toy. From what I understand about your home use, 60W is overkill, but I'm sure the MV on those is designed to make them more house friendly than the old Marshalls.

But, you already own a Splawn, I wouldn't be looking at an old VTM as a replacement unless you have a line on a cheap one and are looking to flip the Splawn for cash (been there done that, rarely works out exactly as planned). If you are intrigued because you read the article and are looking for a Jose Marshall on the cheap, maybe, but honestly, your Splawn is probably closer tonewise? (see previous Hartley comments) If you are looking for a good sounding and solid workhorse amp, I'm guessing they are great, wouldn't mind one myself if I still used amps (but again, you have a Splawn).

 

[Joey Voltage]

Re: Peavey VTM?

I remember the VTM but haven't used one. I do remember that, like all Peavey products of that time, they were pretty indestructible and have heard that they sound good.

Interesting article I didn't know they were based on a Jose modded Marshall, of course, throw in the dip switch settings and the switch to 6L6 tubes, and it's obvious that Hartley had some design "improvements" of his own (the "s mean sarcasm in case that is missed). I'm sure some of his improvements were to improve the reliability, others are probably his opinion of what is best.

That said, if you can find one cheap, could be a cool new toy. From what I understand about your home use, 60W is overkill, but I'm sure the MV on those is designed to make them more house friendly than the old Marshalls.

But, you already own a Splawn, I wouldn't be looking at an old VTM as a replacement unless you have a line on a cheap one and are looking to flip the Splawn for cash (been there done that, rarely works out exactly as planned). If you are intrigued because you read the article and are looking for a Jose Marshall on the cheap, maybe, but honestly, your Splawn is probably closer tonewise? (see previous Hartley comments) If you are looking for a good sounding and solid workhorse amp, I'm guessing they are great, wouldn't mind one myself if I still used amps (but again, you have a Splawn).

It’s not really based on a Jose modded Marshall, it only has the Zener clipping on a dip switch that a lot of the Jose marshals used. The rest of the circuit is pretty much a bone stock 2203/4, with a very slight gain increase.

 

[devastone]

Re: Peavey VTM?

It’s not really based on a Jose modded Marshall, it only has the Zener clipping on a dip switch that a lot of the Jose marshals used. The rest of the circuit is pretty much a bone stock 2203/4, with a very slight gain increase.

I was just going by the Reverb article, again, I haven't used one. But, even comparing to a JCM, the Peavey uses 6L6 power tubes and I'm guessing quite a few other Hartley improvements. Remember, this is the guy that convinced Ed VH to add a tone control to his guitar :bigeyes:

 

[Joey Voltage]

Re: Peavey VTM?

Not positive he really did. I think he told Eddie he had to release production models with a tone control, but who know what was done to Eddies personal guitars once he got them. My suspicion is that Eddie probably disconnected it and swapped the pickups around. That’s what I did to mine.

Regarding a JCM with 6L6’s, it still sounds like a jcm. I’ve definitely tried it before. Speaking of Eddie, A lot of people like to throw 6ca7’s in Marshall’s as well which are not a real EL34 equivalent in sound but more of beam tetrode closer related to a 6L6. Also keep in mind there was a long period Marshall has to use 6550’s for USA imports, and those a pretty non-el34 like.

I could take a look at the schematic to list all the changes “upgrades” from a 2203/4. The most obvious is all the voicing options on the dip switches which includes the Zener clipping, and that slight variation I mention earlier about the slightly warmer bias on the second preamp stage. There’s no reason you couldn’t outfit them with el34’s if you so chose.

 

[devastone]

Re: Peavey VTM?

Just regurgitating the party line :wizard:

Sounds like the VTM could be a pretty cool amp, just never actually tried one. Would definitely be tempted to look one up now if I had a use for a medium - big amp.