New Amp Day!

majortoby · #1 02-02-2012, 12:57 AM

After years of hunting for the right amp to replace my practice amp, a fantastic surprise deal landed square in my lap. So, I present to TalkBass my first actual legit, useful amplifier: A Peavey TNT 100.

It's Serial# 9A-325834. Neither myself nor the previous owner know the age, but we both think 1980's. I freaking love this thing! My first impressions are very positive indeed!

First off, I was VERY surprised by the volume. I would NEVER have guessed that it's feeding that fifteen only 45-90 watts of juice. It gets nice and loud.....far louder than I'll actually need for now, so I have room to "grow" with this amp.

Tonally speaking, I find it superb. The mid shift, coupled with very powerful bass and treble controls allows me to pull pretty much any tone I desire from it- Sweet! My MIM Jazz with flats really thumps through it.....really able to dial in a nice, thick, growly tone with a touch of hair. I've just now been giving channel two a signal from my ART Tube MP to get overdrive at lower volume levels, and to experiment with the sound I get, and it's killer!

I REALLY dig the overdrive this amp puts out. If I get myself a nice chorus pedal, I think I'll be able to land in DFA territory.

Unfortunately, it does exhibit a bit of whistle and rattle at max. volume. The good news is that these are entirely resolvable issues, that require pretty much no technical skill. Overall, I'm thrilled with it, though! I can see why so many people use these amps, absolutely unbelievable value for the money.

Just a couple questions:

Can anyone tell me it's age by the serial#?

Am I endangering the amp by giving it a signal from my MP box? I really don't want to cook the thing. Of course, I've included a pic. You'll have to forgive the crappy iphone picture. The great thing is, I saved enough money on my amp budget, that I'll be able to get a VT bass MUCH sooner than I had expected to! Hooray!

schecter5string · #2 02-02-2012, 01:11 AM

Just a guess...9A=91?

majortoby · #3 02-02-2012, 01:17 AM

Idk man, I've certainly no idea. It IS U.S. made, FWIW

loopee · #4 02-02-2012, 01:21 AM

Had one of those many years ago in our rehearsal room.....It sounded great...every once in a while it would start crackling and I'd just bang on the top once and it'd stop the crackle for a few months...it just kept on going......great tone....

JimmyM · #5 02-02-2012, 01:21 AM

That's just like the one I borrowed off our singer/keyboard player when our stuff burned up in a bar fire. She had it sitting around her house, and it ended up saving my butt for a few months while I saved up for a new amp. Solid little amp with some ass behind it.

BigDaddyMick · #6 02-02-2012, 01:22 AM

Email Peavey.

I picked up a TKO 115 S on CL a few months back, and emailed Peavey asking for schematics. They told me the year it was made, sent me a pdf of the schematic/parts list, and this all happened within an hour.

Excellent customer service!!

majortoby · #7 02-02-2012, 01:25 AM

I know I'm still on my "honeymoon" phase, but I just dig the hell out of this thing! I've been told it has a venerable work history, and I fully intend on making sure this device gets heard, lol.

Plays_For_Dog · #8 02-02-2012, 03:53 AM

Congrats. Most of us here on TB understand the excitment of finding that piece of gear that "fits" our needs, budget and expectations.

On a side note.... Jimmy played a non-Ampeg amp!

wagdog · #9 02-02-2012, 08:17 AM

Everyone needs to own a Peavey amp at least once. They sound good, are affordable and are built like tanks. Congratulations!

Russell L · #10 02-02-2012, 09:20 AM

Congrats, pal. It's good to hear someone feeling good about their stuff. I've owned Peavey gear twice. Still have a Combo 300, although I don't need it.

swspiers · #11 02-02-2012, 09:24 AM

That was my first amp back in about 1977. It is unbelievably loud for 45 watts. Back in the day it held its own (barely) against two Marshall half-stacks and a loud drummer.

IMO you found a true classic. Enjoy!

majortoby · #12 02-02-2012, 09:41 AM

Upon further review, I think I might have a 1970's model :O A true find has been made, IMO :-D Any thoughts an juicing up my input signal with the mp? I sure don't wanna toast anything, tank-like though this amp is.

JimmyM · #13 02-02-2012, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plays_For_Dog

Congrats. Most of us here on TB understand the excitment of finding that piece of gear that "fits" our needs, budget and expectations.

On a side note.... Jimmy played a non-Ampeg amp!

I've played many non-Ampegs in my day, bro

Just because I love Ampeg stuff doesn't mean other stuff can't be good.

PersonalTraynor · #14 02-02-2012, 11:45 AM

Congrats! Great amp.

DogBone · #15 02-02-2012, 12:21 PM

With that Peavey distortion, you'll definitely be in DFA territory.

Check Peavey.com's archived manuals, you may be able to find the original owners manual in .pdf format, and get an idea of how old your amp is.

Writing or calling to Peavey's product support will also most likely get you any info you want. Peavey still supports the "vintage" stuff and are top notch folks to deal with.

Congrats, I'd love to run up on a nice vintage TNT myself.

Goatee220 · #16 02-02-2012, 12:25 PM

I had a TNT 150 back in the day and I'm bummed I got rid of it. It had an EQ, built in chorus, compression, and was an absolute tank. It would have been perfect for practice, and the occasional gig. Good luck and enjoy!

majortoby · #17 02-02-2012, 12:42 PM

I really understated my love of the overdrive! By using that MP, I'm having absolutely no trouble whatsoever getting a thick, snarly grind that retains definition and clarity. Holy crap do I love this sound!

alecduncan · #18 02-02-2012, 01:20 PM

I used to play through a Peavey BAM210 religiously... man, I really like older Peavey SS amps! I definitely miss it, although I don't miss how ridiculously heavy it was.

rmkesler · #19 02-02-2012, 01:27 PM

I used to have one just like it. Congrats!

wagdog · #20 02-03-2012, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by majortoby

Any thoughts an juicing up my input signal with the mp? I sure don't wanna toast anything, tank-like though this amp is.

You won't hurt the amp electrically. In other words the amp part will be fine. Just be sure you don't push the speaker into distress. Farting out and other non-musical sounds mean back off!