Peavey TNT 160 vs Combo 300

[The WideBody]

I am in the market for one of these combos or similar peavey offering with the crossover function for bi amp capability. I found these two on a craigslist in a neighboring city. The 160 is half the asking price at $150 and is in near mint condition. Is the preamp on the TNT similar to that on the 300? What will i missing if i opt for the cheaper buy?

Thanks for your input.

az

[lowfunk99]

The 300 puts out a lot of sound. If you are going to play out I would pick that one... Plus it has more control over the sound.

[Pickebass]

If these are the ones I remember, the preamp is the same. You had a little more power and some other patching options. I also think you could add an extra cab for more power. I THINK you need the run the amp at 2ohms to get 300 watts.

I had a TNT 130 for along time many moons ago. One of the best investments in that amp was putting in a new speaker. I put in a JBL 15 and eventually sold the amp for what I had put into it after about 5 years of use

[1n3]

Originally Posted by Pickebass

I THINK you need the run the amp at 2ohms to get 300 watts.

Correct. The Combo 300 is 210w into the internal 4 ohm speaker; 300w with a 4 ohm extension cab. The preamps are very similar, and the power difference at 4 ohms is not worth double the price. Unless you need to run at 2 ohms, I'd take the 160 over the 300, given the information so far. That said, $150 is not cheap for the 160, and $300 for a Combo 300 is unrealistic.

[The WideBody]

Looked at the ad again - i was incorrect - it is a tnt 130 for $150. Claims to be like new condition. Might be too much for the initial asking price and i will offer less. My question is regarding the preamp and crossover function. Is this the same or similar as the Combo 300? Open to any other suggestions? Thanks.

[The WideBody]

To add another piece of info, i am looking for one of these combo to work in a biamp capacity to take care of the bottom end of another smaller combo.

[5StringFool]

What kind of speaker is in the 130? A few of them have the Black Widow or Scorpion (I own own one with a Scorpion).

The crossover is the same in both amps, and the only difference in the preamp is the equalization section. You have eight bands of equalization on the 300, and four on the TNT; but the TNT has a sweepable mid section with and adjustable Q. Imo any difference in tone or output in going to be pretty negligible. You should be able to get a usable tone out of either, but considering the prices involved I'd go for the TNT hands down.

[The WideBody]

The amp in the ad has the BW tag at the bottom of the grill. Will the 130 have enough power to provide a solid bottom end? I hope to purchase in conjunction with the peavey a smaller more portable rig - maybe one of the roland cube offerings. When practice is going to be of the lower volume type, then i can just grab the top and go - but when i need more power i can just plug into one of these peavey combos with the crossover. Thanks for your input.

[MNAirHead]

I've owned all of the amps listed

Like the tradition says they're bulky and heavy

The 130will keep up to many bands - then again a basic 50 will too

I know you're looking for cheap---- what you're describing is really a megabass (way undervalued) - there are also some gk heads that fully biamp



Opinion-i own about 15 amps (different mfs including peavey) ... Ground lift xlr and kickback cab are now my buying requirements.... All fit comfortably onto a luggage cart

[The WideBody]

Thanks for the tip on the megabass, however when i googled it i could only find a head version. I was really looking for a combo for a good price. I know that i have stressed the biamp need but i would also like the peavey combo to not only provide a solid bottom but be a solid complete backup if the need ever arose - thats why my initial target was the combo 300. I wish i could find one of those in really decent shape and not spend a ridiculous amount for it.

[MNAirHead]

There's a cab called a 112b ? That has a two space rackmount slot - they go for 75 used

I can dig up the exact model if you're serious

I owned a combo300 --- great amp if you don't have to move it

I understand what you're trying to do - unfortunately there will be lackluster results without the right pieces

True biamp requires the correctated pieces

I enjoy my tall rig - in reality I have to create reasons to use it

Pa gear today is sooooo much better

----
I firmly stand behind my reflections above

[The WideBody]

Heres one....


http://m.guitarcenter.com/Item/Defau...68778279&urx=1

[The WideBody]

I found a combo 300 in the used section of guitar center dot com for $185 shipped. Hows that sound?

[The WideBody]

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

I owned a combo300 --- great amp if you don't have to move it

I understand what you're trying to do - unfortunately there will be lackluster results without the right pieces

True biamp requires the correctated pieces

i wouldnt have to move it too often - a few times a year. I rarely need that much power. We dont gig. Our 'band' assembles only in the winter and it happens in one of the members living room or basement. I only have to compete with the drums when we play at the drummers house. Most of the time a small combo serves me just fine.

Plz expound on true biamp. I thought if i came out of the crossover into my smaller combo, i would be biamping.

[1n3]

Originally Posted by The WideBody

Looked at the ad again - i was incorrect - it is a tnt 130 for $150. Claims to be like new condition. Might be too much for the initial asking price and i will offer less. My question is regarding the preamp and crossover function. Is this the same or similar as the Combo 300?

The preamps are quite different, as 5StringFool describes. I think $150 is on the high end for a TNT 130, but with a BW speaker, and in pristine condition, it's not unreasonable.

Originally Posted by The WideBody

The amp in the ad has the BW tag at the bottom of the grill. Will the 130 have enough power to provide a solid bottom end? I hope to purchase in conjunction with the peavey a smaller more portable rig - maybe one of the roland cube offerings. When practice is going to be of the lower volume type, then i can just grab the top and go - but when i need more power i can just plug into one of these peavey combos with the crossover.

None of these Peavey combos are ideal for biamping. The cabs are tuned fairly high, so you get more mid-bass hump than true low-end... not what some would look for on the LF side. And the 15" speaker lacks extension and dispersion on the HF side, though I have run a TNT 130 biamped with the combo on the HF side, paired with a folded-horn/power amp on the LF side. Made a lot of noise, but the highs were what you'd expect from a 15.

A small combo with an 8" or 10" speaker might make an acceptable HF cab for this. You might gain some HF dispersion and clarity, but you won't gain a lot of volume, since most of the power demand is in the bass.

Originally Posted by The WideBody

I was really looking for a combo for a good price. I know that i have stressed the biamp need but i would also like the peavey combo to not only provide a solid bottom but be a solid complete backup if the need ever arose - thats why my initial target was the combo 300. I wish i could find one of those in really decent shape and not spend a ridiculous amount for it.

Having owned both, I prefer the TNT 130 over the Combo 300. It was lighter, loud enough for my gigs, and I liked the sound and tone controls better. It might work well in the role you describe if you don't need huge volume or low-end. Is there better/lighter gear out there today? Sure. But for the money, it has good value as a starter or backup amp.

Now if the Combo 300 really floats your boat, there are plenty out there, and they go cheap. Be patient.

[1n3]

Originally Posted by The WideBody

Heres one....

In Store Used USED PEAVEY 115BW COMBO 300 @826 and more Bass Amplifiers at GuitarCenter.com.

Originally Posted by The WideBody

I found a combo 300 in the used section of guitar center dot com for $185 shipped. Hows that sound?

These are in the ballpark. I'd also look at eBay. They're expensive to ship, so they go for cheap there. If you can find one in your area (avail for local pickup), and you're the only local bidder, you'll usually get a good deal.

Doesn't sound like you need the power of a Combo 300, but if you don't have to move it...

Plz expound on true biamp. I thought if i came out of the crossover into my smaller combo, i would be biamping.

I would call that "true biamping", though not optimal. You'd be using full-range speakers on both sides of the split. It works better to use speakers that are designed for limited-range operation, as a woofer, mid, or tweeter.

With a Combo 300, you'd get better results from an extension cab.

[MNAirHead]

Originally Posted by 1n3

I would call that "true biamping", though not optimal. You'd be using full-range speakers on both sides of the split. It works better to use speakers that are designed for limited-range operation, as a woofer, mid, or tweeter.

With a Combo 300, you'd get better results from an extension cab.

^^^^^^^
It took a ton of math and experimentation to come up with a pair that had a nice 300hz crossover

Many times dual amp is equally effective going preamp out>>power amp in

[The WideBody]

I think i am starting to understand...

I am aware that alot of the power goes to creating the LF, thats what i was hoping to get one of these combos for, but if i understand your responses, these combos dont do that very well. Just to clarify - the HF will be provided by something along the lines of the roland cube combo.

My budget is in the $600 range for both units. A used cube eats up most of that - i have seen them go for $400 or less. What can you suggest that fulfills the need/want for under $200? Can a different driver in the pv get the job done? Fiberfill for more internal volume? Smaller driver to get the driver and the stock internal volume to more closely match?

Thanks for your ideas and your input.

[MNAirHead]

The issue is that many bass amps don't do low end well ..... You just end up with two questionable amps half arsed doing what they should

To truely do biamp they should be focused on different parts of the spectrum

[The WideBody]

This is what i thought that the crossover function did. I want the pv to handle the low end - i guess as well as it can. I would then use the crossover to send everything above 100 (or whatever you guys recommend) up to the roland.