Peavey Tour VB-2

[Lazarus.Bird]

Hard to search for this guy with the 3 character search restriction...

From googling around it seems this is kind of an under the radar amp that lots of people love at a great price for an all tube head. That VB-3 is absolutely gorgeous but out of my price range.

I looked at Genz Benz, Hartke, etc and while all were good amps they didn't have the snarl and growl that Ampeg is commonly associated with which is what I'm looking for. Does the VB-2 have a mean streak in it?

[kuys]

I have to push mine pretty hard to get that great tube break up but it does start to break up with the gain around 4-5 a' clock on my rig. I prefer to use a pedal to get my overdriven tones but that's just me.

[fu22ba55]

I have heard from more than one "old-school" Ampeg fanatic on this forum (like myself) that the VB-2 has a serious SVT vibe hidden up its sleeve, at 2/3rds the power.

I have never played through one, but if I see one, I will squeeze it 'til it pops and see what happens.

You can't beat that price with a stick, but I imagine the low cost is due to MASS mass production, so just make sure the warranty is in order, etc. in case you get a lemon.

Most Peavey stuff is indestructible. I have no first hadn experience with the VB-2.

[kuys]

It's definitely a poor mans SVT. Built like a freaking tank as well, mine fell a few nights ago from the back of the truck and landed on the top right corner from about 4 feet. A scuff but still works 100%.

I would recommend getting a good cabinet though, I made the mistake of getting an Ampeg B series and it will fart out if I boost the mid's and set the volume about 2/3rds.

[Lazarus.Bird]

I'll be running 2 Earcandy 212s so definitely quality cabs. I had my mind set on getting an SVT-4 for awhile, but then came across the VB-2s as a possible option. I think I'll try to find one and try it out.

[fu22ba55]

Originally Posted by Lazarus.Bird

I'll be running 2 Earcandy 212s so definitely quality cabs. I had my mind set on getting an SVT-4 for awhile, but then came across the VB-2s as a possible option. I think I'll try to find one and try it out.

SVT4PRO and SVT-CL / VR / 70's-vintage sound nothing alike. The 4PRO is clean, clean, clean for days with slight grind, like some 800RBs. The SVTs (all-tube) get dirty a lot sooner, and have over-the-top tube grind. I imagine the VB-2 sounds much closer to the all-tube SVTs than it does to the 4PRO.

[Lazarus.Bird]

Thanks for the input. Your advice is very helpful!

I'll be moving from an SVT-3. I typically play the SVT-3 with the tube overdrive turned to the max. My experience with the SVT-CLs/other all tube Ampegs is very limited, and I have no idea how the CLs sound in comparison to the tone I like out of my SVT-3. I was under the assumption the SVT-4 was, for all purposes, a more powerful SVT-3 with some extra bells and whistles. Would you consider that a fair assumption?

And I play mostly stoner metal/doom/death metal, so grind is my middle name. I guess I'm not so much concerned the the Peavey attaining a very similar sound to the Ampeg, but having the ability to give me that gritty tone that I could not find with the Genz Benz Class Ds, the clean fat Hartke LH1000s, etc.

[fu22ba55]

Originally Posted by Lazarus.Bird

I was under the assumption the SVT-4 was, for all purposes, a more powerful SVT-3 with some extra bells and whistles. Would you consider that a fair assumption?

I've never played a 3-pro, but based on the description and the control surface pics, the 3PRO has a "tube gain" circuit which allows you to dial in some tube filth. The 4PRO does no such thing. Clean, clean, clean, and loud for days. Maybe you were thinking of the 6PRO (which also has a tube gain circuit.)

Originally Posted by Lazarus.Bird

And I play mostly stoner metal/doom/death metal, so grind is my middle name. I guess I'm not so much concerned the the Peavey attaining a very similar sound to the Ampeg, but having the ability to give me that gritty tone that I could not find with the Genz Benz Class Ds, the clean fat Hartke LH1000s, etc.

Again... I haven't played the VB-2, but I've sure played the 4PRO, and it's not what you want for Doom/stoner IMHO. 4PROs are EVERYWHERE. Odds are any store you find that carries a VB-2 will also have a 4PRO. If not, ask around here on TB for someone in your area with a 4PRO you can try.

I think all-tube is the way to go for doom/stoner, and the VB-2 has a very good rep. Traynor also makes an all-tube 200 watter (YBA200). GB and Hartke stuff (to my knowledge) is going for something else.

I feel bad here talking about amps I've never played, but I think most of what I'm saying above is correct, so take it with a grain of salt.

Be warned. If you get a chance to play through an all-tube SVT (pre SLM) you will never go back. (And your back will never be the same.)

[Lazarus.Bird]

Regardless of you never playing the actual amp, you've given me lots of great info. I did not realize the 3 and 4 were so different. This causes me much mental anguish! I now just realized the SVT-3 has 2 extra driver tubes and the SVT-4 does not, which would explain your very adamant description of the SVT-4 having a clean sound.

Only problem with the SVT-CLs is cost. Right now I'm selling my gear to fund this gear and the highest I could go on an amp would be $800. I found a recently manufactured Korean made SVT-CL for that much but haven't seen much else in terms of CLs in that range.

This is why the Peavey VB-2 seems like a decent alternative, although the 225W is almost borderline not enough. I would prefer having 300W :O

[kuys]

Originally Posted by Lazarus.Bird

Regardless of you never playing the actual amp, you've given me lots of great info. I did not realize the 3 and 4 were so different. This causes me much mental anguish! I now just realized the SVT-3 has 2 extra driver tubes and the SVT-4 does not, which would explain your very adamant description of the SVT-4 having a clean sound.

Only problem with the SVT-CLs is cost. Right now I'm selling my gear to fund this gear and the highest I could go on an amp would be $800. I found a recently manufactured Korean made SVT-CL for that much but haven't seen much else in terms of CLs in that range.

This is why the Peavey VB-2 seems like a decent alternative, although the 225W is almost borderline not enough. I would prefer having 300W :O

Watts aren't everything man. It's speaker's pushing air. Some of the loudest rigs are 100w heads pushing huge cabinets, etc.

[fu22ba55]

Originally Posted by kuys

Watts aren't everything man. It's speaker's pushing air. Some of the loudest rigs are 100w heads pushing huge cabinets, etc.

+1

225 Watts will knock your wee wee off if you use enough cabs. (two 8x10s, or one 8x10 and one 2x15)

The VB-2 has a two ohm tap, so running all those cabs is no sweat.

Don't overextend yourself. Get the VB-2 or the Traynor. The VB-2 should hold its value as more people realize it's a ninja assassin.

[Lazarus.Bird]

Well both my guitarists are running 100w tube heads so I was hoping for a 300w if I went tube power amp, but 225 should be pretty good. I've read replacing the power tubes can take you up to 250w with the VB-2. Like I said I'll be running 2 BassBombs, each one is a 900W 2x12 so should push plenty of air.

[zachoff]

Originally Posted by Lazarus.Bird

Well both my guitarists are running 100w tube heads so I was hoping for a 300w if I went tube power amp, but 225 should be pretty good. I've read replacing the power tubes can take you up to 250w with the VB-2. Like I said I'll be running 2 BassBombs, each one is a 900W 2x12 so should push plenty of air.

I have an SVT/810 and compete against a V4 full stack. I haven't turned up past 11 (o'clock) yet. I think you'll be fine w/ 225W into four 12s. It's not like both of your guitarists turn up full, right? Unless your drummer is mic'd & then you're in a whole different ball game from rehearsal.

[fu22ba55]

Originally Posted by Lazarus.Bird

Well both my guitarists are running 100w tube heads so I was hoping for a 300w if I went tube power amp, but 225 should be pretty good. I've read replacing the power tubes can take you up to 250w with the VB-2. Like I said I'll be running 2 BassBombs, each one is a 900W 2x12 so should push plenty of air.

I'd leave the VB-2 stock at first, in case you want to re-sell.

225W through 4 (modern) 12"s should absolutely kill. I'd play that rig all damn day. (As long as each bassbomb is rated at 4 ohms, then you'll be pushing a 2 Ohm load total and the VB-2 will move air.)

If you want tube fuzz, you'll need to really turn up the amp so the power stage is clipping. I've done that for 15 years with an SVT, and every soundman in america hates my guts. 225W is plenty loud if you're going to dime the output stage.

Can't wait to hear sound clips!

[Lazarus.Bird]

You've convinced me! A VB-2 will be much cheaper than buying an SVT-CL or SVT-2 Pro and if for some reason I don't like the sound, it should be easy to move it along and try something else. Each 212 is 4 ohms, which is the reason I have to swap out my SVT-3 to run two of them. I have fuzz and OD/distortion pedals that I can color the tone with if necessary, but I like to start with a natural tube foundation which the VB-2 seems like it should be able to help with.

I'm going to stack the 212s vertically so I can get good head level stage presence (I'm 6'5"). Should be fantastic.

[fu22ba55]

Originally Posted by Lazarus.Bird

You've convinced me!

Just make sure you try before you buy, if at all possible.

Nothing is worse than buying a head online and hating it.

Originally Posted by Lazarus.Bird

I'm going to stack the 212s vertically so I can get good head level stage presence (I'm 6'5"). Should be fantastic.

That should look pretty gnarly. Just make sure the VB-2 is the same width as a vertical bassbomb. Otherwise it will look like a giant capital "T"