Peavey VB-2 and Guitar Center

Tractorr · #1 09-08-2011, 01:15 PM

The good news. So I just got a used VB-2 from Guitar Center and I think I am in love. This thing is awesome. I honestly do not know how Peavey does it because the build quality on this thing is incredible and it is built in the USA. I didn't get to play it much as the only cab I have at the house is a Hartke that has a 2.67 Ohm load and that is not an option on the Peavey. I read the thread about which setting to put the amp on and no one seemed to be able to offer a definitive answer. So a full test is forthcoming at my next band practice.

The bad news, Guitar Center. I am going to be fair to GC. On the whole this was a very pleasant experience. I was buying the amp from an out of state store and when I talked to the sales associate he was friendly and the amp arrived in exactly as he described it (the only thing that even tips me off that it is used is some very minor scuffs on the corner protectors). I thought I was in the clear the only problem is how they shipped it. They put the amp directly in a box with shipping peanuts! Morons! A bunch of shipping peanuts went through the grates and into the area containing the tubes. Why the hell would they not wrap the amp in plastic first?

Dethrats · #2 09-08-2011, 01:31 PM

wait.... you have one cab with a 2.67 load? seems odd to me..

but anyway, congrats on the amp! i love mine!

Tractorr · #3 09-08-2011, 01:34 PM

I think it is 2.67 or perhaps one of the amp gurus can set me straight. It is actually a Hartke combo but the speaker section is not hardwired into the head. Anyways it has a 4ohm woofer and an 8 ohm tweeter which to my understanding adds up to 2.67 ohms.

bassgod0dmw · #4 09-08-2011, 01:36 PM

Do you connect the tweeter separately?

Some people are morons...does that explain why it was packed like that? Even if it was wrapped it still would have been an awful way to ship a tube amp.

Tractorr · #5 09-08-2011, 01:40 PM

No the tweeter and woofer are wired together somehow with what appears to be a passive crossover inline.

bassgod0dmw · #6 09-08-2011, 01:41 PM

I'd be willing to bet it's a 4 ohm load. Do you have a multimeter? You can easily test it to be sure...

Tractorr · #7 09-08-2011, 01:42 PM

I do not have a multimeter but that is good to know. How do you go about checking that?

chubrocker · #8 09-08-2011, 01:44 PM

I've had to a chance to get one, but I fear it will be underpowered with my trio. We play quite loud and need something where PA support is not always there. I'm just worried there won't be enough clean headroom on tap as a whole.

Tractorr · #9 09-08-2011, 01:46 PM

I have got to say it is not as loud as I thought it would be, but I have not turned it up all the way. For me, I am hoping that it is not too loud because I am going for a pushed sound. If you are going for clean and loud you are probably better off going with a high powered solid state.

stingray56funk · #10 09-08-2011, 01:49 PM

8 ohms + 8 ohms = 4 ohms
4 ohms + 4 ohms = 2 ohms
8 ohms + 4 ohms = 6.? ohms

You'd only get 2.67 ohms if you combine a 2 ohm cab or speaker + a 4 ohm cab or speaker.

stingray56funk · #11 09-08-2011, 01:49 PM

Oh...and congrats on the VB-2! Those are smokin' good heads that are able to cover any gig!

bassgod0dmw · #12 09-08-2011, 01:50 PM

They are 200w? Right? I was pushing my 200w tube amp hard. It usually kept up fine, but I always wished it had a little more. I do want another tube amp and would gladly take a VB-2...

Taken from another source because it's clearer than what I would write: To check the resistance of your cab, set your meter to the lowest resistance scale and measure across the hot and ground (for accurate measurement the driver or cabinet should not be wired or plugged into any circuitry). It will likely settle around four or eight ohms, which will give you the answer.

AwkwardLoudness · #13 09-08-2011, 01:51 PM

I'd play that amp as much as possible before the return-for-refund period expires. The VB-2 is not an exceptionally reliable amp even without shipping damage. Sounds good when working though.

Tractorr · #14 09-08-2011, 01:53 PM

Oh and it is not that heavy. I mean sure it is heavy but the handles are seriously heavy duty and it isn't awkward to carry like say my 2X15.

Tractorr · #15 09-08-2011, 01:57 PM

Even though the way it was shipped was fairly stupid, I don't think it sustained any damage while shipping.

AwkwardLoudness · #16 09-08-2011, 01:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stingray56funk

8 ohms + 8 ohms = 4 ohms
4 ohms + 4 ohms = 2 ohms
8 ohms + 4 ohms = 6.? ohms

You'd only get 2.67 ohms if you combine a 2 ohm cab or speaker + a 4 ohm cab or speaker.

Your words are dangerous.

8Ω cab + 4Ω cab in parallel = 2.667 Ω

8Ω cab + 4Ω cab in series = 12 Ω

4Ω cab + 2Ω cab in parallel = 1.333 Ω

4Ω cab + 2Ω cab in series = 6 Ω

Note: There is a power distribution mismatch when using two cabs of un-matched impedance with the same amp. Not recommended in most cases.

Tractorr · #17 09-08-2011, 02:23 PM

Are there any actual design flaws in the VB-2. Sure I had read about problems, but then again I have heard of problems with just about every major amp on the internet. I have heard a lot more good things about the VB-2 than bad.

hdracer · #18 09-08-2011, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chubrocker

I've had to a chance to get one, but I fear it will be underpowered with my trio. We play quite loud and need something where PA support is not always there. I'm just worried there won't be enough clean headroom on tap as a whole.

Underpowered? What cab are you using? I use 2 15's and can drown the two GP's in my band. One uses a Fender Bassman 50 & 412 cab and the other uses a Jet City 50W tube head & 412 Marshall cab.

mustbampeg · #19 09-08-2011, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tractorr

The good news. So I just got a used VB-2 from Guitar Center and I think I am in love. This thing is awesome. I honestly do not know how Peavey does it because the build quality on this thing is incredible and it is built in the USA. I didn't get to play it much as the only cab I have at the house is a Hartke that has a 2.67 Ohm load and that is not an option on the Peavey. I read the thread about which setting to put the amp on and no one seemed to be able to offer a definitive answer. So a full test is forthcoming at my next band practice.

The bad news, Guitar Center. I am going to be fair to GC. On the whole this was a very pleasant experience. I was buying the amp from an out of state store and when I talked to the sales associate he was friendly and the amp arrived in exactly as he described it (the only thing that even tips me off that it is used is some very minor scuffs on the corner protectors). I thought I was in the clear the only problem is how they shipped it. They put the amp directly in a box with shipping peanuts! Morons! A bunch of shipping peanuts went through the grates and into the area containing the tubes. Why the hell would they not wrap the amp in plastic first?

VB 2 is 2 ohm capable. And at 220 watts, PLENTY loud if you have the right speaker config. If your playing through 2 10s, then yeah, your not going to be loud enough regardless of what you throw at it.

Randy

Tractorr · #20 09-08-2011, 02:45 PM

I am sure it will be plenty loud once I plug it into my 2X15 4ohm cab, too bad it is at my drummer's place.