peavy amps

jay43 · #1 09-10-2011, 12:25 PM

just wondering what the forum thinks about peavy amps. reliability sound etc. Also some of there amps have "transtube" technology. gimick or do they sound similar to tube amps? thanks

Cirk · #2 09-10-2011, 12:28 PM

I've never liked anything with the name peavey on it. Of course, that's just my opinion. And audio companies have been trying forever to get a solid state amp to sound like a tube amp. I have yet to hear one that accomplishes this, despite all the marketing hype.
YMMV.

**B-string** · #3 09-10-2011, 12:36 PM

Very reliable, durable, heavey in most cases. Never completely happy with the sound, but darn close.
BTW Peavey started with making tube amps and still has tube models today, so I'm not sure where Cirk is comming from? But whatever, everyone has an opinion yes.
Listen with your ears, not your eyes.

Jeff 66 · #4 09-10-2011, 12:40 PM

Reliability wise, Peavey amps have a great reputation. You will hear them described as:

Bulletproof
Indestructible
Built like a tank
Rock solid
etc...

Sound wise, you will hear lots of opinions. I have never had a problem with the sound of Peavey amps, but there is a lot of variation between models and eras. A common assessment of Peavy amps' tone/sound seems to be that they are often powerful enough, and definitely solidly built and reliable, but not the most toneful. That's fairly subjective, I know, but that seems to be the consesus... if such can be said to exist.

If you need road-worthy gear with plenty of power, Peavey should be fine... depending, of course, on your specific needs and how picky you are about your "tone."

Rockmusician · #5 09-10-2011, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cirk

I've never liked anything with the name peavey on it. Of course, that's just my opinion. And audio companies have been trying forever to get a solid state amp to sound like a tube amp. I have yet to hear one that accomplishes this, despite all the marketing hype.
YMMV.

I agree.

klejst · #6 09-10-2011, 12:53 PM

Peavey amp's are indeed very reliable, durable, and depending on what you get can be heavy, but a lot of gear can be. I use a Peavey Tour 450 head right now and I love it! Sounds great and has a lot of EQ'ing options to get that sound you are looking for as well as many others. I have had it for about four years and it always delivers with no problems. It is a solid state, but if you want tube get tube. It really is to each their own. Both tube and SS have pro's and con's. Get what you want though and what sounds better to you. Like said, everyone have their own reviews and opinions on gear.

**B-string** · #7 09-10-2011, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cirk

I've never liked anything with the name peavey on it. Of course, that's just my opinion. And audio companies have been trying forever to get a solid state amp to sound like a tube amp. I have yet to hear one that accomplishes this, despite all the marketing hype.
YMMV.

And I disagree

5StringBlues · #8 09-10-2011, 01:06 PM

T-Max is a mother.

kuys · #9 09-10-2011, 01:11 PM

Peavey makes excellent gear. I actually have one of the transtube products. The Peavey VYPYR 100 and in my humble opinion the gain stage and power section function like a tube amp and it sounds like a tube amp; crank the gain grit is introduced, dime the gain it squelches and screams like a tube amp. I'd say its 90% of the way there which for me is good enough. Factoring in what I paid for it, that's a steal. I also have a Peavey Tour VB-2 head as well as a Peavey 1516 cabinet. All are excellent pieces of gear and will be around long enough to give them to my grandchildren.

nashvillebill · #10 09-10-2011, 01:53 PM

Dontcha just love gear snobs who instinctively blurt out "It's a Peavey it can't be any good!"...as well as the "solid state can't sound like tube" malarkey...

Like any manufacturer, Peavey has made some duds, but they've also made some pretty darn good gear. And there are some SS amps that sound very nice, as well as some that sound like poop...just as there are some tube amps that sound like poop as well as some that sound very nice.

Approach gear with an open mind--listen to the sound, see how well its built, see what the specs are.

will33 · #11 09-10-2011, 02:04 PM

Peavey fan here. Reliable, "sound loud" for their power ratings. Some folks don't like the tone, some models do have a little uppermid clank to them, some are smoother sounding. I find it to work well in a live mix. Still play a Tmax to this day, great amp. I'm even not so vain as to take the peavey badges off, which reminds me, I could use a couple peavey badges. I've seen so much peavey gear missing nameplates, I know somebody has drawers full of these things. I could use a couple of smaller peavey logo's, the pointy ones of course, and a couple of "BW equipped logo's as well. Could send a SASE somewhere if I could just figure out who's hoarding all these things.

rad bassman · #12 09-10-2011, 06:10 PM

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f15/peavey-amp-798390/
overall alot of praise for peavey

csm672 · #13 09-10-2011, 06:23 PM

I have never found a Peavey amp I fell in love with, but every one I played seemed very capable of decent tone, just not the tone I was after. (I fell in love with Ampeg and to a lesser extint an old tucked Kustom.) I did however buy a Peavey 2x15 cab to use with the Kustom. That made all the difference to my ears, so much better than the original Kustom cab. I think Peavey makes quality gear and if you can get the tone out of it you're looking for I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them.

Sartori · #14 09-11-2011, 03:56 AM

My band's backup amp is a Peavey Mark IV. Great amp. Reliable, loud and good sounding. Plus, Peavey gear can be had cheaply, especially used.

The guitarist in my band uses a Peavey Mace or whatever it's called for his rig, and the guitarist in my other band uses a Peavey triple X. Good stuff.

bertbass666 · #15 09-11-2011, 05:48 AM

Had a Peavey Firebass 700 head once and it was great until the bass was turned up and the power supply couldn't cope.

**Staccato** · #16 09-11-2011, 08:20 AM

You don't have to be a fan to see that Peavey gear is worth the price!

Be Bob · #17 09-11-2011, 08:39 AM

I play in two bands, one I use an ampeg rig, the other a peavey mega head, with the bi-amp 1615 cab, I have used this rig as a backup, or full time since 85 or 86, replaced the8's and the 15" with the peavey field basket for bw speakers (a great idea) and still use it to this day, peavey has a reputation as "blue collar gear" and a lot of riders will always say "no peavey no mackie", but how many rigs out there have lasted this long,and still are even working. As far as the tube sound, I use an avalon or an rbi, with out miking I dont think any one would here my amp on stage, if you want tube warmth, buy a tube amp, only way to satisfy....keep thumpin all you low end masters!!

**B-string** · #18 09-11-2011, 12:45 PM

I've told this story a couple times...
Used to bring along my (Magnavox) Ampeg V4B to gigs. I'd have it at the ready while playing through my G-K 800RB. EVERY time I did, people would come up and tell me how much they loved the Ampeg's sound. Nice from an amp that wasn't even powered on or hooked up to a speaker cab!
Seems people "hear" with thier eyes?

Systolic · #19 09-11-2011, 02:35 PM

I have the Peavey Tour 450 head running through a Peavey 410 TVX. It's true, this stuff is built like a tank (Heavy and Durable), I have no doubt in my mind that these things are built to last. I very much LIKE the sound, I don't love it. It's very clean...almost clinical. This can come across a couple ways. I feel like it relays my articulation very well (for better or for worse,) but at the same time I find myself struggling to get my personal style translated. It's kinda hard to explain. I added a VT Bass Deluxe to the equation and all my problems were solved. It just need a little rounding/warmth/character. I love it all now. Take it as you will. Hope that helped.

Sneakypete · #20 09-11-2011, 03:14 PM

I used a s/hand Mk.VI for years with a variety of cabs - plenty of power, utterly reliable and bought for a song. I like to set a warm clean sound with a slight growly edge and not change it much after that so fine nuances of tone aren't so important to me. The only downside was the weight/size issue - over 20kg or 45 lbs IIRC. Here in the UK it's easy to get good old-school Peavey stuff, well gigged but still going strong. If you're going down the s/hand route and choose carefully I think you can hardly go wrong.