Peavey VB-3 - Page 4

projectMalamute · #61 11-03-2009, 05:44 PM

The thing that appeals to me about a tube amp is it's permanence, durability, and simplicity. I've got an old Traynor sitting here that could literally be in service forever. Nothing in it but tubes, transformers, pots, resistors, and capacitors. All clearly labeled, all laid out on a turret board where they can be easily swapped out. The thing is almost 40 years old and runs good as new with a cap job and some tubes. No reason it couldn't run just as good 40 or even 80 years from now. It is a robust, simple, durable design that can be easily serviced and maintained essentially forever. Almost all old tube amps, and some new ones, are like this.

With the SMPS, and probably a bunch of IC's(I'm assuming, what with the graphic EQ), is the VB3 really an 'all tube amp' in the same sense? Will these things be in service 40 years from now the way old Fenders and Marshalls are today?

hrgiger · #62 11-03-2009, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Gress

Pulse with the music...

Or a triggered light setup like Young Widows...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgdv5JVJhHY

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

Now THAT is an idea whose time has come!!

Paul

C'mon now! That's just a car out in the parking lot shining it's headlights in the window and blowing the band's cover on their dummy cabs! You can see the light shining through the holes where the drivers used to be!

dDaddybass · #63 11-03-2009, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by projectMalamute

The thing that appeals to me about a tube amp is it's permanence, durability, and simplicity. I've got an old Traynor sitting here that could literally be in service forever. Nothing in it but tubes, transformers, pots, resistors, and capacitors. All clearly labeled, all laid out on a turret board where they can be easily swapped out. The thing is almost 40 years old and runs good as new with a cap job and some tubes. No reason it couldn't run just as good 40 or even 80 years from now. It is a robust, simple, durable design that can be easily serviced and maintained essentially forever. Almost all old tube amps, and some new ones, are like this.

With the SMPS, and probably a bunch of IC's(I'm assuming, what with the graphic EQ), is the VB3 really an 'all tube amp' in the same sense? Will these things be in service 40 years from now the way old Fenders and Marshalls are today?

You know, I never thought about it like that. I like the idea of buying an amp, playing the heck out of it for the next 40 years, and then passing it along to a grandchild. Very cool!

joelx817 · #64 11-04-2009, 09:57 AM

I had a look at Eric from Saving Abel's VB-3 before their gig the other day.. He's getting a great sound from it and had a lot of good things to say about how it holds up on the road. He wasn't full of sh!t either.. It looks great on stage with the LED's and was loud as hell. I'm definitely looking into using them on our next tour. The fact that they're made in the USA is great to know too.

JimmyM · #65 11-04-2009, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrgiger

C'mon now! That's just a car out in the parking lot shining it's headlights in the window and blowing the band's cover on their dummy cabs! You can see the light shining through the holes where the drivers used to be!

Cheap Trick was doing that in the 70's, BTW. They had a couple old Sound City cabs that they filled with lights.

hrgiger · #66 11-05-2009, 08:14 PM

ProfGumby · #67 11-05-2009, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by greenboy

What?!?! You say that SWR and Fender are made by Behringer who buys speakers from Peavey?!?*

* reference to another fact manglement FUD post in another thread today

Umm, that's like half of what is posted here daily....

Seriously though, to Bobby from Peavey, am I going to be disappointed in waiting for the Tour TNT 115 combo vs getting a 450 head and a 4x10 cabt?

Also feel free to stop in over at the Peavey Amps Club thread (link in my signature) if you haven't already....

As to the VB3, I think it looks cool as hell and if I was in the need for such an amp, guess I would be waiting on that one. And I do not worry about a possible recall before an amp gets out, I'd be glad they caught something before thousands had it.

I for one am glad Peavey does the R&D that they do, makes a better, more reliable product down the road.

Eight_Stringer · #68 11-05-2009, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by projectMalamute

The thing that appeals to me about a tube amp is it's permanence, durability, and simplicity. I've got an old Traynor sitting here that could literally be in service forever. Nothing in it but tubes, transformers, pots, resistors, and capacitors. All clearly labeled, all laid out on a turret board where they can be easily swapped out. The thing is almost 40 years old and runs good as new with a cap job and some tubes. No reason it couldn't run just as good 40 or even 80 years from now. It is a robust, simple, durable design that can be easily serviced and maintained essentially forever. Almost all old tube amps, and some new ones, are like this.

With the SMPS, and probably a bunch of IC's(I'm assuming, what with the graphic EQ), is the VB3 really an 'all tube amp' in the same sense? Will these things be in service 40 years from now the way old Fenders and Marshalls are today?

Love to say i will be around in 30 years time to see if the VB3 or any other Valve amp is around and kicking the ether with thunderous bass......mute point really. If the SMPS dies then slot in a 60 hz supply at the 20 year way point. Dont forget the original graphic EQ's were done with passive filter elements with noticeable insertion losses, then came IC's that "transmuted" capacitive reactance to look like inductive reactence in the filter sections ie all capies no inductors. Doubt if either of those technologies are missed these days.....
Regards John.

**jasonbraatz** · #69 11-09-2009, 11:26 AM

Has anyone seen these in the wild yet? I'm excited / scared to check one out.

projectMalamute · #70 11-09-2009, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eight_Stringer

Love to say i will be around in 30 years time to see if the VB3 or any other Valve amp is around and kicking the ether with thunderous bass......mute point really. If the SMPS dies then slot in a 60 hz supply at the 20 year way point. Dont forget the original graphic EQ's were done with passive filter elements with noticeable insertion losses, then came IC's that "transmuted" capacitive reactance to look like inductive reactence in the filter sections ie all capies no inductors. Doubt if either of those technologies are missed these days.....
Regards John.

It's moot point, not mute point. And It's not a moot point, I think a reasonable case can be made for purchasing stuff that is not disposable whenever possible. I own quite a few very nice tools that are still usable because my grandfather spent a few extra bucks on something that wasn't meant to be just used for a while and then thrown away. Someday I intend to pass along some very nice tools I have purchased along the way to my son.

A real tube amp is this kind of a tool. The VB3 is not a real tube amp in this sense.

As to inductor based EQ, I'd say that given what old Pultecs go for (or what Manley gets for a Massive Passive) plenty of people miss that technology.

greenboy · #71 11-09-2009, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by projectMalamute

A real tube amp is this kind of a tool. The VB3 is not a real tube amp in this sense.

None have been out in the field long enough to determine that.

hrgiger · #72 11-09-2009, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by projectMalamute

I own quite a few very nice tools that are still usable because my grandfather spent a few extra bucks on something that wasn't meant to be just used for a while and then thrown away. Someday I intend to pass along some very nice tools I have purchased along the way to my son.

A real tube amp is this kind of a tool. The VB3 is not a real tube amp in this sense.

Huh? Put down that sauce over there... I have yet to hear of any amp made by Peavey that even the most hardened Peavey detractors wouldn't agree would probably outlive them and would definitely still be in use, while at the same time being a great value.

projectMalamute · #73 11-09-2009, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hrgiger

Huh? Put down that sauce over there... I have yet to hear of any amp made by Peavey that even the most hardened Peavey detractors wouldn't agree would probably outlive them and would definitely still be in use, while at the same time being a great value.

Peavey stuff is great. It doesn't last forever, nothing does. The question is not one of durability but of maintainablity.

When something goes wrong in the power supply of an SVT(or a Peavey VTB 300 for that matter) it can be fixed with commodity parts. Simple stuff: capacitors, resistors, diodes. Stuff you can get anywhere, from any number of manufacturers. This is stuff that is made to be serviced and maintained.

When something goes wrong with a power supply using a bunch of surface mounted components and IC's the only real way to work on the things is to swap entire boards in and out. Or send it to the company that made the thing and let them swap boards in and out.

What happens when that specific board, for that specific amp, hasn't been made in 35 years?

Eight_Stringer · #74 11-11-2009, 04:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by projectMalamute

It's moot point, not mute point.

Thank you, i stand corrected, should know that and did (as soon as i read you missive..as in modern..not bishop ), time has an effect on all of us, not just electronics. Regards.

Eight_Stringer · #75 11-11-2009, 04:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by projectMalamute

Peavey stuff is great. It doesn't last forever, nothing does. The question is not one of durability but of maintainablity.

When something goes wrong in the power supply of an SVT(or a Peavey VTB 300 for that matter) it can be fixed with commodity parts. Simple stuff: capacitors, resistors, diodes. Stuff you can get anywhere, from any number of manufacturers. This is stuff that is made to be serviced and maintained.

When something goes wrong with a power supply using a bunch of surface mounted components and IC's the only real way to work on the things is to swap entire boards in and out. Or send it to the company that made the thing and let them swap boards in and out.

What happens when that specific board, for that specific amp, hasn't been made in 35 years?

Can see why you say what you do, though i have repaired equipment from late 1960's. My perspective is from engineering of the day. Valve equipment as sold in it's time was built with engineering parts and processes of the day. Have worked on equipment from the 1920's. A VB3 is built of this time period 2009, with engineering parts and processes of this era. Parts of the design are modern. Sure a designer in the 50's would in an instant design in a 1KV diode like a 1N4007 for rectification over a thermionic rectifier, my view of course.

Sure Peavey designer(s) thought long and hard over what to do for a high powered valve amp. In my view they took the correct path. A weight reduced item with modern reliability ( given MTBF for what ever switcher they implemented ). So you can have your all valve, valve amp or you can have a modern variant. Days end you do not have to buy the Peavey VB3. I would as hospital stays are expensive, my back is way precious.....and i can repair smd boads at home, design smd boards and control programs. Did not say it would be easy fixing the Peavey VB3 smpsu, though it would not scare me one bit.

Regards John

TMBTC · #76 11-11-2009, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billhilly66

Man, that thing is ugly! Does it glow in the dark?

it actually does glow in the dark..... all that blue lights up when powered.

hrgiger · #77 11-11-2009, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by projectMalamute

What happens when that specific board, for that specific amp, hasn't been made in 35 years?

That's my point. Who says they won't be? If this technology takes off, there may be more stuff available than any previous amp. Besides, I fully expect (in 35 years) all of us to have a star trek like replicator in our workshop like Jay Leno where we just pull up the 'recipe' and wa-lah! We have a new board (or transformer, etc.)

But I am in no way detracting from the appeal of old Ampeg iron. If I could I would warm my house with them.

On a side note, speaking of circuit boards, one of these days someone will start selling ss, hybrid amps that are like computers, with upgradable motherboards, preamp boards, etc. I'm actually not sure why they don't have them yet? About the most tweaking we can do is to swap tubes! Just like in the '50's!

greenboy · #78 11-12-2009, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMBTC

it actually does glow in the dark..... all that blue lights up when powered.

It's also variable. I like it, but I'd put my own deal in the center oval. Just a quickie treatment to illustrate:

I suppose all the old timers have a "purity" problem with this product, but I think it shows great promise, a little more interesting to me than another point-to-point clone retread.

Alembicplyr · #79 11-12-2009, 09:49 AM

As I had posted previously.......If the VB3 is anything like the VB2, things will be ok. The VB2 was great for a 410, 212, 210 or 15 type of setup, I didn't buy it because I use an 810, which it didn't seem to keep up with the likes of The SVT and SVT-VR, but I'm sure the VB3 would give those SVT's a run for their money if so. Perhaps the MSPS is on a separate PC board (modular perhaps?) could make it easier to change, if it is............ It'd be awesome if the power supply could be built much like a PC power supply