Peavey series 3 bass combo

[ironwolf]

Firstly i would like to say hi, this is my first post on the site, I recently started playing bass after turning 30 and dropping habits such as too much online gaming!, been playing about 2 weeks and it already feels so good to be doing something fun and constructive.

I have been shopping around for second hand amps, ive always been a fan of older tech as far as audio goes, it seems to have a much fuller sound with more integrity than newer electronic equipment, but anyway I came accross a Peavey series 3 bass combo at 130 watt locally in my area, this is how the item was described but I am still awaiting pictures of the amp atm.

Ive tried searching for this online but can't seem to find much info about a Peavey series 3 combo amp, Im not sure if this is because the seller has the name wrong or because the amp is so old, i spoke to him on the phone and the amp apparently originally belonged to a band called The Animals from back in the 70's so it is an old piece of equipment.

I just wondered if anyone here with more experience has come accross these amps or knows if it is worth buying with a mere price tag of under £100, again i would rather get an older amp than buy a new low wattage practice amp for the same price.

Thanks in advance

 

[Misty Mountain]

We'll need photos I think. Never heard of a Series 3 combo from Peavey, but they've turned out a lot of gear over the years, some of it not very common.

 

[nashvillebill]

Sure it'snot a Series 300? IIRC, there was a Series 300 before there was the Series 400 (which I have).

This would date back to the early 70's if that was the case, and I would pass on the combo. It certainly would not be delivering any 160 watts into a 4 ohm load, maybe it'd deliver 160 watts into a 2 ohm load. (The Series 400 is 210 watts into 2 ohms and maybe 140 watts into 4 ohms).

Now, if it could be proven it was used by the Animals, the 1960's band with Eric Burden...nah, I'd stil pass.

 

[1n3]

I sort of remember this amp, from the late 70s... the label would include "Series III", and would be similar to this model: Invalid Link Removed

Would be a predecessor (and similar) to the TNT 130, and also the Mark series heads.

 

[KOakley]

If the amp in question is like the one linked to by 1in3, I've got one that I bought new back in the '70s. I still use it for my rehersal space amp and have played countless gigs with it up until approx. '98 when I upgraded my stage rig. The amp has been bullet-proof so far. Buy it, and you will own it forever if my experience is any indicator.

 

[1n3]

I think the consensus here is that old Peavey gear is reliable, heavy, and a good value. Opinions vary more on the sound quality, but I've been fairly happy with the Peavey gear I've owned, which included a TNT 130 combo. That amp is still going under new ownership, with a recent speaker replacement being the only repair in ~30 years.

According to my online converter, £100 is about $156. That would be on the high side in the USA, but I have no sense of the value in GB. Maybe one of your countrymen will weigh in.