I sure wish I had gotten a chance to try the two I bought out with a band. Unfortunately neither of them lasted long enough to do so. But I have a feeling that in a band mix is where these amps really shine.
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Peavey Tour VB-2 All Tube head. need comments!
- Thread starter iplaybasstexas
- Start date
I get contacted from time to time about running 6550s in the VB-2. I always wanted to try it, and finally did. I don't recommend that anyone else does for legal and safety reasons.
I used a matched set of Winged C 6550s. Only 6550s with straight envelopes will fit due to the close spacing of the tube sockets.
The amp can run them stock with minor mods (MINOR, BUT VERY IMPORTANT!!). I was able to get about 250 watts this way. The character of the amp changes completely. I don't know if I like it, but it works.
I wasn't satisfied, so after major mods I was able to get 320 watts. The only catch is that I'm at the limits of the output transformer, so it's loud, but the bass thins out a good bit at full tilt.
Anyway, to those of you who have asked, yes it's possible to run 6550s in the VB-2, but not recommended.
I used a matched set of Winged C 6550s. Only 6550s with straight envelopes will fit due to the close spacing of the tube sockets.
The amp can run them stock with minor mods (MINOR, BUT VERY IMPORTANT!!). I was able to get about 250 watts this way. The character of the amp changes completely. I don't know if I like it, but it works.
I wasn't satisfied, so after major mods I was able to get 320 watts. The only catch is that I'm at the limits of the output transformer, so it's loud, but the bass thins out a good bit at full tilt.
Anyway, to those of you who have asked, yes it's possible to run 6550s in the VB-2, but not recommended.
skip ahead to 2:40 your wright but they seem to be creating that illusion on my practice amp it says designed in usa in giant letters that a tiny made in china
I had an old Traynor YBA -3 ( 1973 ) that had 4 -EL-34s and that amp have some good tone ...how does this amp sound in comparison? ... I'm assuming it has that kinda tone ? ... anyone ?
I had one for a little while with the matching 810. It influenced the design some, mostly in the power amp.
The YBA-3 EQ is not as adjustable as the VB-2 EQ and the VB-2 has a lot more headroom.
I was hoping you'd answer that question ... I'm not wanting to deal with the weight of an old school 300 watt head .... you confirmed my suspictions ... now to find a deal on one !!!!
I currently run the amp with only power 2 tubes in the center sockets with the amp switched to 2ohms to run an 8ohm cabinet.
This effectively reduces the overall output of the amp by 6db and I imagine affect headroom as well.
haven't run the amp full bore - but I can get it sounding great.
Now - I played a thunderbird through a 6505+
THAT IS A DISTORTION TONE!!!!!!!
I'm going to ask for the schematic
but
and I'm just throwing this out there....
Is there ANY way to get that OD channel to respond more like the 6505?
I'm talking a major mod here as we'd have to add about 4 stages of gain (two more AX7's)
Ehhh - I'll just get the other head and run these in tandem HA!
it's a good amp
in Fact - I think I'll do a comprehensive demo - using it with ALL of my distortion pedals. (DS-1, modded DS-1, BD2 modded, Rat, Guyatone Bass Driver, three modded muffs, an a gnarly FT bass driver clone)
This effectively reduces the overall output of the amp by 6db and I imagine affect headroom as well.
haven't run the amp full bore - but I can get it sounding great.
Now - I played a thunderbird through a 6505+
THAT IS A DISTORTION TONE!!!!!!!
I'm going to ask for the schematic
but
and I'm just throwing this out there....
Is there ANY way to get that OD channel to respond more like the 6505?
I'm talking a major mod here as we'd have to add about 4 stages of gain (two more AX7's)
Ehhh - I'll just get the other head and run these in tandem HA!
it's a good amp
in Fact - I think I'll do a comprehensive demo - using it with ALL of my distortion pedals. (DS-1, modded DS-1, BD2 modded, Rat, Guyatone Bass Driver, three modded muffs, an a gnarly FT bass driver clone)
Well just got my VB-2 in yesterday ... mad props to the TB'er that PM'ed me about the Guitar Center in Cali that had a brand new one being closed out at $499. Cost me a grand total of $550 to get it shipped to me in St. Louis.
My Peavey stack is now finished;
VB-2 Head
Tour 210 Cab
Tour 115 Cab
Ive only had about 10 mins to play with it, and only plugged into the 210 but damn is it nice
... hope to get some time today with it plugged into the 115 and possible both cabs.
Aaron
My Peavey stack is now finished;
VB-2 Head
Tour 210 Cab
Tour 115 Cab
Ive only had about 10 mins to play with it, and only plugged into the 210 but damn is it nice
... hope to get some time today with it plugged into the 115 and possible both cabs. Aaron
I just got a VB-2 and I think it sounds amazing. I also own a V4, and in comparison, the Peavey can stay much more clean, but you can also dirty the sound up with the gain knob. I am an immediate fan of this amp. I desribe it as fat, clear, very adjustable to get many different tones out of, and it also sounds very organic. I love it. I'm jamming with it tomorrow night, so I'll give a more in depth review.
Rickett Customs
Commercial User
Taken from that very video: (made in China, designed in the USA) Even though that one may be a prototype
Attachments
This has been discussed quite a bit here on Talkbass. This is a prototype. Peavey originally planned to manufacture the VB-2 in China but changed their plans at the last minute to produce them in the USA instead. This delayed product availability by several months and caused many a impatient post here on TB at he time.
If you own a VB-2, you can easily see that there are two seperate stickers saying it's made in the USA. It's kind of starting to beat a dead horse a bit as much as I've read about people thinking they're made in China. If you have one, it's easy to see where it came from.
In case somebody finds this useful: I just got my VB2 back from warranty work for a new impedance switch, and they discovered a noisy pre-amp tube (in position V2). Anyways, the tube is a 12AT7EH, Electro-harmonix - Made in Russia 07-06.
Is the "12AT7EH, Electro-harmonix - Made in Russia 07-" the good one or the bad one?
That's the OEM one they pulled out. I'm not sure what the (authorized) repair place put as the replacement. I can only assume equal quality tube...
Great. Thanks for the heads up.
Speaking of tubes, I posted this on another VB2 thread a while back.
I got mine used with a blown EL34 tube. Based on advice from Bbby Bld, I replaced the tube with a new EL34 with the same matched value, without having to take it to a amp tech to set the bias.
I bought mine from Peavey, but it was $30 for a single. I later realized I could've gotten a matched pair for that price. Doh!
That was two gigs and 2 months ago. So far so good.
Speaking of tubes, I posted this on another VB2 thread a while back.
I got mine used with a blown EL34 tube. Based on advice from Bbby Bld, I replaced the tube with a new EL34 with the same matched value, without having to take it to a amp tech to set the bias.
I bought mine from Peavey, but it was $30 for a single. I later realized I could've gotten a matched pair for that price. Doh!
That was two gigs and 2 months ago. So far so good.
Well, I jammed with my VB-2 for the first time last night. Talk about versatile! I went from agressive funk tones to straight up Dub tones. It's EQ controls work extremely well. It sits so perfectly in the mix. I'm using my P bass, which is equipped with a .047uF OD cap, 62 original pickup, Fender 9050M Flats, and I'm achieving the tones I've always strived for. I could get the amp to sound just how I wanted it to. I paid $600 for this amp - USED, but the positive is that shipping was included in that price, so I probably really got it for about $540. I couldn't find anyone selling it brand new for those cheap prices certain people were buying it for, that deal must have dried up sometime last year. Either way, worth $600 to me, I like it better than me V4 now. It can just get louder, but still retain that fat tubey goodness. I love Peavey gear, I always come back to it, and I'm always satisfied with everything I purchase from the company.
