I just got a Peavey minimax 500 to replace my dead Trace Elliot. I already have a Portaflex 500, so think a comparison is in order. Most people know about these, so just my general impressions.
Ampeg:
Sounds pretty close to what we expect an SVT to sound like. Not perfect, but close. I love the bass boost on it and get a nice grunt when I crank the gain. Usually have to dial back the bass back when using my Tbird and Explorer, and boost it with my Steve Harris P Bass. Especially with my preamp in use
Played a small club with it, and had my GK cab with 4x12's and 2x10's in it. I had it only about halfway on the gain and 1/4 way on the master volume before it was too loud for the room. I never use the compressor, because I have one on my pedal board. Think it will do fine for most small to medium gigs and it is build solid. I know some people have trouble with the volume cutting out when gain is high, but so far, nothing like that has happened. Price for it is very reasonable
Peavey:
Just got it, so still playing around with it. I noticed that this thing is really loud, I mean really loud. I can't turn the thing up past 3 when playing in my room. I don't like the drive button on it, sounds too fuzzy and muddy. When adding my lebass preamp, really sounds nice. The bass boost switch adds a good amount of bottom, but not so muchg that's it's too boomy. I also am using the treble boost on it with a slight mid scoop. I am a big fan of the built in tuner. I love having it and wish the Ampeg had it as well. What I liked is that the Peavey is not as muddy sounding as I though it would be. The Peavey is a great value at its price point.
Overall, both do the job for what I need. Next gig, will bring the Peavey and try it out. Playing same bar, so will be easy to compare them.
Ampeg:
Sounds pretty close to what we expect an SVT to sound like. Not perfect, but close. I love the bass boost on it and get a nice grunt when I crank the gain. Usually have to dial back the bass back when using my Tbird and Explorer, and boost it with my Steve Harris P Bass. Especially with my preamp in use
Played a small club with it, and had my GK cab with 4x12's and 2x10's in it. I had it only about halfway on the gain and 1/4 way on the master volume before it was too loud for the room. I never use the compressor, because I have one on my pedal board. Think it will do fine for most small to medium gigs and it is build solid. I know some people have trouble with the volume cutting out when gain is high, but so far, nothing like that has happened. Price for it is very reasonable
Peavey:
Just got it, so still playing around with it. I noticed that this thing is really loud, I mean really loud. I can't turn the thing up past 3 when playing in my room. I don't like the drive button on it, sounds too fuzzy and muddy. When adding my lebass preamp, really sounds nice. The bass boost switch adds a good amount of bottom, but not so muchg that's it's too boomy. I also am using the treble boost on it with a slight mid scoop. I am a big fan of the built in tuner. I love having it and wish the Ampeg had it as well. What I liked is that the Peavey is not as muddy sounding as I though it would be. The Peavey is a great value at its price point.
Overall, both do the job for what I need. Next gig, will bring the Peavey and try it out. Playing same bar, so will be easy to compare them.
