Peavey VB-2 vs. The World

[rizzo9247]

I use the Presence knob religiously on my GK head, but what does the '"resonance" control do? The opposite effect? Thanks for the answer.

From another thread:

The mid shift shifts the whole EQ. If you use the 200Hz setting, you also shift the low and high control active centers to their lowest points so you don't end up with EQ dead spots. This can make it easier to pinpoint and boost deep bass. This shift also moves the mid control into the "punch" EQ range, effectively turning the mid control into more of an upper bass control, but the mid control boost is wide range, so you will still have control over the higher mid frequencies.

Basically, the resonance control increases the power amp's low frequency gain as you turn it up. This can be thought of as a "loose" control, but it can also be thought of as a power amp bass control. This is accomplished by altering the feedback, or error correction system in the power amp, which looks at what's coming out, compares it to what's going in and makes adjustments accordingly. Your bass cab may say that it's 8 ohm or 4 ohm impedance, but actually, cabinet impedance changes with frequency. Without going into too much detail, these impedance variations can cause "error" in the speaker/amplifier system that is your rig. Error can mean a bass resonance, or bass hump that is inherent to the cab design. Feedback in a power amp can allow the power amp to dampen out these resonances to hold the frequency response flat, which is often desirable, or feedback can be used strategically to encourage resonances, also sometimes desirable. Presence does the same thing except to the highs.

 

[stambroker]

Very informative, thank you! Answered my question perfectly.

 

[Tractorr]

Very informative, thank you! Answered my question perfectly.

Yeah the post by Bobby explains it way better technically than I could have. In use, the resonance knob can make my ported 2X15 sound like a sealed cab if I turn it all the way down.

 

[Rocker47]

Ahhh yes. I'll search for a Berg as well to try.

Great info for the amp settings too! Really well explained for someone like me!

 

[John D Harris]

Ahhh yes. I'll search for a Berg as well to try.

Great info for the amp settings too! Really well explained for someone like me!

tombowlus may have tried the VB-2 / NV412 combination (possibly with other Bergs as well...).

 

[Rocker47]

Awesome! I'm trying to line up to try out a used Ampeg 6/10 this weekend. The person selling has both head and cab and I'm waiting to hear back if they would sell separate. Hmmmm choices......?

 

[Rocker47]

Well finally got an answer after the weekend from the dude with the Ampeg 610 for sale. He wants more than what a new one costs! The second one I found is going to be more expensive than the Traynor 412 that I have rented. The local chain here I'm Canada has it on special for $775! My decision is made! I'm back to Traynor!

 

[BbbyBld]

VB-2 live clips...wish I had better. The Darkness song is without PA support...enjoy the dancing drunk dudes. The Lost in Lodi gig is the DI into the PA...gotta love playing the B stage at a festival!



One of these days I'll get some better clips.

 

[Landsharks]

Sounds good to me, BbbyBld. I'll be in Meridian tomorrow and Thursday for work. I've come by the service dept to see Steve. Might bring this Patriot I've refinished to get Steve to do a setup this trip. Depends if I get it buffed out tonight.

 

[guymanndude1]

I have just purchased one of the amps, but I'm not happy with the standard power tubes, I've got some Electro Harmonix 6CA7EH's ordered, along with 2 Sovtek 12AX7WC's for preamp and a Tung Sol 12AT7. I have a question, when I divide 550 volts on the plates by 35.7 watts that each tube would have to dissipate to get 225 watts, the plate current comes out at almost 65 mA. Surely it can't be that high! Could someone help me out here with this calculation, so I can bias them correctly.

 

[guymanndude1]

I just recently got this beast in a even trade for Japanese made "Steve Harris" Precision that I wasn't using. He traded me an excellent condition, almost new Ampeg SVT810E. I've got small stuff for small shows but, when I play the medium sized clubs 100-200 people, they don't have much PA, or at least in the condition that we trust, so we bring our medium size PA and we don't mike the amps. Since I have a Minivan, this cab has proven to be easier to move than you might think. slides in and out pretty easy and acts as its own dolly.
Man, what a monster sound with the VB-2, the infinite baffle design may be old school but it does a very good job of keeping the bass focused with the tubes' ability to kick low tones, and not get too farty.
Btw, I'm also using the 6ac7's that Bobby suggested, wow! The sound is great, I also bought a AC powered pancake fan that I attached to the tube protection screen on the back with locking cable ties and pull the excess heat out when I do play loud.

 

[lizardwizard28]

Ive been looking to rebuild my bass rig after selling off my beloved Mesa buster! Head and GK 2x10 & 4x10. The vb-2, traynor yba200 and 300, svt, and mesa 400+ have been my narrowed down contenders. This will be such a tough choice, but the vb2 seems better by the minute. One of the biggest things that caught my eye is that these hardly ever show up used. Plus i havent heard many complaints or negativity about the amp. The only other peavey product ive owned was w delta blues 30 watt 2x10 el84 amp that i loved but sadly sold it to pay rent when i got laid off. I like the other usual suspect tube big boys, but this guy is almost half the weight and cost of an svt, plus it can cop a close svt tone and many others. I think im sold on the vb2 now that i found out you can get custom tolex colors! Plus you.cant argue with made in the USA! ampeg cant say that...

 

[DethByDoom]

Rebuilt the enclosure.

 

[Warwick Qc418]

Reviving this old thread to see if the VB2 owners are still there and still happy considering the new all tube and SS all tube emulation offerings