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Peavey Vyper VIP 3
- Thread starter MrRoden96
- Start date
- Feb 5, 2013
- 1,686
- 2,281
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Used Fender Lead Sleds and Hartke cabs with bent grills
Unfortunately, TB probably isn't the place to get info on this kind of amp. Good luck finding a decent YouTube demo from Peavey or Full Compass, as well, cuz it's usually someone going on and on reading the ad copy BS ... "Blah blah blahblah blublaahhhh ..." without ever plugging the damn thing in.
The only thing I could say about it is that the first gen Vyper modelling amps were pretty decent. Much better sounds than Line6's Spyder series, imo. And the analog Transtube side of the amp will definitely be killer, as they have really squeezed decent tone from that technology. I've even read a booteek amp maker's post giving very positive reviews of Transtube. I've gigged older Transtube Bandits and was kinda impressed.
So, it wouldn't surprise me if PV actually pulled it off pretty well. It ain't gonna sound like a 700RB on one side and a cranked Vox on the other. But it might be a passable dual use combo for coffee house gigs or just practicing. No one will be able to tell you until that crank one up and put it thru the paces.
The only thing I could say about it is that the first gen Vyper modelling amps were pretty decent. Much better sounds than Line6's Spyder series, imo. And the analog Transtube side of the amp will definitely be killer, as they have really squeezed decent tone from that technology. I've even read a booteek amp maker's post giving very positive reviews of Transtube. I've gigged older Transtube Bandits and was kinda impressed.
So, it wouldn't surprise me if PV actually pulled it off pretty well. It ain't gonna sound like a 700RB on one side and a cranked Vox on the other. But it might be a passable dual use combo for coffee house gigs or just practicing. No one will be able to tell you until that crank one up and put it thru the paces.
I've seen these at GC recently. As you might imagine, an amp that sounds good on guitar, can't possibly sound good with bass. And it doesn't. This thing is 100% gimmick, and the worst kind. Lots of digital stuff, and flashy lights, but terrible sounding as a bass amp. Not great with electric guitar either, but not half bad with acoustic guitar.
- Feb 5, 2013
- 1,686
- 2,281
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Used Fender Lead Sleds and Hartke cabs with bent grills
I couldn't disagree more. There are quite a few guitar amps that make/made excellent bass amps, here are just the ones I've owned and gigged personally on bass and guitar: SF Fender Bassman 50, SF Fender Super Bassman, SF Fender Dual Showman Reverb (2x15 JBL cab), Fender Bassman Re-Issue (4x10), Marshall Super Lead, Marshall Super Bass, Peavey Classic 50 combo, and a Classic 50 head w/ tweed 2x12. I've also gigged a PV redline TNT on guitar using an HBE Paradrive and a modded Bad Monkey, and I've gigged a GK 400RB on guitar with a couple of OD pedals and it sounded stellar.
You might not like the PV, but to say all good guitar amps are shite for bass is beyond ridiculous.
I posted a thread about this already and bobby pointed me to a youtube video with a guitar, acoustic, and bass demo. Bass is hard to gauge unless you hear it in person, and the videos shot were amateur quality IMO. You'd likely have to spend some time EQing to go from guitar to bass.
It's an incredibly feasible task...just use a bass driver with a cap on the lows for the guitar end and trim the highs when it's in bass mode, the modeling would handle the rest. I do have a hunch that the bass side might sound gimmicky, but if it's on par with their MAXbass combos, it's a steal of a buy.
It's an incredibly feasible task...just use a bass driver with a cap on the lows for the guitar end and trim the highs when it's in bass mode, the modeling would handle the rest. I do have a hunch that the bass side might sound gimmicky, but if it's on par with their MAXbass combos, it's a steal of a buy.
To be frank, don't expect to buy one of these and gig at high volume playing bass with no reinforcement. The bass limitation is mostly the speaker since it's pretty much a guitar speaker with a little extra range. Also, it's 100 watts for the VIP 3. With the vast effects possibilities, these may interest parallel rig enthusiasts.
However, these also function as an audio interface and have VST software. At that point, the speaker and power limitations are out of the picture. I haven't tried the software, but as far as I know, you get a graphic representation of a bass head and you can turn the knobs on screen.
There are also instrument models so you can play bass with a guitar. You can also record a bass line using one patch, loop it, and then play guitar over it with a completely different patch. That may appeal to songwriters.
Lot's of modeling amps sound good. To me, the best part about the Vypyrs is that they are the only modeling amps that feel like real guitar amps...they are, because of the transtube. They are also one of the few out there that let you "see" your preset instead of having pots that have a jumpy response when you try to adjust a preset.
Anyway, these are obviously mostly for guitarists, and I can see them opening up guitarists minds by allowing them to experiment with bass. In that way, they may be a recruitment tool!
However, these also function as an audio interface and have VST software. At that point, the speaker and power limitations are out of the picture. I haven't tried the software, but as far as I know, you get a graphic representation of a bass head and you can turn the knobs on screen.
There are also instrument models so you can play bass with a guitar. You can also record a bass line using one patch, loop it, and then play guitar over it with a completely different patch. That may appeal to songwriters.
Lot's of modeling amps sound good. To me, the best part about the Vypyrs is that they are the only modeling amps that feel like real guitar amps...they are, because of the transtube. They are also one of the few out there that let you "see" your preset instead of having pots that have a jumpy response when you try to adjust a preset.
Anyway, these are obviously mostly for guitarists, and I can see them opening up guitarists minds by allowing them to experiment with bass. In that way, they may be a recruitment tool!
I had practice at my new guitarists house last week and used his gear. I played thru a 66 Fender Dual Showman head and the thing sounded great! It wouldn't be able to do a gig unless it was miked but for practice it more than held it's own. For what it's worth he has an amazing collection of guitars and amps. Over 70 guitars and 30 amps! Quite a number of blackface Fenders. It was an impressive display. I also played his only bass, a 78 Fender P bass. A lot of mojo in that one! Very light for a late 70's Fender and what a tone! The neck was narrower than typical too. Wonderful bass!
- Feb 5, 2013
- 1,686
- 2,281
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Used Fender Lead Sleds and Hartke cabs with bent grills
I'll bet the older circuit Showman was pretty sweet. Never played one, but played plenty of older Bassman heads and Twin combos for guitar. I used to play both guitar and bass thru a mid 70s silver-faced Dual Showman Reverb that was 100 watts into two 15" JBLs. With a bass it was crystal clear and punchy for days. Had to back the treble off considerably, but it was a very, very loud 100 watts. Pretty good classic rock and southern rock bass amp. Of course, back then it wasn't "classic rock" yet. It was just "rock".
I'll bet the older circuit Showman was pretty sweet. Never played one, but played plenty of older Bassman heads and Twin combos for guitar. I used to play both guitar and bass thru a mid 70s silver-faced Dual Showman Reverb that was 100 watts into two 15" JBLs. With a bass it was crystal clear and punchy for days. Had to back the treble off considerably, but it was a very, very loud 100 watts. Pretty good classic rock and southern rock bass amp. Of course, back then it wasn't "classic rock" yet. It was just "rock".
He has a blackface bassman in there too. I might try that one next time but the Showman was surprisingly good. I was impressed.
I can't speak about all the amps listed, but I owned a SF Bassman 50. Horrible for bass. It sounds worse than Jack Bruce in early Cream. As for me, I'll stick with bass amps.
