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Rarest Peavey Bass amp FOUND!

I felt the same way, I'm based out in the far northeast, about an hour away from where it was found, and 30 minutes from where I rehearse with my band The Cultour in Williamstown, NJ.
I'm from the next town over here in Southern NJ and I swear I saw that head (or a very similar Peavey) in a music store here many years ago, it's up the road from me. They had a lot of old stuff in there. Not sure it was that "exact" head but if not, I saw one just like it there. I traded them a 60's era Fender Bassman head and 2x12 cab around 30 years ago. I believe it was 50 watts. Wished I had that rig back, bet it would be worth a few dollars now. Small world.
 
More two cents. As I said earlier in the thread I had one of these several years ago. If you look at the schematic posted earlier you can see the two preamp sections are different, with different gain and eq sections. There are jacks on the front panel that are separate outputs of each channel allowing them to be piggy backed in either order using 1/4" patch cables.
A couple of things I remember about it: It was wide enough to land a 2 seater Cessna on it, The bass response was a little thin, probably due to the undersized output transformer. And for a reason that I can't remember, I replaced the high and low input jacks with an attenuator pot.
Lastly, I sold it on TB classifieds as I never bonded with it. At the time there was no holy grail reaction.
 
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More two cents. As I said earlier in the thread I had one of these several years ago. If you look at the schematic posted earlier you can see the two preamp sections are different, with different gain and eq sections. There are jacks on the front panel that are separate outputs of each channel allowing them to be piggy backed in either order using 1/4" patch cables.
A couple of things I remember about it: It was wide enough to land a 2 seater Cessna on it, The bass response was a little thin, probably due to the undersized output transformer. And for a reason that I can't remember, I replaced the high and low input jacks with an attenuator pot.
Lastly, I sold it on TB classifieds as I never bonded with it. At the time there was no holy grail reaction.

youre probably thinking of the 400. hartley has confirmed this is the only 800 he ever made. he made it for NAMM in 1973 and no other ones were produced. only this one prototype.
 
he couldnt get UL to clear it because of how much current it drew.

also to the guy who suggested a modern version of this. this thing would cost 30 bajillion dollars to make today.

and in regard to the transformers...i assure you they are NOT undersized and the 400 and 800 both have enough low end to eviscerate your bowels. yours must have had something wonky going on.
 
Thank you Derrick for doing the right thing...
so far.drool Still want more eye candy.
We'll need some audio too:bassist::thumbsup:
f n o r d !
man, I'm jealous that you rubbed elbows with the Hart!

i havent yet but ill be going here soon to meet him and chat with him about the amp. maybe the old man can roll up his sleeves and play around with repairing his former child. hahahha!
 
he couldnt get UL to clear it because of how much current it drew.

also to the guy who suggested a modern version of this. this thing would cost 30 bajillion dollars to make today.

and in regard to the transformers...i assure you they are NOT undersized and the 400 and 800 both have enough low end to eviscerate your bowels. yours must have had something wonky going on.

Thirty bajillion is a lot of survival tickets. All electronic devices are cheaper now. I know you're proud of your baby, but... If it is a wonderful bass sound, and Peavey isn't interested in making more... Photo of guts and documents of parts and we're in business:thumbsup:
f n o r d !
this will not affect the original's value to collectors
 
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Thirty bajillion is a lot of survival tickets. All electronic devices are cheaper now. I know you're proud of your baby, but... If it is a wonderful bass sound, and Peavey isn't interested in making more... Photo of guts and documents of parts and we're in business:thumbsup:
f n o r d !
this will not affect the original's value to collectors

i already posted guts a while back didnt i?? i thought i did at least.
 
i already posted guts a while back didnt i?? i thought i did at least.

Yes... but they aren't something that can be used to decipher the amp, but that's okay.
Post #49 has the VTA400/800 amp schematic - the difference between the two of them isn't described all that well, it just says "VTA800 has two power amplifiers".

I think it's safe to assume that the 800 is a stereo version of the 400. The diagrams of the 400 call for only 2 transformers whereas the 800 looks like it's got 4 in it.
 
Yes... but they aren't something that can be used to decipher the amp, but that's okay.
Post #49 has the VTA400/800 amp schematic - the difference between the two of them isn't described all that well, it just says "VTA800 has two power amplifiers".

I think it's safe to assume that the 800 is a stereo version of the 400. The diagrams of the 400 call for only 2 transformers whereas the 800 looks like it's got 4 in it.
yes its just one 400 preamp (the board is literally a 400 board) and then its run into two power amps with a pair of jacks each. would be simple to build one from the 400 schematics. just double everything in the power section lol