Peavey Classic 30 a Great Buy for Tube Amp Fans on a Budget

Tube amp afficionados would be hard pressed to find a better value than the Peavey Classic 30. This 30-watt wonder delivers the goods at a reasonable price.

Tube ampers looking for a solid performer at an affordable price need look no further than the Peavey Classic 30. First introduced in the early 90's, the Classic 30 has established a reputation as a great little workhorse with the legendary durability of Peavey's earlier amp models.

Peavey Classic 30 Features

The Classic 30 features a simple yet functional design. While the Classic 30 is not a true two-channel amp (the gain stage and clean channel share the same tone block), the amp has alot of tonal versatility. From left to right, the C30's funky chicken head knobs control the following:

Normal - controls the clean volume;
Pre - controls the gain or level of breakup in the lead mode;
Post - controls the overall volume of lead mode;
Reverb - controls reverb effect for both lead and clean modes;
Bass, Middle and Treble - shared tone controls for both lead and clean modes.

Additionally, the control panel features two push buttons: one allows the player to switch between clean and lead modes (there is also an optional footswitch for this as well); the other engages a midrange boost witch adds a bit more "chunk" to the tone. Other features include an in/out for an effects loop and an external speaker jack. The C30 is available in a "vintagy" yellow tweed with oxblood grill cloth or in a black tweed with black grill cloth. More recent models feature a slightly more stylized appearance but the guts are the same as the older models.

How does the Classic 30 sound?

With three 12AX7's in the pre-amp and four EL-84's in the power stage the C30 pumps out a respectable tubey vibe. The EL-84's give it more of a Vox than Fender feel. It's high point is definately the clean mode. This little guy seems to perform equally well with single coils or humbuckers. In my particular 1994 model I was hard pressed to get any discernible break up in the clean channel. It was loud for such a small package. Only when I replaced the stock Chinese tubes with JJ's was I able to get the slightest amount of breakup; but even then it was pretty subtle.

The spring reverb, while not getting into Fender territory, is respectable. A Strat or Tele will sound quite respectable through the C30 but don't forget to plug in your LP or other double-coil equipped guitar. This amp can handle either.

While the clean mode is my favorite, don't be afraid to try the lead mode. The C30 seems to have ample gain for classic rock and does a fair job of cutting through the mix. As with many amps, I find maxing out the distortion tends to make things a bit muddy.

The mid-boost button can yield some interesting results but I find I don't use it very often. This feature is not selectable from a foot pedal so it's a little tough to engage on the fly.

The Classic 30 also seems to take effects pedals very well. Plug in a Tube Screamer or another distortion pedal and see what you think.

Classic 30 proves big things can come in small packages

One of the great things about this amp is its size to performance ratio. It's not very big yet can keep up with a drummer. You shouldn't have any trouble using this in a club setting and for anything bigger you can get great results miking it up or even driving a 2x12 or 4x12 cab. With this guy you can head out the door with your amp in one hand and guitar in the other and be prepared for just about anything. I've found myself leaving my bigger amps at home alot more often and grabbing the C30 instead.

Summary

Like a number of Peavey amps, the C30 is something of a "jack of all trades". This amp will give you a solid foundation for a number of playing styles. While it may not be the best amp on the market, it is a very good amp. And for the money it would be hard to find an amp that represents a better value. You could spend alot more money and find a better sounding amp but at a price ranging from $250 to $500 you can't beat the value. Add to that Peavey's reputation for nearly indestructible amps and the Classic 30 is a real winner.

This article was originally published at Suite 101.

Peavey Decade: Big Things Come in Small Packages

Don't let the cute little package fool you. The Peavey Decade is a snotty little monster! Here's my review.

The Peavey Bandit 65 May Be the Ultimate Bargain Guitar Amplifier

Great tone, great functionality, handy size, famous Peavey durability and a low, low price make the Bandit 65 one of the best preowned amps available.

Take a stroll through your local music shop and you'll see a bevy of amps ranging from tiny solid state practice amps to top-of-line tube driven stacks. You'll likely be surprised at the variety but you'll probably be more surprised at the prices! There are some expensive amplifiers out there!The good news is there are alot of viable used amplifiers available for the guitarist on a budget. You would be hard pressed to find an amp that gives more "bang for the buck" than the Peavey Bandit 65.

Back to the 80's

As part of their Solo Series, Peavey began marketing the Bandit 65 around 1980. Due to it's fairly compact size and even more compact price (under $250 retail) the Bandit enjoyed a fairly wide acceptance especially among country musicians. Peavey amps had been popular with country players for much of the 70's.In fact, you couldn't turn on Hee Haw or Pop Goes the Country without seeing a backline stuffed with Peavey products. For some reason, however, big-time rock musicians seemed to be a little late to the Peavey party. But for a budding rocker on a budget it was hard to walk away from the Bandit 65 in the early 80's.

Over the years, tales of Peavey amp durability have become almost legendary. Hence there are still A LOT of these little guys banging around garages, basements, bedrooms and pawn shops. Yes the funky logo and ubiquitous brushed aluminum trim may give you pause but don't let this gawdiness scare you. The Bandit 65 is a real workhorse and can still deliver great sound and performance for a mere pittance.

Bandit Basics

The layout of the Bandit 65 is simple enough. The lead channel consists of controls for pre-gain, Saturation (Peavey's proprietary distortion circuit), and post-gain (which is merely the volume for the lead channel).The Pre-gain knob has a pull-boost function that boosts high-end frequencies. The normal or clean channel features controls for volume, Low, Mid, High, Presence and Reverb. The volume (Normal gain) knob, like the Pre-gain in the lead channel, has a pull-boost to kick up the high frequency. Additionally, the Mid control also has a pull-boost that adds an additional punch to the mid-frequencies.The rear of the Bandit 65 features a loop for effects and an input for a footwitch allowing you to toggle between the lead and clean channels and turn the reverb on and off. The amp came stock with the Peavey Scorpion 12" speaker. Featuring a 65 Watt solid-state power section and weighing in at under 40 pounds, the Bandit is just big enough to keep up with a drummer but small enough to not require hernia surgery.

The Amp That Will Not Die

As mentioned above, Peavey has always had the reputation for building equipment that could take alot of punishment.The Bandit has been known to fall out of moving vehicles, have beer spilled on it and even be submerged in water (!) and still work.Many a guitarist, myself included, have been gratefull they've had their trusty old Bandit in the van or pickup when their cool, spendy amp has died in the middle of a gig! The fact that there are so many of these guys still in operation is testament to their bullet-proof nature. For this reason alone, the Bandit 65 is a good investment. You never know when you'll need an emergency back up.

So How Does the Bandit 65 Sound?

The Bandit is a solid state amp. If you're hoping to coax warm, tubey, Deluxe Reveb type tones from this little guy you'll be a bit let down. However, you will immediately be impressed with how good the clean channel does sound. There's tons of clean headroom and, while not Fender lush, the spring reverb is pretty good. Try single coils through the Bandit's clean channel and you'll be pleasantly surprised.The lead channel is solid - good but not great. The Saturation circuit can sound a bit fizzy but backing off on the Presence a bit helps. You'll want to experiment with the interaction between the Pre-gain and Saturation controls. Cranking the Pre-gain gives a little more warmth - but cranking it too high with the Saturation too high makes for some mud. However, dialing back the Saturation can yield some fairly warm, almost tube-like, overdrive.Overall, my preference is the clean channel. With a Tube Screamer, Bad Monkey or other good OD or distortion pedal out front you'll get a good rock tone. One little trick I like to use is to turn the Saturation all the way down and use the Lead channel as a semi-clean boost for solos.

The Price is Nice

You've probably noticed even some lousy amps from the late 70's and early 80's can cost a mint. For whatever reason many Peavey amps have been passed by when it comes to the vintage market. Well, Peavey's loss is your gain! Many old Peavey amps can be had for a song! I've seen fully functioning Bandit 65's for as little as $60 in local consignment shops.On the high end you could spend up to $175. $100 to $150 seems to be the common range. Even at the upper end of their current price-range it's a steal. These guys are fairly plentiful on Craigslist and in pawn shops.

Bandit Bottomline

Is the Bandit 65 the best sounding amp you'll ever hear? No. Is it the best looking amp you'll ever see? No. However, if money is a consideration, you would be wise to take a look at a Bandit next time you see one at the local used music store. This is a good, hardworking amp that sounds good and will likely be working longer than most of us will! Buy one while they're still cheap!

(Originally published at Suite101.com )