Always wanted one of these, played one years ago and fell in love with it, but just not found one in my budget, or one around when I could afford a bit more. Finally secured one today for a really good price.
Does anybody use one of these regularly? Any tips or comments about them?
Guitars: ESP Viper | BC Rich Mockingbird Pro X | Jackson RR5 | Washburn Custom shop Idol | Schecter C1 Stealth | Schecter Blackjack AX-7 | Washburn “Billy Club” Idol | Washburn “Nick Catanese” Idol - Amps: Peavey 5150 60w Combo | Peavey 6505 120w head | Peavey JSX 120w head | Blackstar HT-1 Combo
Comments
It sounded great! The clean channel is perfect for pedals as it has a powerful strident tone.
I actually preferred it with the drive pedals (a Suhr Riot was one) than with it's own lead sounds, although they were more than good enough. Impressive amp for what they sell at now.
My music:- https://soundcloud.com/hubobulous
@ThePrettyDamned you're right in that its based on the Peavey XXX but there are some differences according to an interview I watched with Joe Satriani. I think they stole some circuitry from another Peavey Classic model for the clean channel.
I play guitar and take photos of stuff. I also like beans on toast.
I play guitar and take photos of stuff. I also like beans on toast.
Although I always got a great drive tone.
The only times I got compliments on my tone was through that amp.
shes a bit good.
I tried it with my Jackson RR5 and BC Rich Mockingbird through a Korg tuner > Ibanez Tube Screamer > Boss Noise Gate. The clean channel is really ... clean. Exceptionally clean with almost no break up at all. Impressive but I was more interested in the other two channels.
The green channel is just heaven - really nice usable gain which is great for chunky rhythm parts. Its a tamer and refined sound compared to the insane green channels on 5150 or 6506+ which I really like. Combined with the noise gate and tube screamer it gives a really tight, chunky, full ranged tone. This channel has been compared to a Marshall type high gain sound but to my ears (and compared to our other guitarist who was using a JCM 900) it was quite different to my ears.
The red (or lead) channel was more like the red channel on the 5150 and 6505, although it was slightly more refined with a bit more mid range. Really nice and complimented the rhythm channel very well. The built in noise gate is handy but as I was using a noise gate pedal, this was turned to "0". I didn't use the effects loop as I've been told that its best to go direct into the amp with effects, unless I'm using modulation effects like chorus or flanger.
Pros
Clean channel, surprisingly nice sounding compared to other clean channels
Great high-gain rhythm sound when used in conjunction with a tube screamer
Cons
It's heavier than the average head
Chrome decor amp front has to go, its way over the top and I am not a fan of chrome, be it on bikes or guitar amps.
i used to set the channels to
Clean
Crunch
Heavy
all at roughly similar volumes then use the fx boost for solos.
Btw the chrome comes off and makes the head look super mean.
I tried it and it defo makes your leads pop out, there is more than enough gain on either channel for anything.
I'm also in the process of ordering a piece of checker plate to fit on the front (like the Triple XXX has) but will be spraying it matt black. That chrome seriously needs to go.