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I just recently bought an older version of 1x12 combo (tweed)Peavey classic 30 all tube--4x EL84's, 3x 12AX7's--without the peavey logo in the front; hence, it looks like a fender 1x12 tweed. I believe it got a peavey blue marvel speaker on it. Anyway, this amps sounds really good to my ears; it doesn't have saturated buzzy lows, projecting highs and nice mid punch. I like the mid boost on it too--very jazzy to my ears, reminds me of ted green on a tele--the range of the boost is really good. Overall, it sounds velvety for my taste. I'd pick this Peavey C30 on Fender Blues Jr. any time. I think its a Blues Jr. killer--no pun intended. Lol!
My question is...
Am I the only one who has experienced this on this particular amp?
I need your opinion on it--who has used and experienced this specific amp.
PS: I used a telecaster and an ibanez full hollowbody with 12' mogami instrument cable straight to amp to test it.
Advanced Thank you for comments!
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01-05-2015 05:29 PM
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I had that amp a few years ago. Really, really nice tube amp that IMO is as good as any Fender tube amp but for much less $$$. Sounds great with either a Tele or an archtop.
I sold it for 2 reasons--at the time I was just playing at home, and it is a LOUD amp. Couldn't turn it past 9 o'clock without rattling the windows and incurring the wrath of the ex-spouse. It is also pretty heavy, and not one you want to move around from room to room or carry in and out of gigs on a whim. I ended up getting a SCXD which achieves the nice warm tube sound but in a much smaller package.
But for small- to medium-size venues it would be great. I'm not an expert on these tube amps, but from what I've heard there's a lot more clean head-room than with the Blues Jr.
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It's been my main gig amp for all styles for years...Many change the speaker(I put an Eminence Legend), but I also liked the original. Tube rattle can be a problem, I ordered the red foam tube cushion from peavey(like the on the new amps) and make sure there is a tube protection grille on your amp. For jazz I put a 12AT7 tube in V1 position, cool sound! Very loud and plenty of clean headroom. Tubes really can change the tone of this amp, when I changed the power tubes the 1st time I was quite surprised(I now use JJ'S). I like to combine it with my Polytone for a 2 amp setup for jazz when I can deal with all that gear transportation. It loves all kinds of guitars... All this for a quite inexpensive amp...yeah!
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I am very happy with mine. I changed the speaker to an Eminence Lil Tonker for weight reduction. That speaker also sounds very nice in it.
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I just got one and love the sound, though I haven't gigged with it. Seems solid for jazz cleans and plenty more as well.
There's pretty much always at least one on Craigslist for $300 or so.
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I've used them a few times and I really like them. I prefer them to the Fender Hot Rod series amps.
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I played one as my main amp for probably 6 years. I still have mine whenever I need more volume than my 1930's amps can provide and I'm not able to mic them.
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I'll check that 12AT7 out
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Can you elaborate on that sir?
Originally Posted by entresz
As for me, I think even just the stock blue marvel speakers has no match on fender hot rods'. I think overall the fender hot rods are a little too harsh clean or drive or with pedals. I think These C30's has more midrangy tone that I sought for, and works well with pedals and warm enough for my taste but doesn't have those in-necessary 80Hz thump. I think this amp is more Conford-ish than Fender-ish.
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I had one as my main amp in my old rock/blues band for several years and loved it. When the transformer needed to be replaced, I had it repaired; but, when I went to collect it from the shop, I was seduced by a Vox Valvetronix modelling amp sitting there; and I traded it in.
Of course, since I now play only jazz (pretty much) and don't need the Vox's 60watts, don't want the weight of that amp, and least of all do I require lots of Marshall models (
)......then the Peavey would have been perfect. Ah well.
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I/ve sold my ....
It was loud amp a lot of headroom...but ....I could not record on it...too much noise.
I/ve tried different tubes but it coud not resolve problem.
30 watt was a big power to play in every situation.
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I like Peavey in general.
I like the sound of these amps. I like the 1x15 version a little better, but that's personal preference.
They were however the most common amps we saw in for repair at the shop I worked at. I don't know why. Peavey in general is pretty solid stuff.
But they're cheap and sound good so probably worth the risk.
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Peavey used to make a Classic 20 which would be a cheap alternative to the Princeton Reverb, but alas with no reverb. They are on Ebay a lot as well.
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The Classic 30 is an _excellent_ amplifier. The normal channel is super--and it is very "Fender-y." The amp is plenty loud and you can get a decent jazz tone with it by backing off on the bass and treble, while boosting the middle some.
An even better amp is the Peavey Delta Blues--same exact amplifier as the Classic 30, but in a larger cabinet and supplied with a 15" speaker. The DB is an outstanding amplifier.
In both instances, however, I cannot recommend the boost channel. Electronically, what's going on there is a built-in tube screamer. To my ear, though, the amp just doesn't sound good on that channel. I much prefer getting my grind by simply turning the amp _up_ on the normal channel.
I had these amps around the house for years. The DB was gigged with routinely and NEVER gave any problems--nary a one. It is now owned by a guitarist friend in a touring band who alternates it with his Fender. It is still going strong.
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I've found that the Hot Rods tend to have too much boom in the low end, and the highs are a bit tough to tame. I've found that the Peaveys are just a bit more balanced sounding to my ears. I wouldn't be surprised regarding the Blue Marvels- I'm not a huge fan of Peaveys later speakers. The early Peavey Scorpion speakers and Black Widow speakers are superb though are generally pretty cheap on eBay. Originally Posted by WeepingPanda
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Originally Posted by Doctor Jeff
I had a Classic 20 that sounded magical with my Gibson L4CES ...
Wish I had kept it.
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I can't seem to find any reviews, from jazz players, regarding the Peavey Jazz Classic amp. The only people who seem to be users of the amp, are steel guitar players. They seem to like it, but I'm wondering if anyone playing music that's closer to the amp's namesake, have had a chance to evaluate it. Any owners, or testers out there?
PW
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I used to have one in the late 80's early 90's. It was heavy, but a solid, reliable and versatile amp. A ton of clean headroom, and most days I could dial in a good overdrive with the pre, post and saturation controls. I was inspired to pick it up by the great Central NY guitarist Carmen Caramanica. He was on the road with, I believe, Lou Rawls and the equipment truck got into an accident that his silver Twin didn't survive. That's the amp he replaced it with. Carmen recently went with a much lighter Roland Cube, but he got decades of great jazz tones out of the Peavey. Mine went missing from a shared rehearsal space, or I'm sure I'd still be putting it to good use today.
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I had an early 90s Classic 20 combo ... a perfect match for my L4CES ... unfortunately I sold it and haven't found anything that sounds as good with my L4 ... and they don't make the combo anymore
I still have an early 90s Classic 50 4X10 ... great for blues rock tones with strats and Les Pauls. I have an 80s strat pro with Lace pickups that matches up perfectly with this amp for fantastic blues rock tones. Ironically that same strat pro sounds like poop in my expensive boutique Carr Rambler. The 50 is OK for jazz, but I have better jazz amps and the 4X10 is heavy. Maybe a different speaker combo would work better.
The Classic 30 gets good reviews, but I don't have much experience with these
They used to be great bang for the buck, but the secret has gotten out and they aren't so cheap anymore
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The Jazz Classic, like the Peavey Special 130 of just a bit earlier in Peavey's production, is an amp with a ton of clean headroom and good control over the EQ. You can use this amp for just about any kind of music.
I wouldn't have used the high-gain channels on these amps, but the low-gain channels going into the solid-state power amp and on into the 12" speaker is a great formula for good, jazzy tone.
To get an idea of approximately what the Peavey in question sounds like with an archtop, here is Andy Brown playing a Tal Farlow Gibson into a Peavey Special 130--essentially the same amp as the Jazz Classic. Sounds pretty good, huh?
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Ooops
I didn't realize you were referring to a specific "Jazz Classic" amp and not the Classics in general
I don't see it in their current lineup .. do they still make something equivalent?
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There's a steel player in Texas selling one right now on the Steel Guitar Forum (you have to scroll to the bottom of the post to realize that.) $375 + shipping. No affiliation. The Steel Guitar Forum :: View topic - Is this Peavy amp a steel amp? Jazz Classic
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Wow! That sounds really nice. Thanks for the info. I had a big zilch when searching for the amp itself. I'm glad there was something closely related to reference. Thanks Greentone.
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Thanks, all, for the info. I have a line on one, but can't quite decide.
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It was an amp they made in the 90s. I don't think it sold well but it was a beast of an amp. 200 Watts, 15 " speaker, real nice EQ. It was similar to the Peavey Nashville 400 (steel guitar amp) and the two amps shared most of the same components, just slightly different EQ voicing. Originally Posted by Bluedawg
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