Peavey Classic 20 head with reverb

**Doctor Jeff** · 08-23-2020, 06:28 PM

Classic(R) 20 MH Mini Amp Head | Peavey.com

Wow—could be the Holy Grail as far as I’m concerned...

I have fond memories of my prior Peavey Classic 30, but it was too loud and too heavy. They did make a Classic 20 at the time, but it did not have reverb.

But a Classic 20 head with reverb...could be a game changer when paired with the 1 x 12 cabinet—$799 at Sweetwater. Beautiful tube warmth.

I am still jonesing for a 12-string, and this is pulling me in the WRONG direction, but dad gum it life is short.

**citizenk74** · 08-23-2020, 06:58 PM

I had both a Classic 30 and a very early Classic 50. Weight aside, both were outstanding amps - great, warm cleans and truly luscious uncleans. The 4-10"s of the 50 were capable of filling any space short of an arena. This little beauty looks to be a worthy addition to the line.

**Gitfiddler** · 08-23-2020, 08:09 PM

This is a lot of amp for the money:

Attenuator switch for 20 watts, 5 watts or 1 watt output power
Two EL84 power tubes and three 12AX7/ECC83 preamp tubes
Two footswitchable channels with 3-band EQ
Footswitchable global volume boost, reverb, and effects loop
Footswitch included
T.S.I.™ (Tube Status Indication) circuit
MSDI™ Output with XLR and ground lift switch
USB Output
Speaker defeat switch
Headphone output.
Footswitch included
Impedance switch for 16 or 8 ohm cabinets
Weight Unpacked: 16.75 lb(7.6 kg)
Weight Packed: 20.50 lb(9.3 kg)
Width Packed: 13.25"(33.655 cm)
Height Packed: 19.375"(49.2125 cm)
Depth Packed: 12.375"(31.4325 cm)

**Doctor Jeff** · 08-23-2020, 10:09 PM

You know I might just buy one. I have a Fender SCXL, and I never use the various models, just the blackface clean. Never use the effects other than reverb. In other words, basically this amp...but more power and real tubiness.

**christianm77** · 08-24-2020, 03:49 AM

I like this amp; it’s the house amp at a local venue. But it is a little lacking in headroom for jazz. You might want to mod it a little.

**Little Jay** · 08-24-2020, 06:14 AM

I had one of the early Classic 20 combos with 10” speaker. I sold it because it had no real headroom to speak of and could not be played clean at reasonable volume levels (must be the circuit because my 15 watts 2xEL84 Dynacord DA-16/v stays clean untill it gets very loud).

It sounded very nasal and boxy, although that was probably the small cab with the so-so 10” speaker.

**Little Jay** · 08-24-2020, 06:20 AM

Originally Posted by christianm77

I like this amp; it’s the house amp at a local venue. But it is a little lacking in headroom for jazz. You might want to mod it a little.

Peavey PCB’s are notoriously difficult to work on and mod..... looking at the schematic, I see it uses 3 gain stages (3x 1/2 a12ax7) before the tonestack, so it’s not designed to stay clean. Would be difficult to create more headroom in this amp. Maybe with 12ay7 tubes? But I doubt you’ll get enough volume then....

**christianm77** · 08-24-2020, 07:52 AM

Originally Posted by Little Jay

Peavey PCB’s are notoriously difficult to work on and mod..... looking at the schematic, I see it uses 3 gain stages (3x 1/2 a12ax7) before the tonestack, so it’s not designed to stay clean. Would be difficult to create more headroom in this amp. Maybe with 12ay7 tubes? But I doubt you’ll get enough volume then....

I might add that the breakup is really nice if that’s what you are going for! This is an amp that wants you to play the blues....

**Wildcat** · 08-24-2020, 10:19 AM

Attenurator switch is huge!!

**lawson-stone** · 08-24-2020, 05:04 PM

By the time you add a speaker, you are money-wise i the neighborhood of a Fender Tone Master Deluxe Reverb.

**christianm77** · 08-24-2020, 07:04 PM

True. And that amp is about the same weight, and way louder.

Not a real valve amp though, but if you can tell the difference, I think you are more into amps than I am.