Peavey Classic 30 Review - TTK Style!

[thejohnnyh70]

Hey Toneking!! that amp sounds great!! is it only available with the 2x12 cab or is there a 1x12 cab option too? I`m looking to get myself a Classic 30 but can decide which version to go for.Will swap my MKIII Fender Hot Rod Deluxe for one.Anyone interested - just get in touch. Johnny H

[theendofacircle]

@thejohnnyh70 they only come as a combo now, 1x12 or a classic 50 which is a 4x10

[Tazman3054]

Hey nice amp. Can you tell me what SD Pickups are in that guitar? Thanks

[zaigar111]

I agree with some of these guys, these classic amps would really sound great with single coil pickups. Duncan humbuckers sound great and all, but usually if you're gonna rock out.. I could just imagine what some of these amps would do for the chicken pickers out there playing a tele.. I'm just sayin... But like what you're doin, Maybe try some different guit options. Rock on bro.

[matthewvermillion]

Hey Tone King. Just wanted to let you know that I love your demo videos. They are always very helpful. Keep up the good work!

[lmsjr]

@matthewvermillion Thank you!!

[scooterpiefauntleroy]

What a fantastic sounding amp !! I have an older 1X12 combo. It is my main amp. I just played a stadium gig with this amp. Just mic it up & it sounds like God !! Great demo guys. Thank You !!

[MultiScoffer]

Which sounds better to you. The Laney LC30 or the Peavey Classic 30? I'm torn between the two but I must admit that I'm leaning more towards the Peavey.

[keithsa41]

good job. Thanks for posting and feeding all the tone junkies.

[xrlrdr]

Thanks, bro! Appreciate the time and effort you take to do the videos. Keep up the fire. \m/

[DenKulesteSomFins]

@Imsjr you sound like Leo from Leo and Satan

[Guppy915]

@DenKulesteSomFins. I bet he's from Jeoyzee! HaHaHa, he's cool though, thanks for the informative vids TK!

[emdclapton]

mkay

[dcooper830]

Man I love the Peavey Classic 30s! I have two of the combos. I'd like to get a C30 head sometime and run it through my Marshall 1960AV cab. I think it would sound amazing. : )

[velocibovine]

I just started looking at buying a Peavey Classic 30, and this video helped me to make up my mind about buying one. Thanks for the good information. Keep rocking.

[Blissterd1]

Sweet! You were saying you weren't sure if running the amp on it's face was bad or not. If it's like my Classic 20, the tubes run pointed down directly under the circuit board "taco" (in the 20 it's a circuit board that's been cut into three & soldered together in a 3 sided rectangle with a control panel in the empty side). I would think that turning it forward would allow the tubes to send their heat up and out instead of up into the circuit. I've seen amps cook from tube heat under the board!

[jimllfaxit]

Hey ToneKing

What are your thoughts on the classic head and cab after owning for a year or so?

Im getting really tempted to buy this stack.

How do you rate the cab?

Thanks

[zacdarider]

add a line 6 uber metal and a good delay in front of it and it plays metal like no other in the same price range.. if you dont believe me, check out my videos !!

[goldenaxeband]

Awesome sound at the ending.

[wilrecar77]

Hi, I've currently got an early Transtube Peavey Bandit 112 with a Swamp Thang speaker, which works great for my uses, but I'm looking for something a bit warmer. Would this amp have enough headroom to play in a jazz band? I don't need perfect cleans, but I can't have too much breakup. My budget is 300$ or so (hard to get money at 14), and I'm not too familiar with budget tube amps. I've played through a few tweed style amps at jam sessions though, and I liked the character.

[rockingpimi]

amazing fretboard!

[slpc30]

i love the reviews you do.

[slpc30]

hey ttk ive been watching your reviews.i juist got an account here.thank you for all your reviews

[jimigtrslingin]

hope the chassis in the head is not as poorly constructed as the combo version. All the knobs seem in the same position, an amp techs nightmare,,,3 boards tied together. words of wisdom,,,if your combo goes out and it's not tubes or power, convert the cab to ext cab,,,and just sell the chassis as a non working project. That's the best you can do.

[aryasridhar]

Someone please answer my question, I own a Laney Cub 10, I want to buy a Marshall MG4x12a cabinet, I was told that if i connect it to the Laney, I would lose tone and would not get a good tone, as the wattage of my tube amp is 10 watts. Could someone please let me know if that is true?

[deadidoldanny]

Love the videos TK!

Question... Can you run this Peavey Classic 30 Head into the Vox V112 Cab? I know that the V112 Cab is made for the 4 watt AC4TVH... but they are both 16 OHMS... But will the Peavey Classic 30 watts blow up that V112 Cab Speaker? Do you know?

[colejustesen]

@deadidoldanny The biggest issue you are going to run to is mainly the wattage of the speaker of the Vox cab. Since the cab is 16 Ohms and the Classic 30 can run am impedance of 16 Ohms to a speaker cab this area will be fine. I would make sure the Vox cab is rated to at least 30 watts.

[SuperTrollNoU]

are those 12" speakers or 10"? was it $550 for the cab and head, or just head? cause a local shop is selling a Peavey Classic 30 head (new) for $420...

[hawg427]

Hey TK, I didn't know that the Classic 30 was not a TRUE 2 channel amp. Peavey doesn't use 2 seperate channels. They use a boosted channel somehow. I did get an email from Jet City and the 50 watt head is going to be out any day now. I told them to make sure they send The Tone King one ASAP to get reviewed.

I bet your glad to get out of all that Fl. humidity. LOL Take care.

[tony93666]

@roshjosh - you've obviously not seen any more recent videos... he mic's everything now

[holmes1978]

Nice

[Spiffa0]

I love this amp. I've owned it for 2 years, and over those 2 years I've tried many other amps but always come back to this one. Takes pedals very well.

[BluesShuffle]

A brillant amp for its price. I changed the speakers to Vintage 30'ties as they sound a little better to my ears. Classic 30/50 are easy to find used , that also brings down your expense. Light-weight, and easy to mic-up. Both the 1x12 and 2x12 are very good. When placed correct, the 1x12 (open back) does give a very full sound for a mono amp.

IMO, the best tube-amp in it's budget segment.

Beside the peavey i also have. Rivera Quiana, Fender twin reverb, Metroamp (homebuild) JTM45

[TheDancingSaxophone]

I've never seen someone use their thumb in open chords like he does when he plays a G. It's interesting:)

[martingibson70]

I had one and loved it except...The tubes rattled. I couldn't get past it. I've noticed that the newer ones seemed to have their tubes seated differently. Any tube rattling?

[hawg427]

Hi TK,

How does the Classic 30 sound with a BD-2 pedal or a tube screamer?

[awesomeportal]

That thing sounds awesome!

[skaterguitar4ever]

he forgot as i always do!!!

[hawg427]

TK, For some reason I keep liking the crunchh sound on this amp. It has the fullness some of the other 5-30 Watt heads do not have. Did Peavey stop making this head? I have only been able to find it on Ebay. Some people state that theirs is " New " I guess they kept them in the closet or a store manager got them. And the Made in USA does help.

[shallyshal1]

not your style of play, i would guess, but the Peavey 30 is one of the all time great jazz amps.. especially the 1-12" with a high end replacement speaker.. light, portable, great volume and sound.

it is a Jazzer on a Budget dream..

[Dlow2410]

Fender hot rod deluxe or peavey classic 30 i cant decide !

[tiramisu2312]

me either..but i have a GT8..

im thinking claim the fender cleans and use the gt8 for the sub par OD channels

tho standalone, id favour the PV

[samguitarmurphy]

go for the classic 30, i think the 'more gain' channel on the hotrod sounds like a vacuum cleaner.

[mrlschreur]

Yeah I've got Sovteks. I'll have to try cranking the post and then the pre I've been using it other way round so I'll give that a shot thanks

[larskoetsier]

the distortion sounds better without reverb so show  that to:S

[hawg427]

Hey TK, Big Lou here. I am confused. Is this a head or a combo? I cannot find the head on the internet anywhere. I do see the combo though.

[larskoetsier]

its a head with the cabinet that they made for the head

[taygoo13]

why did you have the guitar volume rolled down that was stupid.

[mrlschreur]

I have this amp, and the clean channel sounds great, but my gain sounds like crap. Could it be that I need new tubes? Or is there something else like a fuse? Please help. I love the way your gain sounds. Why doesn't mine sound at least decent?

[Stringprodigy]

What kind of power tubes do you have, mrlshreur? If they are Sovteks, you should replace them with JJ's. Big difference. Also, try cranking the post and use the pre to adjust the volume. Then push the amp with a TS type OD. Power tube saturation is where it's at!

[Alessandoctor]

I think that classic 30 is a great amp !

[maitallica]

does this amp do metal good? My current amp doesnt really do cleans amazingly so im looking for something new, but I love to play my metal lol =p

[mike31jmb]

No, this is more of a classic rock sound, but if you have a great metal pedal plug that bad boy into the clean channel and let it rip!

[TalkerWalker]

I got that cabinet and amp. Great stuff, especially amp. I don't lika Blue Marvel speakers a little but their are not that bad. Thanks for nice video!

[mike31jmb]

I agree I'm having a cabinet made because I don't really like the voicing on the Blue Marvels either.

[taygoo13]

what the fuck does peged mean

[ImageRiver]

Hey brother. Just bought a Peavey Classic 30 combo after a LONG search andf many tests of numerous amps. I'm really satisfied with the C30. Love the tone, the headroom and the nastiness when you need it.

Love your reviews. Keep em going and God bless!

Joe (ImageRiver)

[jimigtrslingin]

great amp, till you move it around, bump it one time to many,,and it quits working. ,the chassis is an amp techs nightmare. I'm selling mine on ebay soon,,,I am quite happy with my Epiphone valve senor,,,it rocks!,,,and has an uncomplicated board.

[lexist7]

one of your better demos. i like less gain. :)

[Ghostman1229]

Sounds great!!! I have a Classic 30 that I absolutely love but it comes stock with the Peavey Blue Marvel 12' Speaker. When I check on the Specs of the Peavey 2x12 extension cab it says 2 Blue Marvel speakers. So did you replace yours with Eminence drivers and if you did then what model drivers? Nice tones :) !!! I;m gonna add an extension cab to mine because I can hear that it really opens up the amps sound.

[DaveyBoy22211]

The highlight of your videos is getting started with one of these bad boys right here \m/.

[fedevespa13]

I own this amp (head + cabinet), and it sounds so great! When I purchased it, I had tried combo edition, but that 2x12 cabinet adds lots of bass and middle.. really good amp

[ConservativeAndProud]

Also , if you want to make the Peavey amps sound a whole lot better , Replace the speakers , Eminence are good speakers , just not the stock shit that ships with the amps! Trust me

[ConservativeAndProud]

I own the Classic 100 head , Mace Head 320t , and Triple X ( 2x12 Combo). I love my amps , I have played lots of amps (Mesa , Marshall , Fender, all of em). My amps kick the shit out of most of them. Skynyrd is my favorite band and they have used all of these amps. But they are not just southern rock amps. Pearl Jam , Black Stone Cherry and other rock bands use them. Try one , You will love it!

[woodsy2069]

This head seems to be discontinued everywhere. Why? the head isn't on Peaveys website and sweetwater has one open box one left... get it while you can.

[jbstorck]

Because they don't make any profit on them. Crate did the same thing with their american made amps. They will be out of the loop for a while then they will come out of no where again only they will be made in fucking china.

[WhiteBlossomBand]

if you spend so much money on amps and stuff, why dont you buy a proper microphone and mic up your amps for the next videos

we would be able to get an objective view on what it sounds like

[marcriganoskate]

@WhiteBlossomBand maybe he didn't buy the amps solely for giving demos of amps...

[CptjackSparrow80]

I've played Mesa, Randall and Marshall...I always come back to the Classic 30! Turn the post gain up bro!!!

[topografer]

i like the fretboard on this guitar:P

[purity4your11]

peavey has made some GREAT tube amp heads in their day. what ever happened to the peavey "butcher" i cant find anyone who has one? maybe the tone king has one at the bottom of that giant pile of amps he has....

[HoosierLine]

Great sounding Peavey head. Excellent drive, saturation and tube sag without mudding up the tone. You can see why bands like Skynyrd & 38 Special used Peavey amps through out their careers. They deliver the tone!

[megadv8r]

i love this amp on all the reviews i've seen.i need to get one.big peavey lover,btw

[daveymurrayrules]

can this amp do hard rock like la guns, motley crue, or whitesnake?

[RM6bass]

probably need an OD pedal to get classic Mick Mars type tones, but if you do that it is probably possible.

[daveymurrayrules]

ok, thanx man, also, could this probaly crank out enough usable volume for like a 500 seat theatre?

[RM6bass]

The head, on a decent 4x12? Probably do it easily without miking. The 4x10 combo could probably do it as well. Those are just my opinions though, haven't actually tried it...

[mkhf580]

Had one for awhile and hearing it again makes me wonder why I sold it. Great el84 tube amp.

[jedimaster398]

i love this amp i need to get one!

[jonasgatto]

what is this guitar ? a custom made i guess...

[RM6bass]

He said it was a Rico Jr... Guessing that's Bernie Rico Jr, Bernie Rico Sr being the founder of B.C. Rich.

[IzeTheGuitarGod]

great review man not my style head but sound great. can you do a review of the "son of hyde" overdrive pedal by visual sound im thinking of buying one but no shops in my area sell them

[Mallroth]

I just bought one myself. It sounds great, it is VERY loud, no problem to reach out with this amp. One concern I have is that it is a bit noisy when I add reverb, I will let the dealer have a look at it. Again, a great amp and a great cab!!

[pastorkev777]

Sweet Tone King! -PK

[michaelneub]

hey man i seen the combo verson of this at a pawn shop for $420 but i also saw a peavey vypyr tube new for $450 wat one would u go with?

[redlightklondike]

Great tone and simplicity: classic.

Versitility: vypyr.

Play them both and make the choice that makes sense for you!

[michaelneub]

thanks but do u think the c30 combo is loud enough to hear over the drums?

[redlightklondike]

Yes, 30 watts on a tube amp will be loud enough for 95% of band situations. More speakers will make it sound better (fuller), so having an extension cabinet as well will complete the rig.

[29396]

what about a 30 watt solidstate?

[Fejklman]

30 W of tubes ? definitely enough by my opinion

[revolutionday1]

I love the Peavey Classic-series, but I own a Vypyr, and it actually has a "Classic"-model that sounds pretty damn close to the real deal. My Vypyr is solid state, so I can imagine how good the tube version would be on that setting. There is just SO much you can do with the Vypyr.....

[ravenrage07]

since they already did the spider valve maybe they'll do a vyper tube amp.

[revolutionday1]

There already are VYPYR tube-models. Namely the 60 watt and 120 watt units.

[pastorkev777]

Tone King could you demo the digitech rp1000? I am planning on buying one cuz I don't have my own multi effects pedal! P.s. The horizontal pull is actual vertical pull and I can't find much on it I was watching a video and it broke it down it was a tube amp maker from namm from premiere guitar! It is more a shortening of the life of a tube thing and voltage thing also if I remember right! -PK

[lmsjr]

PK - you must have read my mind ... b/c I just ordered a RP1000 this past laborday weekend. When I receive it, I will review it :-) Thanks!

[tabulaerasae82]

@lmsjr id been playing guitar couple of months , i asked a guy i know thats used nearly every amp there is "whats the best amp for the money" without thinking he said "classic 30" so i got a classic 30 about a year ago of ebay used £200 , old usa made one like this one , new tubes and a celestion vintage 30 speaker. Ima total beginner but i dont feel any need whatsoever to look for another amp :) I totally love the classice 30 and your right , it has a lush reverb !! nice vid buddy

[hawg427]

TK,

Do you get a different sound using the Classic 30 head vs using the Classic 30 combo amp? Besides being able to change speaker cabs when you feel like it. Have a Safe Holiday.

Lou

[lmsjr]

Hey Lou - I don't own the Classic 30 combo, so I'm not sure. BUT - I just checked the specs, and it looks like they use the same USA Eminence driver, and it's open back by design. Should sound pretty darn close. Hey, I took advantage of some MF discounts this weekend ... just ordered a Digitech RP1000. Buy any new gear over the Labor Day wkend?

[Sunsnoel]

I luv the vid, heres ur luv...peace....

[lmsjr]

Thanks bro!

[LordOfThisWorld74]

666 views \m/

[lmsjr]

Hey Lord - u da man bro. Thanks! BTW - I'm luvin the Randall 1/2 stack I just bought. Refresh my memory - which Randall 1/2 stack and cab do you own?

[LordOfThisWorld74]

Thanks man, i have the randall RX120RH. all solid state but it has balls. I went to a local guitar shop today and tried the tiny terror combo and that thing sounds madly awesome. Im craving or as you gear hoarders call it GASing for one lol. Keep in touch man

[korkey1]

LOve your reviews TTK have owned this head and cab 4 a while and have waited 4 your review of it. This is a great amp 4 anything up to hard rock emgs help push it a bit harder but sounds great with a jazzbox aswell. Dont think it can be beaten 4 the price. Keep up the good work!!!

[lmsjr]

Thanks korkey! Appreciate the kind words.

[jst601]

Great head & cab. Really good sound & a very under rated half-stack. Thanks!

[lmsjr]

Agreed. Thanks jst.

[kesx]

Really good sounding amp.

[kesx]

The neck on that guitar is cool! Is it half maple and half rosewood, or ebony, or what? Nice guitar!

[Phishiz]

you mean the fretboard right? It's ebony, abalone, and maple

[lmsjr]

Phish is right. It was a prototype that Rico Jr. Built that was offered through drumcityguitarland. I've owned it for a few years now. Great looking / playing / sounding axe.

[Phishiz]

and i must say its stunning

[warmesuppe]

very nice sound

Is it a bad idea if i buy a distortion (or overdrive) pedal to play metal an this amp or should i better buy a high gain amp ?

[TheDistortionist]

An amp like this would maybe sound good for classic with an overdrive, bu yeah anything beyond that you would be better off buying a high gain amp.

[warmesuppe]

ok thanks

[Vercingetorix]

I quite actually liked the tone of that amp when you started adding more gain, and the clarity of the chords I found surprising. I thought it was a little bright at the beginning - but EQing it to my tastes would solve that problem. And it has a spring reverb.

Me likes that amp - I might pick one up.

Thanks Tone King!

[tonytoes3895]

great point about the chords

[tak178]

Pretty tasty. :)

[scorpguitar79]

sounded real good-but I am pretty partial to 15-30 watt EL84 amps! Love the cleans

[MojoPenguin]

Thanks for the vid and for always coming up with good souding vids, we all apreciate the extra effort. Cheers

[Ghold125]

I know your going to do a video on that guitar. BTW, you should have also run an overdrive pedal and boost it more, you can get quite a bit out of the Classic 30

[Steve0585]

i don't really think the classic 30 is a micro head. It's a pretty full on amp.

[savagesnephew]

Yeah, I almost bought one of these. Cool video!

[muahdib4]

Though you do say "compare it to other USA made amps", you include Carvin which has their VT50 head for $449 (50 watt all tube with real spring reverb) and their X100B for $599 (100 watt 2 channel with real spring reverb). Both within the price point of the Peavey and what I personally consider to be superior amps. Though some may not agree, but they are other options for people to look at.

[lmsjr]

Hey mua - true, true, true. BTW - The newer X100Bs don't have real spring reverb anymore. It's digital (just FYI). Thanks for the comment!

[muahdib4]

Oh, they've gone to digital? Well that sucks...but I own 2 original ones any and love them. Thanks for setting me straight since I assumed it must have spring reverb since it's a reissue and the originals did.

[stinkfoot777]

best clean amp made

[pastorkev777]

I wouldn't leave the head that way for long the tubes are not made to handle the horizontal pull! -PK

[lmsjr]

Thanks for the tip Pastorkev.

[lmsjr]

PastorKev - can you tell me a bit more about your comment (horizontal pull). How / why does the position of the amp affect the operation of the tubes. I never heard about this and am very curious to better understand. Thanks.

[EnvyInc]

@lmsjr Hey TTK, I was talking to the former head of Daddy's Junky Music's repair department the other night and he mentioned something about this as well. I had just purchased a JCM600 head and he said something about tubes not lasting as long due to horizontal pull. He said it's a great sounding head, but I'll need to retube it much more often.

[dadudeguy2]

nice review! nice guitar!

[GuitarXGunz]

first comment. definitely better than the haze in sound and build quality.