Peavey Classic 30

[MIDNIGHT]

hey ya'll

so far in my search for THE amp for me , the Peavey Classic 30 is what's impressed me most among others and it is the amp that i've gotten the most input on in terms of my research.. there are TONS of videos on youtube of guys using Peavey Classic 30's and so far they all sound pretty good (even if in some cases, the audio of the cam that was taking the video sucked )

so basically guys, i was hopin' to get more input from you guys specifically on the Classic 30.. i'm hopin' to compile your reviews here and i'm hopin' ya'll can help me out

honest opinions please

also, if you can include in your review a rating from 1-10 that would be great!

thanks everybody!

[Bryan]

ok, i posted my review in the other thread you made..but i'll do it here also..
number wise, i'd rate the amp a 9 to 9.5..the only reason i didn't give it a 10 is i really don't like the stock speaker..but thats a easy change..

here's my review..and pic..

thats what i use to do small gigs midnight..the classic 30 is a awsome amp for the southern rock/blues tones..it's very loud for it's size..not really a bedroom amp because of the power, but i use mine at home practicing also..it has very nice cleans, great distortion over about 6-7 ..mine is a 92 model so it's been very dependable so far..
good choice..
__________________

[MIDNIGHT]

Originally Posted by Bryan

ok, i posted my review in the other thread you made..but i'll do it here also..
number wise, i'd rate the amp a 9 to 9.5..the only reason i didn't give it a 10 is i really don't like the stock speaker..but thats a easy change..

here's my review..and pic..

thats what i use to do small gigs midnight..the classic 30 is a awsome amp for the southern rock/blues tones..it's very loud for it's size..not really a bedroom amp because of the power, but i use mine at home practicing also..it has very nice cleans, great distortion over about 6-7 ..mine is a 92 model so it's been very dependable so far..
good choice..
__________________

thanks Bryan

glad to hear good input on it.. as time goes by, more and more i feel this is THE one.. but we'll see..

by the way, did you ever change the speaker? and if so, what did you change it with, and how did you do it?

[Bryan]

i have not replace mine yet, but i will be doing it with a celestion speaker in the very near future..

[lp59aholicDon]

Ok IN the Under 500 Range, I give the amp a 8.5 for tone ect. The reverb circut is solid state, has its ups and downs , I bought mine used from a guy and the reverb was not working , I did get it fixed, cost me another $75 bucks over the $150 I paid for the amp
other things I didnt like , sorta nit picky but here it goes, the wire holders for the power tubes- totally cheesy , gotta have the Peavy footswitch correct for this model
You cant crank the Midrange over past seven and Presence, Bass, Treble, all dimed out and even go half way on the verb, Feedback between the tank, the speakers and tubes will occur

[LoKi]

Didn't care for the solid state reverb, but it has Peavey's world reknowned reliablility and a VERY nice bluesy rock tone. I never cranked my 30 very high, because it is a loud little amp. The other guy in my band had a Classic 50 which I liked a little better.

I'd give it a 7.5 out of 10... but for my money, Fender makes better amps in that price range, especially if you're looking for bluesy tones in a combo... Fender invented that sound!

[lp59aholicDon]

Originally Posted by LoKi

Didn't care for the solid state reverb, but it has Peavey's world reknowned reliablility and a VERY nice bluesy rock tone. I never cranked my 30 very high, because it is a loud little amp. The other guy in my band had a Classic 50 which I liked a little better.

I'd give it a 7.5 out of 10... but for my money, Fender makes better amps in that price range, especially if you're looking for bluesy tones in a combo... Fender invented that sound!

Well if I put this against Hot rod Series, I would chose one of these, this against a Classic 50, with say Celestions loaded, I'd go for the Peavey, but my top would be a Fender Tweed Blues Deluxe
When I still lived in CA, a neighbor threatened to call the cops when I plugged my Classic 50 in Cranked it to six and half and was doing the Star SPangled Banner , on July 4th at around 8:30 PM

[mmcquain]

Originally Posted by Bryan

...the classic 30 is a awsome amp for the southern rock/blues tones..it's very loud for it's size..not really a bedroom amp because of the power, but i use mine at home practicing also..it has very nice cleans, great distortion over about 6-7...

Originally Posted by LoKi

...but it has Peavey's world reknowned reliablility and a VERY nice bluesy rock tone. I never cranked my 30 very high, because it is a loud little amp...

This is my second Classic 30 in about 15 years (I stupidly sold the other one about 8-9 years ago). I love it... plenty of power for any gig I play (e.g., I'm using it next week at an outdoor event with the church band - playing in an 80'x100' tent for several hundred people).

As the others have said, they are LOUD and RELIABLE (too of Peavey's trademarks). Over the years I've had about 3 Peavey Bandit 65 amps (all solid state), an old Duece (tube amp - little brother of the Mace amp, made famous by Gary Rossington & the Skynyrd guys), Peavey PA cabs, mixer/amps, etc. All of these have been real workhorses - built rock-solid.

As stated, I use mine for contemporary Christian plus I love to play blues, classic/southern rock so the amps tones are perfect for me. One thing to note is that the amp is NOT a true 2-channel amp in the same way as some other models (i.e., it only has a single set of tone controls, etc. and the "lead channel" really justs adds the amp's third 12AX7 tube to the tube circuity used by the "clean channel"). But don't let this worry you, the tones the amp puts out sound great (IMO).

Also, I've had no complaints about the reverb circuit (your typical spring reverb tank). My only complaint with the amp is the open back cabinet exposes the tubes to damage should something fall over on it, etc. Of course, the "Tube Guard" they sell on eBay easily solves that problem so it isn't really a big deal.

On a scale of 1-10, I'd give the amp a 9 for value for the money in terms of sound, features and reliability. Hope that all helps ya' make up your mind. Good luck and let us know how it turns out. Oh, I got this current amp off of eBay pretty cheap... a little Windex to clean up the tolex cover and it looks great. Spent a few bucks on the tube guard and for about $300 I got a great workhorse amp... so I'd look for a deal like this if you can find it. Oh, if you'll be taking the amp out of the bedroom to some gigs then I'd consider a hardshell case (flight case style) for it. Again, eBay to the rescue - got one with wheels for under $75... helps protect the amp and doubles as an amp stand for no extra $ if you want to get the amp up off the ground. If you're mainly playing at home then this isn't needed. If you're gigging all the time then get something heavier duty. But for the occassional gig, these cases are perfect for protecting your investment.

[lexluthier]

I'm a big fan of these amps. One thing I like about them is the transparency, you can really hear the differences between guitars with them. They don't seem to color the tone as much as some modern amps. The reverb could be a little less harsh, but it isn't bad. The boost button is pretty worthless IMO. I made my own footswitch using an old Randall RG80 footswitch and modifing it.

I blew up the original speaker in mine, so I went with a original 65w Celestion which sounded really nice in there. Currently I am testing an Eminence Swamp Thang in it, which also sounds pretty good in the amp.

Tubes are kind of cheesy, I'm running NOS in the pre and JJ's in the power section.

Overall for tone and value combined, I would give it a solid 9. Some people just can't get past the Peavey name, which is a shame.

[LoKi]

I've always wanted to hear some of those sweet alnico speakers in a classic 30...

[MIDNIGHT]

thanks for all your input guys..



i guess now i'll just have to wait till i finally get to try it

[tarddoggy]

Originally Posted by midnightdreamer

thanks for all your input guys..



i guess now i'll just have to wait till i finally get to try it

was just wonderin' if you tried the classic 30 yet!??

[MIDNIGHT]

Originally Posted by tarddoggy

was just wonderin' if you tried the classic 30 yet!??

ugh.. still not yet

[lp59aholicDon]

Originally Posted by midnightdreamer

ugh.. still not yet

What cha waitin for, Christmas? :: singin to the tune of Anticipation::
Procrastination, is making you wait !
pssssssst No better time than the present , specially if you already have the green to go for it

[MIDNIGHT]

Originally Posted by lp59aholicDon

What cha waitin for, Christmas? :: singin to the tune of Anticipation::
Procrastination, is making you wait !
pssssssst No better time than the present , specially if you already have the green to go for it

not Christmas.. more like my birthday

kidding aside, it's cuz i'm not driving yet.. i got my learners license this past june, and here in Jax FL, i have to hold it for a year, till next June before i can drive.. and even then, i don't even know if i will have ANY car to drive

so as you can see, i can't get around much.. and asking my aunt or uncle to bring me to the Guitar Center is really out of their way and their always busy..

sigh..

[lp59aholicDon]

ya dont have any local musical buddies? other guitarist maybe? Yeah it bites not havin wheels, I used to bicycle, even with a guitar in case, Not easy but can be done . when I bought my first Strat, I rode 14 miles up and down hill, Was even harder to get it home

Originally Posted by midnightdreamer

not Christmas.. more like my birthday

kidding aside, it's cuz i'm not driving yet.. i got my learners license this past june, and here in Jax FL, i have to hold it for a year, till next June before i can drive.. and even then, i don't even know if i will have ANY car to drive

so as you can see, i can't get around much.. and asking my aunt or uncle to bring me to the Guitar Center is really out of their way and their always busy..

sigh..

[MIDNIGHT]

Originally Posted by lp59aholicDon

ya dont have any local musical buddies? other guitarist maybe? Yeah it bites not havin wheels, I used to bicycle, even with a guitar in case, Not easy but can be done . when I bought my first Strat, I rode 14 miles up and down hill, Was even harder to get it home

hmm..

i do have this one friend.. but he lives all the way in orange park and asking him to bring me to the guitar center is a bit of a stretch for him.. not to mention he's on crutches..

[tarddoggy]

Originally Posted by midnightdreamer

hmm..

i do have this one friend.. but he lives all the way in orange park and asking him to bring me to the guitar center is a bit of a stretch for him.. not to mention he's on crutches..

brother if I only lived closer,Im in Oh. right now,Ya know

[lp59aholicDon]

Originally Posted by tarddoggy

brother if I only lived closer,Im in Oh. right now,Ya know

I am closer in the Mountains of NC, but the nearest Guitar Center is over 50 miles away at least though one of the local smaller dealers had a classic 30 last time I was there , I got a buddy wantin to sell a Classic 50 2 12
Jason, might help if you offered to chip in for some gas ?

[MIDNIGHT]

Originally Posted by lp59aholicDon

I am closer in the Mountains of NC, but the nearest Guitar Center is over 50 miles away at least though one of the local smaller dealers had a classic 30 last time I was there , I got a buddy wantin to sell a Classic 50 2 12
Jason, might help if you offered to chip in for some gas ?

hmm..

good suggestion

but i don't want my money to be depleted or else i might not have enough to buy the amp itself by the time i buy it

if i had a job then that would be good

[rkaynan]

I bought a brand new Classic 30 last Saturday and have been toying with it all week. Last night I gave it good workout in a band situation and it worked flawlessly and really sounded good. I have 2 criticisms though: It doesn't have as much sustain as I'd like when overdriven. (I use a 2003 LP Standard). Also, and the real reason I'm replying; even with nothing plugged into the amp there is a low level hum. I haven't owned an amp in a very long time and wonder if anyone knows if this normal and acceptable for a tube amp. I don't like it.

[lp59aholicDon]

Originally Posted by rkaynan

I bought a brand new Classic 30 last Saturday and have been toying with it all week. Last night I gave it good workout in a band situation and it worked flawlessly and really sounded good. I have 2 criticisms though: It doesn't have as much sustain as I'd like when overdriven. (I use a 2003 LP Standard). Also, and the real reason I'm replying; even with nothing plugged into the amp there is a low level hum. I haven't owned an amp in a very long time and wonder if anyone knows if this normal and acceptable for a tube amp. I don't like it.

a low level hum, especially if the pre and post gain controls are cranked or near cranked will occur in most Tube amps, Its more so intense if there are flourestcent lights in the room I have owned one, of these also as well as the 50 watt version

[MIDNIGHT]

Originally Posted by lp59aholicDon

a low level hum, especially if the pre and post gain controls are cranked or near cranked will occur in most Tube amps, Its more so intense if there are flourestcent lights in the room I have owned one, of these also as well as the 50 watt version

oooh really? i didn't know that about fluorescent lights.. nice! thanks Don!



AND.. that just sparked another idea for a new thread! thanks

[Gibsonblues]

Originally Posted by rkaynan

I bought a brand new Classic 30 last Saturday and have been toying with it all week. Last night I gave it good workout in a band situation and it worked flawlessly and really sounded good. I have 2 criticisms though: It doesn't have as much sustain as I'd like when overdriven. (I use a 2003 LP Standard). Also, and the real reason I'm replying; even with nothing plugged into the amp there is a low level hum. I haven't owned an amp in a very long time and wonder if anyone knows if this normal and acceptable for a tube amp. I don't like it.

I looked at two of the Classic 30's today at one of the GC's in the area. Black tolex priced at $599. I did notice that they come with a metal cage that is screwed on and protects all of the tubes. That's about the same price as the Fender HRD I think. I've been looking at small tube combo amps such as the Deluxe Reverb, Orange Tiny Terror, and the Classic 30. I think I'd like the tweed covered Classic 30 for the price! Sounds like it worked pretty well for you. Later, Gibsonblues...

[lexluthier]

Originally Posted by rkaynan

I bought a brand new Classic 30 last Saturday and have been toying with it all week. Last night I gave it good workout in a band situation and it worked flawlessly and really sounded good. I have 2 criticisms though: It doesn't have as much sustain as I'd like when overdriven. (I use a 2003 LP Standard). Also, and the real reason I'm replying; even with nothing plugged into the amp there is a low level hum. I haven't owned an amp in a very long time and wonder if anyone knows if this normal and acceptable for a tube amp. I don't like it.

It isn't a super high gain amp. It does have a decent amount of gain, but it won't do the saturated gain thing. I use a tubescreamer or something like that with mine when I use a Strat to punch up the drive.

[lp59aholicDon]

Originally Posted by Gibsonblues

I looked at two of the Classic 30's today at one of the GC's in the area. Black tolex priced at $599. I did notice that they come with a metal cage that is screwed on and protects all of the tubes. That's about the same price as the Fender HRD I think. I've been looking at small tube combo amps such as the Deluxe Reverb, Orange Tiny Terror, and the Classic 30. I think I'd like the tweed covered Classic 30 for the price! Sounds like it worked pretty well for you. Later, Gibsonblues...

Gibsonblues, The Hotrod Series has a small failing in my opinion, as you raise the master volume in the drive channel, no matter where the drive level is set the bass and mids bloom astronomically, well to me, When you are playing humbuckings thru em they get muddy fast if you dont dial them both back, nearly to zero The Tweed Blues deluxe dosent suffer this problem, nor does the Peavey Classics , The Tiny Terror is cool but kinda high priced for a 15 watt amp thats only a head

[M.T. Pockets]

Have they put a Standby switch on the Classic 30 yet?
I've got a Classic 50/15 and a Classic 30/12.
Both heavily gigged workhorses.
Never understood why the 50w has the Standy and the 30w doesn't.

[lp59aholicDon]

Originally Posted by M.T. Pockets

Have they put a Standby switch on the Classic 30 yet?
I've got a Classic 50/15 and a Classic 30/12.
Both heavily gigged workhorses.
Never understood why the 50w has the Standy and the 30w doesn't.

Nope they still havent done Standby for that , Because the 50 has more circuts that can be damanged if you fail to use it
Alot of low wattage, 30 and under watt amps have no standby . Marshall I think are the only ones who put standby switchs in any and every tibe amp they make

[Gibsonblues]

Originally Posted by lp59aholicDon

Gibsonblues, The Hotrod Series has a small failing in my opinion, as you raise the master volume in the drive channel, no matter where the drive level is set the bass and mids bloom astronomically, well to me, When you are playing humbuckings thru em they get muddy fast if you dont dial them both back, nearly to zero The Tweed Blues deluxe dosent suffer this problem, nor does the Peavey Classics , The Tiny Terror is cool but kinda high priced for a 15 watt amp thats only a head

Agree with you on the Tiny Terror! Neat little amp but I don't have a speaker cab anyway... For me, I think the two amps I will look at will be the Classic 30 and Deluxe Reverb. I really like that Fender model. I can always run a stomp box if I want more distortion etc for either. The Peavey's I looked at the other day were black tolex and I'm looking for tweed, at least in the Classic 30. You are right, there was no standby switch on the Peavey but it sounds like it may not necessarily be needed as mentioned. I'll look again,but I think the Classic 30 is still made in the US.... Thanks, Gibsonblues

[Bryan]

Also, and the real reason I'm replying; even with nothing plugged into the amp there is a low level hum. I haven't owned an amp in a very long time and wonder if anyone knows if this normal and acceptable for a tube amp. I don't like it.

could have been your tubes red plating..you are never to turn on a tube amp with nothing plugged into it..unless you want to fry it..