N.A.D. Peavey Classic 20 MH

[fry]

Picked up this Classic 20 mini head today. I already have a 30 combo, and I was curious about this little guy, so I kept my eyes peeled for a good opportunity. I got this one in excellent shape with a custom made footswitch. It would normally take two 2-button switches to operate all the bells and whistles, this switch puts it all together in one box with LEDs, very nice. So far, the amp sounds great, awesome clean and overdrive. I always thought the 30 was a lot of bang for the buck, and this little head carries on the tradition. When they say mini head, they mean it, this sucker is really small. I already had the cabinet, and it sits on top real nice. The tweeds don’t match, because the cabinet was lacquered, but close enough.

 

[efstop]

They are cool little amps. I bought a new one on blowout a few years ago and the store I bought it from now retails them for 2 1/2 times what I paid. It's mothballed like most of my amps

 

[Assault Bacon]

I owned the 212 version of the Classic 50. I regret selling that amp.

Happy NAD.

 

[edro]

The Classics sound great. I've an early Delta Blues 115 which is simply a Classic 30 chassis in a bigger cab to accomadate a 15" driver.....

 

[dc007]

The Classics sound great. I've an early Delta Blues 115 which is simply a Classic 30 chassis in a bigger cab to accomadate a 15" driver.....

If you can crank that Delta it gets real sweet

 

[prs97]

Very cool.

I have one as well but for some reason, it sounds very muddy with my Les Pauls & the neck pickup. Bridge pickups sound good to my ears. I'm thinking I need to dial it in more compared to my other amps.

Curious of the opinion of others.

 

[fry]

Very cool.

I have one as well but for some reason, it sounds very muddy with my Les Pauls & the neck pickup. Bridge pickups sound good to my ears. I'm thinking I need to dial it in more compared to my other amps.

Curious of the opinion of others.

The only thing that I am having trouble with is that I just don’t think it’s quite loud enough. It sounds great, packed with features, but I like there to be plenty of volume when you want it. I’d rather have too much than not enough. Not that big a deal, I just play in the house, not in a band or anything. I was just hoping to have a little more power. I have had boutique 18 watt amps that will peel the paint off the walls.

 

[hbucker]

The only thing that I am having trouble with is that I just don’t think it’s quite loud enough. It sounds great, packed with features, but I like there to be plenty of volume when you want it. I’d rather have too much than not enough. Not that big a deal, I just play in the house, not in a band or anything. I was just hoping to have a little more power. I have had boutique 18 watt amps that will peel the paint off the walls.

Not agreeing or disagreeing. Your points are subjective and valid. - Just conversating here...

Style of music played seems to have a lot to do with how "loud," loud enough is. Someone who needs scooped mids and a lot of thump will no doubt need more than 20 watts for the 'thump' alone. But for traditional, mid focused tones, 20 watts can me surprisingly functional and plenty loud for many band scenarios. Especially if the amps are mic'd.

I'm currently using my 5150 Iconic combo with our band in 10 watt mode and it isn't even dimed, but it is mic'd.

There is also a difference between traditional overdrive from the power tubes and modern preamp overdrive in high-gain amps. The latter requires less stress on the power tubes to get 'that tone.' Although I do like the power section to work hard enough that it gets what I call a "hunkered down" vibe with some compression and a little sweat in the sound - if that makes sense at all? The classic - power section needs to be hot - tone is where these lower wattage amps can really shine.

But one amp's 20 watts is not necessarily the same as another's 20 watts.

I've never played the 20 watt Classic. But I'm a huge fan of the Classic 30s and 50s. I once owned a Classic 100 head that was fantastic. Ultimately, it was more than I needed or was practical. I still recommend the Classics to anyone who will listen.

 

[fry]

Not agreeing or disagreeing. Your points are subjective and valid. - Just conversating here...

Style of music played seems to have a lot to do with how "loud," loud enough is. Someone who needs scooped mids and a lot of thump will no doubt need more than 20 watts for the 'thump' alone. But for traditional, mid focused tones, 20 watts can me surprisingly functional and plenty loud for many band scenarios. Especially if the amps are mic'd.

I'm currently using my 5150 Iconic combo with our band in 10 watt mode and it isn't even dimed, but it is mic'd.

There is also a difference between traditional overdrive from the power tubes and modern preamp overdrive in high-gain amps. The latter requires less stress on the power tubes to get 'that tone.' Although I do like the power section to work hard enough that it gets what I call a "hunkered down" vibe with some compression and a little sweat in the sound - if that makes sense at all? The classic - power section needs to be hot - tone is where these lower wattage amps can really shine.

But one amp's 20 watts is not necessarily the same as another's 20 watts.

I've never played the 20 watt Classic. But I'm a huge fan of the Classic 30s and 50s. I once owned a Classic 100 head that was fantastic. Ultimately, it was more than I needed or was practical. I still recommend the Classics to anyone who will listen.

Yeah, I also have the 30 combo, and I am surprised at how much more volume it seems to have. I thought this 20 might take the place of the 30, but I’m not sure just yet

 

[hbucker]

Yeah, I also have the 30 combo, and I am surprised at how much more volume it seems to have. I thought this 20 might take the place of the 30, but I’m not sure just yet

Strange. 10 Watts shouldn't make that much of a difference in over all volume.

 

[edro]

Speakers and cabs can make a HUGE difference in perceived output....