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Author
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Topic: Come On....Peavey?
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Joe E
Member From: Plainfield,IL
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posted 09 February 2000 08:58 PM
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I'm new to the forum and PSG but have playing music professionally for a long time.I'm amazed and delighted at the same time about the use of Peavey equipment. I guess that, as an acomplished 6 string player first, a recording engineer/studio owner second, and now a beginer PSG, I have an observation. Peavey guitar Amps have never really been accepted in main streem of the 6 string music industry. Mostly, because they never really could compete with the sound of amps like Fenders. Unfortunate but true. May I say on behalf of Peavey though, they are probably the most reliable units in the market. Night after Night. Until recently, I gave up on even listening to Peavey Equipment. It was better than the inexpensive stuff, but not as good as others..... Thier newer studio gear made me take another look! What I found was, It's realy great stuff. Now to my point: I just started this endevor of the PSG. Everywhere I look I see Peavey. 400's, 500's, 1000's, pro fex.....and the list goes on. My initial reaction was WHAT!!! How can these great players use this line. Why not Evans and..... Now I can tell you why. It seems to be really nice gear. And me of all people are actually in the market to pick up a peavey amp for my steel. I can't believe I said that! Hats off to Peavey. As dependable as ever, great support and sounds good too. I now wonder how long I was in the dark for. I guess, When my power amp rack was full of QSC, Crown, and Crest amps, AND my trailer with a couple of Peavey CS800's (just in case the good stuff failed), I should have know what was to come. Again, Hats off to Peavey. Way to go! Any one else with simular expierences with PEAVEY? Joe |
Dan Tyack
Member From: Seattle, WA USA
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posted 09 February 2000 09:44 PM
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Hey Joe, I don't know why you say that Peavey has never been accepted in the 6 string guitar industry. Peavey is by far the biggest domestic amp manufacturer (definitely bigger than Fender) and has been for a while. The Classic series is the largest selling vintage style tube amp series, and you can't argue with Eddie (van Halen) in terms of the shredd market.... Now sound is a subjective thing, but I would put a Peavey classic 30 against any new fender mass market tube amp as well as a lot of higher end gear (e.g. Mesa, Matchless). Sure Peavey puts out some cheezy low end gear, but it's a lot better than the equivalent Korean junk. My $.02
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www.tyacktunes.com |
Jack Stoner
Sysop From: Inverness, Florida
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posted 10 February 2000 03:24 AM
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Funny, I hear a lot of guitar players bad mouthing Peavey amps, but when you look at what they are playing, it's a Peavey amp (and mostly all solid state).For steel, there are other amps on the market, but for the price the Peavey's can't be beat. A Nashvillle 400 can be bought for about half the price of an Evans and and about a third of the price of a Webb, and I don't see a two or three times price better performance. However, saying how great Peavey is, I also have the feeling a lot of what they build is "built to a price". |
Bill cole
Member From: Cheektowaga, New York, USA
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posted 10 February 2000 05:52 AM
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I gotta say I been using the same 2 two session 500 bought one in 79 and one in 80 but I gotta say a friend bought an Evens and a Webnow these are great sounding amps but the price is almost double if not more then I payed for the 500 and I can't say they sound a lot better and as far as service there is one thing Peavey has that no one else has Mike Brown without Mike I'm not sure I would have stayed with Peavey all this long |
Bill Terry
Member From: Bastrop, TX, USA
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posted 10 February 2000 07:27 AM
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I'm convinced the majority of guitar players never gave Peavey amps a real fair shake. I played through a Peavey Bandit for a couple of years. I originally bought it just to haul to band rehearsals, etc. because it was light and easy to carry, but it had such a great tone I wanted to use it on gigs. I recovered it in tweed and brown and took all the Peavey logos off. Just like a lot of guitar players at the time, I didn't want to 'be seen' playing a Peavey on stage, not cool. But, on more than one occasion I had a player come up on a break and inquire about which 'boutique' amp I was playing through, "the tone was killer". They didn't know it was a Peavey until I told them.....of course my '55 Strat didn't hurt  . In fact there's a pic of that amp and guitar on the bio page http://bterry.home.netcom.com/bio.html of my web site. You can see I already had the Peavey logo off, but hadn't recovered it yet.This may sound crazy, but I think the biggest problem Peavey had early on was the 'butt' ugly aluminum grill strips and the 'awful' original Peavey logo. Just looked like crap to me.... BT ------------------
bterry.home.netcom.com [This message was edited by Bill Terry on 10 February 2000 at 07:28 AM.]
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Joe E
Member From: Plainfield,IL
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posted 10 February 2000 07:33 AM
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When I say that Peavey was never really excepted in the main stream..I meant this; Peavey amps seemed to have been built for a guy who couldn't afford a Pro amp but was to good for a begginer amp. And who knows maybe thats still thier market. And no doubt they have a solid amp with the 5150. It also wouldn't supprise me that its the most bought and sold amp in history. But..this could be because it was always just a intermediate amp line. And all great players were intermediate players at sometime. Only a few of those players ever make to Pro status and had the need for a pro piece of equipment. One other note. The new amps by Fender and others seem to be catering to this same market, and no longer seem to be "top Notch" either. And to original point: PEAVEY has come a long way. And I am personaly impressed with what I see. They certainly have a nitch here with the steel players. And I may certainly join the ranks. |
Keith Hilton
Member From: 248 Laurel Road Ozark, Missouri 65721
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posted 10 February 2000 07:45 AM
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Fender and Gibson is not American made stuff, and hasn't been for a few years. Fender and Gibson is owned by the Japanese. If you have a problem with their foreign equipment, try contacting management and see how far you get. Hartley Peavey and Mike Brown are in Mississippi---THEY WILL HELP YOU!------------------
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Jack Stoner
Sysop From: Inverness, Florida
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posted 10 February 2000 08:37 AM
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Add to my earlier post.Peavey is the only major instrument amplification manufacturer that caters to the steelers and builds amps designed for steel. None of the other "biggies" make an amp designed for steel. One other comment on Fender "qualtity". I used to work as an amp tech. At the time I was doing amp repair there were probably more Fender amps being used than Peavey, but even considering there were more Fender amps at the time, there was a higher ratio of Fender amps brought in for repair than Peavey's.
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Jerry Hedge
Member From: Norwood Ohio U.S.A.
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posted 10 February 2000 01:21 PM
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Keith, sorry but Fender and Gibson still do some manufacturing in the U.S. AND ARE OWNED BY AMERICANS. Mr Hartley (Buy American-while I drive a Mercedes) Peavey has had to turn to offshore manufactuing and parts on some products in order to remain price competitive. |
Keith Hilton
Member From: 248 Laurel Road Ozark, Missouri 65721
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posted 10 February 2000 04:22 PM
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Jerry, I really don't think I'm wrong about the Japanese owning Fender and Gibson. I would suppose they do build some stuff in this country. They build Honda cars over hear. Electronic parts come from all over the world. If they didn't, no telling what they would cost. I happen to really like Hartley Peavey, because he has been a friend. Hartley always tries to help anyone, and he has really tried to help me. I have nothing against Fender, Gibson, or the Japanese. I hope Hartley Peavey makes a billion dollars. He has spent over 35 years of hard work getting where he is at. ------------------
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Bill cole
Member From: Cheektowaga, New York, USA
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posted 10 February 2000 05:16 PM
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Hey maybe Mr. Peavey will buy one of them there Mercedes cars for Mike Brown he sure deserves it. And Mr. Peavey as long as you keep putting out these fine steel amps. I don't care if you get your parts from the Moon on the Space Ship |
Kenny Dail
Member From: Kinston, N.C. 28504
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posted 10 February 2000 08:05 PM
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Excuse me but on the subject of automobiles, seems I recall at some point last year that Chrysler and Mercedes had merged sorta like Ford and Jaguar?! I guess that means Ford and Chrysler are no longer AMERICAN. ------------------
kd...and the beat goes on... |
Keith Hilton
Member From: 248 Laurel Road Ozark, Missouri 65721
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posted 10 February 2000 09:29 PM
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My little brother is a mechanical engineer at Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan. Ford bought out Jaguar. If I possibly can, I buy stuff made in the U.S.A. I drive FORDS.------------------
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Jerry Hedge
Member From: Norwood Ohio U.S.A.
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posted 10 February 2000 10:14 PM
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Keith, Gibson is owned by a guy in Oklahoma City that imports Nagra tape recorders (THE portable machine used by documentary film makers to record on location), Fender's majority owner is it's president,Bill Shulzts(sp). Peavey does deserve credit for building product for markets like steel guitar. |
Martin Abend
Member From:
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posted 11 February 2000 03:48 AM
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Bill Terry is right. Peavey would sell twice the amount of gear if they would put on a decent Logo Martin ------------------
S-10 Sierra Crown gearless |
Jerry Wright
Member From: Leeds,Al. US
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posted 11 February 2000 11:11 AM
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I bought my Session 500 in 79 and last year I had to spend a big total of $60 on it.That's terrible isn't it?
I left Fender to get ouality and sound.I got a Nashville 400 also.Peavey TubeFex.
If Peavey made a PSG I probaly get one of those too! |
Al Marcus
Member From: Cedar Springs,MI USA
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posted 11 February 2000 06:24 PM
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I have like Peavey amps ever since I got a Nashville 400, had to sell it after a few years of me aging, not the amp, I got so I couldn't hardly pick it up by the handle, now I have a Peavey Bandit, as one of you mentioned, and I really like it. It has plenty of power and a good tone, and I can still pick it up by the handle and carry it!!What do you know!...al |
Ernie Renn
Member From: Brainerd, Minnesota USA
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posted 12 February 2000 01:30 AM
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I got my first Peavey amp in '77 and haven't turned back since. I've had a few different ones, (Session 400-Session 500-Vegas 400-Nashville 400-Session 400 Limited and an old LTD), but I always go back to the old LTD. I would go back to my Session, but alas, I traded it in when I got the Vegas and Nashville. Currently, I'm using an Emmons LLIII and a Danny Gatton Telecaster thru the LTD and the Session 400 Limited.
I have nothing but good to say about Peavey. They've been there with me thru it all and back.------------------
My best,
Ernie
The Official Buddy Emmons Website
www.buddyemmons.com |
Dennis Detweiler
Member From: Solon, Iowa, US
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posted 12 February 2000 06:11 PM
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I still have a 1974 Session 400 (first year production) lifetime warranty. Bought it new. I recently put a repro kit in it. It's still the best sounding amp I've played through. For some reason the 74s had a softer tone than any produced after that. I also have a 76 model. Love them. You want mine you have to steal it from me.
Dennis |
Jim Cohen
Member From: Philadelphia, PA
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posted 12 February 2000 07:03 PM
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So, Dennis... uh, what's your address?
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fingerstylist
Member From: Asheville, N.C. 28803 USA
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posted 13 February 2000 05:01 AM
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Joe, I recently bought a Nashville 400 which has the tone mod built in from the factory, and I don't think I have ever heard a better sound/tone. I play 6 strings and have tried every amp on the market. Peavey measures up to all. Al------------------
Al Cunningham[This message was edited by fingerstylist on 13 February 2000 at 05:02 AM.] [This message was edited by fingerstylist on 13 February 2000 at 05:04 AM.] |
KEVIN WALKER
Member From: Roanoke,VA. UNITED STATES
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posted 13 February 2000 09:53 AM
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Joe,
The biggest problem with the old CS 800 power amps. was weight. Compared to a QSC, that is. I think PEAVEY has always tried to produce a decent quality piece of equipment FOR THE PRICE. I've owned alot of their stuff, and I've never had any problem as far as reliability or sound quality out of any of it. I kind of see the situation like the posts above, in that I just don't see or hear enough of a difference to justify spending 2 or 3 times the money to own an EVANS' or a WEBB. I've also played thru' FENDER combos, tried a few rack set-ups, and none of these impressed me enough to rush out and buy. I guess the bottom line is: PEAVEY has pretty much succeeded in building a line of amps. for more than twenty years that cater to an instrument and a player that is for the most part, hard to cater to.
Until I see or hear something that's a whole lot different, I'll play thru' PEAVEY amps.
Just my opinion. |
Steve Stallings
Member From: Bremond, Tx, pop 876, Home of the fighting Bremond Tigers
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posted 13 February 2000 06:21 PM
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Interesting thread. I own four Evans amps and one Peavey (Classic 50212). I use the Evans for steel, with two staying in flight cases on the trailer, and two at home. I play regular six string thru the Peavey. This amp is as good as any fender amp I've owned over the last 30 or so years. I played Peavey steel amps for years. They sound great and are reasonably priced. All I can say about the Evans amps, is that to my ears they are worth it to me. Your own mileage may of course vary ------------------
Steve Stallings
Bremond, Texas
Carter D10/Evans |
Donny Hinson
Member From: Balto., Md. U.S.A.
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posted 14 February 2000 05:10 PM
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I think Peavey makes some fine gear! My only complaint so far is the cheap jacks they use. Those plastic-bodied jacks (that solder right to the mainboard) are just not as strong as the "all metal" type. I have had trouble with them in my amp, and know a guitar player and another steeler who have the same problem. They do not belong in an amp that costs over $500! |
Don Discher
Member From: Sault Ste Marie,Ontario,Canada
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posted 14 February 2000 05:35 PM
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I've had a CS 800 that I use for monitors for 15 years that was used when I bought it and has never been touched,a new audio-pro 3400 power amp that has been sent to the factory 3 times,other than the weight of the 400 and 500 they are great amps for any application. |
Jim Cohen
Member From: Philadelphia, PA
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posted 14 February 2000 09:17 PM
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Anyone else surprised that we now have 24 posts on this thread... and none of them are from Mike Brown? We know he reads this stuff. How 'bout a comment, Mike? |
Joe E
Member From: Plainfield,IL
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posted 15 February 2000 06:56 AM
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How About it Mike? |
Chris Schlotzhauer
Member From: Colleyville, Tx. USA
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posted 15 February 2000 07:43 AM
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I've used Peavey for years for PSG. I still own a Nashville 400 and an old Session 400 for a backup. I've had these amps for years and they still work great. If tomorrow they both go out, I can get them repaired locally and cheaply. If they both had to be replaced, I certainly can't complain that I didn't get my moneys worth.
As far as a Peavey guitar amp goes, I used to have the Special 130. Killer little amp for guitar (got stolen off the gear trailer). Also this amp sounded absolutely great on the steel but not quite enough power. Now that I have the POD, my Nashville 400 is my new guitar amp (and the only amp I have to haul to the gig. |
Chris Schlotzhauer
Member From: Colleyville, Tx. USA
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posted 15 February 2000 07:43 AM
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I've used Peavey for years for PSG. I still own a Nashville 400 and an old Session 400 for a backup. I've had these amps for years and they still work great. If tomorrow they both go out, I can get them repaired locally and cheaply. If they both had to be replaced, I certainly can't complain that I didn't get my moneys worth.
As far as a Peavey guitar amp goes, I used to have the Special 130. Killer little amp for guitar (got stolen off the gear trailer). Also this amp sounded absolutely great on the steel but not quite enough power. Now that I have the POD, my Nashville 400 is my new guitar amp (and the only amp I have to haul to the gig. |
Ronald Riddle
Member From: Bloomington il Mclean
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posted 17 February 2000 09:28 PM
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We that play pedal steel from day one have graduated to the finish sound as to Peavey
as a fine choice for the accomplished steel player.The proof is in the equipment.
Peavey is my choice for steel guitar after a lot of time spent in the field and having an better than average ear for the finish sound. Ronald Riddle------------------
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Mike Brown
Member From: Meridian, Mississippi USA
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posted 14 April 2006 06:53 AM
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I must've overlooked this thread! I was searching for another subject and found this. Thank you very much for standing up and being counted here! This is flattering and the feeling is mutual. I'll make it a point to copy Hartley on this thread. Thanks Again. |
Brad Sarno
Member From: St. Louis, MO USA
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posted 14 April 2006 07:13 AM
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Yea, it's kind of strange how Peavey got a bit stigmatized in some circles. My personal experience with Peavey has been quite positive. I'd even say that the ethic and mentality that the great Leo Fender brought to large scale musical gear manufacturing back in his day can perhaps be best demonstrated today by Hartley Peavey's efforts over the past 30+ years. The extreme reliability of the product, the fantastic service department, and the strong effort to avoid "selling out" can still be seen today with Peavey. It's clearly a tough business to survive in with so much competition utililizing foriegn labor and manufacturing. Yet Peavey seems to be able to strike that good balance of remaining as domestic as possible while surviving and thriving on a big scale. You can also see that their R&D really cares about the real world players both novice and pro, and they aren't just focused on pushing tons of junk for kids thru Guitar Center. Keep it up Peavey!Brad Sarno |
Curt Langston
Member From: ***In the shadows of Tulsa at Bixby, USA***
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posted 14 April 2006 07:17 AM
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quote:
Peavey guitar Amps have never really been accepted in main streem of the 6 string music industry. Mostly, because they never really could compete with the sound of amps like Fenders. Unfortunate but true.
What? Yeah, and the moon is made out of cheese!....... Man.
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Robert Leaman
Member From: Murphy, North Carolina, USA
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posted 14 April 2006 07:20 AM
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Fortunately, I can afford to buy any car except a Bugatti, Rolls, or Bentley but I drive an American made Cadillac. As well, I can afford any amplifier(s) on today's market but I use an American made Peavey. I cannot buy a bigger bang for my buck than a NV1000. Maybe its tone differs from other amps but I like it and for me, that's all that is necessary since only my opinion counts with me. |
Tim Harr
Member From: East Peoria, Illinois
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posted 14 April 2006 07:36 AM
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Joe E.,I live up the street from you in Bolingbrook. I am a Pedal Steel player and guitarist. If you ever need any assistance with your PSG give me a shout. ------------------
Tim Harr
Carter D-10 8/9, PODxt Pro; Webb 6-14E Amplifier; 65 Fender Twin Reverb
http://groups.msn.com/TimHarrWebPage
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Jim Cohen
Member From: Philadelphia, PA
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posted 14 April 2006 07:42 AM
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Joe, I just want to acknowledge and commend you for being open minded enough to listen to your own ears and not to the crowd you were hangin' with. A lotta guys, faced with a similar situation, would not have stood up in the room and declared themselves to be impressed. My hat's off to ya, pal.
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David Mason
Member From: Cambridge, MD, USA
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posted 14 April 2006 07:57 AM
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I think with the advent of seriously fine-sounding modelers like the PODxt and the Digitech Genesis, the technology behind the new lightweight amps like the World and the Crate and that bitty Fender head, and the new lightweight neodymium speakers, we're going to see a drastic change in what people will be hauling around over the next few years. Sprung spines will be a thing of the past when you can get 300 watts of great sound out of thirty pounds of gear. Whichever manufacturers are paying attention to this are going to do very well for themselves.P.S.: http://www.mesaboogie.com/Reviews/BassPlayer-Scout/BassPlayer-Scout.htm [This message was edited by David Mason on 14 April 2006 at 08:02 AM.] |
Tony Prior
Member From: Charlotte NC
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posted 14 April 2006 08:15 AM
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hey Joe, I think you better go plug your 6 string into a Classic 50 2x12 or 4x10..then get back to us... I think you will be most suprised... t |
Cal Sharp
Member From: Gnashville
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posted 14 April 2006 08:29 AM
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I've been using Peavey amps since the 70's, when they were endorsing many Nashville players with free/discounted equipment. It was quite a change, going from tube (Sho~Bud) to solid state, but I got used to it and have been happy with the sound. The only downside I've found with Peavey amps is the reverb always goes out.C#
www.calsharp.com www.calsharp.com/music/index.html |
Donny Hinson
Member From: Balto., Md. U.S.A.
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posted 14 April 2006 08:55 AM
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quote:
...Peavey guitar Amps have never really been accepted in main streem of the 6 string music industry
Yes, and there's a reason...it's called "vanity"!  No other group of musicians values cachet as much as guitar players. They are really one of a kind in the music world. |
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