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Author
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Topic: Peavey Delta Blues: good for pedal steel
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David Doggett
Member From: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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posted 02 February 2004 08:06 AM
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A couple of weeks ago I asked for opinions on small tube amps for pedal steel. I wanted something with tubes for home practice and for acoustic jams - sort of a tube alternative to the Nashville 112. I am happy to say I found the Peavey Delta Blues to be the solution I was looking for. This is a 30 watt tube amp with a 15" speaker, and it weighs 49 lbs. It's just slightly wider than a NV 112 or NV 400. It's 6 lbs. heavier than th NV 112, but 10 lbs lighter than a NV 400 (and 35 lbs. lighter than my usual Twin!).The 15" speaker (a blue marvel I believe) is what does the trick. The Peavey Classic 30 is a similar amp, but it's 12" speaker is just too thin sounding for steel. I also tried some more powerful tube amps (40w) with single 12s, and they also had too little bottom. The 15" speaker and slightly larger cabinet add a few pounds to the weight (compared to a Classic 30 or a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe), but it's definitely worth it. The clean channel (called the normal channel) has beautiful tube sound, and enough clean headroom for the low volume situations I intended it for. With three 12AX7s and four EL84s, it has the clear transparent sound of the old Fender Tweed Deluxe family, rather than the more grainy sound of the Twin family. The other channel has all the tube distortion you could want for blues and rock. You dial in the amount of distortion you want with the pre, and then adjust the post to any volume level you want, while keeping the distortion the same (very handy for low volume situations). This is also a great amp for regular electric guitar or slide guitar. And the speaker is full range, so it also sounds pretty good even for an acoustic/electric or a Dobro with an acoustic pickup. But it only has one set of tone controls that do double duty for the two channels, so you have readjust them every time you switch channels. It has good spring reverb and tremolo. It has an FX loop, but no line out, CD or headphone jacks. So it is not as flexible as the Nashville 112. But other than that, this is a great tube alternative to the NV 112. Like all Peavey's, this amp is a good bargain at the new price, and you can find them on the used market in the $300 range - an incredible bargain. [This message was edited by David Doggett on 02 February 2004 at 08:37 AM.] |
Bob Carlucci
Member From: Candor, New York, USA
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posted 02 February 2004 09:29 AM
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David.. I also used a Delta Blues AND a Classic 50[2x12] for steel... Not bad at all either of them, but the small silverface Fender amps are more to my liking for a tube practice amp for pedal steel.. the Peaveys are better than many,but they do lack that certain "sparkle" Fenders seem to have... Maybe its the bright switch... The Delta and the Classic were also used by me on gigs,but for an electric gig situation both were underpowered,especially the Delta. For a small gig amp or practice though, I imagine they would sound wonderful to most steel players. Better than ANYTHING with those nasty transistors!!! bob |
David Doggett
Member From: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
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posted 02 February 2004 09:57 AM
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So, Bob, what would be your favorite small Fender amp in the under 50 watts, under 50 lbs. range? I too prefer the Fender sound. It's not the bright switch, because I play without it. But there is a pleasant grainy texture to me throughout the range. But the smaller Fenders with 10" speakers are too bright for my taste with steel, and the larger ones with 12s begin to get too heavy. Once you get over 50 lbs., I'd prefer to bring a Dual Showman Reverb head and a 15" cabinet. Is it possible to put a 15" speaker in any Fender smaller than a Twin? |
Bob Carlucci
Member From: Candor, New York, USA
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posted 02 February 2004 11:04 AM
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David,,, A Deluxe Reverb is a great steel practice amp IMO.. I don't think it weighs much more than a Delta but I could be wrong. The only problem with them is they are getting pricey for original silverfaces.. My amps are heads {Showman and Bassman}.. one has a VERY light Peavey Classic E 115 cabinet w/ a Fender/Eminence speakwer from a later model Vibrosonic and the other is a 2x12 reproduction of a Vibrolux cab... small light easily portable and HUGE sound. I use a EH Holy Grail Reverb which is indistinguishable from a Fender spring reverb. My stuff is very light and portable and makes enough noise for all my gigs. I also have a Nashville 112 which is good if you like Peavey steel amps.. pretty good,but I can hear that "transistor tone" and it bugs me... gimme hot, glowing, noisy, unreliable ,pain in the neck, tubes anyday!!! bob[This message was edited by Bob Carlucci on 02 February 2004 at 11:06 AM.] [This message was edited by Bob Carlucci on 02 February 2004 at 12:27 PM.] | |
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