What is Peavey's Most Valuable Vintage Amp?

Bob Carlucci · Post by **Bob Carlucci** » 6 Aug 2006 3:42 pm

Had a Peavey Deuce and played the hell out of it for a decade.. It was a wonderful amp .. Had 2 JBL D 120's in her and my tone was lusted after by lots of other steelers AND guitarists.. It was THAT amp... not my playing!

I probably would HATE that amp today because now KNOW it has a SS front end.. Back then I would have looked at you as if you had 2 heads if you mentioned preamps,hand wiring,rectifiers etc,,, etc Back then it sounded great to my ears,,, wish I still had it...bob

Kevin Mincke · Post by **Kevin Mincke** » 7 Aug 2006 8:34 am

Yep, what Tim said...the Artist VT!

Post by **Dave Mudgett** » 7 Aug 2006 10:35 am

Past the purely utilitarian value, collectibility and collector value depends entirely on cachet among collectors. Even though, in my opinion, Peavey has made a very good quality amp from the beginning, they simply don't have that kind of cachet among guitar and amp collectors. Early Classics, Deuces, and Maces were great amps, even for guitar. Most guitar players found most later silverface Fenders to be a bit shrill - it's not big deal to modify either these or the old Peaveys to suit.

I agree with Bob C. that part of this may be the lack of point-to-point wired amps. But beginning in the early 70s, many very desirable Marshalls also used printed circuit boards. I think most manufacturers started moving to PC boards then - Fender was the exception, IMO.

I think there's something of a fetish among amp collectors about point-to-point wiring. I'd rather have a sturdy, well-made PC board amp than a poorly executed p-p wired amp, and I've seen both. Caveat emptor.

One thing that I do think has really hurt the reputation of PC board amps - some modern thin, flimsy, double-sided or wave-soldered PC boards with poor quality control, external parts like front panel pots directly on the board, and inadequate heat sinking. Apart from being difficult to work on, I've seen a failed component basically destroy some of these amps by wiping out a large section of the board.[This message was edited by Dave Mudgett on 07 August 2006 at 11:39 AM.]

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » 7 Aug 2006 12:23 pm

It's difficult to predict what product will become vintage. It's a matter of time, no pun intended. Actually, our 5150 series, our JSX series and Wolfgang guitars will definitely be listed as some of the best products during the '90's and on into this century. It's all in what is perceived, ie; Gibson guitars and prices. They are manufacturing the same guitars now that they were 30 years ago, but their prices are out of this world now.

It's perception because nothing has changed, ie; materials and workmanship.

John McGann · Post by **John McGann** » 8 Aug 2006 8:37 am

who in there right mind would buy a 30 watt amp ?

Those AC-30's are LOUD and excellent amps for guitar. They "speak" differently than the Fenders. Did I say LOUD?

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » 8 Aug 2006 9:36 am

So, Bob are you saying that it is all in one's mind and not their ears?

Pete Mitchell · Post by **Pete Mitchell** » 10 Aug 2006 7:57 am

I have had several amps through the years, and currently have a respectable collection. I occasionally use an Artist 240, and find that it's great bang for the buck. It's compact but a bit on the heavy side; however, the 4 6L6's driving a 12" black widow pretty much justifies the weight. For what it's worth, IMHO, 40 class A watts for a six-stringer translates into killer tone.

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 12 Aug 2006 5:13 pm

Erv said [I picked up a couple of 500's.]I could never pick up the ONE I owned.Thank goodness for my 112.It's not vintage yet,but I'll keep it untill it is.