The Peavey Classics 30, 50 (tweeds) aren't bad amps...I had one for awhile and used it for surf and rock projects...not as glassy as Fenders of course, but respectable and thick sounding modern tube amps. The Delta Blues if the same amp with tremolo and 1-15...again nice crunchy amp. These sound fine for surf if you "front-end" them with a Fender reverb tank, but a little more grungy than a Fender rig. Those who now Peavey can hear the signature sound they have.
DK

I love my Peavey Classic 50/212 combo! Although I should've held out for a Vox AC30 combo, and I'll probably eventually add one to my collection, I didn't really see myself needing much of the built-in tremolo circuit that the AC30 has. I went with the Peavey 'cause, as best as I can describe it, it sounds just like the Vox, but without the built-in tremolo.

Matt

Fast Cars & Loud Guitars!

I've got a Deuce 2x12. It's comparable to a twin but with switchable channels, a reasonably good built-in reverb and mine has a phase-shifter. HEAVY but nice...and peavey pricing is always nice.

I have a Peavey Classic 50. IMO, the biggest weak spot are the Blue Marvel speakers. While the reverb is good, it's not great. Replace the speakers with something more appropriate and boost the reverb and a Classic 30 or 50 will be a very good Surf amp.

Cats 'n' Strats, 'cause that's how I roll - I eat reverb for breakfast!

Fenderus Collecticus
Strat Blender Pot Modification HERE

The Classic series and the Delta are all great amps. I'll echo that they won't do the trad thing as perfectly as a Fender - although, really, what else will? - but they are great, great amps and a fantastic value. I strongly prefer the Classic 30 to the Blues Jr. for overall tone and flexibility, and the Delta Blues is a real sleeper on the used market.

That said, the onboard reverb is pretty lacking, and not just in a "it's not an outboard tank" kind of way. If you have a tank, or if you can front-end it with a decent pedal in the meantime, you'll be much happier.

Great amps, though, and they cover a lot of ground.

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estreet
I've been a Peavey user most of my 30 odd years of professional playing. I thought I'd probably already bored everyone here to tears with my Peavey eulogies but you did ask the question...

I've had and still have quite a few of them. I mostly use either a Classic 30 Head into a 2x12" Celestion G12H cabinet - or I use a Delta Blues 2x10 - which has the edge over the 1x15 (which I also used to have) slightly in my opinion.

Although they are a 4xEL84 amplifier, the Classic range don't sound much like AC30s. In a fit of experimentation last year I bought an AC30 CC head to use with my G12H cabinet - and it was rubbish compared to the Classic 30 head - toppy and gutless with terrible reverb. I tried another and it was the same so it wasn't a duff model. It was returned to the shop.

The Blue Marvel speakers (they are Eminence) are not awful, but you don't get as much power as you do if you use something better - I particularly like the G12H (the 'H' stands for 'Heavy Magnet') with the Classics as they have a nice warm top end.

I also have a 100w 2x12 Valveking (4x6L6GC) and this is a really great Surf amp with a sound reminiscent of a Fender Twin with JBLs. The price is really low and If you want a big clean surf sound on a budget you can't do better than these. Even the reverb isn't bad, despite being a short spring, and can sound quite surfy. Nonetheless, a Fender reverb tank in front is still the best bet.

If you want to have a listen, on our Myspace page 'She's Got A Gun' was recorded using the Delta Blues and 'Nachos' was the Valveking 100. The Delta Blues has a slightly snarly edge whilst the Valveking is more smooth and traditional sounding.

Some people here are pretty disparaging of PCB valve amps for reliability. but I've had my Delta Blues 6-7 years and its done a couple of thousand gigs or so without a single problem.

I'm listening to the tunes on your MySpace page now and I gotta say, I like what I'm hearing.

I can only speak for myself, but I like raunchy reverb, as in on the edge of breakup. Too many people get caught up in what constitutes the traditional tone. Me? I like it all.

I'm pretty certain the Blue Marvels are EMI Legend 1258. They physically measure up to a "Fender Designed" 1258 that came out of an older Deluxe Reverb RI I own. Couldn't get that speaker out of that DRRI fast enough.

Cats 'n' Strats, 'cause that's how I roll - I eat reverb for breakfast!

Fenderus Collecticus
Strat Blender Pot Modification HERE

I have used Peavey solid state amps for years and always enjoyed the tone and reliability. Have heard lots of positive regarding their tube amps. Anyway, yes I know. Fender is God around here and I am okay with it.

The 'Anti-Christ' speaks:

http://www.sweetwater.com/feature/videoviewer.php?movie=http://67.18.247.83/peavey/peavey-Q4.mp4&width=320&height=240&clickedfrom=http://www.sweetwater.com/feature/peavey/

Here he answers the question: 'What do you say to people who say that 'cheaper' equals 'inferior'

http://www.myspace.com/thepashuns

Youth and enthusiasm are no match for age and treachery.