Peavey Classic 50/410

First, the review posted by iamqman here is dead on, this amp has a beautiful warm clean with a mild EL84 overdrive on Channel 2. Very much targeted at country and mild rock applications (great tones for jazz too). I have the 4x10, and depending on the speakers it ships with (Peavey uses 3 different speakers at times), the amp can sound pretty thin. Now, nobody buys an EL84 amp hoping its big and bold like a 6L6 amp (Bassman), EL84 tubes are a different thing, very rich complex overdrive, but not particularly fat. The 4x10 version is going to be more mid-high voiced with less bottom end than the 2x12 version. If people are expecting this 4x10 tweed amp to sound like a Bassman, it certainly does not. The Bassman is a 6L6 amp, big and bold tones but much less features and much less range of tones to this Peavey. This Classic 50 probably sounds more Marshall-ish than Fender-ish. It is not a Bassman clone, much as it looks like it visually. For $800, this 4x10 Classic 50 is a ridiculuously good deal. Its a beautiful amp, has a lot of features, sounds very, very nice (if a bit thin on overdrive channel), and is so darn cool. You may chose to run an eq pedal in the loop to boost the bottom end a touch, no big deal. Overall, a beautiful amp and a great value.

This is a 50 watt two channel amp that is geared towards the old school rock and country tones. This is generally a clean amp with a mild overdrive for channel one. For channel two you get a little bit more gain on tap but the voicing has is limited to the sweat classic rock tones. Not really a high gain amp even though it does have some good distortion on channel two. This is going to be an amp that you couple with pedals and effects to compliment your playing style.

This is basically the same amp as the 30 watt version only in a higher wattage. All the same features and tone are there. However, you will get a slightly different change in the headroom since there are 20 extra watts and three extra speakers. The low end will be a bit tighter since you have 10 inch speakers in the cabinet instead of 12 inch speaker or speakers.

Peavey Classic 50/410 Combo Amp Features

50 watts (rms) into 16 or 8 ohms
Four EL84s and three 12AX7s
Normal and bright inputs
3-band passive EQ
Presence control
Normal and lead volume
Lead pre- and post-gain
Master volume
Reverb control
Effects loop
Fan cooled
Chrome-plated chassis
Tweed covering
Four 10 inch Blue Marvel® speakers
Footswitch included

UTILIZATION

Details
Type Tube
Number of Channels 2
Power 50W
Speakers 4 x 10" Blue Marvel
No Effects
Reverb
EQ Bass, Middle, Treble
No Amp Modeling
Preamp Tubes 3 x 12AX7
Power Tubes 4 x EL84
Inputs 1 x Instrument
No Outputs
Footswitch I/O
Effects Loop
Height 28"
Width 27.75"
Depth 14.87"
Weight 61 lbs.

SOUNDS

The tone from this amp is not really my cup of tea. The is geared toward the classic rock player who needs a good Fender tweed style amp, but wants more versatility. The amp is versatile for that kid of player. Having the boost switch is stretching in terms of classic Fender style EQing. Also having another channel is going to be a bit much for some old guys who this amp is marketed towards. However, if you need that versatility and the price is an issue then this would be a good amp.

The clean tone is a pretty decent clean tone. You can crank the volume up more and it will get a mild overdrive tone. When you engage channel two there you will get some good distortion much like a tubescreamer would get in front of an already overdriven Fender classic amp.

OVERALL OPINION

For me this isn't my favorite amp from Peavey, but it is a decent amp. At new these amps come in at around $999. Not a bad price for two channel tweed Bassman style amp. You will get a very usable clean tone and a solid distortion tone fit for classic rock, country, and pop music.

I would recommend this amp to anyone who needs a good two channel tweed amp and doesn't want to spend too much to get it. This is a good amp that will give you solid creamy rich classic rock tones all day long.