All user reviews for the Peavey Classic 50/212 (Discontinued)

The Peavey Classic 50 2x12 combo is powered by 4 EL-84 power tubes that deliver 50 watts of warm tube tone. The amp has two inputs (Normal and Bright), an effects loop, and an external speaker out. The Classic 50 has two channels, clean and overdrive. The EQ and presence controls are shared for both channels, but each channel has its own level control. This amp has a footswitchable spring reverb with one global level knob.

UTILIZATION

This amp is simple to use and it is easy to get a good tone happening with minimal knob turning. Set the EQ knobs to 12 o’clock and go from there. Like with most other Peavey amplifiers the “pre” knob is pre-amp gain and the “post” knob is the level control. Once these controls are understood, dialing in the amp should be no problem.

SOUNDS

The main guitar I use with this amp is a Gibson Les Paul Custom with a Seymour Duncan JB in the bridge and a ’59 in the neck. I run through a pedal board consisting of a MXR Micro Amp, a Bodenhamer modified Boss SD-1, a Line 6 MM4 and an ISP Decimator noise gate. The overdrive channel on its own sounds full and articulate and has a little more gain than a Marshall JCM800. I either boost this channel with the Micro Amp, the SD-1, or both to achieve more intense levels of gain with outstanding results. With the help of these pedals, the Classic 50 goes from “classic” tones to more modern levels of gain. The shared EQ has not posed a problem in obtaining good clean and overdriven tones. I believe the key to this amp is keeping the master volume set relatively high and controlling each channels volume with their independent controls. This opens the amp up sonically and makes it much more sensitive to playing dynamics. This is a LOUD combo! With the ability to connect an external speaker cab this amp has the potential to knock down walls. The EL-84’s may look small, but they pack a wallop!

OVERALL OPINION

My favorite thing about the Classic 50 is its portability. While it is a heavy 2x12 combo, it’s far easier to grab this than a head and a 2x12 cabinet. The tone and reliability of the amp also outweigh any lighter competitors. For the price the Classic 50 is hard to beat. In my mind this was going to be an inexpensive combo to hold me over until I could afford another head and cab after selling my last rig to cover some personal expenses. That was over 4 years ago. I ended up being VERY content with the amp and it has performed well beyond my expectations. Is it EXACTLY what I want/need? No, but it is an excellent amp for the money and deserves far more recognition than it receives.

Enough said.
I simply stated that my copy is pretty old (90s), and has no effects loop and HP are not the Blue Marvel Peavey HP but a priori (unbranded indicated).
Also note: the other guitarist in my band also has a Classic 50, but much later, the sound is noticeably different, more medium, less distortion. Having said this may be due to a change of lamps on mine, I must say he has already lived well.

I particularly like the presence of the Master Volume control, which allows for volume controls With easy, not like on some amp or one sails between 2.5 and 2.8 while going "too quiet" to "too high" . Once I move the volume between 7 and 8, no worries.
One regret: not loupiote on the footswitch, I hate to listen to whether or not I turned the reverb, or start a song with the cool big distortion of the previous track. In other words, each switch on loupiote life easier. I added an LED on the switch the channel, the operation cost about 10 €, a double stomp switch ON-ON + 1 LED found in large surface radius self (yes) and a battery 9V to change every 12 years until you forget to turn it off when you finish.
Other missing: no wheel yet seen his weight would be interesting. Again we can solve this for ten €.
After these many years of use the screen controls have completely disappeared, it is very annoying, we have to be careful, especially if you clean the beast. I had to reproduce all markings (thank you computer) is very tedious.


UTILIZATION

For sound no worries. The gain setting allows light to distos crunch big sound.
No need to touch the EQ, it has the sound!


SOUNDS

I use depending on my mood a Les Paul std, a Start boosted the Texas Special pickups Clapton + (= big potato) or a Telecaster equipped with Van Zandt True Vintage. The amp is equally suited to each of his guitars, with a special mention for the Telecaster. I had a Fender Hot Rod that did not fit very well with the Gibson, or to buy the Peavey, and frankly disappointed.
on the other hand I have almost never used the bright channel, I prefer the duller the normal.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 3 years and repeat gigs, never had to worry except for a few inconveniences related to age (see above) and sometimes the need to "reboot" for the volume when I turn ...

This is my 4th amp, the first was a 70's Classic 50 (VT series with tremolo), after 2 Fender Peavey I came home because I wanted to find the sound of this old amp. It is a matter of taste first.