Peavey Windsor Studio

The Peavey Windsor Studio is a recent offering from the company that takes their high powered British voiced 100 watt single channel head and puts it into a more portable package for the player who wants things smaller, more portable, lower wattage, etc without sacrificing good tone. This amp is a 20 watt combo that puts the Windsor head into a smaller 1x12 combo package. It is single channel and also contains a gain/midrange boost onboard. One particularly cool feature is the power soak on the back which allows you to attenuate the volume in order to get that classic natural breakup at whisper volumes. It also accepts a variety of power tubes and is self biasing as well. Very cool!

UTILIZATION

Getting a good tone out of this amp is pretty simple overall. It has a very simple single channel layout that doesn't take much to figure out at all. The tones are pretty good even without a whole lot of tweaking which is quite nice to deal with. It really only does one sound at a time, but it can be dialed in for a whole host of sounds from clean to mean and everything in between. About the only things it doesn't do well are high volume cleans or tight modern gain based tones.

SOUNDS

The Windsor Studio sounds truly fantastic given it's price point. Even considering the cheap stock speaker and tubes, it still sounds very organic and is laced with rich harmonics and overtones galore. Everything from classic pushed clean tones to the gnarliest sludgy distorted tone are available here, and with use of the attenuator this amp can really go to extremes. Picture an old tweed Fender that sounds as though it's about to blow up and you've got the Windsor Studio's highest gain sounds. It definitely has a classic vibe and works well with a variety of different guitars.

OVERALL OPINION

All in all I think the Peavey Windsor Studio is a real winner. At $450 new it's a sheer bargain considering the quality of features and tone. It's the type of amp that if it said Matchless or Badcat it would cost four times the price. I am quite impressed with this amp and it comes highly recommended for anyone looking for a boutique minded amp at working class prices.

The coolest feature of this amp is the ability to self bias any power tube from the list below to get a variety of different tones. I don't know Peavey does it at these low of prices. This is a great little amp for practice or recording for an unbelievable price.

Peavey Windsor Studio Amp Features:

Class A power amp designed to use various octal power tubes, including EL34 (stock), 6L6GC, 6550, 6CA7, KT88, KT66, KT77, KT90, KT100 or any variation
Two 12AX7/ECC83 preamp tubes
15 watts RMS into 4, 8 or 16 ohms (selectable)
Exclusive Power Sponge output power attenuator
No negative feedback in power amp
High and low gain inputs
Preamp gain
Low, mid, and high EQ
Footswitchable Boost
Footswitchable effects loop
Master volume
Spring reverb with level control
Transformer-balanced XLR recording output with unique mic simulator
XLR ground lift switch
Dual speaker outputs
Power and standby switches
12" loudspeaker

UTILIZATION

Details
Type Tube
Number of Channels 1
Power 20W Class A
Speakers 1 x 12" Blue Marvel
No Effects
Reverb
EQ Bass, Middle, Treble
No Amp Modeling
Preamp Tubes 2 x 12AX7/ECC83
Power Tubes 1 x EL34
Inputs 2 x Instrument
Outputs 2 x Speaker, 1 x Record Output (XLR)
Footswitch I/O
Effects Loop
Height 18.38"
Width 21.13"
Depth 10.25"
Weight 37 lbs.

SOUNDS

The voicing of this amp is going to be more of the British flavor. So you aren't going to hear the 5150 tone or the XXX tones in this amp. This is going to be more of Hiwatt or a Marshall type voicing and character.

I like these amps with Gibson Les Pauls or something with a decent humbucker in it. I am not a fan of the clean tone as it sounds a little harsh to me but it may change if there were 6L6 power tubes in there instead of EL34's.

OVERALL OPINION

At new these amps come in at around $400, which is an absolute steal of a price. For the features you get and ability to take virtually any type of power tube is remarkable.

I would recommend this amp to anyone needing a solid practice amp or something decent for small clubs or private jams. At only 15 watts you won't be pushing too much air.

15 watts all tube amp
Key Features:

-15 Watts RMS into 4, 8 or 16 ohms (switchable)
-Blue Marvel speaker 12 "(305mm)
Low-input and high gain
-12AX7 preamp two lamps
-Preamp gain controls, Mid and Treble
Class A amplifier mounted EL34
-Power attenuator (Power Sponge)
-Spring reverb with level control
-Standby
-Boost and FX loop switchable by footswitch
Transformer-balanced XLR output for direct recording with a mic simulation
Dual-speaker outputs
-Weight: 16.4 kg

UTILIZATION

Easy not need the manual to make his SON!
Easily obtained a good sound in the registry drive / overdrive.
Must look a little more for clean tones but it is possible.
With the gain in depth, it heats and it fuzze delicious!

For me, the big thing about this amp is that it can be used with equal success in the apartment (thanks to the power sponge) in repet (15 watts tube is more than enough even with a "big" drummer) and concert (with XLR output allows direct connection to console LOSSLESS quality)

True versatility makes this amp very endearing.
However, this is a fairly typical amp that will not suit everyone.

SOUNDS

Coupled with humbuckers or P90, we almost take for Dan Auerbach and Jon Spencer! The sound is warm, round, very vintage! Found no problem its the Black Keys, Led Zeppelin, AC / DC, happiness! This amp is comfortable tranquil blues to hard rock to BB hairy.
I play with a Fender Telecaster, a Sidejack Eastwood with P90 and 57 classic Sheraton rise in three configurations and this is a killer ... different.

However, I inadvisable to jazz fans and clean crystal, it's not really his register. For everything else, it really is an amp that is worth seeing and very affordable price level.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a year and a half and I never tire of it.
I had several very good tube amp (Fender Hot Rod Blues Deluxe, Peavey classic 30 ...) but that my preference for his character brat, grain overdrive and its sonic fidelity in all contexts of use (home, repet 'scene)

After he has a real personality, and that, it does not please everyone! -)

I would do this choice without hesitation.

Features:
_Amplificateur Class A
_15 Watts RMS into 4, 8 or 16 ohms (switchable).
_Top Speaker 12 "(305mm).
_Entrées High and low.
_Deux 12AX7 preamp tubes.
_A Power tube designed to use various octal power tubes, EL34 (stock), 6L6GC, 6550, 6CA7, KT88, KT66, KT77, KT90, KT100 and their variations.
_Control Preamp Gain, Mid and High.
_Atténuateur Output Level Power Sponge.
_Control The overall volume.
_Réverbe Spring with level control.
_Sélecteurs Power (power) and sleep (standby).
_Boost And effects loop can be activated by foot controller.
_Transformateur-Balanced XLR direct recording output with unique mic simulator.
_Interrupteur Mass XLR.
_Double Speaker outputs.
_Poids 16.4 kg)

This amp has a really great look but finish is a bit limited in detail so I do not put 10.

UTILIZATION

Simple as pie, we get easily a good sound. As for the manual in English, is a simple description of the amp.

SOUNDS

Then I'll try, given the number of people waiting for an opinion on this amp to be as clear and specific as possible.
I received this amp 3 days ago, after having heated 5 minutes left I turn, I scratched a hit and there I thought "wha it is not too bad, it sounds really vintage" And indeed, I played with for 3 days and we can say it sounds very rock n'roll. Both say any more: this amp will struggle to get out of his vintage yet very successful. For the lover of rock 50's, 60's and 70's hardrock this amp is perfect. It is rather in the style of "Vox" and the sounds of the British invasion. The sound is warm and really rock the old grain in the sound. Personally, it was what I wanted and I am totally satisfied. The clear sound is hard enough to maintain even a medium volume: ca crunch quickly. For the saturated again Nothing to say the sound is aggressive and sharp. The power seems sufficient for group play but hey we should try.
The sponge is great power I was afraid that it plays the sound but almost no one keeps a very good sound at low volume: very good point!
Having said this amp has a few kinks
Mediums are a little too present, undoubtedly has the HP
Limits are low, there's nothing too much, a little more when AC was even better now
The reverb is good but without more, could have been better as

In the end I put 8 because the sound for which it was made is quite successful but its lack of flexibility prevents me from 10 to

OVERALL OPINION

The value for money is simply more than acceptable sound was a lamp for a little over € 300. Provided it makes sense to upgrade this amp I would most certainly change the lamps notte preamp I suspect pretty average and change the hp to an even more rock, can be a Celestion G12H. I think these two changes will correct the few problems that I blame her.

Some say Why this has to purchase an amp if it is to re-spend money to upgrade all the better buy? Well no I do not agree because the advantage of this method is to spread the cost of the amp in the time you want and above all it allows to customize to our style. Also I find that in its current state it for me already so there is no hurry.

This amp is advised for small budgets like mine and those who love Vintage
€ 320 bought on Woodbrass

in the end:
The +: a successful vintage totalmente
quality / price qu'interressant
look of the amp, lightweight portable

Le-: Receiver not open to other styles
Too many mediums
Finishes a bit limited in detail