In praise of the Peavey Classic 30

[sunvalleylaw]

As nice as the Classic 30 is, the Classic 50 is just that much better, and before making your decision, I recommend that you give one a test drive. IMNSHO the Classic 30 has two minor shortcomings. First, the way that the tubes are mounted, they tend to rattle. There are several aftermarket solutions out there to correct this. It is well documented. The other shortcoming is the lack of a standby switch, so that if you want to unplug and plug an instrument in, you should shut the amp down. That pop, snap, or whatever that you hear when you disconnect or connect an instrument in to a valve amp is something the valves do not like. The Classic 50 incorporates a "standby" switch that separates the input circuitry from the power circuit.

As a bonus, you get 20 extra watts to do whatever you would like with! BTW, this is not to diss the Classic 30, as it has the same circuit design as the other members of the Classic family.

Good thoughts. The guy who sold me my strat performs through a 50. However, I am just a home and garage/basement player and want the slightly easier portability of the 30 me thinks. Should have it in a few weeks. I don't mind shutting down to unplug at this point. The unit I am looking at does not rattle much, and I will just have to live with a little I think, or buy the ebay fix.

 

[r_a_smith3530]

The 50/410 is just a shade over 62 pounds, and just for the record, mine spent more time in my bedroom than on any blues club stage. I did add a set of Ernie Ball casters to it though. It fit fine in the back seat of any car I've owned over the past decade, including my Shelby GLHS, a Dodge Omni on steroids. Before buying my current Neon Sport Coupe, I had looked at a Geo Metro (gas mileage, you know), and it fit fine there too. Now that I have my bass "stack," I am certainly glad I didn't get the Metro!

If you do a Google search on the Classic's and add "mods," you will find several sources for a fix to the Classic 30 tube issue. In fact, Bob at Eurotubes may even have a fix.

 

[stingx]

Just to clear up any misconceptions and to add my two cents regarding points that have been brought up. Here's a quote from a person from a technical board I frequent. I consider him knowledgeable but, of course, everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

"Many manufacturers these days don't fit standby switches.
Technically, if the amplifier is cathode biased (as mine, Selmer Zodiac 30, Vox 'AC' types, some Ampegs & many other 'vintage' valve amps etc. are) , then it's not neccessary.
But... with grid biased amps (as most are now), having no standby switch is a problem - in so much as when the amp is switched on, the H.T. voltage can rise before the bias voltage does & this gives rise to a condition, where the output valves are run way too 'hot' (under-biased)for a short while - this can reduce the working life of the output valves.
Some amplifiers which do have a standby switch suffer the same problem - on some older Marshalls, etc, the standby swich also turns off the bias supply (bad idea) but these can be easily modified to cure the problem.

In a well designed, well built amplifier this problem would never arise.

The problems with standby switches are:
1/ that many players will not observe the correct routine for switching on & off if the amp has too many switches & then the standby switch becomes superfluous. It's also an additional build cost & isn't a particularly effective selling point (from the point of view of the larger manufacturers), who will want to fill a piece of equipment with as many gadgets, whistles & bells as they can & still retain the market price at which they want to sell.
2/. Higher power (50watts +) amplifiers run at voltages which exceed the safe working voltage rating of many of the switches that the manufacturers use! And suitable switches cost a fortune.

I personally like to have a standby switch fitted even on the cathode biased amps (if there's enough space for one) - just so that the amp can be silenced during breaks but leaving the valves heaters on ready for instant action when you re-start.

Given that most 'built to a price' amplifiers have many more serious problems to address, the lack of a standby switch is not usually the major issue.
Whereas transformers which are too small for the given task & therefore 'saturate' too early and wild claims of high wattage outputs from a set of output valves incapable of delivering the claimed power, are a much bigger problem."

As mentioned, there are many sites you can visit to perform very simple mods on any amplifier, the C30 being no exception. There is no such thing as a perfect amp in the normal price point we are discussing here. You can even spend thousands of dollars on boutique amps and still someone will find a shortcoming to ***** about.

 

[stingx]

Good thoughts. The guy who sold me my strat performs through a 50. However, I am just a home and garage/basement player and want the slightly easier portability of the 30 me thinks. Should have it in a few weeks. I don't mind shutting down to unplug at this point. The unit I am looking at does not rattle much, and I will just have to live with a little I think, or buy the ebay fix.

Just get the tube tamer off ebay for 20 bucks and the rattle is a non-issue. I installed it in under 5 minutes and added the metal guard in the back to protect the tubes when transporting. Minor stuff to stew over.

It's all about what you want. In all seriousness, even the Classic 30 is too much for home use...it gets frickin' loud. The whole point of having a tube amp is to enjoy the breakup of the tubes at high output BUT to achieve this with even a 15-20 watt amp at home isn't always easy because of the loudness.

This is why a lot of folks turn to modelers. I have gone back to the basics though because I have found modeling sterile in comparison to a great tube setup. I am looking to go very low wattage and build or buy an amp rated at no more than 2 watts to get that coveted tone and use it for home recording and practicing. I am not one for many effects. I love the sound of a well crafted and set up guitar through a tube amp with reverb. Perhaps a little tremolo and chorus to taste.

 

[warren0728]

I am looking to go very low wattage and build or buy an amp rated at no more than 2 watts to get that coveted tone and use it for home recording and practicing.

i am right with you...i am moving to lower and lower wattage amps too!

A 1/2 Watt Gilmore Jr Kit from guytronix just might be my next amp....

ww

 

[sunvalleylaw]

i am right with you...i am moving to lower and lower wattage amps too!

A 1/2 Watt Gilmore Jr Kit from guytronix just might be my next amp....

ww

I hear you guys. More good points. At a certain point, I just have to buy something, and it is what I want right now. I am going to start here, and maybe add a Vox AD modeler later for my son, and for me to use after the kids are in bed. Kind of a reverse of my old plan, but so be it. Thanks all for the advice and Sting for the great clips.

 

[BJunior]

To post a couple of questions about the classic 30 to some owners...

I just unpacked my Classic 30 on Christmas morning and have been test driving it... and I've noticed a few things that really bother the crap out of me and I would like to know if this is normal.

First of all when the amp is on it has quite a lot of noise to it, I say that because my blues Junior you would never really know is on until you play through it. The noise is always there and gets prominent when you crank it up past 5. A constant hum, the amp will be miced and I know this will be an issue with the sound man... I'll find out tonight for sure... hope I'm not being to picky here...

The reverb adds more noise to it when you crank that up, that can't be normal. Is anyone elses reverb noisey?

Turning the unit off adds a loud pop if you have the second channel engaged, anyone else have that problem?

Should I take this back for a replacement?

 

[Spudman]

BJ
The C30 does pop a bit when you turn it off. I think it is less apparent when it is on the clean channel. Try turning the volume down completely just before you switch it off.

Noise? Some but not a lot. Try rotating your tubes. Pull them and put #3 in the #1 spot, #2 in the #3 spot and #1 in the #2 spot. Try that with both pre and power tubes. Seems like it helped my noise problem.

If that takes care of the problem and it is a used amph, then order a new set of JJ tubes and after they arrive take the unit and the new tubes in to be biased, unless you can do that yourself.

A little hum is normal, but annoying persistent hum is not. Check your cables and try different guitars if you can too.

 

[stingx]

You should not have any excessive or annoying humming coming from your C30. I record with mine and I would never tolerate having what you describe going on. The popping is another matter and is best handled as Spudman said, just turn the volume down before powering off. Even if you don't you won't harm the amp.

The first thing I would check as to why you have hum is to make sure all the tubes are properly seated and that the clips are fastened securely to the tubes. This will help to alleviate any rattling or hum. Also check that you are not using the amp next to florescent lighting or CRT.

The only time I get hum is when I am either using an unshielded single coil guitar and have it cranked very loudly on the dirty channel or if I use a bad cable from the 80s (I throw nothing out, sadly) and it picks up TV broadcasts

One last thing to consider, and possibly the most import one...if your amp was purchased used, the tubes may have gone microphonic on you. A simple re-tubing will then solve your problem.

 

[Tone2TheBone]

I notice that when plugged into my powered up pedal board I don't get that pop from the amp when I power it off. I only get it when I run straight into the amp with cable and guitar. Aren't all Class A amps hummy anyway? I kinda like that hum myself. For recording purposes though I can see why it would be a drag.

 

[BJunior]

Update on the amp,

Apparantly there was something wrong with the amp that I purchased... (bad pot or something..)

Took it back to where it was purchased and they ordered another one right from Peavey. The Classic 30 is one of their biggest sellers and they just happened to be out because of the Holiday rush.

To clear up a few things that I've read thus far about this amp. The new design has incorporated a fix for the tube buzz.

I was tempted while I was there to pick up another amp. I'm not sure if anyone has any experience with the Fender Blues Deluxe. IT seemed like a nice amp, incorporated a standy switch with would make it a bit easier for instrument changes and it added 10 watts (although I can't imagine at this point why 30 would not be enough, the classic 30 can get extremely loud). Nice Clean sound from the blues Deluxe from what I could tell.

Haven't decided yet about the Blues Deluxe, I was assured that the classic 30 would be quiet when I got the replacement. I highly respect the persons opinion that I bought it from, I've been shopping there quiet a while and he's extermely knowlegable and a killer player and he recommended the classic 30 to me in the first place...

 

[BJunior]

r_a_smith3530,

Great Advice,

I had to check out the Classic 50 while I was waiting on my 30. I couldn't believe the tonal options available. What a great sounding amp.

What sold me over the 30 was the Standy Switch, the Master Volume which allows me to play at any level I want to, And what a great 4x10 sound incredible.

Just with the amp alone and no pedals it was amazing!

My new christmas present.

 

[tot_Ou_tard]

i am right with you...i am moving to lower and lower wattage amps too!

A 1/2 Watt Gilmore Jr Kit from guytronix just might be my next amp....

ww

When is that 1/2 watt Gilmore Jr gonna show up at the IHOP?

 

[sunvalleylaw]

Ok, here are a couple shots of my first amp! EDIT: DELETED. SEE SHOT BELOW. Should get here by the end of the week. I will post some "as delivered" shots to replace these when it comes. EDIT: DONE. Has the dust cover, footswitch, and seems to be well taken care of. R Excitement is an understatement.

 

[stingx]

Ok, here are a couple shots of my first amp! Should get here by the end of the week. I will post some "as delivered" shots to replace these when it comes. Has the dust cover, footswitch, and seems to be well taken care of. R Excitement is an understatement.

Ah, a thing of beauty!

 

[warren0728]

you are gonna love that amp...i have it's younger brother (c20) and it is great (and tonight i am going to replace the tubes in the c20 for a set of jj's i got from eurotubes).

The only thing i am going to do is get an external cab for it (and a few other projects i have in mind! R ).

I would like to find a peavey 112e that matches the old tweed 20's and 30's that we have and love. I keep checking ebay....

ww

 

[duhvoodooman]

Almost as purty as my Delta Blues 1x15! You're gonna love it....

 

[stingx]

 

[sunvalleylaw]

Well StingX, that's REAL purdy! The run down on the pedals is your Hao pedals, the Sonic Maximizer, the TS9, and ________? Not in that order of course. I kind of like the amp with the Peavey grill logo pulled off. When mine gets here, I will have to give it a week or two and see if I pull it off too.

 

[stingx]

Well StingX, that's REAL purdy! The run down on the pedals your Hao pedals, the Sonic Maximizer, the TS9, and ________? Not in that order of course. I kind of like the amp with the Peavey grill logo pulled off. When mine gets here, I will have to give it a week or two and see if I pull it off too.

Thanks, Steve. I took it off when I had screwdriver in hand installing the tube tamer and tube saver. I was curious to see how it would look and I ended up liking it much better without it. It looks much cleaner.

Oh, here's a closer view of the pedals:

-Pete

 

[sunvalleylaw]

The amp got here! In good condition, with the footswitch and dust cover. I am very happy with this Craigslist deal, semi long distance from Provo, UT. The seller was great. Here is a shot of the amp at home with its new friend, in my normal playing area.

We went over to someone's house for dinner, so only had a chance to play around a little with clean channel, no preamp, levels set to 5, volume to 3. Love at first chords!

 

[Tone2TheBone]

Welcome to the club Steve. Get up tomorrow and have some quality time with your new amph.

 

[r_a_smith3530]

Congrats on your new amp's arrival. Play it with love!

 

[warren0728]

you gotta love the peavey classic series of amps....enjoy!!

ww

 

[Spudman]

Congrats. I'm sure you'll agree it was worth the wait and taking a chance on. Play on brother.

 

[Algonquin]

That's a great clean looking setup you've got there Pete!

Well, it's New Years Day and I've been spending some quality time here at the Fret reviewing posts of different amps and such. I've just finished reading all 55 previous posts in this thread... Man there's a lot of 'Classic 30' fans on board!

I've priced these new at about $620 in my area, and have seen them listed used for about $400. I like the idea of buying new, but the thought of saving some coin buying used is tempting. The used one I was just looking at had some photos and has the a tube guard installed... maybe they're standard now.

There really is a tremendous amount of info here in the older posts! It pays big time to do a little bit of searching.

And Pete... Awesome Planet Waves 'Satch' strap you've got there in the background! :AOK:

 

[sunvalleylaw]

Had mine 'bout a year now. Still love it! Lots of room for me to grow with it. Keep looking, you should be able to find a good used one. I did.

 

[stingx]

I bought mine used on Ebay for under $300. The seller also happened to be less than 15 miles from my home so I saved money on shipping by picking it up from his place. He threw in the tube tamer, tube guard, and footswitch.

 

[Algonquin]

Look what followed me home...

I bought this new just over a week ago and would have to say I'm very pleased with the purchase. I tried many other great sounding amps before I chose this one, some more expensive, some less. This one had a great combination of size, sound, watts, and looks. I've run my Tele into this, with the Fishman piezo's into my JC and it really is impressive! I have to keep my eyes peeled for some type of A/B box so I can run my other guitars through both amps as well. Reverb on this amp is fine for my needs, I have been keeping the verb faily low though... it kind of gets away from you if set too high. I have no immediate plans to tinker with this amp. I liked the sound of it and will wear the tubes out before I replace them. When I do I'll go for some that give it a bit more clean headroom. Nothing wrong with the way it is, it's just a personal preference.

Overall, I'm a pretty happy camper! :AOK:

 

[Robert]

Congrats, you can never go wrong the that amp! I really like it.