I've had a Peavey Classic 212 that I've used as my main amp for about 10 years now. (2x12 combo - gets window shaking loud no doubt...) This thing just will not die. In spite of it being the typical Peavey tank and weighing a frigging ton it actually does sound pretty good.

The clean is very clean, it doesn't hum, pop, hiss, etc. at all. The built in tremolo and reverb are pretty cool but there is noticeable noise/hiss with the reverb. (It has it's own reverb tank - everytime you move this thing it's nothing but rattlely reverb springs...) The gain/bright channel is great as well. The amp breaks up at a pretty low volume and has a good overdriven sound.

I've recorded a few records with it and I'd probably record a few more if I start playing in another band that wants to record. I've also gigged many times with this thing and never needed to mic it off of the PA or turn-up past 5/6 on this thing to keep up with the other instruments. I imagine if I turned it up to 10 it would shatter my soul.

I've looked at a lot of other amps but I just can't justify dropping tons of money on a new one when the one I have sounds so great. I think I paid somewhere between 150-200$ for this thing and I'd definitely say I got my money's worth. I know there are better amps out there but I doubt there is anything much better for the money if you can find one.

I want to split this thing up and have the guts put into a head cabinet and try some different speakers out. I've read some people have matched the actual amplifier piece with other speakers/speaker enclosures and had some surprisingly good results.

I must however concur that the logo is as ugly as they come.

They made a head version of the Peavey Classic reissues in the early 90s.

One of the coolest Peavey heads EVER

TRIFECTA wrote:One of the coolest Peavey heads EVER

And it has the fan-powered vent in top -- convenient for beer spillage.

endofanera wrote:

TRIFECTA wrote:One of the coolest Peavey heads EVER

And it has the fan-powered vent in top -- convenient for beer spillage.

hahahahaha. YES!

The fan is fucking crazy. I guess you need it with 6 power tubes and 12 preamp tubes

I have a bandit 112 since 1999. I LIKE IT!

i currently own two peaveys. neither are crap.

Got an old M3000 power amp.I've had it for years. I'verun small foldbacks with it, horns on my old single 3 way Pa, now its serving as the power for my vocal pa in my recording/ rehearsal space. never ever let me down. tough amp this is. was even stored for oh, 6 years, plugged in and gigged. went like a charm!

The first two pages of this thread, so beautiful...

D'Piucchstre wrote:Classic combo amps from the 70's
Roadmaster guitar heads
'T' series guitars from the 70's and 80's
Black Widow speakers for PA (Not great like EV's and JBL's, but the field replaceable baskets can be really handy)
5150 series amps
Qlogic PA cabs
VTM Series amps and cabs (along with their 'Butcher' series cabs)
Mk VIII console. -- These are pretty much comparable to Soundcraft 500 series FOH boards.

i bet you can find lots of brands with a much shorter list of good stuff in their lineup of gear.