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GMC Forum _ GEAR & PRODUCTION _ Peavy Vypyr 60w Tube Amp?

Posted by: Arthalias92 Aug 22 2010, 06:52 AM

Does anyone have any experience with this amp at all? I'm looking for an affordable tube amp around 400$ or so and this one seems to fit the book. However before I go ahead and get all set on buying it, I thought I would get some opinions.

Most likely heading down to Guitar Center tomorrow to try it out. Just wonder how it compares with the solid state versions of the Vypyr series. Does the tube version make the much of a difference, or should i go ahead with the 75W, or 100W solid state version? Never owned a tube amp before so thats mainly why I'm asking that question. tongue.gif

Any help is appreciated!

Posted by: Mudbone Aug 22 2010, 07:22 AM

I say go with a pure tube amp, i.e. no modeling instead of one with all the bells and whistles. I have used the tube Vypyr and it does sound nice (better than the solid state version), but its pretty much a stand alone unit, and you have to get the Sanpera pedal for it if you would like it to be versatile. I'd take it over comparable Line6 units simply because its way more reliable.

But heres the thing about pure tube amps: if you're playing with high gain, they have to be turned up to sound good. If you're playing a 100w head with the volume around 1 or 2 its not gonna sound that good. Once you turn up a tube amp past 4 you will see what all the hype is about smile.gif And by the way, tube amps are LOUD. A 100w tube amp at around 4 will completely drown out any 100w solid state head thats fully cranked. However, I must say from my experience the tube Vypyrs actually sounded ok at low volumes.

So it all depends on what you use it for, if its just bedroom level practicing, 60w of tube power maybe too much. In fact a 100w head probably only puts out about 5 more db of actual volume than a 50 or 60 watt unit. The Vypyr actually works pretty well as just a practice amp, its got pretty much everything you need in it. I like the tube version of it because it smooths out the digital aspect of the amp.

So anyways, if you could tell us exactly what you plan on using it for, we can give you a more concise answer smile.gif

Posted by: Arthalias92 Aug 22 2010, 07:29 AM

Well, I'm starting college tomorrow (going to be majoring in music education/composition), and at the moment only have a line 6 spider 3 15W, which I've been playing on for about 3 years. >_> I know that I'm going to be playing in some gigs while I'm there, and i need an amp that'll play in front of at least 500.

I guess I'm looking for an amp that I could practice with, whereas I could also use it to gig around with.

Posted by: Mudbone Aug 22 2010, 07:38 AM

QUOTE (Arthalias92 @ Aug 22 2010, 02:29 AM) *
Well, I'm starting college tomorrow (going to be majoring in music education/composition), and at the moment only have a line 6 spider 3 15W, which I've been playing on for about 3 years. >_> I know that I'm going to be playing in some gigs while I'm there, and i need an amp that'll play in front of at least 500.

I guess I'm looking for an amp that I could practice with, whereas I could also use it to gig around with.


If you're going to be playing in front of more than 500 people I'm quite sure the place will have a PA system. If not, you're gonna need a 100w half stack for that many people. But don't worry, there is salvation tongue.gif Depending on what type of music you plan on playing you can get a tube half stack for about $400 to $500, it will be used though.

So what kind of music will you be playing? do you need effects?

Posted by: Arthalias92 Aug 22 2010, 07:45 AM

QUOTE (Mudbone @ Aug 22 2010, 06:38 AM) *
If you're going to be playing in front of more than 500 people I'm quite sure the place will have a PA system. If not, you're gonna need a 100w half stack for that many people. But don't worry, there is salvation tongue.gif Depending on what type of music you plan on playing you can get a tube half stack for about $400 to $500, it will be used though.

So what kind of music will you be playing? do you need effects?


To be honest, I'll probably be playing anything from blues to metal. I have no idea what I'm in store for yet. tongue.gif

Effects would be nice, but are in no way necessary.

Posted by: Mudbone Aug 22 2010, 08:02 AM

QUOTE (Arthalias92 @ Aug 22 2010, 02:45 AM) *
To be honest, I'll probably be playing anything from blues to metal. I have no idea what I'm in store for yet. tongue.gif

Effects would be nice, but are in no way necessary.


Well you could get a used Peavey Valveking head or a Carvin ValveMaster (which is made in the USA) for around $300. In fact there are many used Peavey tube heads in that price range, I could give you a whole list. The Carvin ValveMaster however will need some help to get a metal tone. You can then get a used Carvin cab for around $250 or get a brand new B-52 412 for $249 at Guitar Center. For a budget cab, the B-52 is actually pretty damn good, I know because I have one tongue.gif You could then add an effects unit, such as the Boss ME-50.

You should really have two separate rigs, one for practicing and one for gigging.

Posted by: Arthalias92 Aug 22 2010, 08:03 AM

QUOTE (Mudbone @ Aug 22 2010, 07:02 AM) *
Well you could get a used Peavey Valveking head or a Carvin ValveMaster (which is made in the USA) for around $300. In fact there are many used Peavey tube heads in that price range, I could give you a whole list. The Carvin ValveMaster however will need some help to get a metal tone. You can then get a used Carvin cab for around $250 or get a brand new B-52 412 for $249 at Guitar Center. For a budget cab, the B-52 is actually pretty damn good, I know because I have one tongue.gif You could then add an effects unit, such as the Boss ME-50.

You should really have two separate rigs, one for practicing and one for gigging.

Thanks a lot or the help man! I'll be sure to try out the B-52 tomorrow as theres a GC about 3 minutes away from my college. tongue.gif

Thanks again for the help!

Posted by: jdriver Aug 23 2010, 05:25 AM

You might want to consider the Peavey Classic series amps. They are a little more expensive than the Vypers but they are awesome amps and easy to handle.

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