Question:
I have a 15 watt Peavey Transtube amp, and I love the sound as a practise amp. It amazes my, but it seems to have more charactor than some true tube amps that I have tried, and it beats any of the digital stuff that I have played. My only problem with it is that it doesn't put out the bass as much as I would like. Its fine for at home, but when I play it in church(I usually mic it) it doesn't have the output. Do any of you have the larger models with the bigger speakers(10" or 12"). I am just curious how well they put out the bass.
Answer:
in almost all cases, as you increase the size of the speaker you increase the ability to translate bass frequencies. this is actually one of the reasons my guitarist uses a 4x10" config. vs. the 2x12" config that's also available for his amp, because the 4x10" gives him a tighter configuration in addition to the fact that the 10s thicken tone sooner than the 12s
in alot of cases small solid state amplifiers do show more character at low volumes because the tubes aren't really getting warm enough at low volumes. This is why you see alot of rather low wattage tube amps suggested around here (and even with that i think that 15W tubes for a bedroom is still too much haha). the place where tube amps really outshine alot of lower end SS amps (like yours and many others) is in a cranked live gig situation.
Answer:
I know in general increasing your speaker size should increase the bass output. But I was curious in this instance. I really don't need much more power. 30 amps would be nice, but I have rarely even had my 15 watts drowned out so I couldn't hear it. In live gigs I mic my amp, so I dont need the power. I have a 300 watt sound portable sound system, I love the sound. Its just the weak link at the moment is the bass output from my amp.
Good tube amps do out perform my Peavey(Mesa/Marshal/etc), but they lack flexability, mainly you cant get a good modern and vintage sound out of the same amp. I have tried some digital stuff, even the new vox AD series and they just don't sound as good as the Peavey.
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im the right man for this job i own the 40 watt amp from the transtube series of peavey, there awesome, great tone, great, distortion, great range on the EQ.
Answer:
Originally Posted by Drew Neal I know in general increasing your speaker size should increase the bass output. But I was curious in this instance. I really don't need much more power. 30 amps would be nice, but I have rarely even had my 15 watts drowned out so I couldn't hear it. In live gigs I mic my amp, so I dont need the power. I have a 300 watt sound portable sound system, I love the sound. Its just the weak link at the moment is the bass output from my amp.
Good tube amps do out perform my Peavey(Mesa/Marshal/etc), but they lack flexability, mainly you cant get a good modern and vintage sound out of the same amp. I have tried some digital stuff, even the new vox AD series and they just don't sound as good as the Peavey.
That's cool that you've found YOUR tone...it takes some of us years to find the amp that sounds like the tone we have in our heads. I think peavey makes some of the best bang for your buck amps on the market, and in fact I think that some of there amps out-shine some of there more exspensive competition(especialy the ranger 212...best amp ever!).
Another option you could try would be to replace the stock speaker(blue marvel I think) w/ a more bass responsive one. GL
PS. I just thought I'd warn you, "hell hath no fury like CGR's scorne for tube haters"
Answer:
I have a little transtube practice amp, Rage 158. it was my first amp, and it's pretty decent for how small and cheap it is. I do really like the gain channel. The clean, I'm not such a big fan of. But you could definately get a better speaker to put in it that would give you wider response. I wouldn't invest in the larger models unless you really need the extra power (an chances are you don't). Why pay $500 for a new amp that you'll never turn up past 2 when you can just get a new speaker for $75? Just make sure the impedance matches and you can fit it in the box. I think a 10" might even fit in the box that comes with the 8".
Lack of versatility is a bad reason to rule out tube amps. The reason tube amps don't come loaded with 6 different distortions is that it would get really expensive. Where solid state distortions are pretty cheap to make (the most complicated ones on the market have less than $20 with of parts). So here's the best setup in my opinion. A single channel tube amp with an excellent clean tone and wide frequency response. Then get use distortion pedals. That way you don't have to change your amp everytime you get sick of your sound. But that's just my opinion and not alot of people share it.
BTW, how old is your amp? Mine was bought around 1998. Shortly after that they added the modern/vintage switch to it which really did add alot of versatility.
Answer:
Originally Posted by jbm222
Lack of versatility is a bad reason to rule out tube amps. The reason tube amps don't come loaded with 6 different distortions is that it would get really expensive. Where solid state distortions are pretty cheap to make (the most complicated ones on the market have less than $20 with of parts). So here's the best setup in my opinion. A single channel tube amp with an excellent clean tone and wide frequency response. Then get use distortion pedals. That way you don't have to change your amp everytime you get sick of your sound. But that's just my opinion and not alot of people share it.
I do . Like alot of awsome orange amps are one chanel. Just get a rat2 for distortoin.
Answer:
I got mine new in 2002. There are two reasons I want to upgrade, larger a speaker and to get the high gain channel. Mine just has Modern and Vintage. I have found that by tweeking the EQ, I can get a ton of different sounds out of those two channels, but not one witha true high gain sounds.
As to tubes, Im not a hater, I love tube tone, but Versitility is higher on my list. I have already shunned digital stuff. I would have a Marshal and a Tweed box in a heart beat, however the money isn't there.
I need the good vintage sound as well as a modern sound. Peavey is the only box that puts vintage on the same switch as high gain. I have tried the Vox AD series, but their vintage sounds are week, they have awesome modern sounds, but I need more than that.
Answer:
I would suggest a new home made cab using your Peavey amp as the head. Use 2x10" speakers such as the Peavey Blue Marvels and then disconnect your speaker that is in the amp right now and extend the leads from the amp so you can hookup to your new speakers. All you'd need is plywood, screws, electrical wire, some cloth mesh and speakers. It'd probably be finished within a few hours at most. The Peavey is a great amp, so I would just play around with it a little more before trying something completely new. It's just my opinion. I'm one to tinker and mod before going and buying something else.
P.S. I own a Peavey TransTube Rage 158 and like it a bunch.
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It's been my experience that simplicity = versatility with tube amps. My little Boogie Studio .22 will do just about anything outside of screaming metal, and do it very well. Now, it does better than "very well" (my opinion) in the blues/crunch department, but is still a very competent amp in all departments. And it's very simple. In fact, not even 2 channels.
Nate
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Transtube amps are really good for the price and sound amazing!
If you want a larger model the peavey bandit 112 is a standard well priced model with a 12'' speaker putting out some good bass response.
My frist amp was a peavey rage 158, my first tube amp was a peavey Ultra, both rocked! I sold the ultra for a acoustic guitatr after my band split but if I ever needed a tube amp I'd go rushing back to get another ultra, just amazing tone for such a good price.
don't want a bigger amp? Try closing off the back of your amp w/cardboard??
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Uh, hello? EQ pedal anyone? Sounds like the simple-fix here. I've heard nothing but good things about the Danelectro Fish n' Chips. It has great reviews at harmony central and can be had for relatively cheep!
Unless the problem is that your speaker gets all flatulent when you turn the bass up - in that case, buy a new speaker.
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The issue is the bass output at higher volumes. The Rage 158 puts out good bass up to about 5 on the post gain nob, after that it gets tinny. I am looking at the higher wattage ones also because they have a high gain model also. Mine just has vintage and modern. I would have bought one of vox AD series amps, but they can't touch the vintage model in the Peavey. They have better modern sounds, but not by much.