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a review
The Peavey Classic 30 was launched in the early 90s, and is a combination of design influences - from early Fender combos to modern high-gain amps. |  |
Spec
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The controls - | |
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The latest version has -
 | Sovtek/Electro-Harmonix valves throughout |
| A perforated metal guard protecting the valves |
The poor quality of the valves and lack of a valve guard in earlier versions were the subject of much criticism in earlier reviews - it's good to see Peavey responding to this feedback positively.
Although it is often described as an all valve amp - the Classic 30 uses solid-state devices for the following purposes -
| rectifier |
| reverb input and output buffer amps |
| effects loop send driver |
Both the reverb and the channels may be switched using an optional footswitch. Mechanical relays are used in the footswitch circuit.
opinion - there is more of this to come - visit again soon
looks
Starting off with looks - you either like the retro thing or you don't - I do. The Classic's appearance is based almost entirely on early tweed Fenders - down to the chicken-head knobs, chrome-plated panel and fittings, name-plate and carrying handle.
The cabinet is made from well jointed approx 20mm particle-board, and has a slightly sloping front to aid sound projection. The carrying handle is made from folded mock leather. All corners are finished with chrome-plated caps. The electronics chassis is mounted in the cabinet with 4 chromed bolts through the top and 2 through each side. The reverb tray is screwed to the base of the cabinet.
The cabinet covering is not as robust as the original - on the Peavey a printed, textured Tolex has been used, not the substantial woven material used on the original tweed amps
The speaker baffle is cut from approx 20mm ply. It is recess-mounted with 8 wood-screws, and covered with a tough ox-blood cloth. The Peavey badge is mounted centrally above the speaker.
controls
The range of controls is however rather more modern than the appearance of the amp would suggest - reflecting the "sort of twin-channel" operation. I say "sort of two channel" because there aren't actually two separate channels - the "channel" switching adds an additional stage of gain to the amp.
Channel 1 - the clean channel
- produces a clear, punchy sound
Channel 2 - the higher gain channel
- produces plenty of crunch
verdict
This amp promotes strong positive feelings in most users - often being favourably compared to both current and vintage Fenders, small Laney combos, Marshall DSL and Bluesbreaker combos and the smaller Mesa Boogies. - what more could you ask? Most users comments that the PC30 represents excellent value for money - this seem to be especially true in the USA - secondhand models also represent good value for money - but make sure you don't get one that has been thrashed. Perhaps the most telling thing about this fine amp is that it goes to 12 (not just one louder, but two!) - it is amazing just how much further forward Peavey technology is compared to Marshall's.
Visit Harmony-Central's user reviews of the Peavey Classic 30 here
Customising your PC30Some people think that the Classic 30 can be considerably improved by modifications ranging from straightforward "re-valving/re-tubing" through to much more challenging and risky modifications to the main circuit. A compendium of mods is contained in the following .pdf (Adobe Acrobat) document which I have mirrored from Steve Ahola's admirable blueguitar.org website. | The 12" Blue Marvel speaker - a suitable candidate for replacement? Try a Celestion Classic G12H |  |
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