Boo hoo...my Peavey Classic 30 blew up. UPDATE !!

Scotland · December 6th, 2003, 10:46 PM

After 31/2 hours of playing tonight, my Peavey Classic 30 blew up. It started cutting out then died, I turned around to see smoke coming from it. What do you think could have happened ?
I used my Peavey 112E ext. cab with it for the first time and it was sounding good. The amp was turned up to 10 (it goes up to 12)
I'm mystified why it just blew up, the tubes are new and look okay.

Lyle Caldwell · December 6th, 2003, 10:50 PM

What ohm load is the cab? What ohm load does the amp expect?

Scotland · December 6th, 2003, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lyle Caldwell

What ohm load is the cab? What ohm load does the amp expect?

The amp is 8 or 16 ohms and has the stock 16 ohm speaker. The cab has a 16 ohm speaker and is matched to the amp to give a total load of 8 ohms.

Lyle Caldwell · December 6th, 2003, 11:21 PM

Well, can't tell you why it happened (maybe a short in the speaker cable or in the cab), but it sounds like your transformer bought it.

buglecorps · December 7th, 2003, 01:03 PM

is pretty reliable, the new stuff is not on the same level as the classic stuff from the '70s I'm always a little leary about running it much more than 1/2 way for any period of time. I would say your transformer bought the farm..3+ hours on 10 was probably a bit much and brough on a heat induced failure. See about a replcement from MM.

Scotland · December 7th, 2003, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buglecorps

is pretty reliable, the new stuff is not on the same level as the classic stuff from the '70s I'm always a little leary about running it much more than 1/2 way for any period of time. I would say your transformer bought the farm..3+ hours on 10 was probably a bit much and brough on a heat induced failure. See about a replcement from MM.

S'cuse my ignorance here, what / who is MM ?

Mik · December 7th, 2003, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scotland

Quote:

Originally Posted by buglecorps

See about a replcement from MM.

S'cuse my ignorance here, what / who is MM ?

Mecury Magnetics. Expensive transformers. Including tech fees do you want to dump another $150?, $200? (sorry about $ I'm USA) into this $300 amp?

My impression of EL84 amps, just based on what I've heard and read, is that they aren't very robust. Maybe time to consider a Fender 6L6 amp, a SF Pro Reverb or Super Reverb?

Just throwin out a thought,
Mik

Scotland · December 7th, 2003, 03:46 PM

I have a Fender Twin that I love, I originally bought the Peavey for rehearsals but liked it enough to gig. I'll be gigging the Twin from now on !!
I have given the amp to an amp guru to check out and repair if not price prohibitive and will keep it purely for rehearsals in future.

PhatBoy · December 7th, 2003, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buglecorps

is pretty reliable, the new stuff is not on the same level as the classic stuff from the '70s

So Bugle, (NOT trying to be funny or etc.. etc..)

Are you saying the 70's PV are better? Reason is I've got a PV Artist (70's) transtube. I've not gotten any info to speak of on it. That would built the confidemce level a bit........

PB 8)

buglecorps · December 7th, 2003, 09:06 PM

That the '70s stuff SOUNDS any better (in the ear of the beholder anyway)..but it sure is tough(if kept with modest care) Most mass market stuff today strikes me as a bit fragile, although some of it can sound quite good.
If I was gigging alot and tossing stuff around ect. a old PV or Traynor would be hard to beat. Great bang for the buck . Check out the PV web site for info on your Artist..its pretty comprehensive and most user sheets are available.. BTW if your Artist is a '70s model it is NOT Transtube

11 Gauge · December 8th, 2003, 09:47 AM

...then it probably isn't worth fixing.

i'd be willing to bet that the trannie wasn't the only thing that blew. diagnosing/replacing that stuff just isn't worth it.

replacing the trannies themselves is straightforward enough, and they are cheap, but they are small and not the equivalent of any of the bigger iron you see in other amps.

if you're really hooked on the C30 for gigging, always run a pair, or get them modded with failsafe fuses - things get beyond the realm of operating specs and the amp shuts down before any damage is done. while cheap, this could also be more trouble than it's worth.

maybe one of the gurus here knows of some more robust trannies that fit the specs of this amp. while i love my Delta Blues, the trannies are the parts that i always view as the most suspect - ditto on just about any mass produced amp under $500.

Madmaestro · December 8th, 2003, 10:25 AM

Sorry about your amp there Scotland. I just bought mine and just finished a second gig with it, had no problems yet. I guess if anything, I will keep the volume below ten. :(

Scotland · December 8th, 2003, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Madmaestro

Sorry about your amp there Scotland. I just bought mine and just finished a second gig with it, had no problems yet. I guess if anything, I will keep the volume below ten. :(

Thanks for that. I hope your amp is trouble free. Funny thing is I used my ext. cab for the first time thinking it would save it, alas...it was not to be.

da dougster · December 9th, 2003, 03:24 AM

This is out of curiosity rather than wisdom, but....

were you using a shielded guitar cable or an unshielded speaker cable? Back in the day we just used whatever but nowadays you gotta have special cables ( or so it seems).

Just wonderin' 'cause it shoulda worked just fine.

Scotland · December 10th, 2003, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by da dougster

This is out of curiosity rather than wisdom, but....

were you using a shielded guitar cable or an unshielded speaker cable? Back in the day we just used whatever but nowadays you gotta have special cables ( or so it seems).

Just wonderin' 'cause it shoulda worked just fine.

was a speaker cable to connect the ext. cab and combo and a Planet Waves guitar lead to the guitar.

Bill Beck · December 10th, 2003, 11:15 PM

I've had the Classic 30(just got another) and the Classic 50 and never had an ounce of trouble with either one of them...I used to gig pretty heavy too...now I'm a full time basement basher...the "Boss" put her foot down

don · December 12th, 2003, 06:45 PM

I gigged last night on my PV C30 and never got higher than 3.5 and we were asked to quiet down a couple of times. 10 is VERY LOUD.

Scotland · December 29th, 2003, 07:12 AM

I am stunned at this one. He said it was an output tube that burned out a power resistor, the transformer is okay.
He said there is no facility to stop this from happening and was very surprised at this.
He will give me more details once it is all back together and I should have it back tomorrow.

Madmaestro · December 29th, 2003, 10:05 PM

...good to hear that it was not any worse than that! I'm about to make the mods on mine to make it a little more fenderized. I know that even with mods, it won't come close to my '67 Deluxe RVB that I'm too scared to take on the road. I guess I just like to tinker!

da dougster · December 30th, 2003, 12:44 AM

Glad to hear it Scotland, I was wonderin' about what happened just the other day.....

11 Gauge · December 30th, 2003, 10:09 AM

the parts grade in the C30 is only mediocre (big surprise there).

it would stand to reason then that it would make sense to upgrade all of the power resistors to top quality, and double the wattage handling of the resistor if possible.

and for tonal purposes some caps should be replaced as well, while your techie bud is in there. you most likely will appreciate it - money well spent.

but a better quality power resistor may offset the chances a bit of the amp smoking another one.

glad to hear your trannie didn't blow, or any other output section parts other than a singular resistor. that's either an incredible stroke of luck or a testament to Peavey's ability to build a run-of-the-mill amp that is more durable than the sum of it's parts/design.

i wish you smooth sailing from here on out...

FWIW i'm thinking of modifying my Delta Blues 1X15 even more - if anyone's interested i'll post the results.
proposed mods:
-100% Fender tone controls
-conversion of boost switch to 'shift' or 'raw' switch
-conversion to long tailed P.I.
-conversion to a pair of 6V6s or 6L6s
-'internal style' Weber copper cap

the P.I. mod will be the trickiest...

Scotland · December 30th, 2003, 04:33 PM

It is really nice to have you guys even thinking about me, and thanks for all the suggestions.
11 Gauge, my buddy is going to do all the necessary mods to prevent a repeat happening. I don't know exactly what he is going to do but I trust him.
Thanks again,
John.

December 6th, 2003, 10:46 PM	#1 (permalink)
Scotland Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Aberdeen, Scotland, Yewrup Age: 54 Posts: 6,510 3 Photos	Boo hoo...my Peavey Classic 30 blew up. UPDATE !! After 31/2 hours of playing tonight, my Peavey Classic 30 blew up. It started cutting out then died, I turned around to see smoke coming from it. What do you think could have happened ? I used my Peavey 112E ext. cab with it for the first time and it was sounding good. The amp was turned up to 10 (it goes up to 12) I'm mystified why it just blew up, the tubes are new and look okay. __________________ All those who believe in psycho-kinesis, raise my hand !

December 6th, 2003, 10:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
Lyle Caldwell Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 535	What ohm load is the cab? What ohm load does the amp expect? __________________ "Everybody sings about Memphis, but nobody ever does anything about it."

December 6th, 2003, 11:21 PM	#4 (permalink)
Lyle Caldwell Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 535	Well, can't tell you why it happened (maybe a short in the speaker cable or in the cab), but it sounds like your transformer bought it. __________________ "Everybody sings about Memphis, but nobody ever does anything about it."

December 7th, 2003, 01:03 PM	#5 (permalink)
buglecorps Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Suburban Twang Town Posts: 753	While PV is pretty reliable, the new stuff is not on the same level as the classic stuff from the '70s I'm always a little leary about running it much more than 1/2 way for any period of time. I would say your transformer bought the farm..3+ hours on 10 was probably a bit much and brough on a heat induced failure. See about a replcement from MM. __________________ Loud is Good...

December 7th, 2003, 03:46 PM	#8 (permalink)
Scotland Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Aberdeen, Scotland, Yewrup Age: 54 Posts: 6,510 3 Photos	Mik I have a Fender Twin that I love, I originally bought the Peavey for rehearsals but liked it enough to gig. I'll be gigging the Twin from now on !! I have given the amp to an amp guru to check out and repair if not price prohibitive and will keep it purely for rehearsals in future. __________________ All those who believe in psycho-kinesis, raise my hand !

December 7th, 2003, 09:06 PM	#10 (permalink)
buglecorps Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Suburban Twang Town Posts: 753	I don't know.. That the '70s stuff SOUNDS any better (in the ear of the beholder anyway)..but it sure is tough(if kept with modest care) Most mass market stuff today strikes me as a bit fragile, although some of it can sound quite good. If I was gigging alot and tossing stuff around ect. a old PV or Traynor would be hard to beat. Great bang for the buck . Check out the PV web site for info on your Artist..its pretty comprehensive and most user sheets are available.. BTW if your Artist is a '70s model it is NOT Transtube __________________ Loud is Good...

December 8th, 2003, 09:47 AM	#11 (permalink)
11 Gauge Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The East Coast Posts: 3,016 10 Photos	if you got smoke... ...then it probably isn't worth fixing. i'd be willing to bet that the trannie wasn't the only thing that blew. diagnosing/replacing that stuff just isn't worth it. replacing the trannies themselves is straightforward enough, and they are cheap, but they are small and not the equivalent of any of the bigger iron you see in other amps. if you're really hooked on the C30 for gigging, always run a pair, or get them modded with failsafe fuses - things get beyond the realm of operating specs and the amp shuts down before any damage is done. while cheap, this could also be more trouble than it's worth. maybe one of the gurus here knows of some more robust trannies that fit the specs of this amp. while i love my Delta Blues, the trannies are the parts that i always view as the most suspect - ditto on just about any mass produced amp under $500. __________________

December 8th, 2003, 10:25 AM	#12 (permalink)
Madmaestro Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Lethbridge, AB, Canada Posts: 182	My Condolences... Sorry about your amp there Scotland. I just bought mine and just finished a second gig with it, had no problems yet. I guess if anything, I will keep the volume below ten. :( __________________ The smoker you drink the player you get~Joe Walsh

December 9th, 2003, 03:24 AM	#14 (permalink)
da dougster Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Beautiful downtown Ayuh Posts: 300	This is out of curiosity rather than wisdom, but.... were you using a shielded guitar cable or an unshielded speaker cable? Back in the day we just used whatever but nowadays you gotta have special cables ( or so it seems). Just wonderin' 'cause it shoulda worked just fine. __________________ "Somebody set up us the bomb!!"

December 10th, 2003, 11:15 PM	#16 (permalink)
Bill Beck Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Chicago 'Burbs Posts: 372	I've had the Classic 30(just got another) and the Classic 50 and never had an ounce of trouble with either one of them...I used to gig pretty heavy too...now I'm a full time basement basher...the "Boss" put her foot down

December 12th, 2003, 06:45 PM	#17 (permalink)
don Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: raleigh, nc Posts: 163	Wow - volume on 10 - are ya deaf yet? I gigged last night on my PV C30 and never got higher than 3.5 and we were asked to quiet down a couple of times. 10 is VERY LOUD.

December 29th, 2003, 07:12 AM	#18 (permalink)
Scotland Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Aberdeen, Scotland, Yewrup Age: 54 Posts: 6,510 3 Photos	What the problem was... I am stunned at this one. He said it was an output tube that burned out a power resistor, the transformer is okay. He said there is no facility to stop this from happening and was very surprised at this. He will give me more details once it is all back together and I should have it back tomorrow. __________________ All those who believe in psycho-kinesis, raise my hand !

December 29th, 2003, 10:05 PM	#19 (permalink)
Madmaestro Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Lethbridge, AB, Canada Posts: 182	...good to hear that it was not any worse than that! I'm about to make the mods on mine to make it a little more fenderized. I know that even with mods, it won't come close to my '67 Deluxe RVB that I'm too scared to take on the road. I guess I just like to tinker! __________________ The smoker you drink the player you get~Joe Walsh

December 30th, 2003, 12:44 AM	#20 (permalink)
da dougster Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Beautiful downtown Ayuh Posts: 300	Glad to hear it Scotland, I was wonderin' about what happened just the other day..... __________________ "Somebody set up us the bomb!!"

December 30th, 2003, 10:09 AM	#21 (permalink)
11 Gauge Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: The East Coast Posts: 3,016 10 Photos	power resistor... the parts grade in the C30 is only mediocre (big surprise there). it would stand to reason then that it would make sense to upgrade all of the power resistors to top quality, and double the wattage handling of the resistor if possible. and for tonal purposes some caps should be replaced as well, while your techie bud is in there. you most likely will appreciate it - money well spent. but a better quality power resistor may offset the chances a bit of the amp smoking another one. glad to hear your trannie didn't blow, or any other output section parts other than a singular resistor. that's either an incredible stroke of luck or a testament to Peavey's ability to build a run-of-the-mill amp that is more durable than the sum of it's parts/design. i wish you smooth sailing from here on out... FWIW i'm thinking of modifying my Delta Blues 1X15 even more - if anyone's interested i'll post the results. proposed mods: -100% Fender tone controls -conversion of boost switch to 'shift' or 'raw' switch -conversion to long tailed P.I. -conversion to a pair of 6V6s or 6L6s -'internal style' Weber copper cap the P.I. mod will be the trickiest... __________________

December 30th, 2003, 04:33 PM	#22 (permalink)
Scotland Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Aberdeen, Scotland, Yewrup Age: 54 Posts: 6,510 3 Photos	Thanks guys It is really nice to have you guys even thinking about me, and thanks for all the suggestions. 11 Gauge, my buddy is going to do all the necessary mods to prevent a repeat happening. I don't know exactly what he is going to do but I trust him. Thanks again, John. __________________ All those who believe in psycho-kinesis, raise my hand !