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awfulguitarnois · January 31st, 2009, 06:00 PM

I've searched through the forums, and read up on both, but I'm wondering if anyone has ever played both and had an A/B comparison? The Peavey would be $330 shipped and the Crate would be $299 shipped. Unfortunately, neither is local, so I can do my own side-by-side.

I mainly want to play clean, or with some distortion (Black Keys type sound).

Any input would be awesome!

Thanks!

SimpleOne · January 31st, 2009, 06:13 PM

Well...the 20 sure seems much loved.
Read that there are some who feel it is a nicer product than the Classic thirty. But I do not know! BTT!

There are appropriate places that each would stand out, I would think...where would you play it?

Chris S. · January 31st, 2009, 06:58 PM

I've owned both, still have the V1512. I was going to say "No Brainer, get the Crate" -- but it actually depends on what you want to use it for. The Peavey C20 will overdrive early and at low volumes, so it's a pretty good "bedroom" amp. But it will NOT keep up with a drummer or a band; not enough volume and no headroom to speak of. The Crate V1512 is a good gigging amp -- I've used it on many gigs, everything from country and blues to jazz. The gain and the level controls are very interactive, so you can dial in just the right amount of distortion. Plus it also lets you get overdrive (from the pre-amp) at low volume levels.

If it were me, I'd go for the Crate in a heartbeat, but again, depends on your needs. That's my $.02, hope it helps. CS

P.S. $330 sounds like a lot for the Peavey Classic 20; you're not talking about a Classic 30, are you? That's an entirely different amp.

awfulguitarnois · January 31st, 2009, 07:21 PM

Thanks for the great info. Initially, it will be a home amp, but eventually I'd love to gig, and so it would be great to find something that might fit both needs. The other thing with the Crate is it's still boxed, and so is brand new. Oh, and the other amp is a Classic 20. And that price is what they've been going for on eBay. If it was less, I probably would go for it.

Thanks again, and any other input would be welcomed, as well.

Chris S. · January 31st, 2009, 10:39 PM

Glad to help. :-) And if the Crate is new in the box, it is a no-brainer. That's the one to get. Best of luck, CS

Twanginator · January 31st, 2009, 11:28 PM

I own a C20 and I agree with Chris S. This is a blues to classic rock type amp. Not much clean headroom. Has a midrange emphasis. I've been using it lately for slide guitar and it is good for that. From what you said you are wanting, it may not be the best of these two options.

January 31st, 2009, 06:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
awfulguitarnois Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Akron, OH Age: 42 Posts: 175	Peavey Classic 20 vs. Crate V1512... I've searched through the forums, and read up on both, but I'm wondering if anyone has ever played both and had an A/B comparison? The Peavey would be $330 shipped and the Crate would be $299 shipped. Unfortunately, neither is local, so I can do my own side-by-side. I mainly want to play clean, or with some distortion (Black Keys type sound). Any input would be awesome! Thanks!

January 31st, 2009, 06:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
Chris S. Moderator Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Near TELE-Town (Wash. DC) Posts: 3,589 7 Photos	I've owned both, still have the V1512. I was going to say "No Brainer, get the Crate" -- but it actually depends on what you want to use it for. The Peavey C20 will overdrive early and at low volumes, so it's a pretty good "bedroom" amp. But it will NOT keep up with a drummer or a band; not enough volume and no headroom to speak of. The Crate V1512 is a good gigging amp -- I've used it on many gigs, everything from country and blues to jazz. The gain and the level controls are very interactive, so you can dial in just the right amount of distortion. Plus it also lets you get overdrive (from the pre-amp) at low volume levels. If it were me, I'd go for the Crate in a heartbeat, but again, depends on your needs. That's my $.02, hope it helps. CS P.S. $330 sounds like a lot for the Peavey Classic 20; you're not talking about a Classic 30, are you? That's an entirely different amp. __________________ "I go online sometimes, but everyone's spelling is really bad. It's depressing." – Tara, from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" "It was born at the junction of form and function." – Bill Kirchen, from "Hammer of the Honky-Tonk Gods"

January 31st, 2009, 10:39 PM	#5 (permalink)
Chris S. Moderator Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Near TELE-Town (Wash. DC) Posts: 3,589 7 Photos	Glad to help. :-) And if the Crate is new in the box, it is a no-brainer. That's the one to get. Best of luck, CS __________________ "I go online sometimes, but everyone's spelling is really bad. It's depressing." – Tara, from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" "It was born at the junction of form and function." – Bill Kirchen, from "Hammer of the Honky-Tonk Gods"

January 31st, 2009, 06:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
SimpleOne Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: So close to h**l you can see Sparks Posts: 1,515 4 Photos	Well...the 20 sure seems much loved. Read that there are some who feel it is a nicer product than the Classic thirty. But I do not know! BTT! There are appropriate places that each would stand out, I would think...where would you play it?

January 31st, 2009, 07:21 PM	#4 (permalink)
awfulguitarnois Tele-Meister Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Akron, OH Age: 42 Posts: 175	Thanks for the great info. Initially, it will be a home amp, but eventually I'd love to gig, and so it would be great to find something that might fit both needs. The other thing with the Crate is it's still boxed, and so is brand new. Oh, and the other amp is a Classic 20. And that price is what they've been going for on eBay. If it was less, I probably would go for it. Thanks again, and any other input would be welcomed, as well.

January 31st, 2009, 11:28 PM	#6 (permalink)
Twanginator Tele-Meister Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 401	I own a C20 and I agree with Chris S. This is a blues to classic rock type amp. Not much clean headroom. Has a midrange emphasis. I've been using it lately for slide guitar and it is good for that. From what you said you are wanting, it may not be the best of these two options.

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