The different 'stripes' of Peavey TransTubes?

[LGOberean]

I've noticed numerous references to different "editions" of amps in the Peavey TransTube series by colors, i.e., "Red stripe," "Blue stripe" and "Silver" or "Black & silver." What I have not found (perhaps I've overlooked?) is a thread in this forum that actually defines the different "stripes."

So with regard to the Envoy and Bandit models in particular, what do the color "stripes" indicate? Year(s) of production? Features? Cosmetics? All of the above?

Thanks in advance for any help on this.

[cmm71]

The "red stripe" Bandit will have a red strip on the lower baffle...and usually has a triangle (delta) somewhere on the baffle. It has a slanted control panel.

The "blue stripe" has a blue stripe on the control faceplate and a straight control panel.

They all sound spectacular.

[cmm71]

I guess I didn't really answer your question. Peavey changes it's cosmetics like my wife changes her hair...I'm assuming you don't know my wife so lets just say they change their cosmetic appearance a lot. The blue stripe look was somewhere in the late 80s/early 90s. They had the red stripe up until recently when they went to the newest look. The red stripe bandit seems to be a favorite on this forum but I had a Bandit in '88 that had no stripe and it was phenomenal. They are underated and sadly now being built overseas. I think the stripe is a non-issue, they are good sounding amps, a real hit for Peavey and hoepfully they continue with the same quality that they had when they were built in Meridian, MS.

[cmm71]

One final note, following the red stripe series there was a change to a straight control panel and there may have been a silver stripe...these were the last of the American made Bandits. I can't remember exactly whether there was a silver stripe or not, I can kind of remember one but my memory is not what it used to be. Again, all Bandits are good Bandits.

[LGOberean]

Thanks, cmm71. Your posts have answered some questions I've had. So you're saying that the "Red stripe" variety and the "Delta" are the same, and that it is a newer model than the "Blue stripe," which hails from the late 80s to mid 90s. Have I got that right?

And are you saying that the primary difference between the year models is cosmetic, that down through the years they have basically had the same technology and features?

I noticed too that all of your comments were about Bandits. Is that just because you've owned Bandits and not Envoys, or is there in your opinion something about Envoys that I should know about?

My application will be primarily home use, with occasional gigging in coffeehouse settings. So I was thinking that the 35W - 40W (I've seen both numbers) Envoy might suit my needs.

[Jakedog]

Originally Posted by LGOberean

Thanks, cmm71. Your posts have answered some questions I've had. So you're saying that the "Red stripe" variety and the "Delta" are the same, and that it is a newer model than the "Blue stripe," which hails from the late 80s to mid 90s. Have I got that right?

And are you saying that the primary difference between the year models is cosmetic, that down through the years they have basically had the same technology and features?

I noticed too that all of your comments were about Bandits. Is that just because you've owned Bandits and not Envoys, or is there in your opinion something about Envoys that I should know about?

My application will be primarily home use, with occasional gigging in coffeehouse settings. So I was thinking that the 35W - 40W (I've seen both numbers) Envoy might suit my needs.

I'll jump in here too...

I have a Red Stripe Bandit, a Silver Stripe Bandit, and A Red Stripe Studio Pro 112.

They are are all fantastic, however... I like the Red Stripe models best. My silver stripe bandit sounds great, until you put it next to the red one. Then it still sounds good, but a little "flat" and one dimensional compared to the red stripe. By itself you wouldn't notice, next to the other one, it's rather apparent to me.

The Blue stripe models from the late 80's are some astounding amps. Every model I have played is out of this world. I am not sure these are technically "transtube" amps though. I think they are the predecessors to the TT technology. I also have a Stereo Chorus 212, the blue stripe variety. For weight, footprint, and tonal considerations, the Redstripe Bandit is my favorite. My studio pro is smaller, lighter, and quite giggable in small room situations like you are describing, but it lacks some of the features the Bandit has, and the Bandit's reverb leaves the Pro in the dust. For overall awesome clean tone, the Stereo Chorus 212 has no equal. Not a Twin, not a JC, nothin'. Period. However, it's weight and size make it hard to use. Mostly it's weight. Good god, it weighs more than my Jeep.

The transtube technology is very different than any other tube emulator out there. There is no digital signal path, it is all analog SS technology, and there is no modeling. All of the tube emulation is accomplished by tweaking an analog SS circuit. Somewhere on the Peavey site, you can find and read some of Hartley Peavey's essays, one of them being a run-down of how TT works. It's a very worthwhile read.

Lastly, I think for what you've described, and Envoy would probably be plenty. Especially for home practice. For live use, I like a 12" speaker, but YMMV. If you find a 10" isn't enough, look for a used Studio Pro 112. My Red Stripe is a great little small room rig, and I got it for $100, in mint shape.

[dconeill]

You can download the manuals for the various Peavey Bandits (and other amps from the Peavey website. Go to Support -> Owner's Manuals, and search throughout for Bandit (or whatever you wish)

[cmm71]

I believe the Delta and red stripe are associated. I'm going strictly from memory.

The Bandit I had throughout my highschool years saw lots of playing time. I used it in the highschool jazz band, I used it for the informal rock band that did mostly 50's and 60's covers for booster club events (and anytime parents were involved). I used it at a friends garage for long extended versions of Johnny B. Goode...the only song we all knew. I learned Zeppelin, Hendrix and various other classics on that amp and, when my parents would go out, I would crank it up and do stage jumps off of it in my living room while trying not to land on the cat. It was super-versatile, never, ever broke and always held it's own against some of the most unprofessional and wild drumming anyone could dream up. I took it to school in the morning, left it in my trunk all day, drug it through the building after school, abused it and it always performed rock solid. I have fond memories of my Bandit. I'm not at all surprised to see it's holding it's own amongst many folks here despite the "solid-state sucks" crowd and their feelings to the contrary. The amp has my vote for the amp hall of fame...should I ever get asked for my vote.

...sorry, I shifted into a nostalgic moment...

I am back in the market for an amp and strongly considering the Bandit. I too was looking at the Envoy as a more home-office-friendly amp, but the Bandit just seems to be calling for me.

[68reissue]

And check out the latest (3rd gen) Envoy before you buy a red stripe. You may end up liking the red stripe better, but Peavey has made some advances in TT technology, and IHMO the latest version is pretty sweet. REALLY warm and detailed clean tones, and darn responsive for a SS amp. Yes, it's made in China, but so are the electronics in almost all amps. You can pick one up for two bills.

And the new style Bandit is only $300!

[Jakedog]

Originally Posted by 68reissue

And check out the latest (3rd gen) Envoy before you buy a red stripe. You may end up liking the red stripe better, but Peavey has made some advances in TT technology, and IHMO the latest version is pretty sweet. REALLY warm and detailed clean tones, and darn responsive for a SS amp. Yes, it's made in China, but so are the electronics in almost all amps. You can pick one up for two bills.

And the new style Bandit is only $300!

I would like to try one of these brand new models. I haven't had a chance to get my paws on one yet and I'd really like to. I am very put off by the MIC thing, but what are you gonna do. The upside is, as cheap as the new ones are, used red stripes are REALLY cheap. I've been hearing nothing but great stuff about the new MIC models though. I am just waiting for them to be out for a few years so I can see if there will be any reliability issues stemming from the new manufacturing facility or new components. The USA Peavey stuff is just bullet proof.

[LGOberean]

This is great stuff guys, thanks. Keep it coming. Maybe some pics?

68reissue, I started out looking at the latest Envoys and Bandits. I'm still considering them, thinking about getting out later to guitar shops and checking them out. Like Jakedog, the MIC thing is frustrating to me, but I haven't ruled them out either.

At this point, I'm inclined to think that my first choice would be to find a used MIA. Everything I've been reading and hearing agrees with Jakedog's comment: "The USA Peavey stuff is just bullet proof."

I've checked out a local pawn shop and the local CL, but so far (like U2) I still haven't found what I'm looking for.

Cheaper is also better because the wife just got a new car.

[68reissue]

Well, the old MIA stuff is bullet-proof; I have an old Backstage Plus from the mid-80's which is incredibly solid. If you're going to be hauling the amp from show to show, that's a consideration. But I think the latest version of TT really is warmer, fuller, and more satisfying. The new Bandits and Envoys are probably not quite as roadworthy as the old ones, but they've definitely improved the tone. Of course, it isn't identical to that of a full tube amp, but as Mr Peavey says, it's 95%, and that was an "A" when I went to school. And for me, the digital reverb is nice because there's no pan or wires to pick up electronic noise in my condo.

Oh, and I've had two USA-made Tech 21 Trademarks (with Accutronics reverb). Both had the reverbs fail. And those are well-made amps! You just never know, I guess...

The Peaveys have a 3 year warranty, which you can extend to 5 years by filling out the questionnaire that comes with the manual. So, although I'm no fan of Maoism, I'm not terribly worried about the made-in-China amps' longevity.

The video included with this review really gives a good idea of what the new TT Bandit sounds like...

http://www.guitarworld.com/article/peavey_bandit_112

[openbar]

I wish they would make the Bandit cabinet smaller.

[Octave Doctor]

I have a B&S Studio Pro, the original TransTube model--sounds pretty good for a SS amp, although it's lacking some highs on the distortion channel. Usually just put an EQ in the FX loop. Do the newer amps get past this?

[Jakedog]

Originally Posted by openbar

I wish they would make the Bandit cabinet smaller.

That cab size is part of the reason for the great punch and low end in these things. I wish it was smaller too, but if it were, it wouldn't thump on the bottom end like it does. It's a killer clean country amp for just that reason. That bottom end is huge, and thumps like mad when you pop the strings. The smaller cab on my studio pro just won't do it as well, even with an upgraded speaker. I am convinced the cab size is responsible for the incredible low end in my bandits. My red-stripe Bandit will hang with a Twin all day long. Will the Twin get louder? Sure. But the bandit gets loud enough that I've never needed to have it over 4, even outdoors. I love HUGE low end and full clean tones with no break up down low. I hate the fart tone so many amps get when you try to get them loud, and full on the bottom. The Bandit rocks for this application.

[wildschwein]

Cool thread; great sounding amps that really respond and feel like they have tubes.

These black and silver Studio Pro 112s were made between about 1996-2000 - production was moved to China in this time period. Earlier made in the US Studio Pros have a silver ring on the face of the knobs:

The Redline models came next and were produced until a few years ago:

The newest Bandits and Envoys have these sort of cosmetics:

I have a made in China black and silver and a redline Studio Pro 112 and much prefer the sound of the black and silver model; especially on the od channel. The redline has a deeper sounding reverb but is a much more brittle sounding amp IMO. I actually use both of them in a stereo rig; and they work well together. I haven't tried all the different Bandits and other Transtubes (except for the little Rage) so I can't really comment on them.

[91xlntS-3]

Don't overlook the Peavey Express 112, 65 watts, 1-12" speaker. The older USA Blue trim models are the BEST! (IMO) Tried one of the original black/silver TT models and it wasn't anything close to the older, pre TT model. If you watch closely, you can get one of these for < $100 and you won't be sorry.

Hard to beat a Bandit for overall amp, I've owned several over the years. Just a great sounding combo. The Delta Series (red stripe) models are an outstanding sounding amp!

Personally, I prefer the Older, made in USA gear, that's just me. I remember when the Valve King amps came out, lots of bad reviews/problems. Maybe they've gotten those all straightened out, I don't know. Peavey + Made in China, just doesn't compute to my old brain...

[LGOberean]

Again, I appreciate all the info.

wildschwein, thanks for that informative post, and the pics. I thought about the Studio Pro, but I just wasn't sure about going with a single channel.

91xlntS-3, I am tending towards finding something older at this point. As I said earlier, I won't rule out an MIC, but I'm tending toward MIA.

Thursday I was at the local GC for the kickoff of their holiday sales promotion. I was disappointed to find out that they do not carry the TransTube series. (I wonder, is this true of all GCs, or just the one here?) So since I was there, I played Teles (an AV52RI and an MIA Std) through a ValveKing 112 Combo and then through a Vypyr 30.

The VK sounded pretty good, warm and clean. But I'm just not sure about committing to the maintenance of a tube amp. I'm looking for maintenance free, worry-free reliability, and from what I'm reading that's just not tube. (Correct me if I'm wrong, guys, and point me in the right direction.) So as of now I'm looking for warm and clean in SS circuitry, and I keep hearing that Peavey is the way to go.

The Vypyr just didn't do it for me. This amp struck me as an amp suited for metal/thrash/I-never-use-the-clean-channel style, but that just isn't me at all. I probably wouldn't use most of the amp models it has, likewise the effects. For the most part, I found them unusable.

Thanks for the tip about the Express. I've read more about the Bandit and the Envoy, haven't seen much on the Express, but a 12" speaker and 65 watts sounds good to me. I'll have to check that out.

[wildschwein]

Originally Posted by LGOberean

Again, I appreciate all the info.

wildschwein, thanks for that informative post, and the pics. I thought about the Studio Pro, but I just wasn't sure about going with a single channel...Thanks for the tip about the Express. I've read more about the Bandit and the Envoy, haven't seen much on the Express, but a 12" speaker and 65 watts sounds good to me. I'll have to check that out.

No worries; always happy to talk about Transtubes. I'm not sure about the older Studio Pros from the 80s but the Studio Pro 112 Transtube is actually a 2 channel amp; clean and od. It has quite a few tonal options; cleans are Fenderish and the dirt tones are Marshally; it's 65 watts and is freakin' loud - more than enough to gig with. There is plenty of distortion options on the od channel but you can back it all off and get a good bluesy grind with no problem - I use a dirt box on top of the dirt channel for blues rock stuff and a compressor on the clean channel for rockabilly and country sounds. It does have less power amp features than a Bandit Transtube and is in a slightly smaller and lighter cab, however it is electronically similar. But, as said above, you can't really go wrong with any of the Bandits; I haven't played all of those but everyone I've heard sounds good and they have a heap of volume on tap. As to the Envoy I'm pretty sure the Transtube ones are a 1 x 10 combo and are about 40 watts; but they would probably be loud enough for a coffee house setting; going by how loud the 65 watts is in the Studio Pro.

[cmm71]

I have heard recent speculation that the Vyper series may overtake the TT series, that would be bad as the Vyper series just seems cheezy to me.

[68reissue]

I agree with cmm71; I briefly had a Vypyr 15, and, while it sounded really good, it just felt incredibly cheap. My 3rd generation Envoy feels pretty well-made, sounds great, and I like its simplicity. I have no need for all of the metal settings on the Vypyr, and the Envoy and the Bandit just make more sense to me. I guess I just prefer my TT without modeling.

[JayFreddy]

Peavey Bandit History:

1st: "Gunsmoke Logo", aka "Gunsmoke Bandit" 50 watts

2nd: Solo Series, aka "Solo Series Bandit"

3rd: Solo Series Bandit 65

4th: Solo Series Bandit 75

5th: Solo Series Bandit 112, aka "Teal Stripe" or "Blue Stripe", early models came with a Scorpion speaker, later models came with a Sheffield 1230 speaker.

Transtube Bandits:

6th: Transtube Bandit 112S, aka "Silver-Stripe, Blackbox Bandit, Blackface, Blackie", etc. First Bandit in the Transtube Series, and the first Bandit to have an extension speaker jack output. Rhino hide wrinkle wrap tolex is replaced by more a traditional black tolex. Sometimes called "V1".

7th: Transtube Bandit 112 II, Made in USA, aka "Red Stripe" or "Red Delta", sometimes called "V2" since it is the 2nd iteration of the Transtube Bandit series. Block logo replaces pointy logo, plastic corners replace metal corners. Often came with small red triangle on the front of the amp, hence "Red Delta"... Slightly smaller cabinet than the Blackbox/Silverstripe Bandit. Transtube attenuator potentiometer is replaced by low-med-high switch. Other slight modifications to electronics.

7 1/2th: Transtube Bandit 112 II, Made in China. Same as 7th generation Bandit, but Chinese "Blue Marvel" speaker replaces the US made Sheffield 1230 speaker and the block logo is replaced by pointy logo and no red delta logo. Aka "Chinese Redstripe."

8th: Bandit 112 with Transtube, Made in China. Metal corners reintroduced, digital reverb replaces spring reverb, other slight modifications to electronics. Aka, "Codpiece Bandit" due to logo design, sometimes called "V3" since it's the 3rd distinct variation of the Transtube Bandit.

Personally, I prefer the Blue Stripe, Silver Stripe, and Red Delta Bandits. Chinese production is destroying Peavey's reputation, IMHO...

[musicalmartin]

Where does my old early 80's Backstage 20 Watt fit in .It has a spring reverb which I like .Since I started fooling around with the settings ,after down loading the manual ,I was surprised that it had some good tones ..Anyone else got a similar amp .It has the big plastic jagged Peavey badge writ large across the grill .Its built in the USA , and built like a tank.To paraphrase '' in the end there will be cockroaches ,Keef ,and my old Peavey amp ."

[LGOberean]

Originally Posted by JayFreddy

Peavey Bandit History:

1st: "Gunsmoke Logo", aka "Gunsmoke Bandit" 50 watts

2nd: Solo Series, aka "Solo Series Bandit"

3rd: Solo Series Bandit 65

4th: Solo Series Bandit 75

5th: Solo Series Bandit 112, aka "Teal Stripe" or "Blue Stripe", early models came with a Scorpion speaker, later models came with a Sheffield 1230 speaker.

Transtube Bandits:

6th: Transtube Bandit 112S, aka "Silver-Stripe, Blackbox Bandit, Blackface, Blackie", etc. First Bandit in the Transtube Series, and the first Bandit to have an extension speaker jack output. Rhino hide wrinkle wrap tolex is replaced by more a traditional black tolex. Sometimes called "V1".

7th: Transtube Bandit 112 II, Made in USA, aka "Red Stripe" or "Red Delta", sometimes called "V2" since it is the 2nd iteration of the Transtube Bandit series. Block logo replaces pointy logo, plastic corners replace metal corners. Often came with small red triangle on the front of the amp, hence "Red Delta"... Slightly smaller cabinet than the Blackbox/Silverstripe Bandit. Transtube attenuator potentiometer is replaced by low-med-high switch. Other slight modifications to electronics.

7 1/2th: Transtube Bandit 112 II, Made in China. Same as 7th generation Bandit, but Chinese "Blue Marvel" speaker replaces the US made Sheffield 1230 speaker and the block logo is replaced by pointy logo and no red delta logo. Aka "Chinese Redstripe."

8th: Bandit 112 with Transtube, Made in China. Metal corners reintroduced, digital reverb replaces spring reverb, other slight modifications to electronics. Aka, "Codpiece Bandit" due to logo design, sometimes called "V3" since it's the 3rd distinct variation of the Transtube Bandit.

Personally, I prefer the Blue Stripe, Silver Stripe, and Red Delta Bandits. Chinese production is destroying Peavey's reputation, IMHO...

Wow, JayFreddy, thanks for that. Very helpful.

[LGOberean]

Okay, guys, I need your help again. What is considered fair market value for used Bandits, Envoys, Expresses & Studio Pros?

From comments I’ve read in a variety of threads on this forum, various Peavey amps appear quite regularly in pawn shops, on Craig’s List and eBay. From my own experience, since I’ve been looking into this, I’ve seen a steady stream of Peaveys come and go on eBay. I’ve seen fewer Expresses, but Bandits, Envoys and Studio Pros are quite prevalent. (A lot of Rages and Auditions and Backstages, too, but I’m not looking for that size.)

So I would say that used Bandits, Envoys, Expresses & Studio Pros are not rare or collectible items. Well, collectible perhaps, depending on how that word is defined, but not rare.

I know the going prices for the models I’m interested in, what they sell for new in shops and/or online. I know that the models I’m interested in go for $60 - $100 (some higher, some lower) on eBay and such. But a low price on an auction might be just a buyer’s good fortune and a seller’s bad luck, and conversely, a high price on an auction might be just a seller’s good fortune and a buyer’s bad luck.

So what would you say fair market value is for used Bandits, Envoys, Expresses & Studio Pros?

[68reissue]

Larry...you can get an older Envoy for a little over 100 bills. Check out Daddy's Junky Music:

http://www.daddys.com/listing.php?query=envoy

In fact, there are lots of Peaveys there...Bandits, Backstages, etc.

By the way...I got some interesting advice from Joe Naylor (president of Reverend Guitars) on this issue. He said to buy an old Backstage Plus and swap out the speaker for a Jensen Neo, a Celestion, or an Eminence Ragin' Cajun. I got a mint 80's Backstage Plus for 40 bucks! Now, I waiting for the speaker to arrive....

[Will Chen]

I just picked up a scratch and dent newest generation Bandit for $210 from AMS. There're 2 on ebay under $200 (including shipping). I've long been a fan of the Bandit and finally pulled the trigger. While the red stripe series has a presence control the newer line has a footswitchable boost so it comes down to your personal needs as a player. As I'm very useed to having a boost with my Trademark 60, I opted for the boost over the presence control. They do indeed sound a bit different from each other, but not so much that one is signifficantly better than the other in my opinion.

A fabulous feature of these amps is the extremely natural compression and breakup you get when you crank the clean channel (use the attenuator to avoid hearing loss!). Just superb and better than almost any of the affordable tube amps on the market. Plus you get the higher gain channel when you need full gain.

There have been several other amps besides the Bandit and Envoy series containing the Transtube design including the TransFex and the Transtube 100 EFX series (kinda the predecessor of the Vypyr) which included the transtube preamp and power amp coupled to a digital effects processor and the Wiggy.

[68reissue]

Frugal...

Hey, I love your e-zine! I closely checked out your opinions before I bought my Reverends and my PRS SE's, and your advice came in handy. Are you going to do a review of the Bandit?

[Will Chen]

Originally Posted by 68reissue

Frugal...

Hey, I love your e-zine! I closely checked out your opinions before I bought my Reverends and my PRS SE's, and your advice came in handy. Are you going to do a review of the Bandit?

Thanks for the love!

Yes, but it will be August or September before I get to it. I just joined a band so I've had to cut back just a bit on gear reviews in order to work up a bunch of new tunes.

[LGOberean]

Well, guys, what I have learned here has led me to join the Peavey club. (There's actually a "Peavey Pickers Social Club!" in the Amp Club section. I'll have to post there next.) This evening I won an eBay auction for an Envoy.

Judging by the manual I downloaded from the Peavey website (thanks, dconeill), it's a 1995 or thereabouts. It has the following features: the 6 dB switch/button above the channel select switch/button, the wedged-shaped white indicators on black knobs, the "THRASH" switch/button above the Gain switch/button; etc.

Should be a week or so before I get it, so now comes the GAS, which in this case stands for "Gear Anticipation Syndrome" !!!

My plan is to buy several Peavey amps, as in at least three. I'll do my own comparison tests, then one of the three will go to my son, and perhaps I'll re-sell another. Then again, I may hold on to two for variety (provided I can sell the wife on the idea).

So thanks, guys.

[Will Chen]

Originally Posted by LGOberean

Well, guys, what I have learned here has led me to join the Peavey club. (There's actually a "Peavey Pickers Social Club!" in the Amp Club section. I'll have to post there next.) This evening I won an eBay auction for an Envoy.

Judging by the manual I downloaded from the Peavey website (thanks, dconeill), it's a 1995 or thereabouts. It has the following features: the 6 dB switch/button above the channel select switch/button, the wedged-shaped white indicators on black knobs, the "THRASH" switch/button above the Gain switch/button; etc.

Should be a week or so before I get it, so now comes the GAS, which in this case stands for "Gear Anticipation Syndrome" !!!

My plan is to buy several Peavey amps, as in at least three. I'll do my own comparison tests, then one of the three will go to my son, and perhaps I'll re-sell another. Then again, I may hold on to two for variety (provided I can sell the wife on the idea).

So thanks, guys.

Congrats!

From an amp perspective, Peavey doesn't get enough credit for their SS amp designs which are incredibly innovative. With the exception of maybe Pritchard amps, the most innovative ss amps on the market. My new Bandit 112 shipped today. I've got a rehersal with my new band on saturday and a church gig on Sunday. Can't wait to put it through the paces...

[openbar]

Originally Posted by 68reissue

Larry...you can get an older Envoy for a little over 100 bills. Check out Daddy's Junky Music:

http://www.daddys.com/listing.php?query=envoy

I doubt that anyone outside of Mississippi has as many used Peaveys. You could get every model Bandit if you want, and it would cost less than one Fender. Daddy's is great, I picked up a Backstage Plus, mint, for $60 today. I needed another practice amp for home, and this pint-size Bandit fits the bill perfectly. Great clean sound and reverb.

[zvonik]

I just found a red stripe w/Sheffield on the Chicago Craigslist for $150.
http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/msg/1257137979.html

I have a Vypyr with transtube and it's like getting a box full of effects for free. A 30 watt with a 12" Blue Marvel is just $200 new.

Originally Posted by LGOberean

The Vypyr just didn't do it for me. This amp struck me as an amp suited for metal/thrash/I-never-use-the-clean-channel style, but that just isn't me at all. I probably wouldn't use most of the amp models it has, likewise the effects. For the most part, I found them unusable.

The default sound setting is very metal and would scare off most people. Turn on the amp and turn the first knob (stompboxes) to bypass, push the second knob (amp) and its light turns green (clean). Rotate to Twin and it's modeling a Fender. Turn the third knob (effects) to bypass and press the knob to enter edit mode. Turn off the two delay control knobs (says delay underneath, says low and mid on top) and the next knob is reverb. Set reverb to around 9:00 o'clock. Press the effect knob again and the same knobs then become pre-gain, low, mid, treble, and post-gain again. Center the tone knobs and center the pre-gain and adjust post-gain to taste and you're done.

Now look underneath the first knob and press and hold preset 1 until its light comes back on (automobile radio style) and now every time you start the amp, you get a clean Fender sound. Play something. Push the amp knob and the light turns red (distorted) and you get an over-driven Fender amp sound. Adjust the pre-gain to get more or less distortion. Adjust volume with the post-gain. These sounds are transtube at it's best. Very touch sensitive, dynamic and with realistic distortions.

The clean amp models are Twin, Deluxe, Plexi, British (Vox), B-Kat, Classic (Peavey) and a clean XXX. Each one with a corresponding distorted setting controlled by the pre-gain knob and compensated by the post-gain.

The clean Twin and clean Plexi are very convincing. The Deluxe sounds like 6V6's. The stompbox knob has a Tubescreamer that's pretty nice. Plus a dozen more sounds like flangers, chorus, phasers, rotatory speaker and tremolo. For $200! You need never venture over to the metal amp settings.

[taco jeff]

So I'm looking to replace my 2000 red stripe Bandit,which I never should have sold! My local pawn shop has a teal Bandit 112 with a Skorpion speaker and blue speckled tolex(80's?) a Studio Pro 112 with a Blue Marvel and "modern/vintage switches",and a black and silver with a Sheffield speaker and the thrash button. All are USA. Which one is closest to my first one? How different are they?

[Will Chen]

Originally Posted by zvonik

I just found a red stripe w/Sheffield on the Chicago Craigslist for $150.
http://chicago.craigslist.org/wcl/msg/1257137979.html

I have a Vypyr with transtube and it's like getting a box full of effects for free. A 30 watt with a 12" Blue Marvel is just $200 new...

...The clean Twin and clean Plexi are very convincing. The Deluxe sounds like 6V6's. The stompbox knob has a Tubescreamer that's pretty nice. Plus a dozen more sounds like flangers, chorus, phasers, rotatory speaker and tremolo. For $200! You need never venture over to the metal amp settings.

I reviewed the Vypyr 30 for FG. While some of the tones were very good, it just felt a bit "fragile" to me. I wouldn't expect the knobs to last very long if you transport the amp constantly. Also, the 30 watt rating just didn't deliver the low end oomph when it was cranked like the higher power models (and the standard TransTube) did.

Originally Posted by taco jeff

So I'm looking to replace my 2000 red stripe Bandit,which I never should have sold! My local pawn shop has a teal Bandit 112 with a Skorpion speaker and blue speckled tolex(80's?) a Studio Pro 112 with a Blue Marvel and "modern/vintage switches",and a black and silver with a Sheffield speaker and the thrash button. All are USA. Which one is closest to my first one? How different are they?

I would think the Studio Pro would be the closest. Wasn't the red stripe the first generation with the modern/vintage switches? You'll have to play each to know for sure...

[Steve G]

Originally Posted by openbar

I doubt that anyone outside of Mississippi has as many used Peaveys. You could get every model Bandit if you want, and it would cost less than one Fender. Daddy's is great, I picked up a Backstage Plus, mint, for $60 today. I needed another practice amp for home, and this pint-size Bandit fits the bill perfectly. Great clean sound and reverb.

Openbar, is that a Pacer in your avatar? I love those old Peavey amps.

Good to see some chat about some amps I can actually afford!!

[PaddyBrumson]

"Good to see some chat about some amps I can actually afford!!"
I've come to that conclusion too. After going through a bunch of moderate to expensive tube amps, I've decided to just look at what folks consider the better SS amps. So far I've gotten great deals on a used Red Stripe Bandit, Tech 21 TM60 and a Princeton Chorus. They all sound really good to me, especially since I've gotten rid of my tube amps to compare them to. I plan to keep looking for great sounding SS amps and feel good about not spending a bunch to have some of the best SS amps out there. Next up is a Roland Blues Cube.

[openbar]

Originally Posted by Steve G

Openbar, is that a Pacer in your avatar? I love those old Peavey amps.

Good to see some chat about some amps I can actually afford!!

Good eye, yes a Pacer. More for a chuckle than anything, but yes those old SS amps are better than a lot of people will allow. And I own several vintage and boutique tube amps. I think that I'm crossing over from the best that money can buy to the most that money can buy. Not sure where it'll land, and maybe I'm wrong, but I DO know I could build a house out of used Peaveys for less than one new /13 or Two Rock.

[Octave Doctor]

I used to have a Pacer, it sounded better than I thought it would, especially for $50.00. When I got to the guy's house, he brought out a nearly mint amp, said it had been in his closet for 20 years. Of course, I asked him if he still had the guitar--he said he'd had a LP Custom that he'd sold back to the store he bought it from, for twice the money he'd paid for it.

The main quirk the Pacer had was that if you played it full blast, it sounded just like every LS studio album.

[Will Chen]

Originally Posted by PaddyBrumson

"Good to see some chat about some amps I can actually afford!!"
I've come to that conclusion too. After going through a bunch of moderate to expensive tube amps, I've decided to just look at what folks consider the better SS amps. So far I've gotten great deals on a used Red Stripe Bandit, Tech 21 TM60 and a Princeton Chorus. They all sound really good to me, especially since I've gotten rid of my tube amps to compare them to. I plan to keep looking for great sounding SS amps and feel good about not spending a bunch to have some of the best SS amps out there. Next up is a Roland Blues Cube.

I had one of those quasi tweed Roland Blues Cubes, the lowest wattage one (30?), for many years. The clean channel was very, very good. Single knob with a bright switch and tone for days. The higher gain channel sounded just a bit constrained and mid ragne heavy to me, kind like a TS9 was always on. If I ever see one of the higher power models at a great deal though, I might pick one up. I too am trying to build a small ss amp collection and have a TM60 and now Bandit 112. Really would like a Roland JC-77 as the thing I miss most of all the gear I've bought and sold is the JC-120 I used to have. The 77 seems like the perfect lighter weight substitute.