Amp dilemma. Peavey Delta.

[cowboy rob61]

Here today 'cos I've got a bit of a dilemma.
That is I'm getting sick of not being able to turn my Peavey Delta Blues 115 above '4'. Even in a big hall!
The vintage channel turned up is so much better than the drive channel. Should I trade in for a Blues Junior, or could any of you guys recommend a great pedal to put in front of the Delta? I know there are attenuators out there but they seem like a lotta dough, and the speaker still won't be getting pushed.
Is there any sophisticated way of "putting a blanket" over the amp without muffling things or starting a fire...............?

Thanks, obviously going a little crazy over here......

[BigDaddyLH]

So ... your problem is your amp is too loud?

[cowboy rob61]

Yeah.

Ok, I'll trade in.

[ggiles]

Not a problem I've had with my 115. I'm happy with the low volume sound I'm getting.
Keep playing around with the drive channel ... there are some good sounds in there.

But if you are not happy ... you are not happy.

[bo]

Try a Visual Sound Open Road overdrive in front of it. Good luck.

[Jared Purdy]

I am completely lost here. You are playing in halls, and you say that it is too loud? I don't understand. If it is too loud, turn it down!

[BigDaddyLH]

Originally Posted by Jared Purdy

I am completely lost here. You are playing in halls, and you say that it is too loud? I don't understand. If it is too loud, turn it down!

I guess he's saying he likes the sound of a speaker being pushed until it is compressing or breaking up (not clear which) but that's pretty loud with the Peavey's 15".

[stantheman]

Turn it around.

[jjkrause84]

He's from Essex, don't pay any attention.....

Just kidding!

First and foremost try an overdrive pedal...there's literally thousands out there that do whatever you might want an OD pedal to do. The first question (in my mind) is: do you want it to preserve your tone or do you want it to fundamentally change your tone. So, when you kick on the overdrive do you think it should sound like your normal sound but with a bit of hair or should it sound more like a Plexi, for example. Second thing is the type of music you play (i.e. do youo need OD or distortion) and lastly is your budget. Work those out and then we can start recommending individual pedals.

If that doesn't work then an attenuator it just might be. The BEST ones can be had for around $200 used (I'm thining a Dr. Z Airbrake) which is not THAT bad really.

[Singin' Dave]

Good advice so far.

A nice OD pedal can give you that two channel amp you need - pristine cleans when off and good grind when engaged. Also turning the amp to a walll or off beam can let you open it up a bit as well, but I think the OD pedal is likely more versatile.

An attenuator is another possibilty, as is getting a lower efficiency speaker. Finally, it just might not be the right amp for you. Another amp with lower wattage and headroom (Classic 20, BJr etc.) that allows you to get it cooking without annoying you might be the real solution. But that's a nice amp.

Anyway, good on you for knowing your amp is too loud!

[DigitalHater]

I have one of them, I clipped the leads on the outer pair of tubes, so I could get half power (I understand there's an impedance mismatch, but there is an equal mismatch when I use my 15" extension cab like I have for years). So for half power, no extra cab, too much mismatch. You have to do this screwy method, because Peavey has something that wont let the amp run if you blow up or take out a tube. With the EL84, gap in the pins on the bottom, clip the 3 pins on the left, and the 4 pins on the right. That will leave you with the center pin, and the one to the left (at this orientation). I'm no amp tech, just read too much. I think this leaves you with only the filaments still in the circuit, the heaters, idunno. All I do know, is that it works, because I'm with you. I ignore the existence of the drive channel (I've gotten some better tones out of it with interesting tube swaps, 12AY, 12AU, etc.. but at the detriment of the clean channel, and I can't have that, that's why I like the amp). This leaves me with an amp that I'm willing to cook in my basement, I keep all the tubes in for shows, really helps you get some low-er volume crunch out of that fat clean channel

[T Prior]

I use a Classic 30 for almost all gigs ( basically the same amp) I rarely ever get past 3 or 4 on the volume meter...but I do use a Sparkle Drive on the front end for edge.


Going to a less powerful amp with less clean gain is going to be a bigger problem than the one being discussed here, you can't get more clean gain from an amp if it ain't there.

Get a quality gain pedal, Exotic, Sparkle or others mentioned...

Then live a happy long life !

t

[cooktimj]

+1

Sounds like you need either an overdrive, compressor sustainer, or both. The higher end OD pedals like the mentioned Sparkle Drive, Xotic, and even a good TS808 clone should get the OD you're looking for without coloring the natural tone of the amp.

Come to think of it, isn't the Sparkle Drive a modified TS808 clone?

Compressors don't seem to be too popular here, but I like a subtle swell to the notes and my CS-3 does a fine job of that when adjusted correctly. If you want one and can afford it, I'd recommend the CS1 or CS2 though.

[androo]

I've done this mod before...it does work, but I went back to stock before long. Drops the Delta Blues to 15 watts, all ya do is clip two pins on two of the power tubes.....here's a PDF I found for you, complete with pics and a very good description.

PDF

[androo]

PS...I would not trade the DB for a BJ. I've had one in the home, for just such a possibility. The DB is simply a better sounding amp, IMO. It smoked the BJ on all accounts....except perhaps the Fender style reverb. You will absolutely miss the warmth and excellent mids that you must be used to by now.