Peavey or Crate?

Twin Reiver · June 26th, 2006, 07:39 PM

I've realized, of late, that I have way too much amp for my needs these days (a 76 SF Twin Reverb and a 76 Marshall 50 watt JMP). I've been looking for smaller tube amps to retire the heavy artillery. I have a friend who swears by his Peavey Delta Blues, which sounds great, and I recently played through a couple of the Crate Palomino amps at a Guitar Center.

What do you guys like better and why, the Peavey Classics or the Crate Classics/Palominos? (I play straight Stonesy rock 'n' roll, blues, etc. I'll be playing vintage-style Teles, an Epiphone Dot, and a Junior through it.)

Thanks for any advice!

sandman72202 · June 26th, 2006, 07:59 PM

i've had a v1512 crate with a tone tubby and i have a peavey classic 20. the crate was nice, but a little dark to me. now it may be i didn't fully break the speaker in. but i just thought is wasn't versatile enough for me, and at the time i hada vfx5112 crate that was....could do clean better and get just as crunch ...with effects to boot.
the little peavey i have, is great, just 15 watts although its only going into a 10 inch speaker sounds great and is light . no reverb though but the way it sounds i don't really miss it.
if i were searching i would be leaning towards one of the peaveys like a 30 or a delta blues, or even a classic 20 like mine as it has plenty of power and has an out to an extension cab if you want it.

just my 2cents

BB · June 26th, 2006, 08:21 PM

I think either would be agreat choice. Both make very good sounding, cost effective amps.

The Delta Blues has nice tones stock out of the box. I bet they would kill with a speaker/tube upgrade, but as is, they are good to go.

I have not tried the new Crate amps, but really like the tones of the older VC series. Still kick myself on passing up several for cheap some time back.

Others to consider are the Laney VC series ( their LC-15 gets stellar reveiws )....and the new Kustom 36 coupe. Tried one of those at a local store and man, what a great sounding amp.

Good luck Twin...let me know what you come up with!

scudgebucket · June 27th, 2006, 03:59 AM

I would get both. You should be able to find both models used for under $500 total.
I have the Crate V1512. Definite keeper! A great amp to use with humbuckers. Snarl and grit as you like it. Yes, a bit on the dark side, but it does it very well for the price.

I also have a Peavey Classic 20. It continues to blow me away with how good it sounds, pumping both teles and strats. Both the clean and the gain settings always draw +++ comments before living room guests. Brings out the best of most Fender electrics.

goldtopper · June 27th, 2006, 05:39 AM

I play through a Crate Palomino V16 and adore it. I think the Peavey and Crate tube amps are about equal in terms of value, but the Crate has the characteristics of the old Fender tubes I used to use- a '57 Vibrolux and a '59 Champ. The best thing is it looks great and I don't freak when moving/storing or leaving it somewhere where thieving magpies exist.
Excellent clean tones and great breakup when the gain is raised. It's my favorite amp in a long time.

Joe-Bob · June 27th, 2006, 03:51 PM

I have a Crate V3112 with a Tone Tubby in it. I really like the amp. I'm not sure how it compares to the version with the Celestion, but it's a great amp.

Chris S. · June 27th, 2006, 05:10 PM

I have a Peavey Classic 30, a Crate V1512, and a Peavey Classic 20.

The PC30 is the "brute" of the bunch, and is probably a smaller step down from the amps you've been using. A used Peavey Classic 30 (and its 'brother,' the Delta Blues) is one of the best gear buys available, period.

The Crate V1512 is a real screamer; between the master volume and the gain knob you can dial in exactly the right amount of whichever kind of overdrive you want, pre-amp or power tube. I still take both amps out for gigs on occasion, and they both sound great. The Peavey Classic 20 overdrives too soon to make it gig-worthy (IMO), but it's a fun living room toy.

I don't think you can go too wrong either way. :-) Best of luck, CS

petebradt · June 27th, 2006, 05:48 PM

5E3. All the amp you need for club gigs of any kind. Honest.

Chris S. · June 27th, 2006, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by petebradt

5E3. All the amp you need for club gigs of any kind. Honest.

Yeah, I have one of those, too. (G.A.S. What can I say?

) And while I dearly love mine, it's not always capable of producing enough clean un-mic'd volume to keep up with a full band and an energetic drummer. Honest. :-) But strictly IMO, of course.

CS

tbp0701 · June 27th, 2006, 07:41 PM

I've been debating this, too. I've been wanting a Princeton Reverb or something built on an old tweed circuit for a while, but those seem hard to find and fairly expensive, so I've been looking at Peaveys, Crates and the Fender Juniors quite a bit. Mainly, the Crate V8 Palomino has sparked some interest, especially if I can get that 20% off deal at GC. I'm thinking that might be a nice hold over until I can convince myself to order a Li'l Dawg or something. I keep looking at the Peaveys, too, and they do seem very nice, but I have to admit I developed a bit of a bias in my audio engineering days (mid-late 80s, when some of the bad reputation seemed deserved).

franchelB · June 27th, 2006, 09:01 PM

I have and play a "PV" Delta Blues, and a couple of friends have Crate's V30s...
nothing personal on the other guys, but quite frankly, I prefer my Delta Blues!

emeprod · June 28th, 2006, 03:15 AM

Obviously, the suggestions are gonna' be all over the place on this one, subjective as the issue is. So, take this opinion with a grain of salt.

I had a Peavey Classic 50 but it was the one with 4x10 speakers. I'm sure it sounds a wee bit different than the Classic 30 or the Delta Blues. I was playing mostly country stuff with a Telecaster and it just didn't "twang" like I wanted it too. I now use a Crate V1512 and like it very much. However, unlike some others, I found the V1512 to be very bright with my telecaster and have to completely turn the Treble knob off to avoid the "ice-pick" in the ears syndrome. I imagine a large part of this is related to the Celestion speaker in the V1512 but I don't know that for certain. Regardless, I certainly like the sound of this amp a lot more for what I do than the Peavey I had.

I have a Dr. Z Maz 38 with 2 Celestion Blues in it for the gigs where more power is needed but I haven't played such a gig in more than 2 years. Every other gig has used the V1512. I still do the regular country gig but play a lot of rock gigs now as well and the V1512, with the help of some nice pedals of course, does a very good job.

It is also much easier to carry than the 4x10 Peavey was....:)

I would imagine you'd do fine with either amp. Certainly, if you get a chance to play them before buying, do so, as a lot will depend on what guitar you're using as well as what sound you're looking for.

Fourth Feline · July 4th, 2006, 11:11 PM

I have been very happy with a Peavey Classic 20 (1x10) at 15watts. As I like some clean headroom to play with, I replaced the stock speaker with a Jensen C10R and ensured that I used my lower gain pre-amp valves in it. Lovely spanky sound, yet still warm when needed. I find it comes into it's own with master volume and all tone controls at max (12) - then bring the pre volume up to about 3-4 for a tele.

stephent2 · July 5th, 2006, 11:11 AM

as far as price, tone and feel...I don't think the Crate V series can be beat. I've had the 15w and the 30w combo amps and a band member has been using my old 30w combo (V3112) for a year and a half with no issues, he loves it. the notes "bloom" like a good boutique amp, it's very dynamic and touch sensitive.

Vol. Knob · July 7th, 2006, 04:20 PM

I second the 5E3 nod! Really, it's as REAL sounding as you can get.

pick & 2 fingers · July 8th, 2006, 03:36 PM

Ok....ummm

Go easy on me now...

I'm sure the answer should be obvious...but....what's a 5E3?

tbp0701 · July 8th, 2006, 04:25 PM

pick & 2 fingers - "5E3" is the circuit code for the late-50s-era (tweed) Fender Deluxe. I guess people have started calling it by that, since there are so many clones and independent builders using it as the basis for their own amps. And, well, once you learn those codes, it's easy to forget that most people don't know what they are.

If you're interested, here's a handy link about Fender amps: www.ampwares.com/ffg/

June 26th, 2006, 07:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
Twin Reiver Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 596	Peavey or Crate? I've realized, of late, that I have way too much amp for my needs these days (a 76 SF Twin Reverb and a 76 Marshall 50 watt JMP). I've been looking for smaller tube amps to retire the heavy artillery. I have a friend who swears by his Peavey Delta Blues, which sounds great, and I recently played through a couple of the Crate Palomino amps at a Guitar Center. What do you guys like better and why, the Peavey Classics or the Crate Classics/Palominos? (I play straight Stonesy rock 'n' roll, blues, etc. I'll be playing vintage-style Teles, an Epiphone Dot, and a Junior through it.) Thanks for any advice! __________________ never got a flash out of cocktails....

June 27th, 2006, 03:59 AM	#4 (permalink)
scudgebucket Tele-Meister Join Date: May 2003 Location: Cupertino, California Posts: 109	Double Your Pleasure I would get both. You should be able to find both models used for under $500 total. I have the Crate V1512. Definite keeper! A great amp to use with humbuckers. Snarl and grit as you like it. Yes, a bit on the dark side, but it does it very well for the price. I also have a Peavey Classic 20. It continues to blow me away with how good it sounds, pumping both teles and strats. Both the clean and the gain settings always draw +++ comments before living room guests. Brings out the best of most Fender electrics. __________________ ...there was a Never Ending Tour, but it ended in '91. The Money Never Runs Out Tour, Why Do You Look at Me So Strangely Tour, Principles of Action Tour, Outburst of Consciousness Tour, The One Sad Cry of Pity Tour, and others too many to mention.

June 27th, 2006, 05:39 AM	#5 (permalink)
goldtopper Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Somewhere Between Heaven and Hell Posts: 1,000	I play through a Crate Palomino V16 and adore it. I think the Peavey and Crate tube amps are about equal in terms of value, but the Crate has the characteristics of the old Fender tubes I used to use- a '57 Vibrolux and a '59 Champ. The best thing is it looks great and I don't freak when moving/storing or leaving it somewhere where thieving magpies exist. Excellent clean tones and great breakup when the gain is raised. It's my favorite amp in a long time. __________________ ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

June 27th, 2006, 03:51 PM	#6 (permalink)
Joe-Bob Friend of Leo's Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Dallas, Texas Age: 46 Posts: 4,017	I have a Crate V3112 with a Tone Tubby in it. I really like the amp. I'm not sure how it compares to the version with the Celestion, but it's a great amp. __________________ "German is the language God uses when He really means business." --FZ

June 27th, 2006, 05:10 PM	#7 (permalink)
Chris S. Moderator Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Near TELE-Town (Wash. DC) Posts: 2,971 7 Photos	I own one of each. I have a Peavey Classic 30, a Crate V1512, and a Peavey Classic 20. The PC30 is the "brute" of the bunch, and is probably a smaller step down from the amps you've been using. A used Peavey Classic 30 (and its 'brother,' the Delta Blues) is one of the best gear buys available, period. The Crate V1512 is a real screamer; between the master volume and the gain knob you can dial in exactly the right amount of whichever kind of overdrive you want, pre-amp or power tube. I still take both amps out for gigs on occasion, and they both sound great. The Peavey Classic 20 overdrives too soon to make it gig-worthy (IMO), but it's a fun living room toy. I don't think you can go too wrong either way. :-) 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"

June 26th, 2006, 07:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
sandman72202 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Arkansas, currently on walkabout Posts: 476	i've had a v1512 crate with a tone tubby and i have a peavey classic 20. the crate was nice, but a little dark to me. now it may be i didn't fully break the speaker in. but i just thought is wasn't versatile enough for me, and at the time i hada vfx5112 crate that was....could do clean better and get just as crunch ...with effects to boot. the little peavey i have, is great, just 15 watts although its only going into a 10 inch speaker sounds great and is light . no reverb though but the way it sounds i don't really miss it. if i were searching i would be leaning towards one of the peaveys like a 30 or a delta blues, or even a classic 20 like mine as it has plenty of power and has an out to an extension cab if you want it. just my 2cents

June 26th, 2006, 08:21 PM	#3 (permalink)
BB Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Pacific NW Age: 53 Posts: 3,188	I think either would be agreat choice. Both make very good sounding, cost effective amps. The Delta Blues has nice tones stock out of the box. I bet they would kill with a speaker/tube upgrade, but as is, they are good to go. I have not tried the new Crate amps, but really like the tones of the older VC series. Still kick myself on passing up several for cheap some time back. Others to consider are the Laney VC series ( their LC-15 gets stellar reveiws )....and the new Kustom 36 coupe. Tried one of those at a local store and man, what a great sounding amp. Good luck Twin...let me know what you come up with!

June 27th, 2006, 05:48 PM	#8 (permalink)
petebradt Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Niner Country Posts: 3,519 12 Photos	5E3. All the amp you need for club gigs of any kind. Honest.

June 27th, 2006, 07:41 PM	#10 (permalink)
tbp0701 Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 494	I've been debating this, too. I've been wanting a Princeton Reverb or something built on an old tweed circuit for a while, but those seem hard to find and fairly expensive, so I've been looking at Peaveys, Crates and the Fender Juniors quite a bit. Mainly, the Crate V8 Palomino has sparked some interest, especially if I can get that 20% off deal at GC. I'm thinking that might be a nice hold over until I can convince myself to order a Li'l Dawg or something. I keep looking at the Peaveys, too, and they do seem very nice, but I have to admit I developed a bit of a bias in my audio engineering days (mid-late 80s, when some of the bad reputation seemed deserved).

June 27th, 2006, 09:01 PM	#11 (permalink)
franchelB Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Irving, United States of Texas! Age: 43 Posts: 1,897	I have and play a "PV" Delta Blues, and a couple of friends have Crate's V30s... nothing personal on the other guys, but quite frankly, I prefer my Delta Blues!

June 28th, 2006, 03:15 AM	#12 (permalink)
emeprod TDPRI Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Posts: 30	Obviously, the suggestions are gonna' be all over the place on this one, subjective as the issue is. So, take this opinion with a grain of salt. I had a Peavey Classic 50 but it was the one with 4x10 speakers. I'm sure it sounds a wee bit different than the Classic 30 or the Delta Blues. I was playing mostly country stuff with a Telecaster and it just didn't "twang" like I wanted it too. I now use a Crate V1512 and like it very much. However, unlike some others, I found the V1512 to be very bright with my telecaster and have to completely turn the Treble knob off to avoid the "ice-pick" in the ears syndrome. I imagine a large part of this is related to the Celestion speaker in the V1512 but I don't know that for certain. Regardless, I certainly like the sound of this amp a lot more for what I do than the Peavey I had. I have a Dr. Z Maz 38 with 2 Celestion Blues in it for the gigs where more power is needed but I haven't played such a gig in more than 2 years. Every other gig has used the V1512. I still do the regular country gig but play a lot of rock gigs now as well and the V1512, with the help of some nice pedals of course, does a very good job. It is also much easier to carry than the 4x10 Peavey was....:) I would imagine you'd do fine with either amp. Certainly, if you get a chance to play them before buying, do so, as a lot will depend on what guitar you're using as well as what sound you're looking for.

July 4th, 2006, 11:11 PM	#13 (permalink)
Fourth Feline Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Yorkshire, England. Age: 50 Posts: 669	I have been very happy with a Peavey Classic 20 (1x10) at 15watts. As I like some clean headroom to play with, I replaced the stock speaker with a Jensen C10R and ensured that I used my lower gain pre-amp valves in it. Lovely spanky sound, yet still warm when needed. I find it comes into it's own with master volume and all tone controls at max (12) - then bring the pre volume up to about 3-4 for a tele. __________________ " The blues is the truth : happy or sad - just the truth "

July 5th, 2006, 11:11 AM	#14 (permalink)
stephent2 Friend of Leo's Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Atlanta, GA. Age: 57 Posts: 2,628 20 Photos	as far as price, tone and feel...I don't think the Crate V series can be beat. I've had the 15w and the 30w combo amps and a band member has been using my old 30w combo (V3112) for a year and a half with no issues, he loves it. the notes "bloom" like a good boutique amp, it's very dynamic and touch sensitive. __________________ ".. Pine cones go in here (points to still), party liquors comes out here and proceed to here (mouth). Fights begin, finger prints are took, days is lost, bail is made, court dates are ignored, cycle is repeated". -- Earlie Cuyler, Squidbillies

July 7th, 2006, 04:20 PM	#15 (permalink)
Vol. Knob Tele-Holic Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Kansas City, MO Posts: 577 103 Photos	I second the 5E3 nod! Really, it's as REAL sounding as you can get. __________________ I have a few bands: 7 Mysteries Zerababyl Inflammatory Rhetoric

July 8th, 2006, 03:36 PM	#16 (permalink)
pick & 2 fingers Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Jeff City Mo Age: 43 Posts: 239	Ok....ummm Go easy on me now... I'm sure the answer should be obvious...but....what's a 5E3?

July 8th, 2006, 04:25 PM	#17 (permalink)
tbp0701 Tele-Meister Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Ohio Posts: 494	pick & 2 fingers - "5E3" is the circuit code for the late-50s-era (tweed) Fender Deluxe. I guess people have started calling it by that, since there are so many clones and independent builders using it as the basis for their own amps. And, well, once you learn those codes, it's easy to forget that most people don't know what they are. If you're interested, here's a handy link about Fender amps: www.ampwares.com/ffg/