Peavey Classic 30 or DRRI

GG3 · August 15th, 2007, 11:04 PM

I played a Classic 30 today and it was excellent. I was wondering how a DRRI compares to it. Which one is the more practical amp in a non-gigging situation.

purpletele · August 15th, 2007, 11:18 PM

they're really both pretty loud (maybe too loud)for at home volumes. If you're looking for Fendery sounds, the DRRI is as good as it gets. The classic 30 is a great amp in it's own right though.

maestrovert · August 16th, 2007, 04:05 AM

this is my answer to yer question:

JohnnyCrash · August 16th, 2007, 04:25 AM

In a non-gigging situation... the Peavey classic 30 - hands down.

WHY?:

1. It has Master Volume/Gain controls so you can get overdriven sounds in a quiet bedroom.
2. It has Reverb.
3. It has footswitchable channels.
4. It has an Effects Loop.
5. And it is less expensive.

The DRRI is a great amp. But on the other hand it has to be cranked (LOUD) or used with a pedal to get any sort of overdrive and it is more expensive. One bonus is Tremolo, but the Peavey Delta Blues has Trem too (but no 'verb).

beep.click · August 16th, 2007, 05:10 AM

Those are two radically different amps!

What's practical for you depends on what style of music you're playing, the tone you like, etc. I own a Classic 30, and it's not especially practical for me at home, because it's not my favorite tone. It's great to transport, because it weighs nothing, and it gets the job done, but the tones don't make me drool. That being said, it definitely has its place in my "arsenal" (I recorded one of my favorite guitar solos with it, using the overdrive sound.)

If you love it, though, it's a great practical choice for you.

FYI, my friend owns a DRRI and only plays by himself, at home -- and he doesn't like it...

Tele The Truth · August 16th, 2007, 07:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beep.click

Those are two radically different amps!

Ain't that the truth!

I struggled with buying a small portable combo almost two years ago, and I tried a bunch of amps (lots of Fenders). I ended up going with the C30 cause of tone, versatility and price. I did a speaker swap and put a cannabis rex in and it worked wonders. Then again, the DRRI does what it does very well and I would certainly like to have one of those too. You're really got to play both amps and make up your mind from there.

11 Gauge · August 16th, 2007, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnnyCrash

One bonus is Tremolo, but the Peavey Delta Blues has Trem too (but no 'verb).

Actually, my DB 1X15 had trem and 'verb. I thought that neither were particularly great, though (FWIW I think the trem on the DRRI, DB, and most amps is not that great). BUT with a simple chip swap on the C30, the reverb becomes much nicer sounding, and you don't have to worry about the extra tubes that the DRRI uses for the 'verb. The chip is the same one as used in Tube Screamers, and has a socket in place, so you can swap to your heart's content.

Both the C30 and DRRI are quite loud for home use. Really, any 2X6V6 or 4XEL84 and up amps are just plain loud at a point where they start to sound lively.

For home use, I would suggest a Fender Champ (tweed or BF), VibroChamp, Peavey Classic 20, etc. There are some killer kit amps that are 20 watts or less. If you don't know how to build one, you can find someone to do it, or purchase it assembled.

Just as an aside, I think that the Classic 20 is the BEST of the series that Peavey made. Just compare the schematic to the C30/C50/DB/etc...- it has none of the 'filler' features that the others have, odd component values, tone killing deficiencies (the OD channel on the C30 has a cap in the circuit that makes it sound very thin). Heck, the C20 even has DC FILAMENTS on the preamp tubes for super quiet operation - typically you only find this on expensive amps, and it was unheard of back in the 90s when the 'classic' line came out...

...Try out a C20 if you can find one. It is amazing how organic and vibey they sound. I wish I would have bought one back when they were still in production

pickinpete · August 16th, 2007, 12:02 PM

I use the classic 30 for gigging AND for home practice. I love this amp so much im saving to get a second classic 30 for the road and leave the other at home. I keep thinking I love the 30 so much I might want the 50 for the standby switch but I have yet to use up 30 watts, so I cant justify 50. So I guess my vote is the

Pickin Pete
www.billsbluegrass.com

Chito · August 16th, 2007, 01:18 PM

Classic 30 here too. Put in a Weber Blue Dog Ceramic speaker and JJ tubes on it and you got an amp that would give amps that cost twice as much a run for their money.

xStonr · August 16th, 2007, 07:40 PM

Classic 30 here too. Upgraded the speaker to the Blue Dog also. JJ's as power tubes, but wanted my amp brighter so I have EH in the pres. This amp kicks!

Durtdog · August 16th, 2007, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beep.click

Those are two radically different amps!
I own a Classic 30, and it's not especially practical for me at home, because it's not my favorite tone. It's great to transport, because it weighs nothing, and it gets the job done, but the tones don't make me drool.

My sentiments exactly. It's a Camry. Does what it does well, without a lot of fuss.

Sleph · August 16th, 2007, 08:18 PM

Play both...buy one....but either seem a bit overkill for non giging.

Traynor YCV20, Laney VC15, Rivera Pubster, Fender BJ would all be great for someone who isn't giging.

Pvee · August 17th, 2007, 02:21 PM

What about a ROland Micro cube.??

I have not heard one, but I know a guy that uses one in a Church.
Don't know if he Mic's it or takes the output into their system.

He swears it sounds very good even with it's small speaker.

Carvin also has a small tube amp that sounds intersting.

pvp

August 15th, 2007, 11:04 PM	#1 (permalink)
GG3 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: BAY AREA, CA Posts: 144	Peavey Classic 30 or DRRI I played a Classic 30 today and it was excellent. I was wondering how a DRRI compares to it. Which one is the more practical amp in a non-gigging situation.

August 15th, 2007, 11:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
purpletele Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Morgantown,WV Posts: 654 10 Photos	hmm they're really both pretty loud (maybe too loud)for at home volumes. If you're looking for Fendery sounds, the DRRI is as good as it gets. The classic 30 is a great amp in it's own right though.

August 16th, 2007, 04:05 AM	#3 (permalink)
maestrovert Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: West Branch Mi. Posts: 5,923	this is my answer to yer question: __________________ Sing the Song Bro' Play on Drummer www.godonthe.net

August 16th, 2007, 01:18 PM	#9 (permalink)
Chito TDPRI Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ottawa, Ontario Posts: 72	Classic 30 here too. Put in a Weber Blue Dog Ceramic speaker and JJ tubes on it and you got an amp that would give amps that cost twice as much a run for their money. __________________ www.mosayk.ca

August 16th, 2007, 04:25 AM	#4 (permalink)
JohnnyCrash Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Lost Angeles and Orange County Posts: 7,128	In a non-gigging situation... the Peavey classic 30 - hands down. WHY?: 1. It has Master Volume/Gain controls so you can get overdriven sounds in a quiet bedroom. 2. It has Reverb. 3. It has footswitchable channels. 4. It has an Effects Loop. 5. And it is less expensive. The DRRI is a great amp. But on the other hand it has to be cranked (LOUD) or used with a pedal to get any sort of overdrive and it is more expensive. One bonus is Tremolo, but the Peavey Delta Blues has Trem too (but no 'verb).

August 16th, 2007, 05:10 AM	#5 (permalink)
beep.click Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: California Age: 49 Posts: 1,567	Those are two radically different amps! What's practical for you depends on what style of music you're playing, the tone you like, etc. I own a Classic 30, and it's not especially practical for me at home, because it's not my favorite tone. It's great to transport, because it weighs nothing, and it gets the job done, but the tones don't make me drool. That being said, it definitely has its place in my "arsenal" (I recorded one of my favorite guitar solos with it, using the overdrive sound.) If you love it, though, it's a great practical choice for you. FYI, my friend owns a DRRI and only plays by himself, at home -- and he doesn't like it...

August 16th, 2007, 12:02 PM	#8 (permalink)
pickinpete Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Lawrenceburg, TN Age: 42 Posts: 148 2 Photos	I use the classic 30 for gigging AND for home practice. I love this amp so much im saving to get a second classic 30 for the road and leave the other at home. I keep thinking I love the 30 so much I might want the 50 for the standby switch but I have yet to use up 30 watts, so I cant justify 50. So I guess my vote is the Pickin Pete www.billsbluegrass.com

August 16th, 2007, 07:40 PM	#10 (permalink)
xStonr Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Down in the Boondocks Posts: 1,279 4 Photos	Classic 30 here too. Upgraded the speaker to the Blue Dog also. JJ's as power tubes, but wanted my amp brighter so I have EH in the pres. This amp kicks!

August 16th, 2007, 08:18 PM	#12 (permalink)
Sleph Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 1,052 6 Photos	Play both...buy one....but either seem a bit overkill for non giging. Traynor YCV20, Laney VC15, Rivera Pubster, Fender BJ would all be great for someone who isn't giging.

August 17th, 2007, 02:21 PM	#13 (permalink)
Pvee Tele-Meister Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ohio Posts: 243	What about a ROland Micro cube.?? I have not heard one, but I know a guy that uses one in a Church. Don't know if he Mic's it or takes the output into their system. He swears it sounds very good even with it's small speaker. Carvin also has a small tube amp that sounds intersting. pvp