NAD - Peavey Delta Blues 115

[Riffraff12571]

I was looking for a Classic 30 to use as my main gigging amp for a new classic rock/country project I'm starting based on all of the good things I've heard about them. I didn't waste any time closing a deal on a DB115 when I saw one pop up locally on Craigslist. It's a nice early model in really great shape. It came with Valve Art EL84s and JJ 12AX7s. I'm really digging how great the amp sounds. I played it for a good long time last night using a MIA Ash Deluxe Strat and confirmed that it is a perfect fit for my needs. The amp already sounds fantastic with current tube line up so I can only imagine how much better it will be with some premium tubes in the preamp. I've got a I63 Mullard 7025/12AX7A for V1, a nice Ratheon black plate for V2 and a Baldwin labeled Sylvania long plate for V3 ready to go in. I'm looking forward to hearing how it reacts to those vs the JJs.

 

[XgamerGt03]

I had a Delta Blues 1x15 for about three years back when I was in college. Great amp for the cleans, the dirt wasn't the best for me but a tube screamer on the clean channel fixed all of that.

The only major suggestion I have is look at getting a tube shield for the amp. I didn't have one until I accidentally broke some glass while moving the amp. I actually installed a 15" Weber California Speaker and liked that quite a lot as well, but that was after owning the amp for long enough to really decide what it needed.

Happy NAD

 

[985plowboy]

Daddy like.

 

[Jim W]

I used one for years- sounded good and was dependable. I only used the clean channel and added the tube guard which I got from Peavey. Haven't used in a while as I seem to be playing mostly bass. I also got a PRRI which works for what I need (as did the Delta Blues), but the PRRI is lighter and easier to carry.

 

[vintage clubber]

Nice amp! I have that on my wish list.

 

[twangboy]

Traded for a classic 30. Waiting for it to arrive. A friend of mine has the DB, the C30 and a C20. The Delta Blues is the best in the line IMO, however i have recently heard of a rare Blues Classic model made for 2 years. 50w classic through a 15. That HAS to whomp.

 

[Riffraff12571]

The only major suggestion I have is look at getting a tube shield for the amp. I didn't have one until I accidentally broke some glass while moving the amp.

I'm planning on getting one. I wasn't sure if this had one or not because the seller only had 1 pic of it.

Traded for a classic 30. Waiting for it to arrive. A friend of mine has the DB, the C30 and a C20. The Delta Blues is the best in the line IMO, however I have recently heard of a rare Blues Classic model made for 2 years. 50w classic through a 15. That HAS to whomp.

I think the were just the Classic 50 in a combo form with a 15 and yes that would definitely kick. The seller actually has a Classic 50 head he was selling for the same price. He bought it used and the originall seller spray painted it black. Why?!! He recovered it with a similated leather material from a fabric company. It looked okay but I prefer the Tweed. I almost considered taking that instead but the thought of having to recover the head and drag around a 212 convinced me to go with the DB115. Besides, I don't have anything with a 15 and figured I could run this through one of my extension cabs if I ever have the desire.

 

[DaBender]

I had the 115 and only sold it to support my vintage amp habit. They're really excellent amps, and I thought the dirt channel was fine, I did some gigs with no pedals at all.

 

[Mike H.]

Congratulations on your amp purchase. There are few amps out there that sound as good for the money. The first thing I did with mine was install a tube guard. If you are going to be gigging with the amp, you really need to do this upgrade right away.

 

[JoeNeri]

Congrats. Peavey doesn't get enough credit for building a quality product at a reasonable price. I've had a DB (1x15) for the past 5-6 years and loved it - clean channel great, overdrive channel not so much. Just downsized to a lighter weight Peavey ValveKing 112. Enjoy the DB!

And, yes - a tube guard is a must.

 

[Scantron08]

Made right here in the crooked letter.

 

[Johnny Cache]

One of my Favorite amps.

 

[Big_Bend]

One of the few EL84 tube amps that I like. The clean channel is very nice.

Enjoy! Nice find...

 

[onlybrowning]

Too funny...I almost had a trade worked out with this guy until it realized the amp was in Middlebury, CT, not Vermont! I want that Classic 50 head! Too far to drive for me though.

Let me guess, your name is Ron?

Small world man!

 

[Riffraff12571]

Too funny...I almost had a trade worked out with this guy until it realized the amp was in Middlebury, CT, not Vermont! I want that Classic 50 head! Too far to drive for me though.

Let me guess, your name is Ron?

Small world man!

Wow, that is. I work in CT and just took the extreme far way home to get it.

 

[drewflax]

Congrats. I got one in October. If you don't dig the lead channel get an EQ pedal. Dial out the fizzy top end and you're all set. It's a nice amp.

 

[Riffraff12571]

I couldn't find a place where I could buy the nice formed tube protectors that also act as anti vibration devices. All I see on Ebay now is a flat steel one. I made one up myself out of some heavy gauge perforated steel sheet I had laying around. I finished it with flat black paint from a rattle can. It looks like it will work fine.



I also pulled the JJ 12AX7s from the preamp and replaced them with the tubes noted below:

V1 - RCA Black plate (clean channel)
V2 - I63 Mullard (dirty channel)
V3 - ANOS Baldwin labeled Sylvania long plate

The fiz on the dirty channel is gone and the amp sounds excellent cranked with the Mullard. It's very responsive to preamp tube changes, it was true night & day improvement. The clean was already nice but the RCA made it even better. She's ready to rock.

 

[vanr]

You can order the Peavey Classic 30/Delta Blues tubeguard/tube tamer directly from Peavey parts department. Be sure to order the heat-resistant foam also.

 

[Riffraff12571]

You can order the Peavey Classic 30/Delta Blues tubeguard/tube tamer directly from Peavey parts department. Be sure to order the heat-resistant foam also.

I'll probably do that. Having a some vibration dampening for the tubes would be a good thing, especially with the 15" speaker. I actually had to reconsider the Mullard in V2. It got to be too much with the gain at 5+ and the volume up. It shakes the tubes so much they start behaving like they are microphonic only it's a low hum/feedback. I actually ended up pulling it and swapping it with a GE 5751. That fixed the issue. It's still plenty crunchy in the dirty channel.

 

[vanr]

Don't have my Classic 30 anymore. Sold it when I bought my Classic 50 head. That Classic 50 is a monster and it loves my Telecaster.