Peavey Classic 30 speaker question

[Marc Morfei]

I am getting a used Peavey Classic 30 next week, and am already thinking ahead. I'll give the stock Peavey speaker a fair trial. But I have an Emi Texas Heat sitting here that I am anxious to try. Others have said that speaker is a great match for this amp. Here is my question. My Texas Heat is 8 ohm, while the stock speaker is 16 ohm. I did a google search, and got lots of somewhat conflicting info. Here is a sample of what I read:

• Replace the 16o speaker with an 8o speaker, but plug it into the extension speaker jack, which is rated for 8 or 16 (manual states: minimal total impedance 8 ohms).
• Plugging an 8ohm speaker cab in the extension jack will cut power and the total ohms drops to 5.3. Plus doing so changes the sound of the amp, less low end.
• There is a simple trick to switch the built-in speaker from the 16 ohm tap to the 8 ohm tap: plug a bare 1/4" plug into the Extension Speaker jack. The internal switching contacts of the jack will connect the built-in speaker in parallel to the 8 ohm tap when anything is plugged into the Extension Speaker jack.
• Don't mess with trying to put an internal speaker in the extension jack.
• An 8ohm speaker can be installed exactly as the original speaker without any problems. However, if you install an 8 ohm speaker in the original manner, you can not add an extension cab.

Obviously I do not want to harm my amp, or reduce the power output. But it seems like there must be a way to use my 8ohm speaker properly in this amp. Does anyone have experience with this, or enough knowledge to straighten it out for me? Thanks guys,

 

[Fenderslinger]

I had a classic 30 with an 8 ohm replacement speaker. No factor whatsoever. It's an indestructible Peavey product and barring throwing it off a cliff, nothing will phase it.

Honestly, mismatched 8 ohm speaker and all, it was the ONLY tube amp i owned that never had to go in to the shop.

 

[ponce]

I used an 8 Ohm speaker in the same amp with a dummy plug in the extension output - I read somewhere that it's the way to go. It worked. Now I'm putting 2x10" in it, not really enough space. I have to move the power transformer offboard to make place.

 

[ponce]

I had blown the original Blue Marvel which was OK, loud and clean, although a bit boxy. Tried the WGS G12c/s, which was too muddy. With the Eminence Fender there was not enough headroom. A real PITA.

 

[leftfoot1381]

You'll be fine as long as you don't try to run an extension cab while you have the internal 8 ohm speaker.

 

[DTBlues]

I have a 90's one...When those stock speakers are broken in they have some nice tone

 

[uriah1]

Had billions in there. Use 8ohm tap. 5751 v1. Have fun.

 

[GuitarJonz]

My C30 has a Warehouse 8 ohm ET-65 speaker, with dummy plug in ext jack. Sounds and performs outstanding.

 

[Marc Morfei]

Had billions in there. Use 8ohm tap. 5751 v1. Have fun.

Translation? I have no idea what that means!

 

[Marc Morfei]

My C30 has a Warehouse 8 ohm ET-65 speaker, with dummy plug in ext jack.

And a homemade tube guard, it appears.

 

[GuitarJonz]

Yup, pine is cheap

 

[Les H]

I just emailed peavey earlier this week with basically the same question but mine is the head version of the classic 30 which only has a single speaker Jack that says 16 ohm. I asked about using an 8 ohm load.
Below is the response:


Hello,


Yes, it will work into 8 ohms. It is alright to use a lower impedance load on a tube amp.

The amp will produce a bit less power.


Thanks,

Peavey Customer Service

 

[uriah1]

Translation? I have no idea what that means!

Tried many many alnico and ceramic speakers in mine. All great, just different. C30 packs a lot of watts. Never tried the ET65,
but that would prob be good also to tame highs. The 5751 is a tube I used V1 (1st) preamp spot.