[cybermgk]

Many know I traded for a Peavey Classic 30 amp recently. Reviewed it Here

Liked the amp quite a bit, but felt it could be better. So I ordered some items to improve it.

All came today (amazing right there). Tube tamer, to keep the tubes from rattling at volume, a Tung Sol 12AX7 for V1 and a JJ ECC803S for V2, and a Wharehouese Guitars Speaker Reaper 12" (G12H30 replacement).





First took some clips stock, with well broken in everything.

Next replaced the V1 and V2 tubes. Took some clips for comparison.

Last, I replaced the Blue Marvel with the WGS Reaper. Also put the Tube Tamer on. For those who wish to replace the speaker in a C30, I HIGHLY recommend removing the amp chassis.

And everything back in



Clips.
All were recorded with Agile AL3200 with TV Jones Classics and the Peavey Classic 30 MICed with a SM57 offcenter, straight into Reaper.
Each Clip goes Neck, Both, Bridge on the EQ setting I have been using, then again with Mods and Treble turned up to 8 to check for high end shrillness. That shrillness doesn't come across so well on the clips (though you can still hear it), but it did in person.

Clean Stock
Clean After Preamp Tube Change
Clean after WGS Speaker (Brand new, unbroken in)
Clean after everything with Dyno Brain

OD Stock
OD after Pream Tube change
OD After WGS Speaker

I felt the new preamp tubes smoothed out the tone, specially when driven. Took away a little harshness.

Considering the WGS Reaper is brand spanking new, first time used was these clips, it sounds good, and better than the Blue Marvel. The complete bottom end isn't there yet, and I expect it to come as the speaker is broken in and loosens up. It's certainly louder at the same volume settings and much more sensitive (can hear every little pick noise). Also took away some more harshness.

I can actually now use the 3 eq knobs full sweep on both channels AND with the boost engaged. Boost sounds good too.

What I NOW need to do is find the EQ Sweet spot for the new tubes and speaker. Still running with what I was using before.

Opinions?

Per request, a bunch of OD clips. Long day, tired, so pardon the slips and crap playing.

Same setup as before. Did three sets for each gain level Just Lead, Lead with the Mods scooped, then Lead with Boost on. Clip goes Neck, middle, Bridge, the repeats for 2nd pattern. Last clip is 4 Dirt pedals (none really dialed in for this amp yet) Neck, middle, Bridge once for each pedal.

Pedals in order Jeckyl and Hyde Dist, Moen Moo Fuzz, Jet City Guitar Slinger OD, Tone Bone Hot Brit Distortion. The JCA OD really needs a tweek.

Light Gain
Light Gain mid scooped
Light Gain with boost

Med Gain
Med Gain mid scooped
Med Gain with boost

Heavy Gain1
Heavy Gain2

Heavy Gain mid scooped
Heavy Gain with boost

Dirt Pedals on normal/clean ch

[Lizardkinged]

Dig the WGS Love. Get the latest Email with clip of the 5 comparisons in the Barrish cab gearmandude did? Excellent comparison.

I cant have any opinions about the settings (never used the amp) but if its anything like I imagine, I would say give it mids, set bass and treb where you like it.

Very cool.

[sligo ray]

Lol. That sounds nothing like my Delta Blues. Before or after. I can hear the difference you've made, but that's about it.

[nadles]

I like the WGS Reaper.

[Tony65x55]

Lots of work, thanks for doing that. I really like the clean channel on the C30 but I'm not too impressed with the overdrive. I find it sounds brittle and abrasive. Did your mods help that? I listened to the clips but you know computer speakers...

[cybermgk]

Originally Posted by Tony65x55

Lots of work, thanks for doing that. I really like the clean channel on the C30 but I'm not too impressed with the overdrive. I find it sounds brittle and abrasive. Did your mods help that? I listened to the clips but you know computer speakers...

Overall, the new speaker adds depth and complexity across the board. Much less abrasive. BIGGEST change is before, if you got the treble or mids or both set too high, it stated getting shrill and harsh, specially when driven. Now, the highs never do that if you crank the EQ up, you just get more of whatever. So, I suspect thats going to help. Problem with a new speaker is you don't have all the bass your going to until it breaks in and lossens up. But, I'll try and do a lead ch and boost series of clips later today.

[Skev]

Oh pretty good ! I ve also tried a change of power amp stage: 6l6 vs 5881 . I return to 6l6 . I made that change on an old blues deluxe green board. The tungsol were good but there was not creamy just pure drive when crancked but i think ( is it a mistake?) i lost low frequencies. The amp was moded through a Fromel kit , so after that it was clear enough.

[Tony65x55]

Thanks Cyber, I really wasn't trying to put you to work but I have a C30 and I'm unsure if I love it or not. I know with my Deluxe Reverb a new speaker made a HUGE difference and I find the C30 overdrive to be abrasive sounding, particularly with single coils. Thanks for the great info.

[cybermgk]

No Problem

Per request, a bunch of OD clips. Long day, tired, so pardon the slips and crap playing.

Same setup as before. Did three sets for each gain level Just Lead, Lead with the Mods scooped, then Lead with Boost on. Clip goes Neck, middle, Bridge, the repeats for 2nd pattern. Last clip is 4 Dirt pedals (none really dialed in for this amp yet) Neck, middle, Bridge once for each pedal.

Pedals in order Jeckyl and Hyde Dist, Moen Moo Fuzz, Jet City Guitar Slinger OD, Tone Bone Hot Brit Distortion. The JCA OD really needs a tweek.

Light Gain
Light Gain mid scooped
Light Gain with boost

Med Gain
Med Gain mid scooped
Med Gain with boost

Heavy Gain1
Heavy Gain2

Heavy Gain mid scooped
Heavy Gain with boost

Dirt Pedals on normal/clean ch

[Tony65x55]

Thank you Cyber. Awesome and exhaustive work. Good job and very useful info.

[The Marlin]

Originally Posted by cybermgk

No Problem

Per request, a bunch of OD clips. Long day, tired, so pardon the slips and crap playing.

Same setup as before. Did three sets for each gain level Just Lead, Lead with the Mods scooped, then Lead with Boost on. Clip goes Neck, middle, Bridge, the repeats for 2nd pattern. Last clip is 4 Dirt pedals (none really dialed in for this amp yet) Neck, middle, Bridge once for each pedal.

Pedals in order Jeckyl and Hyde Dist, Moen Moo Fuzz, Jet City Guitar Slinger OD, Tone Bone Hot Brit Distortion. The JCA OD really needs a tweek.

Light Gain
Light Gain mid scooped
Light Gain with boost

Med Gain
Med Gain mid scooped
Med Gain with boost

Heavy Gain1
Heavy Gain2

Heavy Gain mid scooped
Heavy Gain with boost

Dirt Pedals on normal/clean ch

What settings do you use?
Have you tried bass and treble at 12 o'clock, and middle almost off? My friend uses a Gretsch Setzer Hot Rod, and at performance volumes, it sounds amazing.
The Classic 30 is a very underrated amp, and a used bargain. The Celestian Modern lead speaker is also a popular speaker upgrade. There is a thriving mod community based around this amp. I've fancied one for ages, but am more than catered for with the 6 amps I have. Too many really.

Marlin

[cybermgk]

Originally Posted by The Marlin

What settings do you use?
Have you tried bass and treble at 12 o'clock, and middle almost off? My friend uses a Gretsch Setzer Hot Rod, and at performance volumes, it sounds amazing.
The Classic 30 is a very underrated amp, and a used bargain. The Celestian Modern lead speaker is also a popular speaker upgrade. There is a thriving mod community based around this amp. I've fancied one for ages, but am more than catered for with the 6 amps I have. Too many really.

Marlin

For the non scooped mids, Bass at 8. Mid at 5 and treble at 6.5. Scooped Mids, had mids at like 3.5. I;ll give a shot on above settings

[The Marlin]

This is a good article, if you're handy with a soldering iron: http://blueguitar.org/new/articles/b...30_origmod.pdf

You need to search this site a bit, it's badly designed, and looks a but 90's, but there is some great info on there. Search for the Classic 30 to see basic and serious mods.

Cheers

Marlin

[cybermgk]

Originally Posted by The Marlin

This is a good article, if you're handy with a soldering iron: http://blueguitar.org/new/articles/b...30_origmod.pdf

You need to search this site a bit, it's badly designed, and looks a but 90's, but there is some great info on there. Search for the Classic 30 to see basic and serious mods.

Cheers

Marlin

Already found that, but thanks. DOwnloaded his complete mods over the years in PDF.

Going to wait until the WGS is broken in then look at what I don't like. So far, each time I play the amp with the new speaker, it sounds better and better. Currently have a clean dialed in I REALLY like, and a bluesy crunch on the Lead Ch as well. As of today, Bass at 8.2 Mid at 7 and Treble at 5.7 sounds very good with the TV Jones Classics.

[Lizardkinged]

I'm digging Peavy's Windsor line. Kinda the best of The Classic and Valveking line in one box.