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peavey centurion problems

Posted: Fri Apr 26, 2013 12:26 pm
by markschang
hello all, im new to this forum.
the names mark.
i recently bought a peavey centurion and the problem is that both channel lights are on and you can control the volume with the second channels knob when im plugged into the first channel.
could this be from someone using the footswitch(which i dont have) and leaving it on both channels and taking the footswitch out leaving both input lights on?
thanks for any help.
-mark-

Re: peavey centurion problems

Posted: Fri Apr 26, 2013 7:13 pm
by Enzo
No, there is no internal control memory, this is a very basic 70s amp.

It is normal for both lights to be on without the footswitch. They are on because both channels are live. If you plug into the automix jack, that feeds both channels, and if you have the footswitch, you can chose one channel or the other or both.

It is not normal to plug into one channel and have both still working, as in the other channel controls your sound too. That would only be normal plugged into the automix jack.


My suspicion is that the automix jack is the problem though. It has a grounding contact in it, that grounds the inputs when the jack is not in use. If that contact is bent or dirty, then the two channels do become wired together. I think that jack needs service, cleaning, or at worst, simply a new jack there.

Re: peavey centurion problems

Posted: Fri Apr 26, 2013 7:41 pm
by markschang
i had suspicions of that because the automix channel input is only works when pushed slightly to one direction.
thanks so much for the input!
pretty easy fix for a newbie? or should i just get it serviced by the local man?

Re: peavey centurion problems

Posted: Sat Apr 27, 2013 12:26 am
by Enzo
Depends on your skill. As repairs go it is about as simple as they get. Replacing the jack requires removing the board and soldering a new jack onto it.

Re: peavey centurion problems

Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 1:28 pm
by markschang
thanks a bunch for the info,
i also have another question.
the amp is rated at 130 watts at 4 ohms, so say if a ran two 8 ohm cabs with it(410 on top of a 115)
that would then make the wattage going to each cab 65 i think is how it works.
so with all of that, would 65 watts to each cab even be loud enough for a medium sized gig?

Re: peavey centurion problems

Posted: Mon Apr 29, 2013 4:08 pm
by Enzo
Depends on the gig, and how you play. 1000 watt bass rigs are not about being ten times louder than the rest of the world. it is about making the same loudness as a 100 watt amp without sounding like it is struggling to do so. I call it the "effortless" sound. Peaks are not lopped off.

If you want to fill a 1000 seat club with it, maybe not, but if you want to hear yourself on stage and the drummer is not insane loud, it might be great. Run a line to the PA or mic the cab for the house to hear you.