New Peavey Classic 20 Mini Head - some questions...

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Phillipus
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Joined: Fri Mar 10, 2017 12:31 pm

New Peavey Classic 20 Mini Head - some questions...

Post by Phillipus » Sat May 20, 2017 4:22 pm

Hi,

I just bought a new Peavey Classic 20 Mini Head. I like it, it's loud and punchy. At this stage I have a few questions:

- I understand that there is an extended 5 year warranty on the amp. How do I register it in the UK to be covered? I think that the registration form in the manual is for US customers only
- When I come to change the valves, how do I get access to them (is it just the rear grille)
- Where are the bias probe points?
- Is it normal for the front metal panel to get so hot? :o

Thanks for any help.

:-)

twangboy
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Re: New Peavey Classic 20 Mini Head - some questions...

Post by twangboy » Mon May 22, 2017 8:44 pm

Contact Peavey for warranty registration info.
You'll need to pull the chassis to change the tubes the easiest.
Remove the back grille, and remove the 3 bolts underneath. Lastly there are 2 screws on the lip of the chassis back. The chassis will slide out the rear.
There are no bias test points. Once the chassis is out you'll see the bias adjust hole clearly marked. A small insulated flat blade screwdriver will adjust the bias. The procedure is on the forums here.
All the classics run hot.
2- 87' Falcons, 90 Falcon Standard, 91 Falcon Custom,94 Axcelerator, 95 Firenza, Patriot, 83 Impact 2, 84 Horizon 2, Prowler, Wiggy, 2 X Classic 20,Classic 30 II, VK20MH(FieldKing!), 112SX cab, Transtube Pro 100 EFX, Transtube 258EFX

Phillipus
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Re: New Peavey Classic 20 Mini Head - some questions...

Post by Phillipus » Tue May 23, 2017 3:49 am

Thank-you, twangboy. You've very clearly answered all of my questions. 8)

Now for some more... :shock:

What are folks using for tube replacements in their Peavey Classics? Particiularly the Classic 20 Mini Head. I see that the amp ships with Rubys which, I think, are re-branded JJs. For me, more headroom on the clean channel is desirable.

Phillipus
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Re: New Peavey Classic 20 Mini Head - some questions...

Post by Phillipus » Tue May 23, 2017 4:07 am

Regarding the tube biasing, I found a YT video where the guy is using a meter to set the value. I wonder where he is attaching the test points?

https://youtu.be/jzkulbVGjvY?t=11m35s

twangboy
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Re: New Peavey Classic 20 Mini Head - some questions...

Post by twangboy » Tue May 23, 2017 10:46 am

you can get one of these:
http://www.eurotubes.com/store/pc/viewP ... category=6

its a 9-pin bias probe you plug between the socket and the tube. connected to your multimeter. it gives you the current draw in milliamps

Or you can do the transformer shunt method between the tube plates and center tap of the ot. NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART if you aren't very seasoned.

I can do both, but prefer the bias probes. I have 2 meters. One monitors the BP current, the other shows me plate voltage.
2- 87' Falcons, 90 Falcon Standard, 91 Falcon Custom,94 Axcelerator, 95 Firenza, Patriot, 83 Impact 2, 84 Horizon 2, Prowler, Wiggy, 2 X Classic 20,Classic 30 II, VK20MH(FieldKing!), 112SX cab, Transtube Pro 100 EFX, Transtube 258EFX

twangboy
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Re: New Peavey Classic 20 Mini Head - some questions...

Post by twangboy » Tue May 23, 2017 10:51 am

i like the JJ EL84 output tubes. Sweet and plentiful.
for preamp tubes, (stocks were ruby IIRC), i like the good old 12AX7 JJ (ECC83S) or the long plate spirals (ECC803S)
2- 87' Falcons, 90 Falcon Standard, 91 Falcon Custom,94 Axcelerator, 95 Firenza, Patriot, 83 Impact 2, 84 Horizon 2, Prowler, Wiggy, 2 X Classic 20,Classic 30 II, VK20MH(FieldKing!), 112SX cab, Transtube Pro 100 EFX, Transtube 258EFX

Phillipus
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Posts: 17
Joined: Fri Mar 10, 2017 12:31 pm

Re: New Peavey Classic 20 Mini Head - some questions...

Post by Phillipus » Tue May 23, 2017 10:58 am

Thanks again, twangboy. Very helpful.

I wonder how much leeway there is by simply adjusting the bias pot until the 2 TSI LEDs turn green.

pabcrane17
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Location: London UK

Re: New Peavey Classic 20 Mini Head - some questions...

Post by pabcrane17 » Wed Aug 09, 2017 4:04 pm

Hiya,

I mentioned this recently so I hope I not pissing anyone off with repetition.

I found the best valves for a little more clean headroom, with a more subtle introduction to of are Czechoslovakian Soviet era Tesla EL84's (not JJ. Though J are okay but not as good). A bit clearer and pretty in tone I found.

My supply in London dried up a while ago but I'd imagine you can find them somewhere - I was paying around 10 quid a piece so don't go for silly money.

Cheers

ScottMarlowe
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Location: Denver, CO

Re: New Peavey Classic 20 Mini Head - some questions...

Post by ScottMarlowe » Thu Aug 10, 2017 8:43 am

Also the Soviet made 6P14P (EL84 clones) are tough as nails and sound pretty good to boot.

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