I quite like the Peavey Classic line. I've got a Delta Blues, myself. In its price-range (especially 'used'), the Classic 30 is definitely one of the best sounding lil' amps... with plenty of great tones to be had. I've had mine for 15 years and it still puts a smile on my face.
Have you seen Steve Aholas' Classic 30 Mods over at BlueGuitar.com?
I did a few of his mods to a Peavey Delta Blues (which is essentially a Classic 30 with tremolo in a 1x15 combo)... with stellar results. Basic tone-stack tuning and V2 stuff.
With that said, however (and, I know it's been said here before)... I do feel that these are difficult amps to mod/work on, due to their 3-sided pcb, held together with dozens of fragile wire jumpers at the folds. Anything more involved than simple value/part substitution is quite tricky. And, obviously there are inherent risks associated with accidentally breaking a wire jumper, when removing/reinstalling the pcb... I've broken a few, in my time. THAT'S a seven horned problem, if I ever saw one... LOL! However, with a little care and patience, everything is doable.
The most useful Classic 30 Mod IMHO: Foot-switchable 'Boost' modded to the old Boogie 'shift' circuit, as per BlueGuitar.com
Cheers,
Rob
Music is an expression of the inexpressable ~ Vernon Reid, Musician.
Yeah, i hear you on the layout. I don't quite undertand why Peavey have laid it out so. With that arrangement, there is still a load of unused space. Granted, that unused space is closer to the power transformer, so perhaps it's to allow some distance.
There is space enough to mount another 12AX7 and do a point-to-point trem circuit, but i reckon i'd have to install a filament transformer as the Classic 30's filaments seem to be in series. Then the question arises... am i insane?
Yes, you are quite possibly insane, but isn't it fun?
I did a bunch of the mods from bluguitar for a band mate. He didn't even know until he came over to pick it up... He still calls me up to tell me about how many different useable tones it has now as opposed to pre-op condition.
I've been thinking about a jig to hold those boards in place relative to each other while being serviced out on the bench. Two or three wood blocks with some clothespins glued/screwed on top and bottom to hold the board assembly together. With three blocks you could pull one out for access to those parts and still have two blocks to keep the boards from flexing too much.
I better get to building as soon as the next one comes in.
On a slightly whiney note, why on earth do Peavey make their stuff hard to service?
Cause it's cheap to manufacture. Peavey is trying to remain at a very affordable price point and that's what you get. They have some decent equipment for the dollar, but I never liked decent equipment.
