View Full Version : Has anyone played the new Peavey Viper amp with the 6L6 tube power section??
like the title says....anyone played the new Peavey Vyper amp with the tube power amp built in?? just curious
Wesman61
06-25-2009, 05:39 AM
I played the 60 watter at GC. Then I moved over to the Vox modelling amp next to it (100 watter). The Peavey blew the Vox away. It was no contest.
Ben R
06-25-2009, 01:47 PM
I played the 60 watter at GC. Then I moved over to the Vox modelling amp next to it (100 watter). The Peavey blew the Vox away. It was no contest.
What is that amp supposed to be? ...Peavey's answer to the Line 6 / Bogner "Spider Valve"?
Mikey2201
06-25-2009, 03:14 PM
I played one- it was really great. The amp models are good especially the Peaveys. The rectifer is good. The stomp box models are also very good. The tube screamer into the plexi was great.
epluribus
06-25-2009, 10:10 PM
What is that amp supposed to be? ...Peavey's answer to the Line 6 / Bogner "Spider Valve"?
Quite different approach to "modelling," actually, and increasingly interesting as it evolves. The Spider Valve is truly a digital modeller that runs into a tube power amp--it uses a CPU to digitally model amplifier behavior. Trouble is, the digitally modelled "amp" can do only what the designers programmed it to do--it doesn't overdrive like an analog amp when the design parameters are exceeded. (You also can't mod it.)
The Peavey does it very differently. (Whether it's better or not is admittedly an open question, but modelling tube distortion is a very difficult task at best for digital technology.) The circuitry that actually amplifies the sound, and colors it in all the ways conventional amplifiers do, is a good old analog amplifier circuit. The twist is that it can re-wire itself, so that when you change patches, it truly is a different amplifier. (But notably not an exact Tweed or whatever, just a somewhat tweed-like analog circuit.)
This is a far cry from digitally modelled sound processing that may or may not exhibit both the expected and unexpected behaviors of a driven analog amp. (We haven't actually understood amp behavior all that well till a few years ago.) Unlike its digital cousins, an analog chameleon can take you places not foreseen by engineers, just like a normal amp.
It's worth noting, btw, that several prominent manufacturers have explored automated self-rewiring analog amps in recent years, including Fender, Marshall, H&K, Peavey (the Transformer line) and several others. Vox, Mesa, and a variety of rack unit manufacturers have explored the concept as well, often choosing to forego the MIDI interface, "patch" libraries, and automation. The whole re-wire-on-the-fly concept is sort of a gonzo extension of channel-switching.
Peavey's take on this technology is to use an all-analog amplifier circuit, letting DSP do the EQ and FX work. I'll be very interested to eventually see a Vypyr schematic to see whether even some of the FX are analog as well, the way Fender did in its ill-fated Cyber line. (Analog onboard compressor.)
Incidentally, no arguement here about the tube power section--many of us in the modelling world have seen the wisdom of that approach, especially when trying to get a rig to cut through a mix. Tube "presence" in a mix, IMHO, is one of those analog behaviors we don't yet have a good clinical handle on. But it sure seems to work well.
Anyhoo, I too await reviews of the tube-powered Vypyrs. In a mix, I expect they'll be significantly better amps than their SS brothers.
--Ray
Quite different approach to "modelling," actually, and increasingly interesting as it evolves. The Spider Valve is truly a digital modeller that runs into a tube power amp--it uses a CPU to digitally model amplifier behavior. Trouble is, the digitally modelled "amp" can do only what the designers programmed it to do--it doesn't overdrive like an analog amp when the design parameters are exceeded. (You also can't mod it.)
The Peavey does it very differently. (Whether it's better or not is admittedly an open question, but modelling tube distortion is a very difficult task at best for digital technology.) The circuitry that actually amplifies the sound, and colors it in all the ways conventional amplifiers do, is a good old analog amplifier circuit. The twist is that it can re-wire itself, so that when you change patches, it truly is a different amplifier. (But notably not an exact Tweed or whatever, just a somewhat tweed-like analog circuit.)
This is a far cry from digitally modelled sound processing that may or may not exhibit both the expected and unexpected behaviors of a driven analog amp. (We haven't actually understood amp behavior all that well till a few years ago.) Unlike its digital cousins, an analog chameleon can take you places not foreseen by engineers, just like a normal amp.
It's worth noting, btw, that several prominent manufacturers have explored automated self-rewiring analog amps in recent years, including Fender, Marshall, H&K, Peavey (the Transformer line) and several others. Vox, Mesa, and a variety of rack unit manufacturers have explored the concept as well, often choosing to forego the MIDI interface, "patch" libraries, and automation. The whole re-wire-on-the-fly concept is sort of a gonzo extension of channel-switching.
Peavey's take on this technology is to use an all-analog amplifier circuit, letting DSP do the EQ and FX work. I'll be very interested to eventually see a Vypyr schematic to see whether even some of the FX are analog as well, the way Fender did in its ill-fated Cyber line. (Analog onboard compressor.)
Incidentally, no arguement here about the tube power section--many of us in the modelling world have seen the wisdom of that approach, especially when trying to get a rig to cut through a mix. Tube "presence" in a mix, IMHO, is one of those analog behaviors we don't yet have a good clinical handle on. But it sure seems to work well.
Anyhoo, I too await reviews of the tube-powered Vypyrs. In a mix, I expect they'll be significantly better amps than their SS brothers.
--Ray
Great explanation Ray...Many thankx....I can't wait as well....should be very interesting...
xntrick
07-09-2009, 11:24 PM
very interesting, i just saw the demo from premierguitar.com and that amp seems to have a plethora of sounds to offer... (http://www.premierguitar.com/Video/20081112/434/Peavey_Vypyr_Demo.aspx)
buddaman71
07-10-2009, 01:37 PM
Pretty ridiculously incredible amp for the extremely affordable $.
None of that L6-esque digital artifact distortion.
Very easy to plug in and get a happening tone. Definitely giggable.
hippietim
07-10-2009, 02:21 PM
So how is this Peavey any different than using an analog distortion box in front of a clean tube amp? That's all this is. It's only got one 12ax7 so you aren't getting much tube preamp overdrive.
The emperor's new clothes...
buddaman71
07-10-2009, 03:30 PM
It has a 60 watt tube POWER AMP with 2 6L6s.
Dramatically more presence than the SS powered version.
Cool that it has the input, pedal, amp and then FX sections.
Very easy to get a great tone fast.
Stomps the Spider Valve IMHO.
It a LOT of amp for $ 449.
=]
jamison162
07-10-2009, 06:11 PM
I tried the 75w SS at Best Buy and the 30w SS at GC. I was so impressed I went to a small local store to try the tube verion, they had the 60 and 120. didn't like them at all, they had major issues, even the 30w SS there had issues, so reliability may be questionable.
epluribus
07-10-2009, 11:28 PM
I'll be very disappointed for Peavey's sake if the reliability goes south--this is a very cool venture they've set out on.
As for the tone of the tube Vypyrs, it seems to me the real place those tubes will earn their keep is in a mix. As several of us modelling types have discovered, (f'rinstance here (http://www.thegearpage.net/board/showthread.php?t=204896)) a tube power section holds its own in a mix unlike anything SS seems to be able to do. Can't say why, I'd love to know the theory, but my ears just like that tube oomph.
So I'm not entirely surprised to hear that playing a tube Vypyr in a store or a practice environment isn't audio bliss--like so many gig-oriented amps, I suspect it's tailored to be a creature of a mix and the goods will be found there.
jamison162
07-11-2009, 12:18 AM
Well, it wasn't that these didn't sound good, there was something major wrong with them. And we tried different guitars to make sure. The clean channels all sounded fine but all the dirt channels of every model had some nasty clipping. As in signal cutting out and it sounded horrible, somewhat like a noisegate issue...they all did it. I also thought they were VERY noisy. I went there specifically to try them out as I was thinking I'd be buying a Vyper Tube 60. I haven't thought much about them since :(.
Wesman61
07-11-2009, 03:00 AM
Just go to the Peavey forum. They have real issues. Noise problems, not booting up, dying a couple of months after purchase, foot controller not being compatible with the amp etc. I go and check to see the progress on working out the bugs every month or two. I have a feeling they may get such a bad reputation that they won't be able to overcome it. I'm not hating on Peavey. I bought one from GC and really loved it. I just didn't feel lucky enough to keep it. My wish is that they'd get 'em figured out and come out with an adult version.
jzgtrguy
07-11-2009, 08:05 AM
Great explanation Ray...Many thankx....I can't wait as well....should be very interesting...
Nice description, sounds like a Carvin Frank Gambale Tone Navigator
Just go to the Peavey forum. They have real issues. Noise problems, not booting up, dying a couple of months after purchase, foot controller not being compatible with the amp etc. I go and check to see the progress on working out the bugs every month or two. I have a feeling they may get such a bad reputation that they won't be able to overcome it. I'm not hating on Peavey. I bought one from GC and really loved it. I just didn't feel lucky enough to keep it. My wish is that they'd get 'em figured out and come out with an adult version.
Wow, That's dissapointing...Do you think they've got the bugs worked out on the new ones???
So how is this Peavey any different than using an analog distortion box in front of a clean tube amp? That's all this is. It's only got one 12ax7 so you aren't getting much tube preamp overdrive.
The emperor's new clothes...
Well, it isn't, but at least the front end of these amps is all analog, unlike the Line 6 stuff that's all digital....The 12AX7 is the phase inverter for the power tubes.....
gproud5150
07-11-2009, 07:29 PM
Well, it isn't, but at least the front end of these amps is all analog, unlike the Line 6 stuff that's all digital....The 12AX7 is the phase inverter for the power tubes.....
Though I'm not trying to contradict you, for the record, the Spider Valve has 2 12ax7's. The first, according the Line 6, drives the Phase Inverter which, obviously, drives the Power Tubes. I don't know how/if that makes it any better/worse than the Vypyr, but I thought it worth noting...
Wesman61
07-11-2009, 07:32 PM
Wow, That's dissapointing...Do you think they've got the bugs worked out on the new ones???I don't know exactly where they are but I've moved on. I'm eagerly awaiting the release of the Spider Valve IV! I may also check out the Vox modeling amps. The Vox's just look so cheap. The SV looks really cool. Sound will be the determining factor however.
Wesman61
07-11-2009, 07:36 PM
So how is this Peavey any different than using an analog distortion box in front of a clean tube amp? That's all this is. It's only got one 12ax7 so you aren't getting much tube preamp overdrive.
The emperor's new clothes...It's different in that You can't save patches with discrete stomp boxes. And having some of the effects after the modeling is like miking the amp and adding effects afterward like they do in the studio.
sahlomonic
07-11-2009, 08:42 PM
I owned a Vyper Tube 60 for almost 2 weeks. The damn thing sounded AMAZING, but scored a ZERO on reliability so sadly I had to return it. Such a shame because although the amp models weren't necessarily authentic to what it was replicating, it did have some great tube amp tones, especially at low volumes. I'd pay $100 more for it if it was built with better quality components.
I owned a Vyper Tube 60 for almost 2 weeks. The damn thing sounded AMAZING, but scored a ZERO on reliability so sadly I had to return it. Such a shame because although the amp models weren't necessarily authentic to what it was replicating, it did have some great tube amp tones, especially at low volumes. I'd pay $100 more for it if it was built with better quality components.
Hi...How long ago did you buy one???
epluribus
07-11-2009, 11:17 PM
Wow, I'm bummed to hear about the problems too--always nice to see a cool company like Peavey do well with new stuff.
Nice description, sounds like a Carvin Frank Gambale Tone Navigator
Hm...Tone Navigator...missed that one, I'll definitely have to check it out.
Lution
07-12-2009, 02:47 PM
The Vypyrs really interested me when they first came out. I've played through the 75watt ss version a few times in the local gc and was very impressed.
Its horrible reliability record forced me to look really closely at the Vypyr's predecessor, the Transformer. Same concept, but no reliability issues, equally great sounding amp models, and the smartest footswitch I've ever owned.
best thing is, they can be found for dirt cheap.
At the moment, my 1x12 Transformer is the only amp I own. It's pretty damn good.
Wesman61
07-12-2009, 07:11 PM
The Vypyrs really interested me when they first came out. I've played through the 75watt ss version a few times in the local gc and was very impressed.
Its horrible reliability record forced me to look really closely at the Vypyr's predecessor, the Transformer. Same concept, but no reliability issues, equally great sounding amp models, and the smartest footswitch I've ever owned.
best thing is, they can be found for dirt cheap.
At the moment, my 1x12 Transformer is the only amp I own. It's pretty damn good.I've looked at these too. Have thought seriously about getting one.
Lution
07-12-2009, 08:14 PM
I've looked at these too. Have thought seriously about getting one.
for the price you can get for one used, you can't go wrong. . . but you do have to get the V.2 eprom for it which can still be ordered from Peavey for $25. then get into the deeper editing. I've found several marshall, boogie, and fender tones that have been VERY satisfying for the price I paid.
epluribus
07-12-2009, 11:59 PM
If you're into the Transformer/Vypyr thing, check out this webpage (http://johnfera.home.comcast.net/~johnfera/index.html) by Peavey software designer and Tranformer owner John Fera. Great guy, lots of excellent tech info, and a very interesting synopsis of the Txfmr's features. BTW, you may note that the deep-editing capability of the Transformer outweighs the Vypyr's in most cases, and the reliability has been pretty good. Seems to me that in the Peavey chameleon world, the Transformer might just rate a Best Buy.
--Ray
Wow, That's dissapointing...Do you think they've got the bugs worked out on the new ones???
IMO - no. Like guittguy1, I've been occasioning the Vypyr forums all along, and the seemingly same rash of problems are continuing to pop up from new owners - latest-shipped amps, with the latest firmware.
It's a shame, really. I'm a fan of Peavey gear, and make my living playing thru it. I, too, am afraid this trouble-prone Vypyr line might be a significant setback for the company. Hope they can get it together, tho - I want one!!
So how is this Peavey any different than using an analog distortion box in front of a clean tube amp? That's all this is.
A bunch of programmable analog distortion boxes - each carefully tuned/voiced to work with a single, specific power output section (itself likely voiced to work best with the models). Big difference... as many of us pedal>amp, tail-chasin' GAS'ers have come to learn.
Lution
07-13-2009, 11:36 AM
If you're into the Transformer/Vypyr thing, check out this webpage (http://johnfera.home.comcast.net/%7Ejohnfera/index.html) by Peavey software designer and Tranformer owner John Fera. Great guy, lots of excellent tech info, and a very interesting synopsis of the Txfmr's features. BTW, you may note that the deep-editing capability of the Transformer outweighs the Vypyr's in most cases, and the reliability has been pretty good. Seems to me that in the Peavey chameleon world, the Transformer might just rate a Best Buy.
--Ray
this link was the MOST helpful for me in getting great sounds out of my Transformer.
IMO - no. Like guittguy1, I've been occasioning the Vypyr forums all along, and the seemingly same rash of problems are continuing to pop up from new owners - latest-shipped amps, with the latest firmware.
It's a shame, really. I'm a fan of Peavey gear, and make my living playing thru it. I, too, am afraid this trouble-prone Vypyr line might be a significant setback for the company. Hope they can get it together, tho - I want one!!
I do too....They just came out with a 120 watt all tube power section head...Just to bring that, my 1/12 with Scumback M55 and a Sampera 1 pedal would be such a joy to bring to a gig compared to what I'm using now...so much simpler
Wow, That's dissapointing...Do you think they've got the bugs worked out on the new ones???
I just found out that the bugs that they were having with the Vypyr series ended up being a chip that was sensitive to cold weather, or temperature changes..Apparently they've fixed the problem with a new chip that isn't heat sensitive
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