Peavey Classic 50 compatibility with Strat?

[synergyscott]

I bought a Peavey Classic 50 212 combo on eBay based on the YouTube clips and reviews on multiple sites, and I'm not so sure I'm digging this amp's Drive channel right now. I'm wondering if it's compatible with my Strat's Seymour Duncan Lil '59 humbucker in the neck.

When I first plugged it in, I liked the Clean channel - nice and neutral; good, full bass and even-keeled highs.

BUT the drive channel was kind of tinny, and almost honky in the mids. I lost the bass that was present in the clean channel. I thought it was a tube issue in the drive stage so I retubed the entire thing and rebiased. Still nothing on the drive channel. My tech said it all checked out fine.

I am losing hope, and unfortunately I don't have another guitar to test out. Has anyone experienced this, and if so how did you fix it?

[enigma]

I emailed Peavey about the 212 and 410. They said 410 is better for single coil and 212 for humbuckers. I tried both with my Tele, and I do prefer 410, especially the overdrive channel.

Since, you do have a humbucker in the neck 212 should be better suited. Did you EQ and perhaps bring down the Preamp a bit? I did find 212's overdrive to be darker than 410 - I think it's the speakers. I prefer 410s hands down.

Good luck.

[Workbench]

Mod the input and tone stack to Fender twin specs. throw in some Weber Chicago 12's and the amp will sing on both channels.