Peavey Penta ... anyone heard it?

[bigredhaus]

I just saw an ad for this new Peavey amp ... the Penta. It's an EL34 amp with five "voicings".

http://www.peavey.com/news/article.cfm/action/view/id/25/20052001.cfm

I guess it debuted at NAMM. Has anyone heard it?

Scott

 

[Cranknfrank]

Arguably one of the best looking amps they've made. I'm curious about myself. Anyone else?

 

[The Eristic]

I think they may have out-powered their intended market for this amp with the whole 140 watts thing, but I'd definitely like to try one.

 

[baron55]

This was supposed to be the George Lynch Brahma amp. But due to differences in how it was to be constructed and James Brown leaving peavey, George abandonded the project just before NAMM.

Now he is working with a Deal on Randall MTS modules.


So Lynch helps create the XXX and Penta for Peavey and has nothing to show. The XXX deal fell through because of his deal with Genz Benz. Peavey did not want him using anything but Peavey cabs.

Oh well.

The Penta is one channel 5 voicings and no effects loop etc. Just a basic amp. It is supposed to be handwired etc. But I guess we will see.

I think Peavey is trying to cash in on the Boutique.

 

[michael.e]

This amp does not have anything to do with "Maestro Alex Gregory" does it? M.E.

 

[HeeHaw]

Originally posted by baron55
This was supposed to be the George Lynch Brahma amp. But due to differences in how it was to be constructed and James Brown leaving peavey, George abandonded the project just before NAMM.

Now he is working with a Deal on Randall MTS modules.


So Lynch helps create the XXX and Penta for Peavey and has nothing to show. The XXX deal fell through because of his deal with Genz Benz. Peavey did not want him using anything but Peavey cabs.

Oh well.

The Penta is one channel 5 voicings and no effects loop etc. Just a basic amp. It is supposed to be handwired etc. But I guess we will see.

I think Peavey is trying to cash in on the Boutique.

For a grand I'd hit it! That's a damn sight cheaper than some amps I've had.......but in the end it wil still say PV on it.

 

[ned911]

Actually the Penta is pretty close to the Randall MTS in operation. There are 5 different preamp configurations that mimic other amps you just can swap out "modules" like the MTS.

 

[rooster]

Originally posted by michael.e
This amp does not have anything to do with "Maestro Alex Gregory" does it? M.E.

No, I think he's currently embroiled in a lawsuit against Ted Nugent for using the Pentatonic scale. I believe that the Maestro actually patented the number "5", and is currently taking credit for all things related, including the thumb.

rooster.

 

[DonW]

I've liked the Peavey amps I've tried but of course they sound better through a cab other than Peavey. Played a JSX through a Krank cabinet and it sounded better than ever. The Penta may sound good but will it draw gearheads away from Soldano, VHT etc? Doubtful.

Talked to Doug Reynolds from Randall last week at my buddy's music store. Randall hired Bruce Egnater to work with Lynch on a hand wired PTP amp which they have started. Egnater designed the head and modules for the RM100.

 

[mentoneman]

Originally posted by Hamertoe
I've liked the Peavey amps I've tried but of course they sound better through a cab other than Peavey. Played a JSX through a Krank cabinet and it sounded better than ever. The Penta may sound good but will it draw gearheads away from Soldano, VHT etc? Doubtful.

Talked to Doug Reynolds from Randall last week at my buddy's music store. Randall hired Bruce Egnater to work with Lynch on a hand wired PTP amp which they have started. Egnater designed the head and modules for the RM100.

the best possible thing they could do is call the amp the egnater GL or Lynch and totally keep the randall name off the amp.

the collaboration between those two could be very interesting, but the randall name is poison.

 

[MikeyG]

Originally posted by rooster
No, I think he's currently embroiled in a lawsuit against Ted Nugent for using the Pentatonic scale. I believe that the Maestro actually patented the number "5", and is currently taking credit for all things related, including the thumb.

rooster.

LOL!

is there really a dude calling himself 'Maestro' ???

 

[Badger71]

I played the Penta at the Anaheim NAMM show. The "voicing" knob is pretty interesting. Gives the amp some flavors to work with. It kinda reminded me of the Bogner Metropolis....function wise. If it's priced reasonable and the construction is solid then IMO it will make owners happy. Like the Metropolis for Bogner, I think this may be Peavey's "dark horse" amp....not a huge seller, but highly regarded.

 

[ChrisP]

Originally posted by rooster
No, I think he's currently embroiled in a lawsuit against Ted Nugent for using the Pentatonic scale. I believe that the Maestro actually patented the number "5", and is currently taking credit for all things related, including the thumb.

rooster.

that is hilarious...

 

[csanford]

Originally posted by MikeyG
LOL!

is there really a dude calling himself 'Maestro' ???

Yep. Seems like his website is down at the moment, but you can read some info about him here:

http://www.emando.com/index2.htm

He's an advocate of tuning in 5ths, thus the 'Penta' reference.

Chris

 

[drbob1]

Actually, switchable preamp configurations sounds most like the Trace Bonneville (although that had the cool motorized parts that physically switch around when you change the voicing knob. Not useable in real time but a hell of a way to get Fender, Marshall and high gain voices without compromising.

 

[bartmcartman]

James Brown left peavey? Where did he go? He did a great job on the JSX IMO.

 

[Member 1963]

I'm more looking forward to the new Valve King at $350 street ($499 list) for a 1-12 combo. According to the hype, which may or may not be just that, "boutique features and tone". They'll be made in china, but if they sound anywhere as near as good as they're making it out to be it could be the best bang/buck amp available. 50 watts/6L6, speaker dampening control, footswitchable gain/volume boost on the lead channel, class A to B sweepable pot, (or may just be a simulation there of, dunno) 2 channels with presence and reverb and buffered loop. Also seperate EQ per channel. Gotta figure being made in china the price is considerably less than it would be if made in the peavey plant. So i'm thinking it would be considerably more than the C30 if made here.In any case i'm dying to hear it.

 

[bruce egnater]

Last time I spoke to James Brown, he had left PV and was working for Traynor.



Egnater

 

[DC67]

yeah, nice design.

Don

 

[carltonh]

I wonder if the circuit board and guts will be a quality job in the Penta. Has Peavey ever done it right in this area? Will they take a cue from Bogner and THD in this? Eight ball says doubtful.