Jono Bolton Posted January 10, 2016 Share Posted January 10, 2016 (edited) I acquired this from kaygee at the start of December but it took a knock on transit and wasn't putting out any signal. After a visit to a mate of mine it's now firing on all cylinders. First up, this is loud. And heavy, but mainly loud. LOUD. It can run a 2 ohm load but at it's debut at band practice tonight I ran it through an unknown, 4 ohm 2x15 cab and I only had it up to about 5. As a reference, I play in a hardcore band with a very heavy-handed drummer and a guitarist who doesn't believe that turning down is an option, and I had no bother with being heard. Everyone loved the tone of it, even our guitarist who is dismissive of everything. The relatively low power ratings (220 watts at 4 ohms, 300 at 2 ohms) are very misleading. I'll need to invest in some decent ear plugs. I don't think I've even begun to scratch the surface of the tonal possibilities available. The Pyramid function of channel B allows you to boost or cut particular frequencies (I think!), you can use the knobs alone or in conjunction with a 6-band EQ, and the foot switch allows you to switch between the two channels or combine the two. I've been using channel B and then combining it with channel A for a bit of boost for certain sections of songs as I'm not a big pedal fan. It does things my old Ashdown could only dream of. In an ideal world it would have a mute switch, a jack for the foot switch rather than a DIN-plug, and a detachable kettle lead rather than a hard wired plug but they're minor gripes and you forget about them once you're plugged in. I'm very pleased with it! Edited January 10, 2016 by Jono Bolton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatback Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 (edited) Ooh, nostalgia. Used to gig one of these way back, and loved it with a Black Widow cab. Versatile and bulletproof. [edit] Just saw you're Glasgow. Maybe it was mine (Edinburgh). Edited January 16, 2016 by fatback Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Truckstop Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 Peavey gear's great! I still dream of being able to get my Peavey Max700 out of retirement and plug into a few 15" speakers! Had a whiteface Firebass 700 for a while too which was an extremely flexible and tweakable amp. Glad you're happy with it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
essexbasscat Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 I have one of these and I'll never, ever sell it. I've tried more than a few amps now and this one has been hard to beat. Yes it's heavy, but it will deliver in spades There have been stories of these things continuing to work after falling down staircases and bouncing off the back of gig vans Love 'em Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chriswareham Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 (edited) I had the Mk III version as my first amp head. I seem to recall it differed to the Mk IV in not having the graphic EQ. Built like a tank, and sounded brilliant through a Peavey 1820 (one eighteen inch Black Widow and two ten inch Scorpion speakers). I can confirm their durability as it even carried on working after it was dropped down the outside stairs at Nottingham Rock City. More recently I had a Mk IV as a stand in when my SVT was being repaired, and was able to confirm my memories of these old Peavey heads were not rose tinted! Edited January 17, 2016 by chriswareham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bartelby Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 I have an old Series III 140w at 4Ohm and it keeps up with my Ashdown JJ-500. I'd love MK IV... and a 2 x15" to go with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grandad Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 (edited) I've been gigging with a Max160 into an Ampeg B115E for several years. The Max450 was to heavy and to powerful for my needs so I stuck with the 160. It's never missed a beat. Edited January 18, 2016 by grandad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted January 18, 2016 Share Posted January 18, 2016 I always wanted one of these... loved the tone whenever I used one (or at least i think I did, it was about 30 years ago!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jono Bolton Posted January 26, 2016 Author Share Posted January 26, 2016 (edited) Thanks for the comments guys! Fatback, this one came from down south so probably wasn't yours but the cab came from Edinburgh way. I used this to record at the weekend and it sounds dynamite, although anything was preferable to going straight into the desk again. Might even re-record a track we did last month if time allows. I have a gig next Tuesday and can't wait to use it, even if it does weigh the same as a small car. I've also cleaned the tolex with black boot polish and took the rust off the screws and corners so it looks good as new now! Edited January 26, 2016 by Jono Bolton Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Japhet Posted January 27, 2016 Share Posted January 27, 2016 Had a Mk VI and gigged it for years. Masses of power and absolutely bullet proof. It had a huge range of tone options as well. It did however feel like one end of it had been filled with concrete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1970 Posted January 29, 2016 Share Posted January 29, 2016 This is my main amp now. Sold all my tube stuff. It feels light to me though! Compared to my old GT200 and ampeg V4 anyway, it's a 1 handed lift - total dream. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1970 Posted January 29, 2016 Share Posted January 29, 2016 I still record with tubes though! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SgtD Posted February 1, 2016 Share Posted February 1, 2016 Sold this amp to kaygee in 2014 and regretted it ever since! Now in the hunt for another. Awesome piece of kit!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Starr Posted February 19, 2016 Share Posted February 19, 2016 Friend of mine has a mkIII with a matching 2x15. He's a skinny string player with no need for it. If anyone is interested I'll ask for a price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.