How it Ends--A Restoration Story: 1977 Peavey Deuce 240T

Don Mogle · From: Round Rock, TX, USA

Hi Everyone,

Well, I just made a deal and picked up another Peavey Deuce 240T. This amp has discrete transistors--no opamps--and was used by Lynyrd Skynyrd back in the 70s along with the Mace. I've read some great comments here on the Forum by those who've used the amp. I have an all-solid-state Deuce that I'm using at church right now alongside the Peavey Mace. They are great for steel with tons of clean headroom. I really like the warm bottom end you get from larger 2x12 cabinets. This amp with its four tubes should bring it sonically closer to the Mace . I wrote about my Peavey Mace in a previous restoration story.

The former owner just had numerous electronics replaced that were out of spec, new caps all over, new JJ 6L6s, new knobs, a cool green on/off light, and upgraded Celestion 70/80 speakers. These speakers are maligned by some as being cheap. However, my research shows it has a tight bottom end and nice highs with a mid range scoop. YouTube videos confirm this when put up alongside the Celestion Vintage 30s. With the mids scooped out, they should sound great for steel!

I just got finished testing it with my Les Paul and it sounds wonderful! However, the cabinet is definitely in need of some LOVE!

I've already started the cleanup process by scrubbing the vinyl and grille cloth with Dawn. It's better but not where I want it to be. As you can see, I've started to reglue some of the tolex--hanging chads, etc. I have some other scrap pieces of tolex to piece in the front sides. Unfortunately, this tolex is not an exact match. Oh well, it should not be too noticeable.

Here are some pictures of my latest acquisition and work completed to date. Here I go again:

Ken Fox · From: Nashville GA USA

This should be a lot closer match on the Tolex

https://www.mojotone.com/Vintage-Marshall-Black-Levant-Tolex-50-Wide_2 no

The 240 series Mace and Duece were my all time favorite Peavey amps

Jim Pitman · From: Waterbury Ctr. VT 05677 USA

I've had pretty decent results touching up black tolex with Mars Black acrylic artist paint. It's an exact match in color and reflectivity for the blackface Fender era amps. It worked well on my 70s Session 400 as well. If you spend the time you can even get the tolex grain pattern by using wax or some sort of molding compound to form a stamp that you press into the partially dry paint. You make an impression in the wax first by pouring it on a good part of the tolex, letting it dry, then peel up. It helps to dampen the area first.
There's talk that a complete re-tolex devalues a vintage collectible amp. (if that matters to you)

Jim Pitman · From: Waterbury Ctr. VT 05677 USA

I like the 70 to 80 era of solid state when discrete transistors were still being used. Seems to me those transistor designs had more dynamic range than the op-amp based designs that followed. Perhaps its the way they respond to high voltage transients from pick attack that differentiate the two.
Some of the later SS power designs used modules that come and go on the market. Seems I can always find a transistor sub to fix the earlier SS.

Don Mogle · From: Round Rock, TX, USA

Thanks for the great tips and other information/insights!

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

I believe the Peavey Tolex for that particular era is Nubtex. Available from: https://www.tubesandmore.com/products/tolex-black-nubtex-material-54-wide

I may have some here if you don't want a whole yard.

Don Mogle · From: Round Rock, TX, USA

Making progress on this restoration. I was able to source a 1x15" baffle with hardware and another pair of side strips for the 2x12 baffle. I'm not sure if I will go with the 1x15 or 2x12. It will depend on how well they clean up with the grille cloth.

There were several deep gouges in the sides. I didn't want to put tolex over these defects, so I used skewer sticks cut to size to build it up. Once glued, I was able to trim it down to size level with the undamaged wood.

Thanks to Jerry Overstreet for sending me some tolex that matches up pretty closely. I used this tolex to fix the sides. The repairs are not perfect, and you can see the seams if you look real close, but it looks much better. I was able to make the seams disappaer to some degree with the help of black shoe polish and toothbrush. Here's a picture of the refurbished cabinet with a mock-up of the 15" baffle. I will clean and scrub this baffle up tomorrow and do my best to make it look new again. If it cooperates and cleans up nicely, it might get the job. Thanks to Rollin Schmidt for the 1x15 baffle and hardware to go with it!

Coming along pretty well...much more to do. Thanks for stopping by and watching!

Stay tuned for more later!

Don

Don Mogle · From: Round Rock, TX, USA

Hi everybody!

I continued more work cleaning both baffles. I decided to go with the 2x12 baffle. However, I took the grille cloth from the 1x15. It was in much better condition without the holes. I also installed the hardware from the 1x15 donor.

Here's another picture...

I will be reinstalling the speakers and chassis sometime tomorrow or Friday. Stay tuned in to see the end of the story...

Karl Paulsen · From: Chicago

That cab is looking great. I would have gone with the 15, but I'm biased.

Very interested to see the final result.
_________________
Nickel and Steel. Sad Songs and Steel Guitar.
https://www.facebook.com/NickelandSteel

Chicago Valley Railroad. Trainspotting and Bargain Hunting...
https://chicagovalleyrailroad.blogspot.com/

Bob Carlucci · From: Candor, New York, USA

Looking Good... I played a Deuce for many years, it worked and sounded very good... Mine had 4 6L6, and I put 2 D120F speakers in it.. Great steel and guitar amp for a long time... Never knew peavey made an all SS Deuce. I thought they all had SS front end and tube output... bob
_________________
I'm over the hill and hittin'rocks on the way down!

no gear list for me.. you don't have the time......

Don Mogle · From: Round Rock, TX, USA

Hi Everyone,

Well, I finished up the Peavey Deuce project and am pretty happy with the results.

Here are some pictures of the chassis that I always try to include in these projects. It's nice and clean as you can see in the pictures--no rust! Anyone out there recognize the name Aneta from Peavey? The markings on the chassis show it to be a 1977 model.

And here's how it all ended up...the end of the story!

Thanks for watching and tuning in.

Next Up for Restoration: 1975 Peavey Session 400

Jim Saunders · From: Houston, Texas, U.S.A.

How much does it weigh?

Don Mogle · From: Round Rock, TX, USA

Karl P: Yeah, I weighed the decision about the single 15 or two 12s. I decided I'd like to try out the Celestion 70/80s and see how they performed. Besides, they would be lighter than the 15 I was going to use--EVM 15B. Furthermore, going with the 15 would mean I would have to cut the board that fastens to the baffle to make room for the 15. I just wasn't in the mood to do that. Therefore, I went with two 12s. Besides, my gut tells me you get more bass from two 12s versus one 15. Others may have differing opinions.

Bob C: You're right. Most all of the Peavey Deuces had a solid state front end and tube power section. This amp is configured this way. The first Deuce I picked up, one of the very early ones, was all solid state. You can see a picture of this amp on my Mace restoration page at the very end.

Jim S: I haven't weighed it, but I would guess in the neighborhood of 50-55 pounds. Thankfully, the case is built with pine as well as I can tell.

ajm · From: Los Angeles

Nice job on the repairs.

A question/suggestion on the tolex repairs, though.

Instead of trying to match the tolex and splice in sections, has anyone ever used any of the truck bed liner stuff.
Out here in Cali, one of the more common ones is Herculiner.
I don't know how to describe it accurately, but it's like a liquid rubber with some rubber pieces mixed in for texture.
It goes on with a brush or a roller.
Since it's used for truck beds, it is TOUGH.

You know those plastic sheets type things that are found in offices where office chairs are used? They are used to keep the chairs from eating through the carpet?
A while back I took a sheet of plywood.
I put about two coats of the Herculiner stuff on it.
It's been about two years now, I spend a few hours a day (yeah, too much, I know) on the chair and on the computer.
My new Herculiner plywood floor protector isn't even dented yet.

Once again, nice job on the restore.

Karl Paulsen · From: Chicago

Don Mogle · From: Round Rock, TX, USA

ajm,

I know about the truck bed liner stuff, but the cost and time to put it on the cabinet was more than I wanted to spend on this project. Besides that, I'm not sure the results would have been as close a match-up to the existing tolex.

You can end up spending a lot of $$$ on these restorations if you're not careful. It cost me get the tolex, side panels, and baffle above-and-beyond the cost of the amp itself (which was a great deal).

I believe Telonics is using that truck bed liner stuff to put on their amps cabinets. Yes, I agree, it's probably indestructible and would work well. However, I just didn't want all the mess and expense. I bet the cost is about $50--$100 to get a gallon or more.

It seemed like a much easier way to go to just get some tolex and glue it to the cabinet. Not original, but as close as I could get.

Don

Don Mogle · From: Round Rock, TX, USA

Here's a quick look at my next project: 1975 Peavey Session 400! You can see it clearly needs rescued from a life of neglect...but it's all there. Just needs some love.

What do you all think? Any thoughts?

Doug Earnest · From: Branson, MO USA

Very good job, Don. I think the air hose / vacuum /dish soap /stiff brush / armorall process will do a lot for that Session.

I've got some of those vintage Peavey amps stuck back, but no electronics tech to refurbish the chassis without charging an arm and a leg.

Don Mogle · From: Round Rock, TX, USA

I know what you mean Doug. I'm hoping I can find somebody here in the Round Rock. TX area that loves to see these old work horses live on electronically speaking. That is, at a very reasonable cost.

The key is buying these amps at the right price. I've bought entire amps that were less than the cost of new cabinets! Great deals are out there...you just have to be patient!

This Deuce was especially attractive since it had new caps, servicing, and speakers. Fortunately, I was able to do the rest.

Don

Forum Index > Electronics		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic