Peavey Delta Blues

Kevin Reckmo · From: Tucson, AZ, USA

Is anyone out there using one of these amps? I want to buy something I can use for recording primarily, but the size of this amp looks good for gigging also. Pros, cons, etc., please.

Thanks

Jon Light · From: Saugerties, NY

Not really a steel amp. The name gives you a clue. I played with a guitarist who was using it to get dirty bluesy sounds and it sounded pretty ok. But its whole point seemed to be to get into the overdriven sounds pretty quick. You'd be riding on the edge of its headroom on steel in a live application, I'd think.

-----edit-----duh......you know, I didn't even realize what forum section I was in when I read your question. If lap blues is what you are thinking of, I wanna change my answer. It just might be a real nice amp for you......

[This message was edited by Jon Light on 06 September 2003 at 03:35 PM.]

Ian McLatchie · From: Sechelt, British Columbia

Glad you amended your answer, Jon. I've had a Delta Blues for five years or so, and absolutely love it. It makes every lap steel I've tried through it sound great, and it's especially good with both Rickenbachers and Fenders. It has an extremely warm sound, and best of all it also doubles as a pretty decent acoustic amp. Dollar for dollar I don't think there are many better amps on the market.

Mike D · From: Phx, Az

Never tried the Delta but the Blues Jr. is an excellent choice in a 'practice' amp that can handle most stage chores too. It sounds great with a steel.

Charles French · From: Ms.

I have one but have primaraly been playing country with it. It has a good clean sound and plenty of head room for a guitar. I have used the overdrive channel some but am no fan of un-natural overdrive. The name Delta Blues is somewhat misleading. I don't think it has any blues characteristics. I don't know whats out there amp wise. I use my Super or Deluxe for blues. If your playing blues I would try and find a Fender Deluxe. All you gotta do is turn that sucker up and then you'll have some overdrive (Natural)

I have had problems with my Delta Blues, it's been in the shop 3 times, twice for the reverb (which I might add isin't much to brag about, the tremelo is pathetic)over all tho it's a pretty good sounding little amp and did I mention Light Weight. From What I've read the Hullett is the ticket. I'm sure they are expensive, but you know the old saying. "You get what you pay for"

Mike Brown · From: Meridian, Mississippi USA

I use a Peavey Delta Blues occasionally and find it to be a very good amp, for blues especially. If a Super Reverb and Deluxe Reverb and have "blues characteristics", I'd like to know what a "blues characteristic" is. The Delta Blues is a class A/B tube amp and both of the Fenders are class A/B tube amps. The only part of the DB that is solid state is the IC that drives the reverb. What makes the Fender amp a "blues amp", as it has been used for rock and roll, country, and jazz.

The model Delta Blues was "born" in Mississippi(where you and I reside),the home state of the blues. I suggest that you check out the Delta Blues forum online at: deltablues@yahoogroups.com
to see what users of this amp are saying.

Brad Bechtel · From: San Francisco, CA

I don't own one myself, but I have played through one before. It's a fine amp for lap steel, especially if you're looking for something that can handle a low tuning.

------------------
Brad's Page of Steel
A web site devoted to acoustic & electric lap steel guitars

Charles French · From: Ms.

I believe the poster asked "is anyone out there usin one of these amps" pros, cons, etc.

I simply replied to his post, pros, cons, etc. A blues characteristic is Tone, this being subjective from person to person. Put the DB beside a blackface Super and this should be easily discernible. Yes the Fender has been used for Rock & Roll, Country and Jazz, it's quite a verseable amp. The Peavey lacks the capacity to get an overdrive sound in the normal channel. The pre/post channel is an artificial overdrive sound similiar to a stomp box. The solid state reverb falls woefully short and is unsetable to obtain any semblance of the classic reverb sound (which I prefer). Don't get me wrong tho, I like the amp and use it regularly on country jobs. I think it is More Than Adequate. It has a good clean sound and is powerful enough to use on any occasion. But when it comes to blues I'll be usin the Fender. I have no affiliation with Fender or Peavey. This is just my unbias opinion.

I'll skip the delta blues forum users opinions on the amp. Their opinion has no revelance to what sound I prefer. I would suggest you check out Anson Funderburg, Rusty Zinn, Robert Lockwood, Albert Collins and see what amp they use.

Mike Brown · From: Meridian, Mississippi USA

I have checked them out. But my point is that I don't believe that the model name of "any" make of amplifier makes it a blues amp, rock amp, jazz amp. Yes, after years and years of designing and manufacturing amplifiers, data can be compiled(just as you site about the artists and what amps they choose to use)that indicate that, "yes, blues players usually prefer tube amps, yes, they prefer 12" speakers, etc.. The comment that I don't agree with is "the name Delta Blues is somewhat misleading". When it comes down to it, the early, early Mississippi Delta musicians didn't even have amps. The Delta Blues amp is just a model name that was used to describe an amp that is a tube amp and has an old TV style appearance. No tricks with this amp. It is a straight forward tube amp that sounds good. It can be used for whatever your application might be. I've had jazz guitarists who love this model. Go figure.

Steinar Gregertsen · From: Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.

I sold mine a while back.
One of the stupidest things I've ever done, I really miss it.

Charles French · From: Ms.

"I don't believe that the model name of "any" make of amplifier makes it a blues amp" etc. Exactly ie. Delta Blues does not denote it as being a blues amp. I'll stand by my observation that this amp is more suited towards other sounds. Hey I like it otherwise. Just yanking ye chain a little.

ps , tell old Dudly, Chick says howdy.

Bob Stone · From: Gainesville, FL, USA

I use a Delta Blues with my Stringmaster and pre-WWII Ric Bakelite. In my opinion, it's a nice sounding amp. I have a bad back, so having a relatively light amp with a 15" speaker is very appealing--love that fat sound. It doesn't have much headroom at all, which can be a problem if you are trying to play clean (undistorted)at volumes that really aren't all that loud by today's standards. And the overdrive is not the best.

That said, I really like mine and it serves me well. If I was gigging alot in a group with a drummer, I'd need more headroom.

Is there an amp with more headroom and a 15" speaker that is in the same weight and price range? If so, please let us know.

Charles French · From: Ms.

Boy ya'll must play REALLY loud. I have the 2/12 and that sucker is plenty loud and clean. It could be the 15 that's giving less headroom.

Ron Whitfield · From: Kaaawa, Hawaii, USA

Bluezmo, pertaining to your question, my highly regarded steel playin friend has one and sez it ain't for steel. But he digs it for the gnarly blues stuff it was probably designed for.

Cliff Oliver · From: San Antonio, Texas, USA

If you are looking for a nice combo. I am using a Carvin Nomad, 1X12" eminence copy of the celestion. It has 4-EL84's 5-pre-amp 12ax7's, great reverb and 50 watts.
Small package and lighter than the Peavey. Carvin uses lighter wood. Nice sound, can be bright, or dark, amp will handle it all.
Usually on Ebay at $300-$350.

Bobbe Seymour · From: Hendersonville TN USA, R.I.P.

The Peavey Nashville 112 is the amp for your perpose. Incredible tone and adiquit power. Wonderful steel amp. I sell and have sold most Peavey amps as a dealer but as a busy player, I feel the Nashville 112 is the greatest thing to come along in a very long time. The Blues amp almost works, but the 112 DOES work.

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