Peavey Deuce VT Mod

Cameron Kerby · From: Rutledge, TN

I just began playing steel around 6 months ago, and after meeting and talking to a few steel players I would meet at shows, I recieved the advice that you couldn't go wrong with older peavey amps.

So I took that advice and have aquired a few, 2 of which cost me pretty much just the gas money to go pick them up. One of the ones that I found for cheap was a Deuce VT. After sending it to a tech to be cleaned and some resistors replaced, It runs like a charm and sounds pretty good. It is now back to being completely stock all the way from the tubes to the 2x12 CTS speakers.

Having 2 other solid state amps I really like the difference in sound the tube amp brings to the table. So my question is really what if any are some modifications people are doing to tube amps like these to make them better for steel?

My initial ideas are to get better tubes but being new to steel and amps in general, I'd greatly appreciate any opinions on better tubes to make this Deuce really sing. Along with new tubes, I thought new speakers would also give it a little extra but also unsure which would create a better steel sound. I know an original factory upgrade was dual Black Widows, but does that mean I should search for older 1501s, 1502s, or are newer versions of the speakers just as good or better than ones produced when the amp was originally produced in the 70s? A thought has also crossed my mind to put just a single 15 inch speaker, since I've had so much sucess with my 15 EV SRO in my Session 400.

Any thoughts/opinions on this potentially awesome tube steel amp mod would be greatly appreciated!Thanks.
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Paul Sutherland · From: Placerville, California

1501 and 1502 Black Widows are 15 inch speakers, so you'd have to change the baffle. Peavey did make a 12 inch speaker for PSG. I believe it's the 1203. I'v heard good things about them, but never tried one. I think Paul Franklin uses, or used to use, a couple 1203s.
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ajm · From: Los Angeles

Just my own opinion, totally off the cuff, without thinking about it too much..........

From a brief internet search it looks to be a solid state preamp and 4x6L6 tube power amp.

Make sure that the power tubes are biased properly.

Make sure that the speakers work OK.

Other than that, I'd say leave it as-is.

Op amps: I don't know it they are socketed or not. There are a couple of common ones on the schematic, and a couple of part numbers that I have not seen before. If the common op amps are socketed you could try replacing those with better quality parts. However, I don't know if you'd hear a difference or not.

Reverb tank: You could replace it with a different model for a deeper effect, or a longer decay, or etc etc. Unless you really don't like the one that is in there, I'd live with it. And even then, you'd probably be better off going with an external digital reverb unit.

EQ: If you knew what components to change for frequency, slope, etc you could change them. BUT.....If the parts are not easily replaceable it's probably more trouble than it's worth. If you can't replace them without removing a main circuit board, I vote no. You might end up breaking something in the process.

I think that I'd just enjoy playing through the good deal that you got.

David Nugent · From: Gum Spring, Va.

I have a Peavey 'Classic' 2-12 which is basically the same configuration as your amp (solid state pre-amp, tube power amp)and in my opinion, the weak point in these units are the CTS speakers. You could replace them with pair of BW 1203-8's (but best start looking for a good dolly) as they will add an additional ten or twelve pounds to an already beefy amp. My solution was to remove both stock speakers, block off one speaker opening, and install a single Telonics 4 0hm neo. Vast improvement in the tone and a substantial weight reduction as well.

Cameron Kerby · From: Rutledge, TN

I would definitely have to agree with David that these CTS speakers are a weak spot in these amps. And after scouring the internet BW 1203's are not the easiet amps to come by. However 1501's and 1505's are more readily available in a 15 inch speaker which like Paul said a 15 inch baffle would be necessary which i'm perfectly fine with building. After some research on Telonics speakers, I now realize I know little to none about these new neo speakers or what there advantage over the older BW's or EV's. Sound is more of a concern for me than weight(have a lot of friends willing to help lug these amps around).

Being my first thread I really appreciate all the comments!
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Vintage Peavey Amplification

David Nugent · From: Gum Spring, Va.

Cameron..If you decide on the two BW 12" route, I have one 1203-8 available if you can locate another (8 ohm).

Mike Brown · From: Meridian, Mississippi USA

Hello Cameron,
I am a regular on this forum, I am also a steel guitarist and employed by Peavey Electronics for 40 years. I invite you to check out our current line of steel amplifiers, the Session 115, 115N Extension enclosure, the Robert Randolph Signature amplifier and the Nashville 112 amplifier. The Session 115, 115N and the RR products have not shipped yet, but are forthcoming. But, the Nashville 112 is available. Here is a link from our website to the Nashville 112. http://peavey.com/products/index.cfm/item/1073/104983/

If you will email me at mike.brown@peavey.com, I will reply with information on these new products.

Mike Brown · From: Meridian, Mississippi USA

Our factory techs can repair and restore your Deuce VT chassis to factory spec if you ship it to;
Peavey Service Center
Attn; Repair Department
412 Hwy. 80 East
Meridian, MS 39301

Please include a copy of this note and your daytime phone number with the chassis.

MB

Dustin Kleingartner · From: Saint Paul MN, USA

I'd say, put a couple Black Widows in it.

I had a deuce for awhile and it came with two 12" BW's. It sounded great, but the weight was too much for me. I traded it in for an "Artist" of the same era. The Artist is essentially the 1x12 version of the deuce, also with a BW. I now run this with a 15" BW extension, which is something you could do with the Deuce and have a massive wall of sound.

I just did a funky "mod" with my spring reverb that you could try, I like it. I added a chorus pedal into the reverb chain. Since the reverb tank is just hooked up with RCA cords, I got a couple of RCA > 1/4" adapters at guitar center, and just plugged in the pedal before the tank in the back of the amp. I velcro'd it in the back,and now I can add a little bit of chorus to my reverb using the pedal controls, and also control the whole level with the reverb knob in the front of the amp.

Now I just plug right into my amp from my volume pedal, and this chorusy reverb gives me all the depth and sparkle that I need. Spring reverb can be a little bit more harsh than digital, but I think it gives it a vintage feel.

So yeah, you could try that without making any permanent changes to the amp. I'm pretty satisfied, and it was fun.
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Cameron Kerby · From: Rutledge, TN

I think definitely my first choice will be Black Widows if I can track them down. Thanks David, if I can find another 1203-8, I will for sure be in contact with you. They seem to be quite rare to come across these days.

As for modifying the reverb tank Dustin, my tank is actually hard wired in unlike my Session 400 that has the RCAs, so running something in between the lines might be a bit more difficult than the RCA plug which seems like a genius idea.

I also am very interested in these newer NEO speakers, I see that Peavey has made some NEO BW's in the past and as David recommended, telonics seems to be a popular brand. For those that have NEO's in these older tube amps, how exactly does it change the tone of the amp? My overall goal is to create cleaner tones without losing the vintage Peavey feel.
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Vintage Peavey Amplification

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

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