Hidden Gems - Peavey Bravo 112 All Tube Combo, Clean, Crunch and Extreme Saturation!

[@zombiemontage]

It still amazes me how these old Peaveys can rip so hard without a boost

[@alanstahl594]

I got a killer deal on a pair of these in the late 90s then sold one. I gigged with it for years running it through a 4x12 Marshall cab. A few years later, my son "borrowed" it so I bought another. Then I decided to try a stereo set up so I bought another ! Used two Bravos as heads on top of 2 custom-made 2x12 cabs in stereo. Sounded heavenly ! I now currently own 3 and will never sell them. I recently installed a Celestial Blue in one of them, WOW. Back before I knew better, I would run a Tube Screamer through the effects loop. HOLY SH*T !!! I blew so many EL 84s that I stopped doing that, but man it sounded amazing !!!PEAVEY ROCKS!!!

[@pitthefrit6292]

An overdrive pedal in the fx loop of a tube amp? That is creative! And I will not try that. Not even with a solid state poweramp...

[@Flying_turnip187]

I scored one here in Japan for 24usd! The reverb wasn’t working so I got a discount. Went home soldered a wire….fixed. It sounds great! The clean tone is fantastic….but many that overdrive channel….amazing! My favorite guitar amp! Great demo!

[@islander4986]

According to the manual I have (bought my Bravo new in the late '80's) the Bravo is a 25 W RMS amp. PAG stands for "parallel axis geometry"-the tubes were mounted horizontally in the chassis (as Kyle points out), paralell to the top of the cab (rather than vertically as in most tube amps) with foam rubber at the top of the tubes holding them firmly in their sockets. The theory was that mounting the tubes in the PAG series amps in this orientation made them less vulnerable to vibration from the speaker. Confining them in the chassis this way trapped heat, so the Bravo (and presumably the other Peavey PAG configured amps) has a fan that forces cooling air through the tube bay.

[@dongreenlee675]

I bought this amp new in about 1987ish and owned it for 30 years....loved every year of it. It was totally reliable, except for the time I passed out and left it running, burning out the tubes. Hey it WAS the 80's after all. As you found out it totally shredded for all those 30 years! Great channel keep it going....Have a Peavey Valve King 212 now hot rodded with matched Groove Tubes!

[@LeStraTele]

I have two of these. At one time, I had six of them stacked 3 wide. The clean channel is okay. Lead channel is great. The high and low inputs are very useful. Low input with higher gain settings gives some great classic rock tone. It's actually 25 watts. Pretty loud. Weighs a ton.

[@12babyapes59]

Simon

[@richardlutz5177]

I obtained my Peavy Bravo years ago. It wasn't necessarily planned, but worked out ok. My sons friend borrowed money from me, and put the amplifier down as collateral. Never came up with the money, so the amplifier was mine! Still looks like new, and sounds great!!! 🎶

[@cruller23]

I had a Bravo, got it for $150 back before it was on the map. Changed out the BM for a Mesa C90, which helped tame the top end and add some bass. However, the small MDF cabinet didn’t let the amp really shine. Ran it through a 2 or 4 by 12” and it ripped! There’s good reason it’s a desirable amp.

[@FuzzImp]

I got a couple of these Peavey Special 130 amps free from a church storage cleanup, they made so many working man’s amps over the years that are great pedal platforms, whether tube or solid state that can be super fun, loud, and clean

[@aeugmk2]

Peavey has amazing amps if you just dig around for them. I have always appreciated them. Thank you Peavey!

[@hetfield2x4]

just scooped one up off of my local craigslist and it sounds just like your video! my reverb is broken and it does make fan noise, but for 200 bucks I felt like I got a good deal. The bottom end on the distortion channel is so tight, overall great amp!

[@ThatMFShawnzy]

This channel is now my favorite. This style of “editing” is by far my favorite. So great ❤

[@TheKLeifheit13]

Absolute killer amps - also, these are weird in that the EQ on the lead channel is active for bass and treble and passive for mids. Also, really like that cab! I like this channel man, nice contrast to your main one.

[@pitthefrit6292]

Peavey Bravo amp kicks ass, I could simply not believe it after buying it. I thought that it would be something like an ordinary transistor practice amp, the woman who sold it was obviously no musician and she just wrote "Bravo-Verstärker" on ebay. Located in my hometown, so I went there and took a look at it and checked if it was switching on, at least. Hooked up to a 4-12 at home. Sounded like a 5150 or another really good highgain tube amp, better than a Rectifire and much better thasn that 3 channel Marshallamp I had, a 30th anniversary I guess. Very tight low-end on highgain settings, just the way it should be. recently bought a Supreme 100XL, which is a great amp that can deliver the same kind of tone, but also has some extra features and of course more headroom, but I ruined the el84 tubes after one rehearsal anyway, pulled them out and connect the Bravo via FX-send to a power amp. For that it needs only the 2 preamp tubes, that means you can remove the others. The amp is perfectly fine after using it for years in that way.

[@AMT90]

I picked one of these up with a hissy sound, figured it was a preamp tube. Replaced all the tubes which were probably about dead, didn’t fully resolve the issue but helped. So I replaced all the high voltage caps and it sounds great! Happy to have this awesome amp to go beside my Peavey ultra 112 combo which is another hidden Peavey gem. Anyone else’s brave make a quick squaking/squeal noise when you turn it off?

[@leeforrester466]

Kyle, you always do an awesome job on these amp reviews! I just pickup another Bravo today for $109 in a pawn shop. My last one died a few yers ago, glad to get another.. These are really fun amps when you don't want to bring your big stuff out..Thanks again!!

[@Cherry_Sunburst]

I got one of these amps since 1991 - sounds excellent! CHEERS from germany.

[@auntjenifer7774]

NO WAY !? You know about my favorite peavey Bravo amp !? Mine has the stock Eminence and it sounds killer ! I love the amp for its clean Princeton reverb channel and 5150 gain channel ❤

[@-jake-mason.-]

I was given one of these as my first amp when I was first learning guitar! The previous owner put a V30 speaker and it sounds sick! Great for all my punk projects growing up and still handling well with some jazzier stuff! These are absolutely great, versatile amps

[@commandobrando16]

That very first riff was giving me Coheed vibes and I immediately had to like the video

[@ColbyJohnson303]

the EQ is active actually! I have one of these, it's my all-time favourite amp. I have a Greenback in it and it can do any genre

[@kylebull2]

it's not, actually. James Brown, the designer of the amp told me this.

[@cero815]

@@kylebull2 The distortion eq sounds active, according to the manual it is active and the knobs are titled "bottom", "body" and "edge". It is extremely likely it is active (edit: except body). I am quite sure there was a misunderstanding between the designer and you.

[@cruller23]

Yeah, the clean channel is typical, Fender, but the lead channel bottom and edge are cut/boost. The body is passive/cut only.

[@the1trueporkchop]

Our church has this as the backline amp. I don’t get to push it to metal range by any means, but it handles what I throw at it pretty well!

[@jesseparrish9198]

I feel like we already need a guitar collection video for this channel 🤘

[@mikeymacaque]

I did not expect you to play a lick “59 Sound” but here we are!

[@xiwiwix]

Great video, Kyle! I love these older Peavey amps. I own a Prowler, which has an Ultra/XXX vibe.

[@kylebull2]

Thanks man! The Prowler was actually the Peavey's last ditch effort at a USA 112 all tube combo for under $500 - clean circuit is a straight up 68 deluxe reverb rip. This later got reworked into the vk112 when it moved to china

[@texanfournow]

I also own a Prowler--great amp. Dials in natural distortion that hits the sweet spot for me. Several months ago, I was looking for a Bravo after listening to positive reviews. Turns out the local Guitar Center had one. I called first and asked about its condition and was told it was "excellent". So I went to the store and the sale guy says there were some issues with the amp. He picks up the amp and puts it on a table, and the speaker & baffle fall out the back of the amp. The screws had shredded the baffle, so that was not going anywhere. Speaking of baffles, I was baffled by the tube compartment in the Bravo. The GC guy pulled it out--it was like a metal coffin with the tubes packed in there like sardines. Very strange, never seen anything like it. Explains why some users gripe a little about the fan noise--well the fan is needed to keep the tube coffin from overheating. So as much as I initially wanted a Bravo, I let go of that plan. I bought a new Stage Right 15 instead, $199 with lots of features. I am told it is a Laney clone.

[@xiwiwix]

@@kylebull2 I noticed the clean channel took pedals in front like a pro, and felt strong, is the best way to explain it. Thanks for the info brother! My only grip with the prowler, I can feel the diodes kick in like at 12-1o'clock on the gain knob. Everything before they kick in (buzzy tone kicks in , you can hear it) sound so good and can be boosted into TripleX type gain. Perhaps its not the diodes kicking in, but something happens that I don't like when gain knob gets to a certain level. Hope that makes sense.

[@hetfield2x4]

you would be right, the prowler is the precursor to the ultra 112. in fact the front panels look extremely similar

[@TheDeedeeFiles]

Gotta love those old peavey's. Love the clean tone's your getting

[@jamiemascola6614]

The Bravo is a personal favorite of mine, as Peavey sleeper amps go. But my all time favs are the Prowler and Duel. US made precursors to the Valveking. But they have a high gain channel that's more like an Ultra. The prowler was only made for a year or 2. But it has a wicked clean channel, and a wicked gain channel, in an affordable 1x12 combo.

[@StephenPlatt]

I've actually got 2 of these, I bought one in the late 90's when I was a kid and also picked up another last year when I saw one in a music shop here in the UK for £100... Silly stupid deal really haha!

[@Marks_crappy_guitars]

Cleans are based on a fender Princeton

[@metalgear74]

I grew up on these old Peavey combos. No surprise here.

[@ver251209]

Very in depth review thanks. I was testing mine along with you.

[@jonathananthony1901]

"History's made its mark in anger As everybody knows, it's what we do"....... Love it!!

[@StuartKReilly]

I have one in grey tolex that still has the price tag of $100 on it that I paid for it! Badass amp especially with the right speaker

[@1000lockedout]

I agree these are really cool amps. Which speakers have you tried and which one did you settle on? Thanks

[@auntjenifer7774]

​@1000lockedout 😂believe it or not the celestion 7080 sounds killer with this amp for clean and gain tones! The best speaker for this amp would probably be the 70th annv celestion.

[@michaelevans3852]

I love mine. I have an old 25w oxford speaker in it and often run it with a 2x12 as well. This one of the best out there IMHO. It does have enough power to keep up with a drummer. I think the best sound is clean Chanel at about 8 so it it is on the edge of breakup.

[@user-zo7en2ef4h]

They don't call them Mississippi marshalls for nothing.

[@vashstampede5933]

Yeah, stop it Kyle, you're driving up used Peavey amp prices! 🤣🤣🤣. Awesome little amp, I remember it well along with the Prowler. 😎👍 Thanks for the demoing d00d!

[@mountainmanmusic3846]

My local shop has several Peavey tube combos from the 80/90s. That is all we could get back in the day.

[@charleslewis4028]

I love these amps, i have two. One I paid about $300 for in the early 90's and the other I got on Craigslist for $150. I love the active EQ on the lead channel. Only real problem I have had, and its a bad one, is that the input jacks are soldered right to the circuit board. After putting the guitar cable in and out dozens of times, you will likely find the sound cutting out intermittently. This can be a real drag on a gig (ask me how I know) and only a good repair tech will be able to run a jumper to solve the problem for good....if you just solder it back it will definitely crack and fail again. The stock speaker is mediocre at best, so swapping it out is a great idea, and the tubes are mounted horizontally and completely enclosed, cooled by a fan that is always running...its quiet, but make sure it doesn't stop working or the amp could overheat! Other than that, an awesome tube amp for the money.

[@shanemiller6982]

Just found your channel. I dig the vibe. Look forward to checking out some more hidden gems with you. Keep on keeping on.

[@Ghostdeth13242]

The bravo is the reason why I own a teal stripe ultra 60 and a teal stripe ultra 120 head

[@benmiddleton9984]

Peavey is all I use. They're the best

[@cdawg-switchhitter2473]

That menzinger riff though. Yes, yes I heard it ❤️

[@kylebull2]

Glad someone caught it!

[@JohnnyCrash316]

I have one of these Bravo 112 combos and Triumph 120 combo… love love love the old Peavey gear!

[@silviospizzeria]

Been DYING to get my hands on one of these

[@auntjenifer7774]

If you can find a Peavey Rockmaster rack tube pre amp is the same thing that's in this amp. I've got both and they both sound killer!

[@TheOtherJohnBrowne]

Too many damn Browns and Brownes out here

[@buckcornell]

This was my first upgrade from my first amp, a Crate solid state practice amp. The guys from Good n' Loud Music in Madison, WI turned me on to them back in the mid 90's. I still have it. Ran it with a mid-range Charvel for a long time. Had to bump up to a Mesa Nomad 40 to get over the drummer I was playing with (he hit hard and the Bravo couldn't keep up, but that's not really what it was designed for). I've gotten compliments on the hard rock / metal tones coming out of this Bravo. I should plug it in again...

[@Soldano88]

Cool demo.I’ve had mine since 93 and have owned about 6 total for flips.Great amp but the eq is limited.I upgraded mine with a Mercury OT and now it sings beautifully and The V30/icepick upgrade had to go.I’m now running a 78 Blackback. Cheers!

[@michaelweinman9051]

Hey Kyle, u going to NAMM? Maybe we'll see ya there! Cheers!

[@demerit5]

7:28 Damn, it sounds so good with that overdrive.

[@johnatanbustos561]

The first Tube amp I owned and what an amp. Have my 2nd one I've modded with help of the interwebs and turnes into the ultimate small gig amp. Fender cleans meets mesa recto fire gain channel. Reolacing the stock speaker is a must to bring out the best of it.

[@hotchow8766]

That tone at 7:30 took me back to the song "Back on the Chain Gang" by the Pretenders.

[@tom_bout]

Thanks for putting the knobs up top there nice addition

[@michaelorton9887]

That amp sounds really good with that black Epiphone

[@darrylritter4275]

I owned one during the mid 90's before getting the Supreme and then the 5150. I used to crank the SH*T out of it. Did the job well. It was my first tube amp and I never used dirt pedals with it.

[@dustinmullings2672]

Ok I'm floored right now! This Amp. The Peavey Bravo 112 was my very first guitar Amp in 1993. I always thought it sounded incredible! Mine came with 12" Peavey Black-Widow speaker though. What floors me is that all the time I owned this Amp. And I had it until after getting out of the army at age 21. I never knew about the gain boost in the pull pot. Do you know how many lawns I mowed to get the DOD HEAVEY METAL PEDAL? Then the DOD Death Metal pedal? Then saved up and got a Digitech RP7. WOW. I think I'm going to have to get another one now. If I remember right that little Peavey Bravo 1x12" combo weighed about as much as a modern half-stack. Maybe I was just 13 and weaker then but damn it seemed heavy. Oh and Kyle the Bravo is 25 watt. And if your drummer is on electronic drums it's fine. But struggles against the real deal to be heard. Either mic it or straight in on PA. I can't f#@!ing believe I didn't know about that boost. Wtf!? I really am going to get another one now and mess with that. This thing was an absolute gem for tone. It takes OD really well and sounds incredible running distortion on clean. Not a noisy Amp at all. Unless you move it while it's on. You'll get that massive 't-rex just stomped on my house' boom spring revers likes to let loose on tube Amps. Lol, wife's gonna be pissed. I'm getting a new Amp used.

[@jaconova]

¨I never knew about the gain boost pull pot¨. Haha that´s crazy!

[@muleblues71]

Awesome! I still have this amp I picked up on ebay 15yrs ago.

[@CapstoneTider]

Appreciate the thorough review. I just lucked up into finding one for $120 to use as a practice amp. For me, it's perfect. Looks can be deceiving!

[@luckyvr39163]

I own one cool amp Peavey amps are fantastic

[@andrewdykes4589]

If you havent sold this already unplug the reverb and then that control acts as a presence. Its weird but it works

[@Thomalom]

Hey Kyle 👋 That's a sweet amp!

[@disembodiedstudios]

Not even slightly surprised that it sounds so good. I never realized the bravo was tube though! I'm gonna have to hunt one down! Bravo or teal bandit 112?

[@phataton7588]

Bravo

[@jacak47410]

Bravo period. But both are great

[@jjgson69]

Peavey Bandit 65 amps of the early 80's were awesome amps as well.(The one you were thinking of?) :) Guitarist of The Lamont Cranston Band used 2 of em in stereo, was one of the best blues/rock guitar sounds I've ever heard.

[@skaldlouiscyphre2453]

Scott Putesky was a big fan of Bandits too.

[@jjgson69]

@@TheresNoPoint587 I never had a Bandit, but I did have a PV VTX Classic 2x12 that had a built in Phaser. Had another PV head that was in a built in road case, but don't remember what model.

[@jjgson69]

Completely spaced I have a 87 Peavey MS 412 w G12k85 Celestion's that kicks ass....

[@jjgson69]

@@TheresNoPoint587 Kinda similar to my old Dean Markley CD-60. That has 2-6l6's and 3 12ax7s, but also has a partial solid state pre amp for Voicing, Mid Boost and Treble boost.

[@michaelweinman9051]

7:45 Good tele sound, baby. Kewl!

[@charlesb7831]

I need one, I had a chance to buy one years ago, didn't think much about it and now I regret it lol. I would match my 87 Peavey stereo chorus 2x12 combo and Peavey Bandit 112 lol

[@drumbran]

Picking one up tomorrow! This thing sounds awesome

[@samizdat113]

I had one back in the day. Great practice amps.

[@weinderdog1184]

That riff at 11:35 reminds me of Heavenly's song "Virus"

[@straitjacket85]

Kyle they are 25 watts. Had one since 98. Amazing little amp. I used it for my main amp with a peavey 4x12 sheffield.

[@kylebull2]

Awesome amps! Also, they may say it's 25 watts but 2 EL84 power tubes aren't capable of that output, that's the only reason I mention it

[@straitjacket85]

@@kylebull2 Wait a compamy lying never...lol I've played out with it and used it at band practices with a 4x12. Great lil amps and sound great

[@resington]

Killin! Would really like some IRs of your stuff Kyle please.

[@hotchow8766]

Kyle, I just caught on to your split screen display with the amp settings. Fantastic. I don't have to guess what knob got us to our final destination!

[@zandig666]

I saw a peavey 212 killer Kombo In a pan shop a few yrs ago I should've snagged it There's soo many killer peavey that I didn't know existed

[@jerryhatrick5860]

Still trying to find one of these hixden in someonea closet but now the price will go even higher on them. The el84 bravo wa awesome. The beginning sounded like. Josies onna vacation far away.. Come around n talk it over. r lol

[@michaelweinman9051]

Yeah James Brown ooooh yeah

[@SalasKaleb]

A friend just gave me this amp, awesome amp.

[@1thess523]

I'm going to keep my eyes open for this when I hit the pawn shops 👍

[@kylebull2]

I would, for sure!

[@phataton7588]

Yes my guitar player had one in the late 90s Shhh don’t tell anyone

[@12babyapes59]

Glad I never sold mine bought new early 90's

[@emilfernandez8298]

Feathers by Coheed?? Let’s goooo

[@christophersheffield2683]

Got mine for 180 in a pawn shop a few months ago. Was hoping you would review this one it RIPS!!!

[@kylebull2]

Nice score dude!

[@Jstall7543]

Haha! I Used To Jam One Of These! One of my first amps!

[@skaldlouiscyphre2453]

So, is this like a Bandit, but all tube?

[@juanjacob2255]

Awesome little amp, i feel like this is the perfect practice amp if you can find one.

[@jerryhatrick5860]

The problem with peavey combos was theor cabinets are dead and the speakers Sucked. Plug this into a real cabinet. Itll blow you away.

[@kylebull2]

Nah, Peavey cab construction has always been great. Speakers are hit or miss, but they've had a few good ones over the years.

[@savagehenry5158]

awwww look hes trying to play something besides metal so cute

[@DeadHeadmusic69]

It's sounds just how I remember. Yuk

[@1thess523]

Blink twice if you need help, because you're playing a telecaster and you're playing through the clean Channel 🤨

[@kylebull2]

I've needed help for longer than I can remember

[@1thess523]

@@kylebull2 🤣🤣

[@aliencreation8744]

wish it didnt have that stupid fan in it

[@auntjenifer7774]

😂The fan doesn't bother me. It's quiet and pushes the heat out, it's really a genius design.

[@samizdat113]

Uh, Kyle... buddy, we don't do cleans

[@serpentsbane9166]

Awesome video Kyle, the tones sounded really good! I hope to see a proper review and demo of this thing on the main channel though. Glad you are starting to get along with your 7 string! \m/ P.S. - Check out the one-man band TASH (not to be confused with a rapper with the same name) a Black / Death Metal artist that uses 7 & 8 string guitars! Check out his song "The Ghost" here kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGjReXV5Zphplbs They sound awesome and some of the riffs sound simple enough for you to figure out to throw in your videos! I recommend the albums XIII, Suspicion & Loathing, and Whispers from Beyond.

[@kylebull2]

You'll get some belligerence for sure