Peavey Manager Talks Openly about the future of the Brand

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Do you play Peavey? Help Peavey help you by telling Fred what you want to see right here! Check out their new website (link in video description)

[@onbedoeldekut1515]

I used to own their Rockmaster rackmount preamp. More gain than a weightlifter's syringe and more fx loops than Elmo's tube, I just wished it was stereo, that'd have made it my go to even now, but then they brought out the (not remotely as good) 5150 and we all know what happened to amps after. The Rockmaster was a trailblazer of an amp, and if they made it into a floor unit, they'd be on more than just the right track!

[@WhyAlwaysMeMario]

F*CK PEAVEY RIGHT UP THE ASS!!! THEY ARE THE WORST WHEN IT COMES TO LABOR & WORK CONDITIONS...NOT TO MENTION THEIR REPORTED USE OF ACTUAL INCARCERATED PEOPLES TO BUILD THEIR PRODUCTS (GETTING PAID $.30 AN HOUR) AND CHARGING THOSE STUPID PRICES. PEAVEY YOU SAY "YOU'RE NOT HIDING FROM ANYBODY?!?!?" THEN ADDRESS THAT INSTEAD OF SHUTTING DOWN ARTIST THAT CALL OUT YOUR SH*TY PRACTICES. ...AND ANDY I'M GOING TO GIVE YOU THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT SINCE YOU'RE ACROSS THE POND, HOWEVER LOOK UP AND YOU'LL SEE WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT.

[@kellecetraro4807]

I thought the glib adopted stepson was supposed to take over and sell the company to China?

[@kellecetraro4807]

​​​@@onbedoeldekut1515I have a Peavey RockMaster 19-in preamp I've had it for decades, I don't use it. It sounds like you had a really good experience and fondness with the unit, what did you do to get it to sound good? Mine is and always has had that ridiculously buzzy type drive/distortion, I don't think people realize or believe It's not a 100% tube driven circuit. For example, activating the boost function routes the signal going from Valve-2A to Valve-2B through two 1n4148 diodes giving both *clipping* and noise suppression characteristics, I suspect that's the source of the fizzy / buzzie-ness

[@JDB1184]

@@kellecetraro4807 I know , right? I’m not meaning to beat the dead horse , but after watching that”Undercover Boss “ tv episode , I was pretty well done with Peavey . The arrogance and indifference that Hartleys’ son-in-law (?) displayed towards employees was , in my opinion , what started Peaveys’ troubles . If he’s still there , I’m not buying .

[@mikelynchrockfordmusic4823]

I’m 74 years old and players my age all played Peavey at some point in time. We didn’t quit Peavey, Peavey quit us. Most of us are not metal players. Peavey had such a wide range of products that there was something for everyone. It seams over the last decade or so Peavey kept a few old cash cow products (good ones by the way) in their lineup and developed and expanded on only the metal genres. The last Bandit update was 2006, 18 years ago. Red stripe Bandits are selling for as much as when they were new 20 years ago. I hope Peavey can get back to what used to be its core competency, a solid choice for guitar players of all styles and levels of affordability. Walk into any club 25 years ago and there was a Peavey PA, and a Peavey back line rocking the house!

[@Scott__C]

And they were all solid, reliable products!

[@jasondorsey7110]

​@@Scott__CMuch of the old peavey stuff is still reasonably priced, and worth every penny...if anything, the size/weight can be a bit offputting these days, but that's just because current players are a bunch of soyboys who have never seen the inside of a gym or decrepit boomers who would bust a hip trying to move a twin reverb

[@Scott__C]

@@jasondorsey7110 Absolutely. But, I got rid of my VTM after a back injury. Carrying around a 60lb. amp head wasn't worth my mobility. Everything's as light as possible now.

[@jasondorsey7110]

@@Scott__C I have a mark iii bass head from the late 70s, pretty heavy for an amp that's maybe 200 watts under max load, but that sound is killer and it's surprisingly versatile...sorry to hear about your physical limitations, hope you found a revised setup that works for you

[@Scott__C]

@@jasondorsey7110 Thanks, the 20 watt heads and 1x12s are manageable. I've also got a couple of Carvin heads - the V3M and the Vai Legacy 3 along with a Peavey ValveKing 20MH. The Peavey is good, but the VTM was of course, better. I'd love for them to have a 20 watt of the VTM with the switches.

[@raviolijunior]

the old US Peavey gear was amazing.

[@summersleepmusic]

Mine are still kicking. Absolute studio beasts.

[@chiefjoseph8154]

Some of my Peavey gear is 50yrs old. Still working!

[@90AmpGuitar]

My first electric guitar was a Peavey Predator. It was my best friend! It’s still in the family, I gave it to a cousin for his first electric. My current personal PA system is all Peavey and I use a Valveking Jr. on stage in the small clubs. Absolutely love Peavey gear and I’m always excited to see what you come up with next!

[@XXjg_]

Peavey was the PA system used by everyone I knew, growing up in the ‘80s. Great mixers, speakers, and power amps. Everyone had their small practice amps, too. The stuff sounded great, was dependable, and tougher than anything else out there; built like a tank.

[@JustAGuitarPlayer]

I hope Fred will read this. One of the best products Peavey ever offered was the Tweed colored classic 50 and classic 30 guitar amps. Dann Huff, legendary 80’s LA session musician/studio guitar player (originally from Nashville) and in more recent years producer of people like Keith Urban, Faith Hill, Martina McBride and many others recorded an instructional video for how to become a session musician. He had his band at the time Giant record a few different songs in various styles demonstrating how to approach playing the songs. One part of this instructional video that you can find on KZbin shows him sharing what gear he uses on sessions. One of the main amps he used was one of those tweed/beige or crème colored Peavey Classic 50 watt head (or was it a combo?). Anyway I remember teaching guitar and a student had one of the combos and it was great and a fellow working guitar player had the classic 30 and again, it was a great sounding amp. You guys should re-release those and keep them in your product line always. My memory is they were all tube, unlike the Peavey classic from the late 1970’s that was a different amp altogether. The amps I’m thinking of were available I think in the 1990’s and maybe the early 2000’s but time is a blur as I’m coming up on my 62nd year. Anyway I’d love to see those amps come back both as a combo and as a head and cab (for us older full time working musicians who need to split up the weight into 2 parts head/cab). The amps were competitors to Fender Bassmans or any tweed amp fender put out because of the classic vintage look but they had their own sound. Sorry for the long rambling message but I hope Peavey folks will listen.

[@sixsixsid4863]

I had the 4x10 Classic 50. Great amp! Loud too!

[@billyfields7722]

I remember "The Undercover Boss" disaster a few years ago. Hopefully they can remake and rebrand the great guitars and amplifier.

[@markbteeps]

Yep, that's the first thing I think about when I hear Peavey too.

[@mycosys]

Nothing could make me buy their junk while he is the one profiting

[@davidmurray9193]

The tricks the boss played on his employees made me think, company with no integrity and fucked people who could of moved on to a better future he stopped and ruined their lives, knowing he was cutting back and sacking them anyway, that's stuff you cannot forgive and destroyed their own reputation. So never bothered with Peavy after that, prefere Laney, orange and h&k, blu amps, uncover boss was a P R disaster for the company and still sickening to watch

[@jjcollins]

for a lot of us, the undercover boss situation was the final nail in the coffin. I mentioned that in the comment I left as well.

[@murphyg400]

Amen, brother. To the any of you that haven’t seen the episode, I suggest you find it and watch it.

[@ginoames]

I like that he does not gloss over Peavey's failures and missteps. Peavey is so ingrained in so many of our guitar DNA. I would like to see them come back at the forefront.

[@feldsparsongs2331]

Just bought a classic 30 after using amp modellers for 10 yrs.Having a real tube amp again is such a difference! Amazing sound !

[@Alfgunnarp]

Those amps are great! I have a Classic 50.

[@melverntaylor402]

The Classic 30 is an awesome amp!!!!

[@marius53891]

Same here!

[@dancromwell5265]

Still jamming my T60 had it since 91'

[@sams2960]

Peavey used to put on sound seminars at dealers (early 1980's) and I learned more in one night as a fledgling sound engineer than I had learned in years. THANK YOU!

[@MoreMeRecording]

Did you learn on that horrible AMR console?

[@sams2960]

@@MoreMeRecording Those old seminars were not so much to promote their products as to teach newbies like me at the time how not to abuse ANY piece of sound engineering equipement. LOL "little things" like understanding unity gain, matching the correct size amps to speakers, speaker placement, room eq, all the basics a lot of people take for granted but hey you have to learn either the expensive hard way (blown equipment) or take the time to sit down and listen to someone who knows what they are talking about. Yeah, older Peavey consoles were pretty noisy back then, but for entry level stuff, affordable and still able to learn the basics without being in debt for life.

[@zz-.-]

Nice to hear humility and honesty for a change

[@TreyB-Måneravn]

I hope Peavey makes a huge comeback and blows competition out of the water. They're the hungry, motivated, underdog. I started off at 14, (1989) with a Peavey Bandit state amp in Vicksburg, MS. Excited to see them taking off once again in the guitar industry! Of course many of their amps are legendary and still packing a wallop, tonally speaking. Go Peavey!!!!

[@Jay-bk7lu]

Lol, there's nothing left of the company. There just pushing Chinese made crap and using what's left of their brand name.

[@startover125]

Sad to hear , everyone is selling out to China for cheap labor

[@soundofwinter]

The best thing to do now if you want a Peavey is to keep an eye out for the older USA made stuff on the secondary market.

[@sixsixsid4863]

​@@soundofwinterthat's what I did. I wouldn't dare buy a new one.

[@BCarpenter2314]

This is a great video. Its refreshing to see someone at a large company openly admit to product failures and shortcomings as a business. Lots of accountability and openness to welcoming customers back to trying their brand.

[@mycosys]

It is a terrible video throwing softball questions at a marketing guy representing a truly evil man who owns that company. Hartley Peavey is a truly bad person who makes Zuck look compassionate.

[@jlmoses16]

@@mycosys How so?

[@mycosys]

@@jlmoses16 Go watch the Undercover Boss episode featuring the Peavey family, they are just evil

[@cmgazelle2950]

@@mycosys Someone asked you for the justification of why Hartley Peavey is deserving of ire - 4 months ago. Besides the common failures of living breathing humans, is there something specific about Hartley Peavey that inspired your comment?

[@mycosys]

@@cmgazelle2950 is it beyond your capability to google? I CBA typing a reply again with no idea what bit YT doesnt like.

[@justmehere6094]

Peavey Amps, were known to be pro quality and working man prices. It's when they moved all their manufacturing overseas, BUT kept the same prices or increased them, that they started declining imho. AND, the Undercover Boss episode, promises made to employees in that, when CEO KNEW they were closing that plant in 4 months has made me say no more Peavey for me.

[@papawx3]

A company that will shit all over their employees like that, will also shit all over their customers when $ is involved. And it always is.

[@SkeeterDigs]

Bring Peavey back to USA!!!

[@GreatPlanet-c7o]

Big goofy loud solid-state amps from Peavey literally dominate certain genres of Weird Metal.

[@frankhughes5702]

I agree 100% on they should come back to the USA!!

[@JDB1184]

@@samizdat113Outsourcing is the eventual downfall of any business .

[@cmgazelle2950]

I would suggest that people who want American manufacturing back in America need look to Washington, D.C., and the lobbyists who sought MFN status for China before the turn of the century, and about a decade after the Tiananmen Square Massacre. The good Mississippi folks in Meridien are just reacting - years later and long after their competition - to what the Congress has done to hollow out American manufacturing.

[@Ottophil]

@@JDB1184not in the short term. Tons of profit if you use slave labor.

[@Lowtech14]

The Bandit, 5150, and Classic 30- what a great legacy.

[@mattmcgrath3244]

I’m loving the personal and humanizing 2024 guitar content so far, across multiple Guitar KZbin accounts. Canada has really suffered from a lack of Peavey support since Long and McQuade no longer carries Peavey products. As a metal musician, I owe so much to Peavey’s innovations. Some of my favorite guitar tones have been 6505/5150, XXX, JSX, etc. All amazing products! Please, Peavey, get back in there!

[@mycosys]

It is a public relations campaign after the undercover boss disaster where they showed they are inhuman and pure evil - dont believe the marketing, Peavey himself - the owner - is an evil heartless lizard who makes Zuck look human

[@ronsheehan]

If Peavey wants to recapture the market, they need to fix the PR disaster that resulted from the closure of the facilities in Mississippi following the Undercover Boss episode. The feelings of betrayal need to be addressed.

[@ronmesic]

Completely agree. How? I'm trying to think about what it would take for me to get excited about anything Peavey. I can't come up with anything. They could pay off the people they screwed over, but I still look at them as maliciously inconsiderate at best and evil a$$holes at worst. An apology video would feel insincere. I truly can't think of what would recover from that.

[@Ottophil]

@@ronmesichartley won’t be alive forever. When hes gone, ill come back

[@peterhall4852]

For my 20th birthday (85) with my first decent paycheck ,I bought a Bandit Solo 65. Absolutely fabulous amp and perfect (hard as nails) for the Manchester pub circuit. Amazing clean tone and fuzzed up great.

[@peterhall4852]

Also, the New Generation guitars were great. Best tele copy I've owned.

[@markstrasser2578]

I’ve been an avid Peavey user since 1990… I use a “Rockmaster” 3 ch. tube preamp / with an ART SGX 2000 tube efx rack …. That’s my sound … call me old school … but it works every gig ! I have a 2nd backup if each … and still haven’t had to use them. I sold and still sell and Install Peavey Sound products every month .. with my company. I’ve even attended Peavey Audio School with “ Marty Mccan”. And Kent Morris from Atlanta. We’ve made suggestions to your R&D guys and they’ve listened. Your products meet the price points with my customers. P.S. ( I also own a Peavey XXX combo 40 FX) Thanks for being there and being in tune !! Mark S. Florida

[@kennethfisher1004]

I remember Fred and his band. I am still good friends with his partner in crime, Doug, who is a fantastic drummer, BTW. Those dudes worked at the local music shop and were always super helpful. I own many Peavey products and they are still holding up after years of use and abuse. The Peavey Bandit 112 Sheffield paired with its twin cabinet holding a second 12 inch Sheffield is a great combo. 100 watts of delicious solid state TransTube technology that is an excellent example of Peavey innovation. Unfortunately, due to basement flooding, I had to replace the Sheffield speakers. Otherwise they would still be the originals to this day. The amp sounds awesome and works just as well as the day Fred sold it to me. I also have a Peavey MH20 Valveking that I run thru a 4×12 Valveking Cab. It absolutely cranks. Gone are the days of high wattage amps. This little 20 watt head is a monster. Thanks so much, Fred. I hope you can find a way to revitalize the Peavey brand and give us more of what once was. I trust that you are the guy that can pull Peavey back to its glory days.

[@MyronRalph]

I had nothing but Peavey equipment for my band that I alone had founded. Guitar amps, and speakers; my PA system was also Peavey. Nooo regrets ! Top of the line gear in the 70’s and 80’s. NEVER LET ME DOWN !!!

[@craigharrison5406]

My first amp was a Peavey Bandit 112 in 1988 as a 12 year old. Back then Peavey was the only game in town for combo amps. Basically everyone I knew played a Peavey. I own a bunch of tube amps now EVH, Marshall, and Mesa but I recently bought a Peavey Vyper amp to keep at my dad's house to play when I'm visiting. It's a great sounding amp.

[@Mr.Batsu12]

Back in the mid 80s my first amp was a solid state Peavey Bandit. It didn't sound amazing but it was rock solid, loud and got the job done. It was an amazing amp for a kid who wasn't old enough to drive himself to the story so I had to talk my Mom into driving me. It was also affordable enough for a kid that young to save up money and be able to buy.

[@chriswallace9113]

I had one of those as well.

[@DarylT64]

What a good interview. I really hope Peavey brings back affordable amps. It's really great to see a company that takes advice and criticism of their products from their customers and tries to improve them. I believe a company that listens to its customers will have life long repeat customers. I'm that type of customer. Peavey may have just gained a new customer.🎸🤘🏻

[@mycosys]

Maybe watch their undercover boss ep first - where they promise their employees ongoing jobs to their faces to prevent them getting decent jobs elsewhere, then fire them for christmas to send the jobs to china.

[@mycosys]

Peavey makes the original Scrooge look charitable and kind

[@MyronRalph]

Good luck moving forward into the future. 😊

[@mikegutterman3427]

To be honest, Peavey lost their way when they left the USA for manufacturing. Now they are just another brand of imported products and there is a TON of competition in that space. USA made gear for the working musician? There isn't much competition there anymore and that is where Peavey used to dominate.

[@rogerarts1]

Love my Delta Blues, more than 20 Years old but still rocking!

[@cmgazelle2950]

My 20+ year old Delta Blues 210 with Blue Marvels sound wonderful, and just was playing it tonight!!!

[@fredgibsonabe]

I have a 4 x 12 cab and Peavey Festival tube amp. It still rocks after 40 years. Many of my favorite bands used Peavey. The Peavey Mace is the amp of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Peavey amps were always well built, rugged and long lasting.

[@jotun725]

Bassist here. My brother plays an Invective, and also has a XXX, and a Vypyr. Our other guitarist also used to play a 6505+. I love the sound of the Peavey high gain amps, but am hoping the overall build quality gets back to what it used to be.

[@slartybartfast6526]

Thank you for making this video. I love Peavey. I don’t feel like they get a fair shake most of the time. They have provided so many people with affordable quality gear for so long. I think it’s wonderful that Mr. Peavey has kept ownership of his company. Thank you Fred for all you do. I look forward to the wonderful products to come. A new T-60 sure would be cool!

[@Partybob1]

#comehometopeavey My simple contribution to a peavey comeback. Like a lot of the other comments, I grew up (in the southeast US) playing Peavey gear. Amps and PA. I was a rock star (for a minute) and always loved peavey gear. Bring it back. Come home to Peavey. Thanks, Robert Sledge

[@MarbsMusic]

I grew up with Peavey, especially their amps. I bought an HP2 last year NOS finished in Eastern Europe that is one of the best guitars I've ever owned in 40 years of playing. My question, when can I place my order for my Vandenberg?!?!? I saw and shared pictures in Nov but haven't seen anything since. I didn't get one back in the 80s so I'm super excited (as are a couple of my friends) so you probably have 3 orders right there! Personally I don't care if stuff is made in MS or Czech, quality is what matters.

[@ThatCaymanGuy]

I bought a 6505+ a few years ago, what a fantastic amp. i passed it down to my nephew who is in a band and he loves that amp too.

[@Ramiiam]

Peavey used to be an American brand. I remember seeing their innovate (but) heavy guitars in the store window in the early 1980s and thinking, "wow."

[@Ottophil]

I used to play peavey. Strange how that works huh? Got nearly 20 years out of my 6505+ I got one as soon as they took eddies name off and added 1355 to the nunber

[@timothyflyte9443]

I've played Peavey , and owned their PA equipment. Monitors & Mains. I have their B3 organ module which is fantastic. I was using their Peavey amp as my main guitar amp that I bought used in 1985 , right up to 2017 !!! It's in storage now , but still worked as of last summer.

[@johnkosh6495]

My first Great experience was with a Pevey Renown 2x12 and I connected a Pevey 2x15 bass cab with it, Oh boy when I pulled the “Thick” knob on the amp it literally blew me and those around me away. Oh My I’ll never forget that day.

[@900dr34u]

Had a Decade in High school (1983). Fast Forward to 1999 or 2000, finally had a Marshall head. Six months later, played the first Triple XXX at American Music in Seattle, ran home grabbed the Marshall and traded it straight across and never looked back. Now running all kinds of stuff but that Triple XXX is something else!

[@pastorofmuppets1968]

My first Amp was a Decade back in 84.

[@louderthangod]

A decade in high school, wow?!? Not to brag but, it only took me 4 years to graduate :)

[@pastorofmuppets1968]

@louderthangod a Peavey Decade 10w. Come on man!

[@levkamenev3904]

The XXX is a highly underrated amp! I also really like it’s relative the JSX!

[@louderthangod]

@@pastorofmuppets1968 I was joking. I’m well aware what the Peavey Decade is.

[@czzham]

I worked at "The Auburn Musician" in central upstate NY, from Jan '86 to July 1991 (dedicated Peavey dealer). Taught a pile of guitar students, did guitar setup work, and yes, sold a lot of Peavey Products. To me, one of the most undersung and forgotten amps, was the "Bravo." Lil ol' tube combo, 2-3 pre tubes, and el84's in the power section. Single 12 spkr. Man, that lil dog delivered tone in spades! Wish y'all still had something like that. Tones all the way from Carlton to Lukather, and lots of stops in between. Thanks for the memory...!

[@channtastic]

Would love to see modern versions of coveted T-40s and T-60s. Back in the day everyone I knew used 6505s. They were cheap and sounded heavy. Peavey has made so many great amps over the years 5150, 6505, the Butcher, VTM, the classic.

[@MrSmiley1964]

I would love to get my hands on a Butcher, there's a VTM that's keeps showing up for sale locally. It's in rough shape and the way it keeps getting flipped it must have serious issues. I'll keep looking for the fabled Butcher, they are rarer than Unicorns.

[@purtis99]

Something that Wright about 50 lbs less

[@TurdFergusonMatters]

People didn’t leave Peavey, Peavey left us by outsourcing. I was in a professional, working band in the 90’s with many sponsorships. Peavey included. Every year we spent 2 days in Meridian at artist relations, the repair facility and picking things up at one of the warehouses. The people working in all of those places were awesome and treated us so well. Start making quality instruments and good electronics in AMERICA again like the Wolfgang or the Cirrus.

[@Frettedchaos]

I too grew up with Peavey. Back in the 80’s and 90’s, the products were bulletproof and if you needed to repair something, their parts department was absolutely incredible. I hate that they have fallen so far. I’d like to see a return to their roots. Forget the gimmicks and poorly executed products and start making awesome stuff again. There are a ton of people like me who know what Peavey was and now we’re middle aged and have money to spend. The guitars are horrible even for entry level players and the amp line is tired. A lot of the new products are geared toward metal players. Make affordable amps, guitars and PA gear that appeals to the market. Basically, stop what you’ve been doing and do the opposite.

[@milo4222]

Was in a band back in the 80's. All my Amp Gear back then was Peavy. I had some practice amps, Bandits, Backstage etc. I think i even had a T-15 Guitar for awhile, it was built like a tank and heavy. The MK VI Bass Amp was the crown Jewel. Bass Cabs and a 6 channel PA with Peavy Monitor Wedges. Back then i loved the "Robust" factor of that gear. It was made to gig with, load ins and outs, rough handling, etc. I can say that i never had any type of failures. They always fired up and worked! If i can find another MK VI Bass head i'll be a buyer for sure.

[@real_fjcalabrese]

Improve the quality and bring manufacturing back to the USA. My old gear is awesome. The newer products are not on the same level.

[@oggorat]

Stoked to see that Cirrus headstock in the background, my first bass was an import Cirrus 4 string, and for an affordable instrument, the electronics and build quality were fantastic.

[@jjcollins]

I worked in guitar retail for over ten years. I carried the flag for that gear and the company for years (mid 90's to early 2000s). I sold thousands of your products. As a gigging musician, and pro player for 15+ years I used the original 5150 exclusively. I've owned 2 original vandenbergs, as well as the original Sarzo bass, and several Wolfgangs, as well as a ton of their recording gear in the 1990's, mics, mixers etc,...and back then they were GREAT. Amazing products for the money and value. That being said I no longer play Peavey, and truthfully, when I think about it it saddens me. I loved the company and the gear for so long, it truly was the "poor mans" gigging and touring gear, made in the USA and was great. After your product move to china, your quality dropped by a thousand percent. Built like absolute garbage, and the icing on the cake for me was the undercover boss fiasco that all you old fans will never forget. I've been involved in the "guitar industry" for over 30 years, as a player, in retail, as a guitar tech, and a back line guy among other things. Unfortunately my love for the original brand and product will never return.

[@StillLivinginthewoods]

Agreed 100% I owned so many Peavey amps in the 80s 90s and well into the 2000s. The last one I had was a TrplX combo made in the USA. I don't own any of their stuff now, and am not running out to buy any anytime soon either.

[@Mattguitarmania]

Great video! I appreciate his honesty and willingness to learn and transform the company

[@christopherlewis1847]

What is peavey gonna do to rebuild their reputation and trust after what they did to their employees at the US factory? Those folks worked hard for Hartley, and he stabbed them in the back. They deserve some respect.

[@davidschultz9663]

Hi Fred, For our Anniversary, my wife got me the Peavy Valveking 20 combo amp. I absolutely love this amp. I notice there are a lot of people who hate on this amp, and I don't get it. The most important thing in a tube amp IMO is the clean sound, and the clean sound on here is amazing. The distortion is not perfect, but I prefer using overdrive and fuzz peddles, so no worries. I Love: the clean sound the reverb able to control the watts Class A to Class A/B control the damper control Dislikes: The boost is pretty weak So with all that, I'm not sure where the hate comes from

[@truce11]

That was refreshingly honest. I'm intrigued

[@loftsound]

I had a Peavey Deuce guitar amp. It fell out of my truck on the way to a gig right into the middle of the street. I swore if it worked I’d never sell it. It worked. Lost it in a flood many years later but my SP4s were some of the loudest PA speakers I ever heard and i still have my M4000 power amp. Can’t kill it. Most reliable gear I have ever owned. Never cared for the guitars but its been a very long time since I tried one…. Thanks for being such a staple in my history of making music. Whenever I saw the logo, I knew it worked.

[@jagpanzer16]

I miss Peavey from the early 80's, I owned a Mark IV bass head and a Combo 300, AWESOME STUFF!!!!

[@ianinvancouverbc]

I recently bought a used 2013 Peavey Valveking 2, the tube shorted and blew internal fuses, one being a glass and another that looked like small capacitor. I replaced them both with help from John L at Peavey sending me the schematic for the amp. I replaced the tubes and the fuses and it is now working perfectly. Peavey gear is easy to work on, sounds great, very well built and yet they sell way under value used. I paid $200CDN plus $54 for 2 replacement tubes and $1 for the fuses

[@picker63028]

I'm 75 and a very long time Peavey user. I still own most of the stuff I bought, guitars, bass, amps and PA gear. I also bought the steel guitar amps after I started playing pedal steel. Peavey was the backline for Scottys ISGC in St Louis for over 25 years. I was upset when they moved production overseas and closed the plant. But I understand issues with profit and loss and parts manufacturing. I want Peavey to survive, continue making innovative products and build back the reputation as they had in the early years. I believe in Peavey.

[@RobNY5150]

I have a 2000 USA Peavey Wolfgang and it’s still amazing. I would love to see a line of affordable Peavey HPs like the old Korean made Wolfgangs.

[@martinlaulunen7189]

Peavey is Great,..Period. Thx,.. from Minnesota. 😉

[@Kuwaisiana]

Mad respect to what they built back in the day. They can hold on to their entry-level guitars but rather than compete on guitars and amps, they would be wise to pivot into sound systems and PA's for small-medium sized rooms.

[@jamesjjb0075]

My first Guitar was a Peavey Bass hollow-Body Bass guitar....It sounded and Played Better than My friend fender bass guitar... He would get someone to bring him to my house to barrow it to Play for His Church! That was in 1980! Love PEAVEY Products. Peavey Bass Amp and DJ Mixer Amp. Those was the DAYS! GOD BLESS!

[@macalex57]

My first amp was a Peavey Musician with 4 x 12 cab. My current amp is a Peavey Classic 30. I have owned the Studio Pro as well. Peavey has always been a bullet proof amp. The pros use Peavey because of their durability. It's hard to make a living playing clubs if you spend all of your measly earnings on amp repairs.

[@madbeanz_co]

Hey, Andy! Hey, Fred! I was just looking for Peavey Artist Relations and then saw that Fred would be reading comments! I'd LOVE to talk! I've been a Peavey user for almost 10 years now and I'd like to help with the marketing and awareness of "New Peavey!" Thanks, fellas! Great content as always, Andy!

[@Sunset1997]

Had a VTM 120 1/2 stack and still have my T60. Lots of gigs and parties over the years. Great stuff.

[@BlueCollarLogic]

In the early nineties, I started doing a weekly music series in Los Angeles. A couple of years in, a friend gave me some Peavey PA speakers that he'd used for a decade. I used them constantly for maybe 15 years, before I sold them. I'll bet that they're still in use. Bullet-proof gear. I have a 100W Peavey twin tube amp out in the garage that has also been owned and used by several people over the last 30 years. Still sounds great, but I'm too old to lug heavy amps, so I play a Katana. I'd love to see Peavey come back strong.

[@frankbutler5778]

I'm a huge fan of the Peavey Limited Series guitars out of the Leakesville, MS custom shop back in the day. Exactly what Fred is talking about. Fantastic guitars you would pick up and want to play over some of the more "famous" American brands. Great pickups, lightweight, affordable, easy to play, and beautiful. I've owned many of them over the years and expect to own one forever. Never much into Peavey amps in the past century, too loud and too clean. I appreciate Fred's honesty. I'd trust they they know how to build high end guitars- I question why they pursued the low end guitar market so much. I hope they rehire the custom shop folks and go after the high end market again.

[@gregscottperry5201]

I own two special 130, a classic with a 15" speaker, a Peavey Bass amp, a 31 band EQ, a 16 channel analog board, four Peavey monitors and believe it or not I still use two CS 800s to power my front cabinets. In the past I've owned SP4, SP2, 18" subs as many as seven CS 800s running all of my cabinets. I have been very well served by all of my Peavey equipment since 1976.

[@jackthejollygreengiant]

I am a drummer that dabbles in other instruments, but more importantly I am a recording studio owner and engineer. I have always liked the Peaveys that I have run into. They are and always were underrated. Peavey has made some of the best sounding solid state amps ever made. Their gear was quite literally bulletproof. In the 90s I was in a band that the guitar player played a Classic 30, and it was a great amp. I currently have several Peavy products I use regularly; a TNT 130, an Envoy 110, a PS2 phantom power supply, and a Raptor guitar with the 3+3 headstock. They are all great. I was always really impressed with the RBS1 drums. They were an innovative product and they sounded amazing. Every person who comes to my studio takes a seat on my old Peavey barstool at some point. Of the above named gear, the only one not made in the US was the Raptor. It is an early Korean made model. I have done a lot of work on it to make it play like it does, and in spite of not being a US model it is one of my favorite guitars. That is where my praise ends though. Peavey lost its best selling point when they decided to go offshore. I understand the economics of doing it, but USA made was a real advertising advantage. You were making great sounding gear the average musician could afford in the US. It set you apart from the other manufacturers. You, as a company, chose volume over caring about the people who were actually using your gear. You turned your back on your fans and defenders in an attempt to win over people who were never going to defend you. While your American made gear is still great, the Chinese made gear has really damaged your brand. You basically handed your critics the ammunition they wanted that you weren't making world class gear. You peaked with the EVH stuff. Before that period you had a lot of loyal customers and fans. Even if people wouldn't admit to using your stuff they did. I am pretty sure I mixed my first live show on a Peavey PA. There is the long standing rumor that Josh Homme found his sound on a Peavey. I don't know a single musician my age that hasn't owned and heavily used your gear. I can get a better sound out of some of your amps than I can out of old Marshalls and Fenders a lot of times because I know how to settle it into a mix. Your legacy is still there for you to reclaim. I know getting that loyalty back isn't going to be easy. I can tell you for a fact, nobody who would buy your USA gear is going to give a second look at your Chinese gear. You aren't Fender or Gibson, and you never will become them by emulating Behringer. Be Peavey and we will come back. We still love what you used to do, just do it again. Thant is just my two cents, which really isn't even worth two cents.

[@davidpost4216]

I am 69 year bass player that spends a few thousand dollars on music gear every year. From the 70’s until 2000 I used a lot of Peavey gear, mostly amps and cabs. I have even owned a couple of Peavey bass guitars. I still own a USA Peavey Axcelerator with a 2-Tek bridge, my favorite 4 string although I am mostly a 5 string player. My main interest now is using lighter gear to reduce the wear and tear on my back. I recently bought my first Fender amp because it’s a combo with 2 10’s, 800 watts, and only 29 lbs. I would love to see Peavey develop something similar.

[@garthosborn8400]

Undercover Boss aside, I am a past and present Peavey user. I’ve used 8 different Peavey amps thru the years (I’m 69). Best amp by far was the Classic 50/410 - what a great amp. I currently have 3 Peavey amps- all made in USA. Backstage Plus, teal stripe Bandit (great amp) and a Classic 30 - the 410 is too much and I seldom play out. All 3 amps still work and sound great. I also have two Peavey guitars - a USA Predator (Strat style) and a Powerslide lap steel (China). I remember in the Phoenix area in the 80s, most of the guys in country bands were playing T60s. I have seen concert footage of Jerry Reed - he and his other guitarists played T60s thru Peavey amps. I’d like to see the Classic series reintroduced, built in the USA. I remember quality gear that didn’t break at reasonable prices. That’s why the gear was everywhere.

[@jega157]

68 yo, played in cover bands since 1974....played a few of their amps at jams...huge effort just to get a usable sound. Standards are Fender, Marshall, orange, boogie. Easy to get a great sound.

[@guitagious9464]

Hey, I still play a stereo rig using two Peavey Supreme XL100 heads from back in the early 2000's. I run directly out of my multi effects floor processor and go straight into the "Power Amp" sections of the amp heads, completely by-passing their pre-amp sections, and am very satisfied with the big sound I get - particularly when I switch on the stereo chorus! But, even without stereo chorus, the mono signal sounds great as well. I have also used Marshall, Vox, and EVH amps but, for some reason, I have ended up just using the twin Peavey Supreme Heads set-up as described (with two 4 x 12 cabs - celestion loaded). I think it's because I don't worry that the heads are going to crap out on me or blow a tube. I mean, these heads are simple by today's standards, but they seem to be very well made and I trust them. Peavey's Transtube technology made solid state sound very good! The "Peavey Supreme XXL" head sounds even better than my XL heads! Try one if you get a chance.

[@ffmmackie287]

Hello, I have the project 2 systems {2} that I have used for 44 years. I use to have a session 500 {lost in house fire} T60, T40, Predator {2H}, Now I have a Vypyr Pro 100 that I travel with and 1 in my studio. I have a MAX, Combo300, TNT 150, Mark IV 24 channel, XR1200, I even got into the Programax10. I had the classic 50, the Delta Blues 15, I still have the VIP3. There were a few not good at all guitars when they started outsourcing and a few amps I tried that just felt cheap ie not roadworthy. It was also nice when the company held some seminars around to help teach new products. Oh and still have the 1245 monitors with the covers. The 1 thing I never got and still want to this day is the FC412 and the FC410. I am glad to see the company turning around. I think a re-engineered T series would go over great.

[@pbass2go]

I started playing bass in 84... My first amp was a Peavey Combo bass amp.. 300 watts into a single 15" combo amp. I loved that amp. Will always have a spot in my heart for Peavey. Hoping for the best for the company

[@4low395]

still got it and Is still top of the game, nothing compares to it on stage

[@jaynesmith-po7ry]

@@4low395 They were the Swiss Army Knife of stage gear!!

[@jacobpittman1996]

Fred, thank you for sharing openly. RESPECT. My first amp was the silver stripe Peavey Studio Pro 112. I loved it. I played through peavey solid state PA boxes. The TNT was the bassiest bass amp which I had ever bassed. They were all rock solid. I quietly moved on from peavey products. I have looked at some of their offerings for both bass and electric amps, but just never connected with the max or newer valve amps. I still have a sweet spot in my heart for Peavey, but my wallet hasn’t gone back there. I love some of the concepts they have developed, but haven’t pulled the trigger. I will look to see what’s coming. I still love Peavey - MPGA!

[@evanjames8748]

Currently using a MiniMax 600 for bass and an old-school block-letter EVH 5150 guitar amp head. I've had the bass amp for about a month and the 5150 for well over a decade. So far, the MiniMax is holding up great!

[@olavisaksjoflot2932]

I love Peavey and have several Peavey guitar amps. Great if You can make the brand Shine again! :)

[@joeparrie1168]

I have a Classic 400 Bass amp with 410 and 115 cabinets. I believe it is the greatest bass amp ever built. Used it for 25 years playing nearly every weekend. Never did a thing to it but play through it. Unbelievable power and punch. Only negative- IT IS A MONSTER! 8-6550 output tubes, giant power transformer and output transformer. Head weighs like 110 lbs. but... It is worth packing that thing up stairs, across buildings, wherever. Thanks Hartley for that amp. Fantastic.

[@ChristopherJWalton]

I love my Peavey Classic 50 bought in the 90s and still going strong. A fantastic amp.

[@adamjanzten7736]

First 2 amps were Peavey. Still have my Bandit 112 Transtube bought in mid 90's which could only be dialled up to 4 playing live! Used a Peavey PA into H&H speakers as well. That was a second hand battered PA from early 80's maybe late 70's. Both PA and AMP got chucked in and out of cars, vans and clubs for years and worked a treat. As a novice it took me an age to dial in with channels, bright buttons, low/high/pre gains thrash/clean/EQ, presence and T Dynamics. Great for pedals. Nightmare for newbies. But hey ho. It's still going strong 30 years later.

[@Tony-P-64]

Back in the day I played a PV made in USA bass through a Peavey tnt 130 combo (heavy in weight and v loud). Then I also joined the failed Rock stars🤩. Loved the gear though!

[@frankbrown3717]

Wish the company the best of luck. Always loved Peavey amps. First amp was a Backstage plus, gigged with a Bandit 75 for years, and still have a Sterio Corus and the 5150 bought new in 1993.

[@ce152capt100]

I play through a Peavey Vyper 30 modeling amp and absolutely love it. Customer for life.

[@Toutvids]

Played Peavey for years. Original Peavey Bandit 65 watt, then the Transtube Bandit 112, Owned a Peavey Transtube head and slant 4x12 cab, Peavey Valveking head, Peavey PA gear and briefly had a Renown amp that was damaged and brought back to the store. Peavey was my go to gear for price and performance in my younger days. Now I am exclusively a tube combo amp guy. No room for the half stack anymore but won't go back to solid state. I own a Mesa Boogie Mark III now but don't play much anymore so I had sold all my Peavey gear years ago.

[@angusorvid8840]

I love Peavey. Great company, and great gear at a great price that can hold its own against much more expensive gear. My first amp was a Peavey and I'm about to get another. This is a brand that deserves to make a comeback.

[@JC6String]

I always loved Peavey and love my Peavey Classic 30 and still have an old 4 ohm 12x4 speaker cabinet that rocks! I hope to see Peavey make it happen!

[@christinehardonberg8925]

I originally bought a used Valveking 212 for my son. He was going to start a band. Sadly he gave up guitar. I’ve picked up guitar now and I had a amplifier specialist put new tubes in my Peavy and balance everything to perfection. I love this amp. I only wish it had something to cut the power output since I’m just using it at home. It’s so clean and works well with petals. The original price for a new 212 was only $695. What a great value.

[@kevinkessock4567]

My number 1 amp is a 1978 Peavey Standard 260 head and matching 2x12 cabinet. My number 2? 1979 Peavey Standard 260. I've also owned a Peavey Supreme head ( my first amp), 5150 II head (My first tube amp) and several iterations of 6505s and a few Classic series tweed combos. No matter how long or far I may stray I always seem to return to Peavey. It just feels like home to me.

[@jmegown52302]

Thanks Fred! I started playing bass in 1979. I bought a TKO, then added a TNT, then added a Mark IV Bass head with 2x15 enclosure and a T40 bass. I played for local dance/jazz bands around Cedar Rapids, Iowa area in the early 80's, then got away from playing. In the last year I'm getting back into playing (bass, guitar (electric and acoustic), banjo, fiddle). I just got a good deal on eBay for a 1991 Rage 108 and am awaiting delivery. I do plan on buying a new Peavey bass amp. I really want Peavey to stick around and succeed. 👍👍👍

[@mucklebuck]

Still use a pro 500 and 2x2/10s. It was hard to figure out the parametric but once dialed in ..... 60 yrs old. Playing since 74.

[@mariovillalobos276]

I used to have a Peavey Bandit Transtube 112, and I absolutely loved it! I miss that amp. I am thinking of buying another one

[@Basedboomerchadbear]

First amp was a Peavey. 30 year later and I still love peavey. I have an original Vandy and would like to buy two of the reissues.

[@robertsodin5870]

When I was recording a Hard Rock album 20 years ago, we had the producer's Mesa Boogie and my Peavey Triple X side by side. The renown producer was blown away by the triple x and we ended using that for the whole album because of its character. Now I am in a cover band in Vegas and use a Bandit that has gone through hundreds of shows, never fails, sounds amazing.

[@neocollective]

We also appreciate the honesty, so refreshing from a company exec that at heart, is still one of us, failed rockstars ! LOL. He and his team found a mission and purpose in supporting other musicians with their gear. I hope they can carve a place in the hearts of the younger generations as they did with those that rocked the 80's

[@TheGuitarGeek]

Well said! Fred was fantastic here.

[@AGeekNamedRoss]

Nice words. Lets see actions to match. Lets see employees treated honestly and fairly. Lets see high end stuff made in the US by skilled, happy employees working for honest bosses.

[@maloitpark]

Thinking about it, I've owned and played quite a bit of Peavy in my 54 years. In order - Reknown, VTM 120 with 2 Butcher 4x12's, Rock Master preamp with 120 Power amp, Bravo combo (to me, incredibly underrated, amazing tube combo), and the original 5150 head.

[@patrickpaolicelli8808]

My first guitar amp was a Peavey. It was a solid state with a pull knob boost that was massive. So massive I don’t remember even having to use it. Our band later purchased the 150 TNT bass amp and keyboard amp with the tweeter and horn speaker configuration. We were a top 40 cover 0:06 band in the 80’s.. We enjoyed your product then and wish the best going forward.

[@dhays423]

Fun interview! First amp was a Backstage 30 (solid state). Then I bought a Classic VTX 212 (tube preamp/ss power amp). Final Peavey amp was a Studio Pro 112 Trans Tube. After that I wanted to go all tube and the Classic 30/50’s weren’t out yet so I bought a Fender Hot Rod Deville 212. Still have it today. I honestly loved Peavey and hope they make a comeback. Good luck Frank!

[@danielleissner9430]

Peavey was my first amp! I'm 67 now, and I still use a peavey, a classic 20 mini with a vintage 30 speaker in a 1×12 black walnut cabinet that I made. Had a delta blues w/15 speaker, that I traded in for the classic 20. Hope yall had a good time at namm!

[@mikedaguitarguy]

I have had a couple Peavey Rage practice amps way back, but I presently have a first run Vandenberg, and two different Tracers. I love the contours on the Tracers, even more comfortable than other strat-esque guitars I own. I am stoked about the release of new Vandenberg, I hope to get a neck-thru!

[@rockstardr]

I've got a 1974 Peavey Classic 100 series 2x12 that I fixed up recently. It sounds awesome! Solid state preamp, tube power section...

[@brendanbeirne2]

My first amp was a Peavey. Great value. I always thought that the main problem with the brand was the font. It just seems like the kind of aesthetic sensibility you love in middle school and maybe high school but grow out of eventually. All the best to Fred Poole and team going forward!