Overall Rating: Overall this thing is killer. I'd buy it again in a heartbeat. It's perfect for jamming at home, rehearsals, and would be good for gigs too. If most guitarists did a "blind" test, I bet they wouldn't be able to tell the Vypyr apart fr...
Overall Rating: Overall this thing is killer. I'd buy it again in a heartbeat. It's perfect for jamming at home, rehearsals, and would be good for gigs too. If most guitarists did a "blind" test, I bet they wouldn't be able to tell the Vypyr apart from some of those over-hyped high end amps.
At this point, I wouldn't even consider a line 6 amp as competition. (and no, I don't work for Peavey...)
Features: I play varying styles from instrumental rock (satriani, vai, Eric Johnson) to blues/jazz and classic rock to metal. So basically just about everything. This amp is more than versatile enough to cover these styles. I give it a 9 on features. With the amount and quality of amps and pre/post effects there's not too much more you could ask for. All I could imagine wanting is an external speaker out so it can power a cab and maybe an effects loop for those of us who like an additional eq in the loop.
Sound Quality: I don't give many 10's but for the price you pay, this thing is a beast! Great cleans, great distortions (from mild overdrive to explosive face-melting metal). It can really nail that mildly overdriven, barely breaking up tube sound that we like so much. But it can also cover the 5150 territory with more than enough gain for you metalheads. If that' not enough, then put a tube screamer in front of it and take cover.
For a solid state amp, Peavey really nailed the tube feel. Part of it has to do with the analog distortion as opposed to digital. Great at low and high volumes, and this sucker is LOUD. I don't imagine having any trouble gigging or dealing w/ obnoxious drummers. I've been playing for over 15 years and have played a ton of tube and solid state amps. Will it make you sell your Diezel? No, but for $299 bucks, it will certainly give you more versatility and will keep up with just about anything available.
Seriously, if you guys can't get a good sound out of this thing, take up the tambourine or something***.
*** if you are an avid tambourine player and are offended by this statement please see below:
Tambourine sucks.
Reliability/Durability: The jury is still out on this one. Don't look at the 5 rating and think that it's bad, It's just too early to give it a good rating. I've heard some horror stories on the forums about guys who are on their second and third one's in about a month's time. But, keep in mind these are brand new and the bugs need to be worked out of them. So far so good, but I'm knocking on wood...oh wait that's particle board.
And never gig without a backup, or you could be playing some wicked air guitar. Once Peavey works out the kinks, this should be a reliable amp. At least if it's like anything else they make.
Customer Support: Customer support has always been great at Peavey, in my experience. Great guys, that really stand by their products.
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