Peavey Windsor half-stack for around $575?

[Robert Burns]

Most of the online retailers are selling the entire halfstack for $499.

**Trouble is Shipping could be $300.00 !

[Cygnus X1]

LOL yeah.....we're going to long for the in-depth, nuanced, unbiased, & experienced input we used to get at GC (NO OFFENSE TO GC STAFF SOME OF YOU ROCK....and be fair- some of you....don't).

Cyg- I'm intrigued, as a tube rookie, by what you said.... care to expand? Sounds like some good perspective.


Vass

OK, I kind of wandered off topic...this is just a general observation about some of the bargain priced tube rigs that are gaining popularity. I admit a lot of bias towards older, heavier designs that used open architecture to keep the tubes away from heat sensitive components.
Point to point wiring (expensive), turret board,(almost the same) amps require hand labor to assemble and solder.
Circuit boards can be assembled and soldered by robotic machines. The spacing can be, and usually is much more tightly spaced. Big problem is...the tolerances are so tight that the high heat, voltages, and currents don't survive very well on those little patches of real estate.

Add to that...the tendency to save money by using thin boards and very thin copper traces on those boards. Throw on some board-mounted jacks, switches, and potentiometers...not good.

It is possible to make a very good tube amp on circuit boards. But the cost gets just about as high as a boutique if done correctly (OK, half the cost, depending on quantity). Take apart a 70's SS amp, and you'll see just how thick those boards and traces are.
And keep the tube sockets mounted to the chassis. Plus the pots, switches, and jacks. But robots can't do that.

I'd just encourage people to take a peek inside some of these budget tube amps and see how they are built.

[Vass]

Cyg thanks for that. Good to consider.

[El Chiguete]

Has anyone played them and can give a review?

[Spivonious]

I played one for a bit at the store. It had a nice classic rock sound. That YouTube video made it sound much more trebly than it is in person.

[JerryP]

The Windsor is a killer amp for the money. It is a bit buzzy and has no clean, but with a little work is kills. Stock is sounds best cranked up. The Windsor cab sucks. I have a bunch of video of Dave King (Joey Belladonna) playing one I modded doing several styles of music.

http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=F52C146D1FAC5F70

Jerry

[straycat]

I have friends that sell these(dealers) and they tell me a very high % get shipped back for repairs not a good sign. Same with the Kranks. Just to give you an insider heads up.

[JerryP]

I have friends that sell these(dealers) and they tell me a very high % get shipped back for repairs not a good sign. Same with the Kranks. Just to give you an insider heads up.

I've seen no issues with either amp. The Windsor is well built for it's price range and the Krank amps are built solid too.
Jerry

[Vass]

Bumpity Bump

I'm not gonna do it because it sounds like it really has to get cranked to sound decent, but these are going for $399 now...... for a half stack.

http://guitars.musiciansfriend.com/product/Peavey-Windsor-All-Tube-Half-Stack?sku=485059

[gregmarmon]

just throw a cool overdrive in front of it and it sounds awsome i use the boss sd-1 with mine

[PowerTube]

LOL yeah.....we're going to long for the in-depth, nuanced, unbiased, & experienced input we used to get at GC (NO OFFENSE TO GC STAFF SOME OF YOU ROCK....and be fair- some of you....don't).

(sigh) As long as they use the term "Dude" an average of five times per sentence, then my life will be complete.

[gregthatshreds]

windsor sounds decent but not near enough gain for metal. Valveking sounds decent with plenty of gain on tap