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Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions?
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Subject: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: GUEST,Marion Date: 30 Sep 02 - 04:12 PM Hello. What I have my eye on now is the Peavey Solo portable PA. Has anyone tried one of these? It looks like an amp - why are they calling it a PA rather than an amp? Also, it only has 15 Watts when plugged in. A couple of acoustic amps I was looking at came in 50 or 100 W varieties, and I thought PAs were generally more powerful than amps. Does 15 W mean that this can't fill much space with sound? (I intend using it for nursing home gigs, and I want something easy to carry that can handle my guitar pickup and a microphone. The battery option is interesting but not terribly important to me). Thanks, Marion |
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: M.Ted Date: 30 Sep 02 - 04:39 PM I think that this would be exactly what you want--Peavey stuff tends to be cheap, good, and sturdy. I have a small Peavy guitar amp(also 15 watts) that I have used for years(also has battery option) for small situations, and it has been great--This has two channels(it looks like you can use one for your mike, either high or low impedence, and the other for your instrument-- If it is like most other Peavey stuff, it will have an output in the back allowing you to run an extra speaker if you want--the thing that makes this a PA amp is probably that the unit is enclosed in the back, rather than open, as a guitar amp would be-- |
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: GUEST,Marion Date: 30 Sep 02 - 04:52 PM Thanks, Ted. My other question is: what do they mean by "packed" and "unpacked" in the dimensions? Does that imply that it comes with a carrying case that adds some weight and size? Marion |
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: treewind Date: 30 Sep 02 - 05:34 PM By 'PA' they mean:
As for the power: bear in mind that it is, or can be, battery powered. Much more than 15 watts in a battery powered amp would mean either Anahata |
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: GUEST,Les B. Date: 30 Sep 02 - 05:48 PM I have one that's several years old, and I haven't used it as much as I thought, but it has worked fine on a couple of occasions. The "packed" - "unpacked" thing may refer to the cardboard box it comes in, which is tight fitting and would probably add that weight and those dimensions. I keep it in that box for storage. I put a tape hinge and a magnetic "latch" on the battery compartment door (replacing the screws) so I could more easily remove & replace the six or eight flashlight batteries. I was afraid they'd corrode between uses. It is a very lightweight little unit that puts out a good amount of sound.
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: Willie-O Date: 30 Sep 02 - 08:39 PM Well, I have owned a little Peavey amp somewhat like that, with a battery/12 v power option, and give it mixed reviews. The sound was rather distorted, it was an electric guitar practice/busking type amp, not an acoustic amp. The other weird thing about it (look close at the controls there) was that it didn't have a volume control...just gain and decay.
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: Genie Date: 30 Sep 02 - 11:13 PM As a Fender Amp Can user, I'm curious as to how this Peavy compares, in terms of sound quality, to the Amp Can. The Amp Can does have separate volume and tone controls for both mic and guitar input. I couldn't tell from the ad if the Peavy does, too. Personally, I like the built-in rechargeable battery of the Amp Can, since it's easier to recharge it than to replace a bunch of C or D size batteries. Also a good charge lasts me for over 20 hours of play at the volumes I use it for. ( I haven't really counted, but I recharge it only about once a month.) Does anyone know how long the Peavy can go on its fully charged batteries ( at say a level 3 or 4 out of 10 in volume)? Genie |
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: Peg Date: 01 Oct 02 - 12:14 AM I had one for years; used it for busking. Finally sold it as I realized I hardly ever used it anymore. But it worked great and was affordable. I'd recommend it for the purpose you mentioned. It's easy to carry too! |
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: nickp Date: 01 Oct 02 - 11:16 AM I've had a Solo for several years now and it would do ideally for the nursing home and small gigs. You might get a little more volume using it on a mains adaptor or from a 12v car battery but I've never found it wanting. Mine is used for my mandolin (and sometimes microphone) playing for a small appalachian clogging team who can make a bit of a racket and has never proved too quiet. At worst you might need a pre-amp/e.q. footpedal depending on the instrument and pickup. Admittedly its not as loud as the Can and is a fraction more bulky but I reckon it's better sound wise. I'd not think twice about replacing mine with another. Nick |
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: Rick Fielding Date: 01 Oct 02 - 04:39 PM Hi Marion. My experience has been that the "little" Peavey may be the most popular of all small busker amps....BUT....you're not going to get a very good sound out of it. Yes, it's better than Fender's "Amp Can", and the equally small Pignose, but it's certainly not even close to the "Moose" by Lectrosonic, and the "Hog" (which I have) by Pignose. It DOES have the low impedance jack and that's a plus though. Here's a suggestion (I've seen this done and it really works well) If you can afford TWO Peaveys, and run them in tandem, you get a very acceptable sound for small venues. Simply getting some 'separation' with the voice and guitar creates a "fullness" that one amp on it's own will never have. It will still cost WAYYYYY less than an actual P.A. and still be fairly easy to carry around, and you don't need a power supply other than the batteries. Personally I'd use two Pignose "Hog" amps and the sound would be substantially better, but they may be harder to get now. (I got mine at Steve's Music, after quite a bit of research) Rick |
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: Willie-O Date: 02 Oct 02 - 12:20 AM Yeah, I've used the two-amp solution with reasonable results. Not two matching amps, but two Peaveys. (My Ecoustic and a 50-watt Bandit which is an electric guitar amp.) Kind of jury=rigged though. As I recall, I used the monitor outs on my 4-channel board so the amps were self-powered. Weird setup, works OK if you set up the separate volume & tone controls carefully. Too many knobs, cables, etc. Only real reason to do it IMHO is if you already have that equipment and don't want to spring for more. W-O |
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: Marion Date: 02 Oct 02 - 05:05 PM Willie-O, aren't gain and volume basically the same? Rick, doesn't the Pignose Hog have only one input? Genie, I'm hoping to find a store that carries both Amp Can and Peavey Solo so I can compare sound. For what it's worth, the Peavey Solo is cheaper and slightly lighter. I agree that a rechargeable battery would be preferable to disposable batteries, but on the other hand, the Peavey Solo has an XLR input. Do you have to carry some kind of converter to plug your microphone into the Amp Can? Someone should invent an amp with a convex bottom so it could be carried on top of the head. Marion |
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: harpmaker Date: 02 Oct 02 - 05:58 PM You mean a concave bottom!!! I have never tried this myself, but apparantly peavey speakers arn't very good (cheap end) A friend of mine said that he put a good quality speaker in his 'solo' and it made the world of difference(apparently) I used one for years busking, It was a good workhorse. On the downside, the 12v power input plug wears very quick and can let you down just when you dont need it. |
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: Marion Date: 02 Oct 02 - 07:19 PM Harpmaker, I'm a little confused by your post. When you say "I never tried this myself" are you referring to the Peavey Solo or to carrying an amp on your head (concave, convex, whatever, I mean rounded inward and maybe with a nice chin strap)? Was it a normal Peavey Solo that you used for years of busking, or your friend's adaptation? And what's the "12v power input plug"? Do you mean the electrical power connection, or the input from an instrument? Marion |
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: Rick Fielding Date: 02 Oct 02 - 11:07 PM Nope, just one input on the Pignose "HOG" amp. It's designed as a portable bass amp, which is why it's good for the voice (less tinny than the smaller ones.) I just use a "Y" connecter when I've run two sources through it. Rick |
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: Marion Date: 03 Oct 02 - 04:22 PM A Y connector - now that is interesting. I'd have a lot more options if I weren't ruling out boxes with only one input. Thanks for the lead. Can a Y connector take a XLR mike cable? Harpmaker, I did a little phone shopping for the Peavey Solo and discovered that you can't just plug the thing in - to use electricity, you have to buy a separate "battery eliminator" (another $50). Is this the thing that you're saying doesn't work depenably? Marion |
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: Marion Date: 03 Oct 02 - 06:30 PM Rick, I've done some internet research on the things you suggested and run into some problems: 1. Pignose Hog 30 - I found a listing for this at Musician's Friend and American Musical Supply and both said that it has 2 instrument inputs. The picture is small but it looks to me like it only has one - not to mention that you've only found one on yours. Here's the description for it at Musician's Friend: Pignose Hog 30. Is this not the same one that you're talking about it? Or have both sales sites gotten it wrong? 2. Lectrosonic Moose - I couldn't find anything at all on this. Are they no longer being made? 3. Y connector - I couldn't find this at either site listed above. Is this not the proper term for it? Thanks, Marion |
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: nickp Date: 04 Oct 02 - 06:09 AM Battery Eliminator - any mains adaptor giving the right low rating voltage (12 volts?) will do although you you get better results from a 'regulated' one, the voltage will be more stable. Unregulated are cheaper but suspect for this sort of power drain. Maybe $50 for a regulated one isn't too bad - I paid £25 (about $40) at Tandy/Realistic a few years ago for a good one - if you get a variable output one you can use it for other things when you're not out gigging. Make sure the polarity (+ or -) is set for the amp. The Solo will run quite happily off a 12v car battery (a bit big) or one of the sealed 'wet cell' motorbike or burglar alarm batteries (again 12v needed). From memory it will work at between 9 & 18 volts (although its efficiency varies). Again make sure the polarity is the right way round otherwise it will wreck the electronics. Nick |
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: Willie-O Date: 04 Oct 02 - 08:47 AM I don't know the technical distinction but I learned from that machine that gain and volume are not the same, although turning them up will in both cases make an amp louder. It didn't have a simple volume control, i.e. oneknob operation. When you turned up the gain you had to juggle one or two other knobs or you would get horrible distortion and feedback. It had a kind of cool power supply though--an 18 volt adapter ($10 option) into which you could put two little 9 volt batteries. Certainly the lightest battery configuration I've ever found in an amp, if not the longest-lasting. You could also get good results plugging it into the car battery. I think Peavey speaker quality has improved, in all cases you get what you pay for. W-O |
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: Marion Date: 08 Oct 02 - 11:27 AM Hey Rick, why talk about horses when you could be talking about Y-connectors? Marion |
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: Marion Date: 09 Oct 02 - 01:30 PM Hey Rick, why talk about airplane monsters when you could be talking about Y-connectors? Marion |
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: GUEST,Claymore Date: 09 Oct 02 - 05:47 PM Marion, First the Y cable: Since the impedence of the 1/4 inch cable is higher than the three prong XLR, you will not find an adapter (Y cord) that will put both an XLR and a 1/4 inch (High Z) into one 1/4 male plug to go into your amp. But do not lose heart, there is a fix. HOSA makes a Y cord that has two female 1/4 inputs connected to one male 1/4 output plug, and this is the plug you need. If you already have an XLR type mic, you can purchase either a 16 foot cord that goes from XLR to 1/4 inch (Radio Shack #33-4010) or an XLR to 1/4 inch plug adapter/impedence matcher (Radio Shack #274-016). If you do not have a mic, may I suggest the Radio Shack 33-3001, which comes with an XLR to 1/4 inch cord, and is the best kept secret in the mic world. It normally goes for around $80. but has been dropping in price over the years, and you can get one on sale for around $35. I use a lot of Beta 58s and 57s and with a windscreen, the RS beats them both on flute or soft female vocals. It will go direct to your HOSA "Y" and you can plug your guitar into the other leg of the "Y". Now comes the tricky part. You will have to balance the input of the guitar pick-up with the natural input of your voice mike, since you have only one Y-ed input into the can amp. Since you cannot adjust the volume of your voice mic, bring it up in the amp volume (gain) until you like the sound and the volume. Then, using the gain slider on the guitar pick-up, put the guitar higher or lower in the mix, as you see fit. If your guitar does not have a gain control for the pick-up (most likely passive) you might have to consider buying a pre-amp to boost or control the guitar volume, or consider the two input amp (which, after this, may be cheaper than all the adapters, etc.) There are other options, such as the Morely A-B-AB selection pedal, but again the two input amp will probably come out cheaper in the long run. Finally, the perceived volume of whatever amp you choose will be enhanced if you get it off the ground, and somewhere near the ear level of your intended listeners (a hospital bed-table works great). But do not put it behind you or feed-back will result. Good Luck! |
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: Rick Fielding Date: 09 Oct 02 - 06:47 PM Hi Marion. Sorry, I wasn't paying attention! My HOG DOES have two inputs....one's on the back! I never realized that.....ooooooh, the possibilities. Don't worry about the XLR connections, there are adaptors to deal with that. Still think the Hog is the best that I've seen and heard. Cheers Rick |
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: Marion Date: 10 Oct 02 - 01:39 AM Willie-O, so you would avoid anything that had a gain control rather than volume? Claymore, thanks for the info on Y cables. So is "an XLR to 1/4 inch cord" balanced or unbalanced - or is it implied that there's a converter somewhere along the line? I once helped out with festival sound and learned that the people with guitar pickups plugged their patch cords into a "DI box" which adapted it to an XLR signal for the mixing board. Is "an XLR to 1/4 inch plug adapter/impedence matcher" the same as a DI box turned the opposite direction? Rick, this is getting even more interesting - an amp with the features I want that also has a reputation for sounding good. Plus, it's from California so my guitar will feel less homesick. I must admit that I find it somewhat amusing that you never noticed that other input. How much are you selling yours for? Marion |
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: GUEST,Claymore Date: 10 Oct 02 - 10:36 AM Marion, I have to make this quick (at work) 1. The XLR to 1/4 inch is unbalanced, but since you will be close to the amp, there is no problem. Remember that there is no appreciable difference btwn balanced and unbalanced up to about twenty feet, which is why most guitar (instrument) cords do not go beyond that length. 2. The adapter I mentioned will give your line and impedence balanced line, but it is not as good as an "active" DI box (Recommend Behringer DI 100, $34. - use them everywhere). And a DI box does not "reverse". But again, since you will almost always be within twenty feet of your amp, it's sort of coals to Newcastle to worry about balance. Since I use a 100 foot snake in many of the sound applications I do, I balance the hell out of everything, but in your case, it's not needed, and only the more expensive guitar amps even have provision for them. And again, that is usually a provision to allow the use an XLR mic cord, but not strictly necessary for the provision of balance. 3. Finally, the most important function of balance in a guitar amp is the "Direct Out", which allows you to connect your amp directly into a superior sound system, and yet use the effects contained in the amp. If your amp does not have a balanced Direct Out, that is the supreme moment for the active DI box, going 1/4 out of the amp, to 1/4 into the DI, and DI sending it all the way back to the house system as XLR balanced. Incidently the DI 100, can take a speaker output, and pad it enough (40 dbl) to use it as a line level source, balanced back to the house mixer. |
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: Marion Date: 11 Oct 02 - 07:33 PM Thanks for the clarification, Claymore. Marion |
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: harpmaker Date: 11 Oct 02 - 07:50 PM Marion, In a nutshell, Peavey Solo amps are crap, you will never, I repeat NEVER get a great sound out of one. (Mono) however, If you just want to amplify what you do --- There a gift! |
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: Marion Date: 13 Oct 02 - 12:22 PM Harpmaker, I'm still wondering about this statement of yours: "On the downside, the 12v power input plug wears very quick and can let you down just when you dont need it." Are you talking about the "battery eliminator" which is bought separately and is necessary to plug the thing into the wall? I'm also a little confused about why you say "They're a gift" if you think they sound bad. THanks, Marion |
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: harpmaker Date: 13 Oct 02 - 12:35 PM 1/You can use a 12v battery for power into the back, the plug that enables you to do this is the one in the back of the amp, this is the one that wears. 2/ If you justs want to get louder, then yes, there a gift , however sound quality is somewhat left to be desired! Hope this clears up any confusion. |
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: Willie-O Date: 13 Oct 02 - 12:42 PM Yes, you definitely want a master volume control that is labelled as such. It may also have gain. One point about having an XLR input: You really, definitely, do get better results from an XLR mike--i.e. a decent mike--by using the XLR input, than you do by plugging it in through a 1/4" adapter. This is not some nitpicking techie comparison--the direct XLR signal is much hotter. And all adapters are a pain. Bill |
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: Rick Fielding Date: 14 Oct 02 - 10:55 AM Hi Marion. If you wanna take mine (HOG) out and use it for a few hours (mikes too if you want) I'll be happy to loan it to you. Who knows, maybe I WILL sell it! But only if I can borrow it sometimes!! Cheers Rick P.S. My friend has a pretty nice totally unused electric piano....perhaps stuff can be worked out. |
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: 53 Date: 14 Oct 02 - 11:11 AM Peavey stuff is usually pretty good. |
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: sed Date: 14 Oct 02 - 11:14 AM Back when I too drove a gas guzzler I'd pull my van up to my streetsinging gig location at Five Points South (Bham, AL) and hook my Peavy Solo amp up to my Dodge van battery. The sound quality wasn't the best but it amplified both guitar via detachable pickup and voice via Shure SM57 mic. I was reasonable satisfied with the amplified sound. ---------- How I might carry all that on a bicycle (even with a BOB trailer, if I get one) is questionable. I no longer live in my van and Bham is almost a hundred miles distant. Back then I often thought about how I had earned the money to buy the amp from songwriting royalties and that encouraged me as I sang songs for the passersby. I do miss street performing as it's a very democratic process, and very 'interactive!' One cannot help but feel the pulse of his community in such an environment. |
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: Marion Date: 15 Oct 02 - 12:10 PM Thanks for clearing that up, Harpmaker. Claymore and Willie-O appear to disagree on whether or not a balanced signal is superior in a short cord. Who to believe... the musician or the sound guy... hmm. Marion |
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: GUEST,Claymore Date: 15 Oct 02 - 01:00 PM Willie- O is correct that the 1/4 line will be about 6 dbl down from the XLR feed, which could affect the extreme upper and lower character of the sound. But going to an 8" battery powered speaker in a $140.00 amp from less than twenty feet away, the theoretical must take a bow to the practical, to say there is no appreciable difference. If you are coming to the FSGW Getaway, I will have all the adapters and equipment to allow you to test for yourself. I understand Willie-O will also be there, and if Rick brings the amp, you and those guys can plug and play to your hearts content. |
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: Gary T Date: 15 Oct 02 - 03:48 PM Re: volume vs. gain-- My understanding is that gain regulates the signal before the final amplification--I think of it as boosting the input side. Volume regulates the amplified output. Each step in the process adds distortion, and amplifying distortion makes things worse. For the cleanest sound, you want to minimize gain. For some intentional distortion (popular in rock music) you want more gain. Having both gain and volume controls gives you some flexibility in the sound you produce. |
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: Marion Date: 16 Oct 02 - 01:03 AM Claymore, I won't be at the Getaway. But if I were, I'd go to both your workshops. Marion |
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: sed Date: 20 Oct 02 - 06:43 PM This conversation inspired me to find my peavy solo and power it up with 8 old D cells....it still works after years of storage.... As I remember the speaker wasn't the best as it distorted some...but I used to sing via a shure sm57 mic and play my electrified acoustic through it sucessfully. A Georgia musician either loaned or gave me an Ovation Tangent thin lined electro-acoustic recently so it's time to get back out there and sing somewhere, where I don't know.... Thanks for the indirect idea.... maybe maybe maybe a song will soon be sung solo in georgia you can't get under it..... singin' steve |
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: GUEST,Mag Date: 13 Feb 12 - 02:01 AM I'm going to be playing on the street with bass and laptop. How does the Peavy compare to the Crate tx15,if anyone is still here? Tanx,Mag |
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Subject: RE: Peavey 'Solo' PA; opinions? From: GUEST Date: 06 Jul 21 - 07:28 PM Yay |
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