Tech 21 Trademark60 Vs. Peavey Bandit 112

[y2k]

Hi guys,

I need some advice on amps. My current amp, a Marshall Valvestate 40V, bought in 1993 is due for retirement (Well, actually, it's dying on me at the moment).

I play music heavily influenced by tool, a perfect circle and other modern rock/metal bands. I have three type of tone in mind:

1. A clean tone that sounds dark and bassy.
2. A rhythm tone that is almost Mesa-like, but with a bit of Marshall mid-range growl.
3. A lead tone that has more mids and highs, somewhat like a Marshall.

I have read great reviews about the TRADEMARK60, IMO, it sounds like an amp that can deliver what i want. But, many ppl have also recommended the BANDIT112, due to its modern hi-gain channel, but they have commented that the clean tone is sub-par.

Can i hear it from ppl who own these two amps? Any other recommendations would be appreciated too. Thanks.

 

[ChanMin]

for the sound ... DEFINITELY the trade mark 60 ... my friend used to bring his trade mark 60 with a ts-9 and compresion sustainer to JAM and his volume and sounds was damn shiok. the clean channel is good too... though few of my friends experienced problems with the knob's contacts making noises when they turn them ... all can be resloved with a good can of contact spray...

the bandit is a work horse... the new ones look more "toy" then guitar amplifier...so not much faith in those... sound wise im sure they live up to the "peavey" standard. and they are cheaper too...

trademark is kinda overpriced man.... but its sound kicks some ass for a solid state.

 

[penta-tonic]

heard pretty gd reviews abt de peavey bandit. heard its really gd on distortion but as u noe all peavey amps dun sound gd on clean.

 

[y2k]

heard pretty gd reviews abt de peavey bandit. heard its really gd on distortion but as u noe all peavey amps dun sound gd on clean.

Haha. Yeah. I really torn between these two options. Anyone knows, off-hand, how much these two cost? I read somewhere the TRADEMARK60 costs SGD900.

 

[p00n]

kelvin from guitar connection was selling a made in england peavey bandit 112 for i think $400.. the old version.. wanted to buy it last time but placed downpayment with city music for a new amp already.. not sure if kelvin's amp is sold yet

 

[mikemann]

Just some pointers on the new Bandit II, cuz I have 4 of those babies in my studios. The LEAD channel is very versatile, as there is 3 modes to choose from, from blues rock to hard rock to metal sounding close to a metal zone but with a fuller body. There is another setting at output to shape the sound too, the bueaty of the transtube technology (NO tube inside).

List price at Swee Lee is $830 for this, and yes it made in china these days. But so is many other leading brands too. Swee Lee is the only place to get the peavey.

The thing about peavey stuffs are they are built to be used and used, the working musician's tool. Reliability and built I rate it as no. 1 because I repair amps. And I can tell what they use inside and how they built it.

With use, anything can and will eventually break down. So don't expect to listen to people say this and that and be dissapointed when its not as you heard.

Power wise is 100watts on the amp, but with the built in 12" sheffield, you are getting 80watts. A very sweet spot as it has enough juice to jam and gig too. You can even get an (there is a matching model from peavey)extension cab to stack it on top to get the full power.

I have not tried the other amp, so I have no comments on it.

Regards,
Mike
Mikemann Music Studio

 

[ChanMin]

yup...for the price of a new trademark 60...you could actually buy a 2nd hand 5150..... which will kill the trademark 60 and bandit added together

 

[y2k]

yup...for the price of a new trademark 60...you could actually buy a 2nd hand 5150..... which will kill the trademark 60 and bandit added together

Yeah, i've heard pretty good stuff about the 5150 too. Is it any good? Problem with tube amps is, you can't really dial in on a good tone without cranking up.

ChanMin, do you have a 5150 yourself? I'd love to hear one before commiting myself.

 

[y2k]

Just checked the Peavey website.
http://peavey.com/products/shop_online/browse.cfm/action/final/wc/1A1B221/fam/TA/c/1/5150.cfm

They only have a 212 as a conbo for the 5150 series.
I am looking at a 1x12 as i play mostly in the evenings, and i don't want any unhappy neighbors knocking on my door. No point getting a head too as i don't have much space in my room.

 

[mikemann]

Sorry dude, you can't get good sound at any level which does not annoy your neighbours on a 2X12 or 1X12 tubey amp.

 

[y2k]

Yeah, i tot so too. Think i'll stick with solid-state amps.
Buying a tube amp and staying in a HDB flat is like buying a Ferrari and driving it on 1st gear. Then again, some years back, I heard of this funny device that you can plug into a tube amp and crank it up without the volume going crazy. Its some transistor thingy. Any can advise?

 

[mikemann]

That's is the attenuator device. Like marshall powerbrake or the THD hotplates.
I don't reccomend it as you can drive your amp too much although the speakers output is limited, the amp output tubes are driven at full output. The result is a shorter life, or a blown amp if it cannot take the stress over time.

The manufacturer of such device can speak all they like about the safety of their product. But from a repairman point of view, I'm skeptical.

Like what's the point to put your ferarri on skateboard wheels and rev it crazy. Too much rpm means a blown engine very soon.

regards,
mike
Mikemann Music Studio

 

[novocaine]

Then again, some years back, I heard of this funny device that you can plug into a tube amp and crank it up without the volume going crazy. Its some transistor thingy. Any can advise?

Yeah, there exists such devices, they're called attenuators. Most popular being the Marshall Power Brake and THD Hot Plates. They basically provide an inductive(dummy) load between your amp output and the speakers to take up power, generated to heat. So you can crank up the volume on your amp, saturate it, reach the full-tubey overdrive and -bodied distortions without the extreme decibels to irritate your neighbours.

I've not experienced one myself, but from readings and reviews, I'm sure they work. \m/

 

[mikemann]

kelvin from guitar connection was selling a made in england peavey bandit 112 for i think $400.. the old version.. wanted to buy it last time but placed downpayment with city music for a new amp already.. not sure if kelvin's amp is sold yet

Heehee.... peavey I think never made in england. should be USA. I have one of those too. Good stuff.

 

[ChanMin]

well i have been playing my 5150 at...2?...maybe 3?... yes its kinda pointless... i will definitely buy a thd hotplate in the near future... ...becus..my previous " thd hotplate fund" ... morphed into a japanese strat.... therefore plans for it has been delayed... currently it sounds great... on 2 .... and one day i hope to have my own jam studio at home... thats why i invested in a bigger amp... and perhaps one day ..i can blast my 5150... when i gig.

the amp is FREAKING heavy... me and my friend almost died... when carrying it up one storey... yes its true a smaller solid state solution for your home is more feasible... but i know people with mesas and 2x12 cabinets... 4x12 cabinets... in hdbs... all you need is a hot plate...

i am actually looking out for a fender princeton 65. a solidstate amp ..one of my first amps i believe..it had a REALLY good clean channel ... which i hope to A/B it with my 5150... yummy....

do keep us posted with your choices..if you wanna try out the 5150... i have no problems with you trying mine out... but you have to find your way to punggol lah.. haha...

cheers,
min.

 

[y2k]

Yeah. I think i'll stick to solid-state amps then.
Any other good solid-state amps that are worth checking out?

 

[cherubrock]

aiyah i wish i can get a mesa dual rect full stack and use a hotplate...sigh...

 

[fibredrive]

hi y2k, PM-ed you. check. cheers

 

[y2k]

aiyah i wish i can get a mesa dual rect full stack and use a hotplate...sigh...

Yeah, every guitarist dream. Minus the hotplate though. I'd wanna crank it up. I actually tried one at the ESDEN place in SIM LIM. Super cool. The E power chord just blew me away.

 

[marshall_law]

Yeah. I think i'll stick to solid-state amps then.
Any other good solid-state amps that are worth checking out?

Peavey studio pro series. They are transtube amp which is a solid state but sounds like a tube amp... well almost like a tube amp.