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Peavey Classic 30 or Sovtek Mig50
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 12:22 am
by Berto
I found both of these amps for $250. My question is, what do you shortscalers believe is be a better?
I can get a cab for the sovtek.
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 12:39 am
by ekwatts
I have a Classic 30 and I love it. One of my best friends also has one, and she loves hers. It's an absolutely fantastic amp.
I have no idea on the Sovtek. Basically, you have to test them out. Like I say, the Classic is good, and it's small, and it's loud, but you might like the Sovtek more. I'm aware of their reputation (generally very good and reliable) but I've never actually heard one myself, so I couldn't possibly make a judgement.
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 12:39 am
by Will
I'd go Mig50 for sure. Fewer tubes = less maintenance, and it's a head so the tubes won't wear as fast. The Classic 30 goes through tubes at quite a clip. Plus the Mig is louder and looks way cooler.
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 12:45 am
by Bacchus
ekwatts wrote:I have a Classic 30 and I love it. One of my best friends also has one, and she loves hers. It's an absolutely fantastic amp.
I have no idea on the Sovtek. Basically, you have to test them out. Like I say, the Classic is good, and it's small, and it's loud, but you might like the Sovtek more. I'm aware of their reputation (generally very good and reliable) but I've never actually heard one myself, so I couldn't possibly make a judgement.
+1. I've never tried the Mig, nor do I know much about them but the Classic 30 is excellent.
They'd be quite different amps, though, wouldn't they?
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 12:47 am
by ekwatts
Will wrote:I'd go Mig50 for sure. Fewer tubes = less maintenance, and it's a head so the tubes won't wear as fast. The Classic 30 goes through tubes at quite a clip. Plus the Mig is louder and looks way cooler.
I think I changed the valves in my Classic around a month after I bought it, and that was about five years ago now. It's been in use pretty regularly since then. Saying that, I've been reeeeaaally careful not to knock them or otherwise touch them when moving it around (it's one of the older models without the metal guard on the back), which is pretty important.
But looking at the Sovtek, it does look pretty good. Still, that's basically a half-stack to lug around, but probably worth it. I couldn't imagine going any larger than a 1x12 or 2x12 combo, personally.
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 1:04 am
by matt.dines
I dunno if it's the same where you live but sovtek's don't come up for sale very often here
but you'll have to try it out and see if you like it,classic 30's are great amps tho.
I think you should go for what you think sounds better and what you want out of it
and what condition the amps are in.
I really want a sovtek tho!
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 1:01 pm
by goldengurls
I would take the mig, peavey's tend to have rattles in their cabs and other issues, even though these are the most touted of the foagie blues lawyers I would disagree.
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 1:24 pm
by robroe
the peavy logo looks like this.

based on this alone i say get the mig
go with the mig.
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 1:25 pm
by Bacchus
robroe wrote:the peavy logo looks like this.

Nope.
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 1:27 pm
by robroe
i forgot i don't know what guitar you have to play thru this amp.
if your guitar looks anything like the peavy logo...
go with the peavy
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:05 pm
by benecol
Mig. Mig mig mig.
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:07 pm
by euan
benecol wrote:Mig. Mig mig mig.
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:12 pm
by hotrodperlmutter
i would say play them both, and if you remotely like the sovtek at all, buy it, because you'll probably not find the head for that cheap anytime soon. peavey classics are very nice, but can generally be had pretty cheaps. also, the metal head logo is completely removable, and to recommend the sovtek purely based on the badge seems mighty juvenile.
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:29 pm
by Bacchus
hotrodperlmutter wrote:to recommend the sovtek purely based on the badge seems mighty juvenile.
Especially when there's loads of other important consideration too, like whether or not it's blue.
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 3:01 pm
by ekwatts
robroe wrote:i forgot i don't know what guitar you have to play thru this amp.
if your guitar looks anything like the peavy logo...
go with the peavy
Not sure you realise this Rob (surprise), but the Classic 30 is based on classic Fender amp aesthetics, such as the yellow tweed covering, pretty classy sounds, all that sort of stuff. The Peavey logo is generally removable on early Classics, which means you end up with an amp that looks like this:

Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 3:07 pm
by goldengurls
I have owned one of these and it wasn't a bad amp, it also wasn't a great amp, it sounded good with a p90 guitar and sucked with singles. I also had the classic 50 way back when they first came out, the 4x10 version. It was the brightest amp ever, too bright for me to enjoy.
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 3:35 pm
by laterallateral
Do you need built-in reverb? Do you want channel switching? Do you like the sound of overdriving pre-amps?
No?
Get the Sovtek.
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 3:50 pm
by endsjustifymeans
you found a mig-50 for $250 and haven't bought it yet?
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 4:47 pm
by stewart
i say sovtek, purely because classic 30s are ten-a-penny (and i don't like them all that much).
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 5:01 pm
by endsjustifymeans
endsjustifymeans wrote:you found a mig-50 for $250 and haven't bought it yet?