Post by skinvoyager on Dec 5, 2013 8:09:47 GMT -7
A few days ago I found an almost brand new C30 1x12 combo dirt cheap. It's completely stock. I just wanted it for a practice/backup amp, and I figured since it has EL84s it will be in the same ballpark as the M12, so my pedalboard should interact with it pretty well.
I was surprised to find how much I like the tone, and how different it is from the M12. I know they're totally different animals, but I would expect more similarities. To me, the C30 has a very appealing creamy, rounded sound, almost like a 6L6 amp, and it makes the M12 seem very stiff by comparison. Just playing some blues licks and open chords, the Peavey just seemed easier to play. This really surprised me, especially since the C30 has a solid state rectifier.
The M12 certainly has a more refined tone, but then again, the C30 stock speaker isn't all that great. I'm going to hook both of these up to some extension cabs soon and see how that goes.
I know there are other important differences. The C30 has four power tubes, a different (3-band) tone stack, an effects loop, and a reverb circuit. But now I'm second guessing myself. Maybe all that is a good thing? I even had fun playing with the dirty channel on the C30. It's actually got a good rock tone, much to my surprise (as good as my Hot Cat 30!). And with the gain backed down and the master on full on the dirty channel, there are a lot of really nice in-between tones.
Years ago I had a Maz 18. I sold it because it was too stiff sounding. Now I'm remembering that sound all over again, but I didn't really notice it until I did the side-by-side with the Peavey. Obviously the M12 is a higher quality amp in terms of components and build. But I paid $280 for the C30. I could get three or four of them for the price of an M12, and just throw one away every few years if it broke (kidding, but you see the point). The C30 clean channel does start to break up fairly quickly, but it does so at a volume much louder than the M12 maxed out.
Anyone else feel the M12 can be stiff sounding? For the record, I've tried swapping the rectifier tube with a GZ34. Didn't notice too much of a difference. I know Dr. Z amps can be very revealing. If you don't have great technique, it very often shows. Maybe I just need to practice more!
I was surprised to find how much I like the tone, and how different it is from the M12. I know they're totally different animals, but I would expect more similarities. To me, the C30 has a very appealing creamy, rounded sound, almost like a 6L6 amp, and it makes the M12 seem very stiff by comparison. Just playing some blues licks and open chords, the Peavey just seemed easier to play. This really surprised me, especially since the C30 has a solid state rectifier.
The M12 certainly has a more refined tone, but then again, the C30 stock speaker isn't all that great. I'm going to hook both of these up to some extension cabs soon and see how that goes.
I know there are other important differences. The C30 has four power tubes, a different (3-band) tone stack, an effects loop, and a reverb circuit. But now I'm second guessing myself. Maybe all that is a good thing? I even had fun playing with the dirty channel on the C30. It's actually got a good rock tone, much to my surprise (as good as my Hot Cat 30!). And with the gain backed down and the master on full on the dirty channel, there are a lot of really nice in-between tones.
Years ago I had a Maz 18. I sold it because it was too stiff sounding. Now I'm remembering that sound all over again, but I didn't really notice it until I did the side-by-side with the Peavey. Obviously the M12 is a higher quality amp in terms of components and build. But I paid $280 for the C30. I could get three or four of them for the price of an M12, and just throw one away every few years if it broke (kidding, but you see the point). The C30 clean channel does start to break up fairly quickly, but it does so at a volume much louder than the M12 maxed out.
Anyone else feel the M12 can be stiff sounding? For the record, I've tried swapping the rectifier tube with a GZ34. Didn't notice too much of a difference. I know Dr. Z amps can be very revealing. If you don't have great technique, it very often shows. Maybe I just need to practice more!