randythoades

Many thanks for the feedback both. Seems that what I want to achieve isn't quite in the remit of my amp. I might just go back to my comfort zone of 90s solid state.

So, is it just a case of like it or lump it? If it has the response that it currently does, how would adding a boost pedal or overdrive help? I like the tone with guitar volume at 5 and at 10, they are great for my needs, I just need a small volume increase as well. Or is there a pedal which does the reverse and creates a volume drop that then doesn't massively overload the input when switched off?

Thanks for this @Dad3353. Much appreciated and a detailed answer as usual. From a tone point of view I really like the Classic 20, I like the tonal variations it has and do understand that different amps have different tonal characteristics. I don't play actually clean, I find a mild overdrive sort of tone for rockabilly, blues and modern country. I have only played at home, not with a band as yet and would expect to mic amp up when I do, I don't need 'loud' really. So I am happy to have an amp that sounds right at whatever volume level that is and let the PA take the strain. You only really notice when playing along to a cd, not really when just playing with no backing. I don't want to get involved with pedals if I can help it, I have played without them for 30 years and don't want the hassle of cables and power leads. But as it stands, I just can't work out how it can be useful if I can't increase the volume output using the guitar volume enough to change from rhythm to lead on the fly. Even if I did do pedals, surely the pedals likely to give me the effect I need (volume boost and a small amount of gain/overdrive pedal) will likely just do the same as the guitar volume and just hit the amp with a stronger signal which would also give me more gain but no volume increase? Is this likely to be for most tube amps or is it just the EL84? Would a different amp suit this more style more? If not then I will just cut my losses and go back to my normal SS amp. It would be a shame as the tone is lovely overall and adds that extra sparkle that the SS sometimes lacks

Without wanting to sound like a complete numpty, I am struggling with my Peavey classic 20. I have tended to be a Fender SS or modelling amp player and I normally set a slightly crunchy rhythm tone with my guitar volume on about 5, then roll the guitar volume up to increase the volume and a little extra gain for a lead tone - the same tone but just a bit extra all round which works well to bring the volume up over the rest of the band. But this doesn't work on the Peavey classic 20. I can get a great rhythm tone the same, but rolling up the guitar volume adds almost no amp volume but just adds (too much) gain and doesn't leap out like I was expecting and certainly wouldn't work in a small band situation. Similarly I can get a great lead tone, but rolling back just reduces (too much) gain and not much volume. I tried out several amps (admittedly at the cheaper end) before buying, the peavey delta blues, vox ac10, Fender Blues Junior, Fender HRD, Laney cub 12. I preferred the smaller speaker and the slightly boxy tone of the classic 20 but now I am using it in anger as it were I am finding it lacking. I went back to try valve amps after a 20 year hiatus after hearing a guy in the local pub with a Blues Junior which sounded amazing, but he was also running a full pedal board. I don't use pedals at all, prefer just to have instrument and amplifier. What am I missing? How do people use one amp and guitar without pedals?

Ah yes, I see. You could use a multi DI such as the Behringer Ultra DI800 as that would give 8 DI inputs and 8 balanced XLR outputs into the H8. A much cheaper option than changing your interface.

Never heard of them. But it looks very cool though!

I haven't used those particular DI boxes before but I have used others and have and use several Zoom recorders for different applications. The H8 wouldn't be my choice for multitrack recording, it is more of a compact field recorder to capture band recordings, podcasting away from your desk etc. But it will do the job fine as long as you don't need the extra functionality. If you are at your desk, just use it as an audio interface and make all the corrections and parameters in your DAW. But I don't think you will need to run the DI at all, you should be able to plug straight into the combo jack, they are meant for guitar level signals and have switchable Hi-Z. Should be no problem if you have an onboard preamp or powered pickup. If it is just a passive pickup then you are still be able to plug in if you increase the gain enough but accept that there will be additional noise. There isn't a massive amount of EQ etc in the Zooms themselves so if you don't want to export into computer then your editing options are limited (not always a bad thing!) so you want as good a signal as possible going in. My own solution is to get an old Zoom 504ii acoustic effects box off eBay for like £25 and use that to boost and modify the signal as best I can before it gets to the recorder and ignore the PC until final mastering.

Looks great, especially with the Marshall!!

I was never about rhythm alone, but I started to imitate the guys who mixed lead and rhythm together in that slightly muted but melodic way rather than distinct rhythm and lead roles. Usually from small single guitar bands such as Eddie Van Halen, Fast Eddie Clarke, Scotty Moore, James Burton, Brian Setzer, Billy Gibbons, Pete Townsend

Very nice. Sorry the Laney didn't work out. Looked like it had lots of potential.

What's up the tree?? The dogs seem to like whatever it is.

I do happen to really like Gold tops, but I also have an 'attraction/repulsion relationship with PRS'. I love to look at them, but I have been disappointed with all the ones I have played (granted they have mainly been SE models). Just something about the way they are doesn't work for me, the neck feels too flat and too wide and I can't get many of the tones I like, they just seem too 'polished, smooth and grown up'. I can't seem to get that fat LP tone, a spiky punky tone, nor the direct Fender type tone. But watching other players use them is often jaw droppingly good!!

That is a great idea. I dabbled with mandolin but struggled with the string and fret spacing due to fat fingers!

I'm with @Dad3353. Even running at 10w, a valve amp is far too loud for home use (I would say that even a 1w valve amp is pushing it volume wise for me). A modelling amp provides much better flexibility and give you all the other options as well. The tones are excellent. Just a slight point though, to me they always sound like a 'recorded guitar tone' and you don't get that visceral, trouser flapping monster tone in your face. But for home and rehearsal levels they are a great option without a lot of the cost and the weight.

That looks really good actually. Not tried one but I would be interested in your thoughts when you have time to test it out.