1968 OG Peavey Musician Head - The FIRST Peavey Guitar Amp - ICEpower RestoMod & Sonic Evaluation John Fields 2024-12-22 | After 7 years of putting it off, we've finally resurrected this old Peavey Musician head from 1968 that was given to me by Derrick Cook. This proposed repair became a study in using class D ICEpower amplifiers to retrofit older solid state designs that prove to be difficult to repair. In this case, we were able to put in a 50ASX2 stereo module and only use half to very closely replicate the performance of the old 40411 power section whilst preserving the stock preamp tones. There's also lots of great Peavey history thrown in that you won't find anywhere else. Thanks for watching, and stay tuned for more great stuff soon!
Peavey Classic 400 - Part 4 - Swapping Power Tubes John Fields 2026-08-26 | In this last and final installment on the Peavey Classic 400 tube bass head, we will discuss the differences between the stock 6L6-based Chinese 6550s and other proper 6550 types. Will also delve into the ups and downs of rebiasing a Class B amp and what you can do to keep it reliable and happy. Thanks for watching! Please hit like and subscribe....more content on the Mace and 5150 proto coming soon.
Peavey Classic 400 - Part 3 - Guitar Checkout John Fields 2026-08-09 | In this 3rd installment, we check out the mighty Classic 400 for use with GUITAR. Fun stuff....thanks for watching!
Peavey Classic 400 - Part 2 - Checkout & Comments John Fields 2026-08-08 | NOTE: I realize that I lost the audio when I put the phone on the stand.... thanks. In this installment, we will finish up the Classic 400 and discuss biasing with an inaudible playthrough. Thanks for watching!
Peavey Classic 400 - Part 1 - Disassembly & Discussion John Fields 2026-08-06 | In this video, we'll take apart the mighty Peavey Classic 400. This is the cleanest one I've seen since they were built. Feel free to leave your questions in the comments and I'll respond fairly soon, if possible. Later, we'll do another video showing the mods and checkout procedure. Thanks for watching!
1930s Cambridge Simpli-trol ECG Monitor - ASBESTOS WARNING & Other Info John Fields 2026-07-28 | Today's short piece resulted from a much better video that I lost, however, I still thought it would be prudent to warn techs looking at these devices about the imminent asbestos threat that exists in some of these units. Please don't try to open one of these unless you are in a well ventilated area with a protective mask on your face. I suspect that the asbestos was added to stop complaints about the wooden box catching on fire during a fault condition. In any event, this was not the cool audio-centric "history of high gain tube input stages" video that I was hoping for, but I finally got to test my new mic and perhaps it will help someone trying to info on servicing these dinosaurs. Thanks for watching!
Gettin Wiggy With It (The Wiggy Explained) John Fields 2026-05-27 | Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to this video and it is being posted for educational and historical purposes only....This video was made by Peavey Electronics Corporation in 2000 as an aid to dealers who were having trouble selling the new Wiggy (Deeezil Zappa Signature Amp) in brick-and-mortar stores. Sit back, laugh, and learn while my good friends and former co-workers James Brown and Bill Xavier take you on a wacky 25-year-old lost sonic journey of the Wiggy's crazy control names and toans.The design team for the Wiggy and it's 212 cabinet consisted of Bruce Lee (Industrial Design), Scott Wisker (mechanical), John Fields (electrical), James McFerrin (PCB), James Hughes (PCB....RIP), and James Brown (fearless leader). Thanks for watching!
Simple 7805 Linear Regulator Fix For Many Boutique Digital Effects Pedals - Ghost Note Swirls Mod John Fields 2026-03-16 | In this video, we'll investigate a quick circuit mod that I came up with to repair a very expensive boutique digital pedal that had a blown switching power supply regulator that I couldn't identify. It was headed for the heap but since there were already 15uF capacitors established in some very opportune spots, I decided to rip out the rest and kludge in a simple 7805 (old school +5V linear IC voltage regulator). The results were great. Please let me know if you try this on over of these or on any other digital pedals that seem to be adaptable to linear IC supplies and post your results in the comments. THANKS FOR WATCHING! PLEASE LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE!
Method For Removing Rotten Chainsaw Case Foam On 1980s Peavey Guitars From Storage John Fields 2026-02-23 | In this rather hasty video, we will investigate one of several ways to remove the dreaded rotten foam of the Peavey "chainsaw" cases from the 1980s from guitars that have been improperly stored in them for far too long....40 years in the case of this 1984 Horizon. To top it off, the foam on this example had become WET, resulting in metal parts on the rear being rusted beyond recognition. In addition to alcohol, I've had good results with WD-40, which may also be safe for nitrocellulose finishes.... thing is that a nitro finish wouldn't have made it through this level of abuse, anyway. Peavey is the way. I hope you enjoy the video and I look forward to more ideas from my subscribers.
1963 Sears Silverstone Console Record Changer Player - Intermittent Cartridge/Needle Fix John Fields 2025-11-22 | This did NOT fix the root problem, as the cartridge was actually bad, but it is a common problem just the same. I replaced it with a Banpa cartridge in Amazon and obtained an adapter bracket and round terminals from V-M. I'm leaving this up as a visual reference for the parts since there are no others that I can find on YT. Thanks for watching!
Replacing TO-3 Power Transistors On Some 70s, 80s, & 90s Peavey Amplifiers - 1980 Session 400 John Fields 2025-09-30 | Today, we'll take a look at a common issue with TO-3 transisistor insulators that I've been seeing extensively over the past few months. We're going to review the "improved" silica-based replacements for the old mica insulators that were coming into favor for manufacturers looking to cut costs in the mid 70's. These amps used the otherwise nearly indestructible TO-3 BJTs in mostly NPN quasi-complimentary and similar driven supply design topologies, however, those devices wouldn't last forever with poor heatsinking. It turns out that those "improved" silica insulators had a very finite life span, in practice.... replacing them with old school micas + thermal compound and a clean set of transistors can really breathe new life into these classics too make them sound better than ever before. Thanks for watching!
How To Clean Up 80s Peavey Amps With Bumpy 34 oz Tolex (Vinyl) Covering Material John Fields 2025-07-12 | In this rather zoomy and shaky installment, we will clean up the tolex on an old Teal Speckled Peavey Bravo 112. Use an air compressor capable of at least 100psi, and the more focused the nozzle, the better.Props to Ronnie Goss (RIP) for the noise grease trick!PS: Sharpie ink doesn't dry when it's this humid....doh.We hope this helps. Please like and subscribe and tell your friends. Thanks for watching!
Peavey EVH 5150 Maintenence On Ryan Bruces (@RiffsAndBeards) Block Letter John Fields 2025-06-09 | In this rather long video, we are going through a very special Peavey block letter EVH 5150 head belonging to Ryan Bruce (@RiffsAndBeards channel) that was in my possession when his studio was recently damaged in a fire. We will cover several potential issues that need to be looked into when one of these amps is serviced. We will also discuss repair options that could be taken for collectors in order to maintain the originality of the amp versus others for performers that require better functionality in use. A previous video showing the testing of the quad of STR387 tubes used in Fluff's amp can be seen here: youtu.be/C9RFQmvJWmY?si=GRFUSXhJ1YW_ucrhPlease like, subscribe, and comment for more content.
Testing & Matching Sylvania STR387s & Other 6L6GCs For Fluffs Block Letter 5150 John Fields 2025-05-29 | Whilst repairing a nice block letter 5150 for Ryan Bruce, I decided to match him up a nice set of Sylvania STR387s for the sake of him getting to hear it in it's true form. I also decided to document the process here. I hope you enjoy it. A full video of the service procedure for Ryan's amp can be seen here: youtu.be/uEgUCQkuUls?si=5gb674LkXiOs_oz1Thanks for watching. Please like and subscribe for more like this.
Western Electric 212D General-Purpose Power Triode Test - Giant Vacuum Tube From the 1920s John Fields 2025-04-19 | Welcome to the Wild West of Electronics!Today, we will test and discuss a gorgeous old Western Electric 212D general-purpose indirectly-heated power triode vacuum tube. This was an estate sale find that came at an opportune time for me to finally get my rocks off playing with one of these old monsters, as well as getting the chance to show others how they might go about testing and using these old tubes in new audio equipment. As best I can tell, these were supposedly made prior to 1928 and were mainly used by AT&T in early telephone repeaters designed to transmit signals over very long distances. They're great for extreme audio experimetation because they are the most pure and ideal versions of triodes that were ever made.... remember that this was a time when Engineers were just starting to scratch the surface of the emerging communication tech that was about to happen, so there were very few specialized tubes that were optimized for more focused application.If you have more info on this, please comment....I would love to know more about it. If you're interested in procuring this tube, hit me up at hessiemae@hotmail.com.Thanks for watching, and please hit the subscribe button for more totally unpredictable content!
Vintage Peavey F-800B vs. 2025 Peavey F-1200B - Quick & (Very) Dirty Comparison & Overdrive History John Fields 2025-04-06 | We FINALLY found a few minutes to knock out a quick comparison between these two sonic behemoths, only to lose the video to a flaky 13-year old spy camera....so we did one more on the old T7. We actually had better audio, no glare, AND I was talking to the camera most of the time, but alas, it was not meant to be, so you get this replacement out of haste. The point here is to tell folks about the way in which the overdrive came to be so illusive by needed design changes back in the day. I also go into the sonic differences between the old F-800B and new F-1200B with the intention of showing the important similarities while pointing out the shortcomings that have been exceedingly improved upon using modern but well-vetted technology in the refresh. The result is the best possible combination of the old and new. If you pick one up, I'd love to get your feedback.They'll be available soon here: peavey.com/product/f-1200b-super-festival-bass-amp-head/?srsltid=AfmBOorjzN2hD87DAxuzAp8gWt83wJmJUdU3ccAKcdZhSSxGbSowN-SeIf you're interested in this particular F-800B, I may actually part with it. I really only want the G.... thanks for watching!
Peavey Now (1998) - An Introduction to: Nashville 1000, Session 2000, and ProFex II John Fields 2025-04-04 | For the sake of documenting a likely forgotten piece of steel guitar history, here's a looooong video from the late 1990s with the late great Jeff Newman and Peavey's Mike Brown (edited by my friend Bill Ferguson) explaining how to use the ProFex II, Session 2000, and the first amp I ever worked on; the Nashville 1000. That exact preamp still survives to this day (April 2025) in Peavey's popular Nashville 112, but it will soon be eclipsed by the all new Nashville-Session 112 and 115. What a long way we've come! Enjoy.... please comment if you have more info on this era of Peavey history!
Mesa Boogie Studio .22+ - Childhood Gen-X Mid Notch EQ Discovery Notes John Fields 2025-03-30 | This is a real quick video that I wanted to put out about how (as a doomed guitar player with no attention span) I discovered the ubiquitous HIGH GAIN MID NOTCH tone that dragged me deep into all of this and ultimately into a BSEE with the best job in the world. I eventually grew up and got into actual usable tone, but I always go back to "no mids land" for some nostalgia when I have an amp that's up to the task.Legend has it that the original EQ modules used on the earliest Boogies were made by BIC (yes, the lighter company) in France and were so well received that they never changed the recipe once they rolled their own. That module was intended for car stereos, but it also shaped the sound of an entire generation of guitar. Please tell your mid notch stories in the comments, and thanks for watching!
Van Halen Tour Amp Found (Part Two) - Peavey 5150 EVH Prototype - Power Amp Test & VTM Pedal Cameo John Fields 2025-03-25 | In part two of this series, we verify the screen resistors, check the bias, pop in two more vintage Peavey "Super 6" STR387s (unmatched), and fire up the power amp for a quick listen. Since the preamp is still flaky, I'm using the all new Peavey VTM pedal to do the initial sound test since it's purported that Eddie actually tried a VTM at one point when he visited Peavey. Part of me really wants to think that he tried it on a 412M built on the February 1991 (91B) run, which contained Peavey's incredible and short-lived Sheffield 1290 "Senior" (large magnet) speakers....not the notchy small magnet 1290s from the later cabs. Eddie's Sheffield 1200 replaced the 1290 Senior (and earlier Celestion K85s) as their top of the line 12" speaker, and both the 1230 and 1290 were changed to have a small magnet design. The 1230s retained most of the character of the 1200, but the 1290 did not. Peavey's new Sheffield 1230+, which is used in the new 6505 cabs, retains the best aspects of the large magnet 1200 and 1230 with the tighter low end of the original 1290. Anyway, please comment if you have more info and tell your friends to like and subscribe for more content. Perhaps I'll get better lighting and sound soon, but I'm doing this on borrowed time, so it's quick and dirty for the sake of documentation. We'll finish up the electronics in part three very soon! Thank you for watching.
Van Halen Tour Amp Found (Part One) - 1991 Peavey 5150 EVH Prototype - Quick Intro & Prognosis John Fields 2025-03-17 | I'm finally getting started on this really cool piece of rock n' roll history....a genuine Van Halen tour amp used on the "For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge" tour in 1991 and one of the first Peavey 5150 heads ever made. In Part One, we go over some of the ins and outs of early 5150 heads and talk about some of the construction details. Lastly, we fire it up to see what comes next....stay tuned for Part Two! Thanks for watching!
1987 Peavey VTM 120 Head vs. 2025 Peavey VTM Legacy Preamp Pedal - TransTube RULES! John Fields 2025-03-04 | Here's a quick video illustrating how Peavey's legendary TransTube preamp technology is now being used to mimic classic tube amps from Peavey's past in the all new Leagacy Preamp Pedal series from Peavey. Please leave your ideas for new models in the comments and hit like and subscribe. We'll be doing more of this stuff in the near future. Thanks for watching!
1951 Kay 112 Deluxe Lap Steel Amp Repair and Demo WITH Tweed Fender 5C3/5D3/5E3 Circuit Discussion John Fields 2024-11-17 | This video covers the repair and analysis of a gorgeous Kay Deluxe 112 Lap Steel combo that was given to me by my mentor and friend, Hartley Peavey after he scored it at a flea market. It needed extensive repairs in order to be safe again. He knew that I wouldn't give up on it, and I glad that he was right! In the process of troubleshooting it, several cool and interesting anomalies were discussed, including the intricacies and similarities that exist between these types of amps and the ubiquitous Fender Tweed Deluxe 5C3, 5D3, and 5E3 models from the same era. Thanks for watching, and please hit like, subscribe, and share for more great videos on the most unique MI gear on the planet!UPDATE....I had the tone controls figured all wrong. I got a schematic from Tom's Amps and quickly noticed that the Tone and Hi-fi options were actually in a feedback network. The HI-FI switch actually kicks in a RESONANCE feedback cap....not a Deluxe at all and in a very cool way! The phase inverter is NOT a long-tailed pair as noted, rather, this has a SELF-INVERTING power section using 2 x 6V6GTs in totem pole push-pull arrangement. What a cool little amp!
1964 Magnatone 421 Guitar Amplifier - Mods, Notes & Sound Demo John Fields 2024-11-09 | This is a video of an old Magnatone 421 amp that I've had since the early 1990s. In addition to being a review of the amp, itself, it's also an interesting study in how you might go about evaluating and improving upon a poorly executed design that was made to be cheap, rather than good. Please let me know if you have one of these and let me know how it compares to this one in the comments. Thanks for watching and hit subscribe for more great amp repair videos!
Vintage Peavey BW 1501-4 - 1st Generation Black Widow 15 Pedal Steel Speaker Restoration John Fields 2024-09-17 | In our second installment, we make a successful last-ditch effort to save a gorgeous vintage 1st generation Peavey BW 1501-4 pedal steel speaker from the mid-70s. This is a common problem on BWs that have been in storage for a long time. Hopefully, this video will result in a few more of these being put back into service. Please like and subscribe, and if you have any suggestions for future videos, please comment. Thanks for watching!
Mackie 1202-VLZ Pro Mixer - No Power Repair Diagonsis - Bad Power Transformer John Fields 2024-09-13 | Update.... it turns out that the mixer had been subject to a lightning strike. This explains how the fuse survived whatever opened the transformer. I found another transformer for $125, but these mixers only command about $85 on the used market. Rather than by a 20-year-old replacement, I'd highly suggest getting a new Peavey PV10BT instead.... check it out here: peavey.com/product/pv-10-bt-compact-mixer-with-bluetooth
A 10-Minute Ride Around The Pond In A Sun Dolphin Paddleboat - Collinsville, Mississippi 2024 John Fields 2024-07-31 | A nice 10-minute ride around our pond in my creaky old paddleboat. You WHILL go to sleep....lol. Thanks for watching! PS: Please comment if you hear the Easter egg and let me know how the audio is.Please like and subscribe for more, including lots of sick amp repair and mod videos....stay tuned.
Intro Video To Jim Henson Exhibit At The Mississippi Arts & Entertainment Experience - 2019 John Fields 2019-03-24 | Introduction video to the entrance of the 2019 Jim Henson Exhibition at the Mississippi Arts + Entertainment Experience. Shot by Oscar Fields on 3-21-2019.
