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So I picked up a Classic VTX 2x12 a few weeks ago in excellent condition for $150. Still had the original tubes! It had been in the shop about three years before and looks like all the transistors and caps have been replaced (with correct parts) so she is good to go. Everything else totally stock. I played one back in high school in the early 80s and always wanted to get another one.
After reading some stuff on the net, I decided I wanted to try some opamp options in the first two spots .. replacing the original 4558s in the preamp slots (U1 and U2) Last night I did a shootout between the NE5532P and the OPA2134PA.
Tried the OPA2134PA first. Seemed a little cleaner than the 4558. Overdrive less buzzy but still a lot of midrange 'honk'. The clean channel broke up a little when driven with a humbucker. Overall a slight improvement to the original chips.
Then the NE5532P. WOW! On the clean channel with a Tele, it was like someone swapped the VTX with a Twin. Glassy, shiny, HUGE sound. Tons of spank from the Tele. Very Fenderish blackface cleans. The EQ was more reactive and balanced as well. Overdrive channel was smoother .. Saturation still pretty useless past 3-4. I did notice that the clean channel had a slight bit of hair on it unless I back the guitar down .. so there is a loss of headroom. When I kicked in a subtle phase .. I could not stop smiling.
I put the OPA2134PAs back in just to confirm and sure enough, the huge soundstage was gone .. no more shimmer.
Back to the NE5532Ps and tried my pedals (Zen drive, Timmy, Keeley modded Blues Driver) .. great tones! Punchy, warm, very Dumble-y when dialed in right.
Finished things off with a new set of JJ 6L6GC tubes I had. Honestly did not hear must difference between them and the 30 year old Peavey orignals. I have read that the biasing method in the VTX squeezes every bit of life possible out of the tubes .. and I believe it.
So there you go. A $2 mod ($7 total with shipping) that took a really good amp and turned it to an AMAZING one. Here is a link to the chips (you will need two of them) ..
NE5532P Texas Instruments | Mouser
I know that Peavey used the 4558 in a bunch of amps .. and I have no idea if it will make as much of a difference in other circuits, but for $1 a piece, it might be worth experimenting.
Enjoy!
After reading some stuff on the net, I decided I wanted to try some opamp options in the first two spots .. replacing the original 4558s in the preamp slots (U1 and U2) Last night I did a shootout between the NE5532P and the OPA2134PA.
Tried the OPA2134PA first. Seemed a little cleaner than the 4558. Overdrive less buzzy but still a lot of midrange 'honk'. The clean channel broke up a little when driven with a humbucker. Overall a slight improvement to the original chips.
Then the NE5532P. WOW! On the clean channel with a Tele, it was like someone swapped the VTX with a Twin. Glassy, shiny, HUGE sound. Tons of spank from the Tele. Very Fenderish blackface cleans. The EQ was more reactive and balanced as well. Overdrive channel was smoother .. Saturation still pretty useless past 3-4. I did notice that the clean channel had a slight bit of hair on it unless I back the guitar down .. so there is a loss of headroom. When I kicked in a subtle phase .. I could not stop smiling.
I put the OPA2134PAs back in just to confirm and sure enough, the huge soundstage was gone .. no more shimmer.
Back to the NE5532Ps and tried my pedals (Zen drive, Timmy, Keeley modded Blues Driver) .. great tones! Punchy, warm, very Dumble-y when dialed in right.
Finished things off with a new set of JJ 6L6GC tubes I had. Honestly did not hear must difference between them and the 30 year old Peavey orignals. I have read that the biasing method in the VTX squeezes every bit of life possible out of the tubes .. and I believe it.
So there you go. A $2 mod ($7 total with shipping) that took a really good amp and turned it to an AMAZING one. Here is a link to the chips (you will need two of them) ..
NE5532P Texas Instruments | Mouser
I know that Peavey used the 4558 in a bunch of amps .. and I have no idea if it will make as much of a difference in other circuits, but for $1 a piece, it might be worth experimenting.
Enjoy!
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