This is a review of the Peavey Butcher amplifier.
Peavey has a solid reputation for producing high-quality Rock and Metal amplifiers. Is the Meridian Masters’ new Peavey Butcher 100 tube head enough to keep them ahead of the pack? I’ve got my power cords ready, and I’m going to check it out!
In this article, I’ll discuss Peavey’s Butcher Head, which blends amazing, traditional tones with a plethora of modern features.
Product Overview
Two channels with three EQ settings each, four EL34 and five 12AX7 tubes, and an MSDI-out for immediate recording are included in the amp. The two channels namely, clean and crunch channels also include a variety of knobs for tailoring your tone.
Features
The Butcher is well built and reassuringly weighty, weighing in at about under 25kg. For starters, both channels have an in-built, footswitchable volume increase, which should satisfy shredders, as well as a ’12-Way Punch Selector,’ which is effectively a rapid low-end EQ as far as we can tell before going ‘hands on.’
Each channel features its own three-band EQ, volume, and gain controls, as well as a dial for sculpting the high end frequencies. There are two master volumes that will let you choose your standard volume level as well as a solo boost, and because they’re post-gain, they’ll just go louder without changing your tone.
A mic-emulating XLR line out, as well as a lineout featuring level control, a powerful effects loop, and a half-power switch.
The frame is coated in black vinyl, with a white inner pattern snaking around the Peavey emblem and central fascia. The controls all feel quite sturdy and tight, and the overall finish and construction are of good quality. The faceplate is simple and uncluttered, unlike many modern amplifiers, which have hundreds of buttons. As a result, the Butcher is simple to operate and learn, allowing you to adjust the tones fast and efficiently.
A sturdy metal footswitch is featured in the packaging and connects to the back of the amp through a highly secure DIN-cable with a very long cable wire.
The footswitch may be used to handle channel changes, master volume, effects loop on/off, and channel boosts, giving you a lot of power to lead at the front of the stage. I did observe something that might (or might not) irritate some of the readers here. There appeared to be a minor lag during channel changes.
I contacted Peavey again about this, and was told that the firm had decided to use optical switching to achieve completely noiseless operation, but that the latency should not be an issue, and that it was probably because we had a bad sample. We recommend that you give it a shot for yourself.
The amp’s clean isn’t “fender clean,” but it is clean with some roughness. This is a fantastic EL34 (four) tube amplifier from a firm that stands behind its products. With the bass and volume knobs in the upper positions, the tones ranged from dazzling and crisp to deeper, funkier tones with lots of lower edge and thickness.
Features of the Peavey Butcher Tube Guitar Amplifier Head:
- Clean and Crunch channels,
- The output is reduced to 50 watts when the switch is set to half-power.
- 4 x EL34 power amp tubes
- 5 x 12AX7 preamp tubes
- Each channel has a three-band EQ.
- Presence on the Global Stage
- Two master volume controls are available.
- Switch and level control for a global master volume boost
- Crunch channel has a six-way attack control.
- Both channels have a Pre-gain Boost control.
- Level control and line out
- Send and return levels can be controlled in an active effects loop.
- Back panel tube bias adjustments
- Footswitch with four buttons is included.
- Made in the United States of America.
Alternatives
Listed below are the alternatives of the Peavey Butcher Tube Amp Head:
JCM 800
It has a fantastic tone and intensity that is audible all the way back in the cheap seats. The JCM800 is a straightforward on-channel all-tube guitar head that delivers the crunch and screams you desire. It has a series effects loop for connecting your pedals, as well as a 3-band EQ for tone sculpting.
This amp was instrumental in defining rock and metal in the 1980s, and it shows. You’ll have to search elsewhere if you want an amp that can do jazz and country in addition to blues and rock, because the JCM800 specializes in this area.
Peavey Butcher VS Peavey VTM 120/60
The Butcher is a stripped-down version of the VTM, and might be considered its forerunner. While the VTM has a metal head that allows for maximum amplification, the Butcher has a more traditional sound. It can get quite nasty sounding if you use the amp’s maximum level, but it doesn’t come close to the VTM’s overdrive capability. Butchers are still available for purchase at between $200 and $500.
Where To Buy?
The Peavey Butcher can be found and purchased on websites like ebay, reverb, musicians friends, and guitar centre.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the Peavey Butcher is an excellent choice if you play classic or modern rock and require a great clean channel to complement your driving tones. It’s adaptable, simple to use, and well-made, but most importantly, it sounds fantastic.
