Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $150
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$300
$701+
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Description
The Peavey Decade is a classic combo guitar amplifier that has made a name for itself in the realm of vintage solid-state amps. Originally released in the early 1980s, it has resurfaced as a cult favorite among musicians seeking that distinct, raw tone that only a few amplifiers can deliver. This compact amp is renowned for its simplicity and reliability, making it a favored choice for both beginners and experienced guitarists who appreciate straightforward, no-fuss amplification.
The Peavey Decade delivers a surprisingly powerful output for its size, offering a 10-watt power that is perfect for practice sessions or intimate gigs. It features a single 8-inch speaker, delivering a crisp and clear sound that belies its modest stature. The amp's straightforward control panel includes gain, treble, bass, and volume knobs, allowing players to easily dial in their desired tone without being overwhelmed by excessive options.
This amplifier is especially beloved for its ability to produce rich, vintage overdrive when pushed, capturing the essence of classic rock and blues sounds. Its rugged construction ensures durability, making it a trusty companion for musicians on the go. Whether you're jamming in your bedroom or performing at a small venue, the Peavey Decade stands as a testament to straightforward design and quality sound.
Key Features:
- 10-watt solid-state amplifier
- 8-inch speaker for crisp sound delivery
- Simple control panel with gain, treble, bass, and volume knobs
- Renowned for vintage overdrive tones
- Durable construction for long-lasting use
Product specs
| Brand | Peavey |
| Model | Decade 10-Watt 1x8" Guitar Combo |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 1980s |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | Guitar Combo Amps |
| Color Family | Black |
| Electronics | Solid State |
| Number of Channels | 1 Channel |
| Number of Inputs | 2 Inputs |
| Output Power (Watts) | 10 |
| Power Tube Type | None |
| Reverb | None |
| Speaker Configuration | 1x8" |
FAQs
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Is the Peavey Decade a tube amp?
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No, the Peavey Decade is a solid-state amplifier, which means it does not use tubes but still delivers rich, tube-like sustain and tones through its unique circuitry.
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How much power does the Peavey Decade provide?
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The Peavey Decade provides 10 watts of power, making it suitable for practice sessions and small performances, offering a focused and aggressive sound.
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What speaker configuration does the Peavey Decade use?
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The Peavey Decade features a 1x8" speaker configuration, delivering sharp and precise sound that is ideal for a variety of playing styles.
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How many input channels does the Peavey Decade have?
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The Peavey Decade has two input channels, allowing for versatile connectivity options for different instruments or setups.
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Does the Peavey Decade include a reverb effect?
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No, the Peavey Decade does not include a built-in reverb effect, focusing instead on its raw and gritty tone capabilities.
Videos
Raaphorst
Josh Homme's secret weapon: Peavey Decade amp
Reviews
PROS
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Great sounding solid-state amp
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Simple, straightforward, and durable design
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Exceptional reamping quality through a 4x12
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Superior construction compared to modern equivalents
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Unique 4558D preamp gain stages for distinctive sound
CONS
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Price increase not justified by some users
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Perceived as overvalued due to celebrity use
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Compared unfavorably to other brands at similar settings
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Peavey Decade.
Comparisons
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The Peavey Decade is likened to a solid state Fender Champ, suggesting a similar tonal character in a compact form.
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The Peavey Audition 20 is noted as being essentially the same amp, indicating potential for similar use and sound.
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Some owners note that the Audition 20 and Peavey Decade have nearly identical circuits, making them interchangeable tonally, though the Audition may have a slightly different power section.
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Value and pricing
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Prices skyrocketed from $20-40 to over $300 after its association with Queens of the Stone Age's sound, reflecting its newfound demand.
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While recent market prices have soared, some owners still manage to acquire the Peavey Decade for as low as $50, reflecting varied pricing experiences.
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A user managed to purchase an Audition 20 for about a third of the price of the cheapest Decade found online, illustrating potential cost-saving alternatives.
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Use cases and applications
User experience
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One owner successfully sold a Peavey Decade for $400 on Reverb, suggesting high resale value currently due to its popularity.
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Owners report that the Peavey Decade delivers a "big sound from a tiny amp," making it ideal for home use where space is limited.
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It’s observed that the Peavey Decade sounds decent when using the preamp out into a guitar input on a larger amp, but not through the power amp.
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Some owners highlight that different production years of the Peavey Decade can have circuit variations, impacting the Saturation sound quality.
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Features and functionality
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The Peavey Decade can be powered by a 12 volt DC power supply or two 9V batteries wired for 18V, offering flexible power options.
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5.0 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 1 Rating
Artist usage
Add artist
Featured in this excerpt of Watch the Sound with Mark Ronson.
Homme: This, this is the secret weapon that I really shouldn't be...
Ronson: This is like the fucking hard rock equivalent of like, who shot JFK is about to be revealed here.
Homme: This a Peavey Decade.
Ronson: Jesus Christ, I can't believe this is really happening now.
Homme: This thing is incredible. The logo is terrifying as shit.
Ronson: Yeah.
Homme Like, it's all sharp. This is the best bass amp, guitar amp...
Ronson: I mean, this was like every PA at every school dance.
Homme: You know, it just sounds so wiry. Just like, instant Kinks. [plays the riff from "You Really Got Me"]
Long Beach, CA -around 1985/86- Working on Reign in Blood in his bedroom at his parents house
Used for bass on Songs for the Deaf, as stated by producer Eric Valentine in this September 14, 2019 "Making Records with Eric Valentine" video at 29:02.
And then, there's this track. And so this amp is a Peavey Decade and it's an amp about this big. It's a tiny little Peavey solid state practice amp. (...) And it has a really cool little saturation knob in there, or distortion knob, and so it would get cool distortion and you could have it at really low volume and I ended up putting a Coles 4038 right up on it and a Cole 4038 normally would not be able to handle low end at all. Like, if you put it in front of a bass amp with any reasonable amount of volume, it would just totally probably rip the ribbon in half. But this thing, you would set it super super quiet, just whisper quiet with this Coles 4038 up on it and it got the most incredible low end. [plays audio track] And it ended up being the majority of the bass sound for the record. It's an amazing sound. [laughs] Tiny little amp, this big. But ultimately, it's a blend of all these.
In the attached video, around 2:17, Kenny shares he uses a Peavey Decade, specifically useful for recording distorted tones.
Claudio Sanchez showcases his backstage practice rig in an Instagram post, where he uses a Peavey Decade combo amplifier. He mentions, "Image Three: Peavey Decade… Thank you @eviljoebarresi for the obsession." Additionally, he runs several pedals through the amp.
According to this interview for Premier Guitar, Dave Davies used a Peavey Decade amp to record the song "Little Green Amp."
"'Did you use the little green amp on that track?'
'No, I used a little old Peavey Decade—a solid-state amp.'"
Used for the solo on "Noses In Roses, Forever", as specified in this October 18, 2019 Twitter post.
The Peavey Decade amplifier I played this solo through goes for about $30.00 on the internet.
A photograph taken during Stoney Point's recording session at Pachyderm Studios in Canon Falls provides evidence that Joseph Johnson used a discontinued Peavey Decade Amp for the track "Coronado" featured on their upcoming record. Although the amp has not yet made a live debut, Joseph has mentioned plans to use it in future live performances.
Album Usage
The Peavey Decade has been featured on the following albums:
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Peavey Decade, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
Similar
Add recommendation8 alternative and related items for Peavey Decade, curated by the Equipboard community.
A pedal version of the Decade's preamp, with a stock setting and an additional saturation mode.
A remarkably similar amp, that seems to only differ with the addition of a headphone jack and a push/pull switch.
The most affordable clone of the Decade preamp, following in the steps of other boutique pedal builders.
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