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Average Price: $1,000

High-end/Boutique

$300

$801+

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Standard

High-end

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Description

Unleash your inner rockstar with the Peavey Penta Head, an iconic guitar amplifier head that brings versatility and power to your fingertips. Designed for musicians who crave diverse tonal possibilities, this single-channel tube amp boasts five distinctive EQ/gain voicings, each with its own unique character. Whether you're channeling the British invasion or crafting a modern high-gain masterpiece, the Penta Head's all-analog Pentatone circuitry ensures your sound is authentic and rich.

Under the hood, the Peavey Penta Head is equipped with four matched EL34 tubes and four 12AX7 tubes, delivering a robust 140 watts of power into 16, 8, or 4 ohms. Its ceramic tube sockets and custom USA transformers speak to the high-quality construction and attention to detail that Peavey is renowned for. The intuitive rotary knob allows you to seamlessly switch between voicings, represented by icons like the "Star" for classic British plexi tones or the "Mudflap Girl" for a super-high-gain experience reminiscent of the Triple XXX®.

Perfect for the purist, this amp head embraces the simplicity of plug and play, eschewing unnecessary effects for pure, unadulterated sound. Whether you're rocking the stage or jamming in your garage, the Peavey Penta Head is your ticket to sonic excellence.

Key Features:

  • 140 watts (RMS) into 16, 8, or 4 ohms (switchable)
  • Four matched EL34 tubes and four 12AX7 tubes
  • 3-band passive EQ and gain control
  • Five selectable EQ/gain voicings via a rotary knob
  • Custom USA transformers and ceramic tube sockets
  • Ultra high-quality components

Product specs

Brand Peavey
Model Penta 140-Watt Tube Guitar Amplifier Head
Finish Green
Year 2000s
Made In United States
Categories Guitar Heads
Electronics Tube
Impedance 16 ohms, 4 ohms, 8 ohms
Number of Channels 1 Channel
Number of Inputs 2 Inputs
Output Power (Watts) 140
Power Tube Type EL34
Powered Unpowered
Reverb None

FAQs

What is the tonal versatility of the Peavey Penta Head?

The Peavey Penta Head offers five EQ/gain voicings through its Pentatone feature, allowing for a wide range of tones from clean to high-gain distortion, suitable for various music genres.

How powerful is the Peavey Penta Head, and is it suitable for live performances?

The Peavey Penta Head delivers 140 watts of power, making it more than capable for live performances and ensuring it can handle large venues.

What type of tubes does the Peavey Penta Head use?

The Peavey Penta Head is equipped with four matched EL34 power tubes and four 12AX7 preamp tubes, contributing to its rich tube-driven sound.

Does the Peavey Penta Head have built-in reverb?

No, the Peavey Penta Head does not feature built-in reverb, focusing instead on its core tonal capabilities and versatility.

Can the Peavey Penta Head be used with different speaker impedances?

Yes, the Peavey Penta Head supports 16, 8, or 4-ohm speaker configurations, providing flexibility in pairing with various cabinets.

FJAMods

FJAMods

FJA modded Peavey Penta Tree & Star modes

Video thumbnail for FJA modded Peavey Penta Tree & Star modes by FJAMods

FJA modded Peavey Penta Tree & Star modes

FJAMods

FJAMods

Video thumbnail for Testing the Tube screamer and the Peavey penta by Christian Lee Vasquez

Testing the Tube screamer and the Peavey penta

Christian Lee Vasquez

Christian Lee Vasquez

Video thumbnail for Peavey Penta by Cordoba

Peavey Penta

Cordoba

Cordoba

Video thumbnail for Peavey Penta by Cordoba

Peavey Penta

Cordoba

Cordoba

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Peavey Penta Head.

Features and functionality

  • The 'mudflap girl' channel sounds scooped and wooly, likened to a Big Muff, and can be pushed for niche death metal tones.

    Source
  • Reducing the wattage from 140W to 70W by removing tubes offers minimal reduction in perceived volume, suggesting the use of an attenuator for significant quieting.

    Source

User experience

  • All channels share the same EQ and volume knob, which can result in inconsistent volume levels when switching channels via footswitch.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Without pedals, the amp suits rock or punk genres, but a boost is recommended for metal to achieve higher gain tones.

    Source
  • Owners have noted it can capture Plexi/Mace tones, useful for those seeking a classic rock sound.

    Source
  • Despite its loudness, the Penta is described by users as having a sound akin to a "badass Marshall," appealing to those seeking that specific tone.

    Source

Comparisons

  • It's likened to a boutique amp that was potentially going to be George Lynch's signature model.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • It's possible to reduce power by removing pairs of power tubes, but care must be taken to adjust impedance accordingly to prevent damage.

    Source
  • It's critical to identify the correct pairs of tubes to remove, typically the inner or outer pairs, to prevent damage and maintain functionality.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Jet City and Metroamps offer FX loop boards that can be retrofitted, which multiple owners find useful for enhancing the amp's functionality.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Owners express that the amp, purchased for as low as $140, offers good sound quality for the price, likened to a Marshall but at a significant cost-saving.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Peavey Penta Head review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The Peavey Penta Head is a unique 140-watt amp offering five distinct voicings, making it versatile for various styles. It boasts great sound and clever vintage design. However, the build quality is questionable, with uneven finishes and a lightweight footswitch. It's powerful yet lacks a half-power switch, making it less practical for small venues. While it excels in tone and usability, potential buyers should weigh these pros against the noted cons.

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Gary Rossington uses Peavey Penta Head

Gary Rossington

Guitarist, Composer

Lynyrd Skynyrd

...
Verified via Photo

Gary had a Peavey Penta head in his collection now at CME.

See how Elliot Easton uses Peavey Penta Head

Elliot Easton

Guitarist

The Cars

...
Verified via Premierguitar

"I also brought a reissue Princeton Reverb, a reissue Deluxe Reverb, and my Peavey Penta—that’s a wild amp."

Genre Usage

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Used With

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