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Average Price: $500

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$300

$801+

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Description

Elevate your guitar sound to new heights with the Peavey Road Master Amp Head, a powerhouse in the realm of guitar amplification. Tailored for musicians seeking both versatility and power, this amp head is engineered with precision, delivering robust sound quality that caters to a wide range of musical styles—from rock to blues, and everything in between.

With its all-tube design, the Peavey Road Master Amp Head ensures a warm, organic tone that captures the soul of your music. The amp is equipped with a flexible EQ section, allowing you to sculpt your sound with precision. Featuring a dual-channel setup, it provides both clean and overdrive channels, giving you the freedom to switch between crisp, clear tones and a rich, saturated drive with ease.

This amp head is not just about power; it's about control. The built-in effects loop and presence control further enhance your ability to craft the perfect sound, whether you're performing live or recording in the studio. With its durable construction, it is designed to withstand the rigors of both the road and the stage.

Key Features:

  • All-tube design for warm, authentic tone
  • Dual-channel configuration for clean and overdrive sounds
  • Flexible EQ section with bass, mid, and treble controls
  • Built-in effects loop for seamless integration with pedals
  • Presence control for additional tone shaping
  • Sturdy construction for durability on stage and in transit

Product specs

Brand Peavey
Model Roadmaster Vintage Tube Series 160-Watt Guitar Head
Finish Black
Year 1980s
Made In United States
Categories Guitar Heads
Built-In Effects Built-In Effects
Color Family Black
Electronics Tube
Impedance 4 ohms
Number of Channels 2 Channels
Number of Inputs 2 Inputs
Output Power (Watts) 160
Power Tube Type 6L6
Reverb Digital Reverb

FAQs

What type of power tubes does the Peavey Road Master Amp Head use?

The Peavey Road Master Amp Head uses 6L6 power tubes, which are known for providing a robust and clean sound with plenty of headroom, making it suitable for a variety of music styles.

How many channels does the Peavey Road Master Amp Head have?

The Peavey Road Master Amp Head features two channels, allowing for versatile sound options and easy switching between different tones during performances.

Is the Peavey Road Master Amp Head suitable for live performances?

Yes, the Peavey Road Master Amp Head is suitable for live performances, offering 160 watts of power, which is ample for gigging with a full band in most venues.

Does the Peavey Road Master Amp Head have built-in effects?

Yes, the Peavey Road Master Amp Head includes built-in effects, which can enhance your sound without needing additional pedals or external processors.

What is the impedance of the Peavey Road Master Amp Head?

The Peavey Road Master Amp Head has an impedance of 4 ohms, which should be matched with a compatible speaker cabinet to ensure optimal performance and sound quality.

Fazio Electric

Fazio Electric

80's Peavey Roadmaster Repair & Demo | Peavey POWER!

Video thumbnail for 80's Peavey Roadmaster Repair & Demo | Peavey POWER! by Fazio Electric

80's Peavey Roadmaster Repair & Demo | Peavey POWER!

Fazio Electric

Fazio Electric

Video thumbnail for 1980s Peavey Road Master Vintage Tube Series Amp Head Sound Demo by Caleb Andresen

1980s Peavey Road Master Vintage Tube Series Amp Head Sound Demo

Caleb Andresen

Caleb Andresen

Video thumbnail for Roadmaster 1 by Gain Forlife

Roadmaster 1

Gain Forlife

Gain Forlife

Video thumbnail for Thorr-Axe | Gear Demo - Peavey Roadmaster by ThorrAxeofficial

Thorr-Axe | Gear Demo - Peavey Roadmaster

ThorrAxeofficial

ThorrAxeofficial

Reviews

PROS

  • Delivers loud, crisp sound for vocalists and instruments

  • Highly affordable when bought second-hand

  • Known for incredible tone reminiscent of the 80s

  • Versatile for jamming, recording, and live performances

  • Durable, often seen in used equipment markets

  • Peavey brand reliability and quality

CONS

  • Specific model details can be confusing

  • Some may prefer modern amp features over vintage tone

Owner Insights

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

Comparisons

  • It’s compared to the VTM 120 for greater low end and more power, and preferred over the Model T for tone and breakup.

    Source
  • The Roadmaster is preferred as a pedal platform, while the Butcher is favored for its natural amp distortion.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Offers versatility with solid-state preamp and tube power (4x6550s), featuring a footswitch option for channel mixing.

    Source
  • Known for generating a blooming clean tone with extensive headroom, making it ideal for genres requiring pristine, powerful cleans.

    Source
  • Capable of delivering over 150 watts, the amp offers substantial headroom suitable for loud environments.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners report the ability to achieve a clean tone by using the American - Clear channel and adjusting the master volume, though some units may need restoration.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Specific maintenance includes full recap, new tubes, and reverb tank rebuild for optimal performance.

    Source
  • Retubing the Roadmaster can be expensive, and owners note that internal ribbon/molex cable connections might need replacement for reliability.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Known for being extremely loud, suitable for both bass and guitar applications with vintage grit.

    Source
  • Its extreme power and clean tone headroom make it suitable for users needing loud, clean amplification, especially in larger venues.

    Source
  • Ideal for metal, doom, and sludge genres due to its modern drive and ability to function effectively as a bass head.

    Source

Build quality

  • The top-mounted whisper fan plays a crucial role in preventing overheating of the 6x6L6 power tubes during extended use.

    Source

Other

  • Despite its power and features, some users find it challenging to utilize its full volume capacity, often keeping it at low settings.

    Source
Add

4.5 out of 5

Based on 3 Reviews and 4 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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1 star
joe_kairis

JACK of all Trades.

Okay so I'm not positive if its this one in particular but its ok. Peavy really just makes great stuff, and their equipment dominates the used equip. world, like I always see Peavy stuff on Craigslist and Ebay (and second hand Guitar Center/Musicians' Friend etc). I digress. My first show I blew a Marshall head, and I ended up pluggin into the PA with just a distortion pedal my bud had and It almost sounded better than the Marshall (AVT, great acoustic sim, so-so distortion channels), again I digress.

The Peavy PA head currently resides in my bandroom as my main PA head for 2 vocalists and a backup or two if needed. Its loud, crisp, and you can find several variations of this head second hand at an affordable price (as compared to some of the crazier, more expensive heads). Highly recommend anything with Peavy on it. Seriously. Their instruments aren't bad either, for the money.

briangeisler

Early Predecessor to the 6505+

Incredible tone. It feels like an 80s amp, because it is, but the Peavey Roadmaster is the beginning of a long line of great amps.

unskilled_slash

Loud as hell

Great for jamming, recording, and gigs. Very high gain.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Thurston Moore uses Peavey Road Master Amp Head

Thurston Moore

Singer, Guitarist

Sonic Youth

...
Verified via Musicradar

"I usually use a Peavey Road Master... I used that a lot through the last 10-plus years of Sonic Youth," says Thurston Moore, in this article.

See how Shane Moran uses Peavey Road Master Amp Head

Shane Moran

Guitarist

Title Fight

...
Verified via YouTube

In this live performance, Shane used a Peavy Roadmaster, which can be seen in the youtube video, likely as a loaned amp head for the show, instead of his usual TopHat or Marshall JCM800 head.

See how Emmett Kelly uses Peavey Road Master Amp Head

Emmett Kelly

Guitarist

Ty Segall and The Freedom Band

...
Verified via Premier Guitar

According to an article by Luke Ottenhof in Premier Guitar titled "Meet the Hard Quartet, the New Malkmus-Led Supergroup," Emmett Kelly uses a Peavey Roadmaster with a 2x12 cabinet as part of his amp setup for The Hard Quartet.

See how Ruben Polo uses Peavey Road Master Amp Head

Ruben Polo

Guitarist

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video at 1:04 you can make out a Peavey Road Master in the top right of the frame.

See how Jake Beitel uses Peavey Road Master Amp Head

Jake Beitel

Guitarist, Singer

Prize Horse

...
Verified via TikTok

In a TikTok video posted by Audiotree, Jake Beitel is shown using a Peavey Road Master Amp Head, as part of a gear rundown segment.

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 Road Master Amp Head, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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1
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