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Average Price: $950

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$801+

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Description

The Peavey Ultra 120 is a powerhouse guitar amplifier head that combines vintage tonal warmth with modern versatility, making it a staple for guitarists who demand both quality and flexibility in their sound. This all-tube amplifier is perfect for musicians who want to explore a range of tones from clean and crisp to aggressive and overdriven. With its robust 120 watts of power, the Ultra 120 is engineered to deliver enough volume for any stage performance while retaining clarity and precision.

This amp head features three channels—clean, crunch, and ultra—each meticulously crafted to provide distinct sonic characteristics. The clean channel offers a smooth, rich texture, while the crunch channel adds a layer of grit perfect for rock and blues. The ultra channel truly shines, delivering high-gain tones tailored for metal and hard rock enthusiasts. Each channel is equipped with independent EQ controls, giving you the freedom to shape your sound to your exact specifications.

The Peavey Ultra 120 is also designed with a comprehensive effects loop, allowing you to seamlessly integrate your favorite pedals into the mix. Additionally, its footswitchable channel selection offers hands-free operation, enhancing your live performance experience. Whether you're playing in a small club or a large venue, this amplifier head ensures your guitar's voice is heard loud and clear.

Key Features:

  • 120 watts of all-tube power
  • Three distinct channels: clean, crunch, and ultra
  • Independent EQ controls for each channel
  • Footswitchable channel selection
  • Comprehensive effects loop for easy pedal integration
  • Suitable for a variety of musical styles

Product specs

Brand Peavey
Model Ultra 120 Vacuum Tube Amplifier 120-Watt Guitar Head
Finish Black
Year 1990s
Categories Guitar Heads
Built-In Effects Built-In Effects
Color Family Black
Electronics Tube
Impedance 16 ohms, 4 ohms, 8 ohms
Number of Channels 3 Channels
Number of Inputs 2 Inputs
Output Power (Watts) 120
Power Tube Type 6L6
Reverb Spring Reverb

FAQs

What type of music is the Peavey Ultra 120 best suited for?

The Peavey Ultra 120 is versatile, making it well-suited for rock and metal genres due to its high-gain capabilities and three-channel design, which offers a range of tones from clean to heavy distortion.

Does the Peavey Ultra 120 work well with pedals?

Yes, the Peavey Ultra 120 takes pedals well, thanks to its robust tube design and effects loop, allowing for seamless integration of external effects.

What are the core tonal characteristics of the Peavey Ultra 120?

The Peavey Ultra 120 is known for its powerful, clear cleans and aggressive, high-gain distortion, making it ideal for players who need a wide tonal range from one amplifier.

How loud is the Peavey Ultra 120, and is it suitable for live performances?

With 120 watts of tube power, the Peavey Ultra 120 is exceptionally loud and suitable for live performances in large venues, ensuring your sound cuts through the mix.

What is the function of the built-in effects on the Peavey Ultra 120?

The Peavey Ultra 120 includes built-in spring reverb, providing a classic, lush reverb effect that enhances the amplifier's tonal versatility without needing external effects.

Thiago Sforcin

Thiago Sforcin

Peavey Ultra 120 - Review (Celestion & Eminence)

Video thumbnail for Peavey Ultra 120 - Review (Celestion & Eminence) by Thiago Sforcin

Peavey Ultra 120 - Review (Celestion & Eminence)

Thiago Sforcin

Thiago Sforcin

Reviews

PROS

  • Renowned for its high-gain metal tones

  • Favored by notable musicians like Gary Holt

  • Complements prog/metal genres well

  • Matches perfectly with Mesa 2x12 Rectifier cabs

  • Offers distinctively more high gain than the Ultra Plus model

CONS

  • Not suitable for classic rock or softer genres

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Peavey Ultra 120.

Build quality

  • The Peavey Ultra 120 is notably heavy, with the head shell contributing significantly to the weight, making transport challenging despite its durability.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The Peavey Ultra 120's sound is likened to a Sunn Beta Lead, known for its sharp, grindy tones, suggesting its suitability for intense musical styles like sludge and doom.

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  • The Peavey Ultra 120's tone is compared to the Peavey XXX but with more pronounced upper mids, suggesting different speaker choices might affect perceived harshness.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The amp is recognized for its ability to move significant air, making it ideal for large spaces or outdoor use where volume and presence are priorities.

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User experience

  • Owners frequently mention the Peavey Ultra 120 as a reliable and long-lasting amp, with some still using models from the late '90s and earlier without issues.

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  • An early '90s owner reports using the amp with original matching cabinets and vintage Jensen 10" speakers, noting no harshness in upper mids.

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Features and functionality

  • The amp's 120 tube watts provide substantial power, contributing to its reputation for producing loud and dynamic soundscapes.

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  • One owner found the best tone by cranking the crunch channel with a pedal boost and a slight mid cut.

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Setup and maintenance

  • The amp's EQ becomes active past a certain point on the dial, making precise tone shaping challenging without external EQ assistance.

    Source
  • Cleaning the RCA connections to the reverb tank can resolve persistent reverb issues, even after pot cleaning.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Consider retubing for a thicker tone, as one owner noted a tone improvement post-retube when paired with a 5150 cabinet.

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  • Consider replacing the faceplate with a mesh grille and adding an LED strip for aesthetic enhancement, with potential mods planned for the future.

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Value and pricing

  • A footswitch-less Ultra 120 was recently found for $420, indicating a reasonable price range for buyers.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 2 Ratings

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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 Ultra 120, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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