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Average Price: $1,362
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$300
$801+
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Description
Unleash your sonic potential with the Peavey VTM-120, a powerhouse in the realm of guitar amplifier heads. Known for its versatile tone-modifying capabilities, this amp head is a favorite among guitarists seeking a wide range of sounds from a single unit. The VTM-120 comes equipped with a dynamic preamp section that offers a myriad of tonal options, from clean, crisp highs to deep, thunderous lows, making it perfect for a variety of musical genres.
The VTM-120's unique "mod" features allow for customization directly from the front panel, offering an array of sound-shaping possibilities without the need for additional pedals. This makes it an excellent choice for musicians who love to experiment with their sound. The amp head is also designed to handle high gain with ease, ensuring that even at maximum levels, your sound remains clear and articulate.
For those who thrive on stage or in the studio, the Peavey VTM-120 is built to deliver consistent, high-quality performance. Its robust construction and reliability mean it can withstand the rigors of touring while providing consistent sound night after night. Whether you're playing small clubs or huge arenas, this amp head has the power and flexibility to meet your demands.
Key Features:
- 120 watts of output power
- Unique tone-modifying "mod" switches
- Versatile preamp section for dynamic sound shaping
- High gain capability without sacrificing clarity
- Roadworthy construction for durability
- Suitable for a wide range of musical styles
Product specs
| Brand | Peavey |
| Model | VTM 120 Vintage Tube Modified System 120-Watt Guitar Head |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 1980s |
| Categories | Guitar Heads |
| Color Family | Black |
| Electronics | Tube |
| Impedance | 16 ohms, 4 ohms, 8 ohms |
| Number of Channels | 1 Channel |
| Number of Inputs | 2 Inputs |
| Output Power (Watts) | 120 |
| Power Tube Type | 6L6 |
| Reverb | None |
FAQs
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What type of tubes does the Peavey VTM-120 use?
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The Peavey VTM-120 uses 6L6 power tubes, which are known for their robust and powerful sound, making them ideal for rock and metal genres.
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How many channels does the Peavey VTM-120 have?
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The Peavey VTM-120 is a single-channel amplifier, offering a straightforward setup ideal for players who prefer simplicity and raw power.
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What is the output power of the Peavey VTM-120?
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The Peavey VTM-120 delivers 120 watts of power, providing ample volume and headroom for live performances and loud band settings.
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Does the Peavey VTM-120 have built-in reverb?
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No, the Peavey VTM-120 does not have built-in reverb, focusing instead on delivering pure tube-driven tone.
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What are the impedance options for the Peavey VTM-120?
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The Peavey VTM-120 offers impedance options of 16 ohms, 8 ohms, and 4 ohms, allowing for versatile speaker cabinet compatibility.
Videos
Ed S
Peavey VTM120 - 5150's forefather
Peavey VTM120 - 5150's forefather
Ed S
I Picked Up This Peavey VTM 120 Lets Check It Out
The Distortion Principle
PEAVEY VTM120 - LOW TUNED DEMO!!
Draven Noire
Peavey VTM 120 boosted - Metal
Ultimate metal guitar tones
Peavey VTM 120 no pedal vs boosted
Ultimate metal guitar tones
Reviews
PROS
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Excellent pedal platform, enhancing stomp box sounds
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Unique dip switches for customized sound modulation
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Precursor to the 5150, with modified Marshall circuit for distinct tone
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Ideal for heavy distortion needs without additional pedals
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Loud enough for any live performance setting
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Effects loop in the front for easy setup
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Robust construction, ensuring durability
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Simple plug and play functionality for immediate use
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Celebrated by artists in iconic albums, proving its quality
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Capable of achieving both high-gain and low-gain sounds effectively
CONS
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Heavily weighted and not easily portable for gigs
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Single channel may limit versatility compared to multi-channel amps
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Might be excessively loud for small venues or home practice without proper attenuation
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Peavey VTM-120.
Features and functionality
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The VTM-120's clean channel is particularly effective for pedal use, providing a super clean sound that contrasts with the brighter high-gain side.
Source -
The VTM-120 has switchable dip switches that can significantly alter the amp's tone when experimenting with pedal setups.
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The VTM-120 offers two extra gain stages that can be toggled, along with compression and EQ dip switches, allowing for versatile sound customization.
Source
Mods and upgrades
Use cases and applications
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The amp has been used to approximate the guitar tones on Baroness' "Red" album, combining clean input with an OCD pedal for drive.
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Running a Big Muff into reverse reverb on the low side replicates tones reminiscent of the "Siamese Dream" album, especially with preamp settings at 7-8.
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The VTM-120 is noted for its ample clean headroom, making it suitable for metal genres, although the distinction between the VTM 60 and 120 may be subtle for some users.
Source
Setup and maintenance
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It's critical to check the VTM-120 for capacitor issues, as they are prone to failure, potentially damaging the power supply board and molex connectors.
Source
User experience
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One user found that disabling the gain stage dip switches and adjusting the preamp knob to 7-8 improved pedal integration, avoiding overly dirty sounds.
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Owners using the VTM series often employ an A/B/Y switch with another amp to compensate for the lack of a second channel, especially for clean tones.
Source
Build quality
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The VTM-120 head shell is notably overbuilt, but swapping into a Peavey 5150 series head shell significantly reduces weight.
Source
Comparisons
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The VTM-120 is sometimes referred to as the "Mississippi Marshall," highlighting its tonal similarities to Marshall amplifiers.
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The VTM-120 is described as "JCM adjacent," featuring built-in mods that can be selected, distinguishing it from the JCM 800 while maintaining a similar tonal family.
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The Butcher series II is identified as a renamed JSX, unrelated to the original Butcher or VTM models, which might mislead buyers seeking a JCM 800-like experience.
Source
5.0 out of 5
Based on 2 Reviews and 4 Ratings
521
I own 2 of 'em and will gladly take on your Marshall...
Single channel, window rattling, neighbor calling the police, club owner screaming it's too loud, soundman's nightmare of an amp. More balls than any Marshall I've heard. There are more versatile amps out there, but when you need muscle, do you call the guy who claims to know all the best fight moves or the guy who punches him in the face with one shot? Yeah, fight over. The "M" in the VTM is for modified. The dip switches allow you to make your own mods and shape the size of your audio fist. You'll win the fight with this 120 watt metal head.
112
dope amp
LOUD and the distortion is all you'd ever need for distortion plug it in with a tuner and shred
Artist usage
Add artist
Bryan Jay, who played guitar in the ‘80’s metal band Keel, had a Marshall modified by Jose, and he recalled that Arrendondo wasn’t the easiest guy in the world to track down. "You had to know somebody that knew somebody that knew him to reach him," Jay recalls. "Thinking back, my mod was kind of difficult to get."
Jose had a shop, Arrco Electronics, but Jay recalls going to Arredondo’s home (both were located the San Fernando Valley). In Arredondo’s garage, Jay saw several Marshalls sitting around with name tags on them: George Lynch, Yngwie Malmsteen, Jake E. Lee. Although Arredondo was a friendly and talkative guy, he never talked about what he was doing with anyone else’s amps. "He was very secretive," says Jay.
We’d put up different amps in our rehearsal studio, and the Jose always blew everything away. It was unbelievable how good it sounded." - Bryan Jay Although Jose was much older than the musicians he worked for, "He was young at heart," Jay recalls. "Definitely had some fire in him." Arredondo was from Argentina, and he spoke with a heavy accent that was hard to understand at times. But when it came to tone, there were no communication problems at all. "What I basically wanted was that kind of first Van Halen album sound, and he seemed to know exactly what I wanted," Jay says.
When Jay picked his amp up several weeks later, he was very pleased with the results. "We’d put up different amps in our rehearsal studio, and the Jose always blew everything away. It was unbelievable how good it sounded."
Jose gave the amp an extra preamp tube, as well as a special pull knob. "When you pulled the knob out, it dropped the volume, but you still had all this gain," Jay continues. "It sounded like it was on ten."
Arredondo didn’t live long enough to have his own model amp on the market, but ironically, an amp based on Jay’s modified Marshall was released to the public, the Peavey VTM.
"The Vice President of Peavey was best buddies with one of our managers," says Jay. "They wanted us to use their equipment because they were real big on the country [music] side, but they were really trying to break into the rock world.
"They asked if they could borrow the Jose amp, and if they could design an amp that sounded as good or better, would we use it? We said okay. They took it apart, saw what he did, and modeled the VTM after it. They didn’t know the amp was based on a Jose modified Marshall."
Album Usage
The Peavey VTM-120 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 VTM-120, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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Community setups
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