So my drummer got a VTM a bit back for super cheap. I decided to try it out at practice last night and was pretty blown away. It has all these little dipset switches, where you can modify the sound of the amp...like extra gain stages, low end, high end etc...I decided I wanted to use it, but was wondering if anyone had any experience with those little switches to dial in the sound for stoner rock? Right now, it's a little to trebbly, with not enough mids. I assume just switching on the mids and one of the treble switches would help..but, if anyone has one, or has dialed in a good sound, I'd like to hear about it. I posted a pic of the switches for reference
(http://www.softcom.net/users/lightwriter/ampics/pv3.jpg)
I've had one for almost 10 years, they're great amps and still available for super cheap. When I bought mine I also had a JCM800 and a Hiwatt Custom 50 and they were all pretty similar in tone. That basic Marshall tone, which does have a bit of a mid scoop thanks to the stone stack and pretty bright. I generally hit both of gain switches, but otherwise don't really mess with the others. It really depends on what kind of tone you're going for, but I haven't failed to get anything I wanted out of it with a little work. That's why I still have it and sold the "nicer" amps. They had better resale value, I got the Peavey CHEAP and the only real difference was it took longer to dial in the tone I wanted. Just go for it and experiment. It certainly doesn't cover any kind of tone, but you can get anything out of it you could get out an older Marshall head.
You could also look at other aspects of your signal chain (speakers would be a culprit). Pedals too...
Those are beasts.
(http://i25.photobucket.com/albums/c94/666bigbang/VTMsettings_zps65f65af8.jpg)
My settings for the most part, volume as needed.
I prefer a darker, less compressed more solid/rigid sound, and blast it with a good pedal(really hard). Sounds huge with good definition and less noise.
Agreed w Lumpy, speaker choice is important here too. Mid Scooped speakers ruin everything.
Thanks dudes. I messed with it a bit and think I settled on some settings. Super surprised out how great this thing sounds.
I have a friend who swears by this amp. His tone is pretty mean. Peavey is pretty underrated. 5150's are badass amps.
I play me an ultra+. Peaveys rule.
Vtm60/120s are among my favorites.
My first gigging amp was a Peavey Supreme 160
The on-board distortion sounded better than my pedal so I used it. And it didn't have a midrange knob, which helped immensely
But the VTM blew it clean out of the water