DetroitBlues

Hmm, mighty fine idea.

Many years ago, there was a time in which Mr. Tweed himself, KBP810 built numerous Fender models. Many were all over the 5F1 (Champ), 5E3 (Deluxe), and the most popular AA763 (Deluxe Reverb). A few Bassmans and Dumble clones are out there. I had a really cool 40w version of a Princeton, but due to my personal situation last year, I was forced to sell. Looking back, it was highly unnecessary. I could use that amp today. So, I have been looking into a 5E3 amp. Found a kit for $200 (no transformer or tubes) but I think I have ability to make one with minimal investment. I've been pondering it more and more, but still uncertain.

I've been looking for a couple other Peavey Transtube variants. Kinda hard to find though. There is a Rage 158, but being in a little 1x8 cabinet, it probably doesn't sound too great. I do wonder if it was put into a larger cab, it might sound better.

There are some quirky things on a real Heritage you might notice. I don't think many here mention it though. After owning and playing dozens of Heritages from 1986 to 2023, I've notice a few things. The binding does not hide the maple cap at the cutaway unlike Gibson has over the years. One curiosity is the dot inlays on the side markers in the neck. One of them above the 12th fret sits slightly off center, making it obvious the same tooling was used for well over 20 years. Headstocks have changed slightly, a little less narrow and the points a bit sharper Necks progressively (and I mean PROGRESSIVELY) got thicker and rounder since 1986. Hardware and pickups have changed. Schaller pickups and hardware until early 2000's, then Seymour Duncan humbuckers and Tone Pros hardware, and now inhouse built pickups and Heritage embossed tuners. Up until 2016 or so, every single Heritage was a custom order. They were a boutique builder before the term was ever coined. Despite all the changes in the past ten years, the company is doing better than ever. Their work is some of the best there is and overall, the history tells a tale of persistence, devotion, and generational craftsmanship that is hard to duplicate these days.

Now there's a good start to a post! Nice pair... of 157's...

Yes, my Redstripe is the USA made variant.

Yup, but I also think there is a difference between analog and digital technology. The old transistor, analog Bandit is still a serviceable amp just like a tube amp. The modeling/digital stuff has a shelf life and when it fails, its trash.

I've read about the Special 130 and the Studio Pro, both of the Transtube variety and nothing but praise. One would think Peavey would bring them back. They do still make a Bandit, but its a digital amp these days.

A couple months ago, I sold off my Jet City 2212 combo for a nice sum of a few hundred bucks, made a few dollars off it. The amp was my band practice amp, so it had about a 100+ hours on it over a three year period. Being such a high gain amp, I really couldn't use it with playing all country music, so I took a little bit of the proceeds and found a used Peavey Bandit Redstripe, (USA made version) at Guitar Center's used gear. This was supposed to be my new amp for band practice since its kept in a barn with little climate control They have a reputation for sounding really good and built like tanks. A couple weeks ago, our bass player took the PA out of the barn and grabbed my amp assuming it was my gig amp. When I arrived at the fairgrounds, he already had my amp on stage, so I just went with it. Honestly, the amp sounded really good. Didn't need to turn it up, just needed to position it so I could hear it (often my amps are a few feet behind me and flat on the floor so its hard to really hear it). I might just get another one as they just don't make them like this anymore. Analog, solid state, loud, and very usable all away around.

I hate it when that happens...

I do remember playing an old Jr at PSP on a Sunday morning in the Barn.... Through a Marshall half-stack too... sounded marvelous, although it was loud and Kuz started yelling at me... as if I could hear him though.... 😁

If memory serves, we all debated on what made it so special from a standard 555 model. Thought it had a larger archtop headstock being the only major difference?

Greg is a monster player, I met him a few years ago at a guitar clinic. Man has some of the best chops I've ever heard. Definitely one of the most underrated guitar players of today.

I don’t know if he purchased his or was given his. With the relationship Heritage has with Reverend, it doesn’t surprise me Greg has a Heritage.

Its not the design of the body that's hard to get used to, its the big freaking case you need to haul it around in! 😁

"Assembly Line" versions are just like the ones in the catalog.

My guess would be whatever a person was willing to sell it for.

With the level of rework you perform on any guitar you have, I'm sure it will be a good instrument in the end. One drawback I can think of for these Chinese imports is low-end electronic components.

I know, but at the time, the amp was way too heavy and too loud for what I was using it for... wish I'd kept it, but it was a big, heavy amp. I didn't like lugging around a 63lb amp.

I've only played a Bassman a few times. I used the SS60 on the Bassman channel exclusively. I sold it to buy a Blues Jr... Hindsight, not the best idea....

Supersonic 60 was a great amp I should never have let go. The Super Reverb is my second favorite amp, just behind the Bassman.

A member who no longer participates on here

That is a stunner!

Big Bob owned it and sold it to Grubber...

He did at one point have one with a hockey stick headstock. I'll ask...