Peavey Bandit 112

A good amount of features for a small amp. I use it as a practice amp, works great.

The best sound I have EVER heard out of an S.S. combo. I play Metal, Neo Classical, Prog rock, Blues, Jazz and Classical. Definatly suits my purposes. Distortion channle is a little noisy, but nothing an NS-2 or ISP Decimator cant handle.

Never broken down, and I dont expect it to.

Iv been playing for 12 years, i own an ESP Viper Standard, G&L Legacy Special, an assortment of effect pedals (mostly boss) and use a Crate Blue Voodoo (bv120h) for gigs. This is a wonderful practice amp, when I first played it (2 years ago) i said, Iv GOT to get this amp and bought it right there. If it were stolen id buy another with out hesitation.

I'd say this a late '90s model (black & silver) Transtube Bandit 112, meaning it doesn't have the modern/vintage voicing switches and all that. Basically: 80w 1x12 combo, high and low gain inputs; two channels (clean and dirty, not necessarily in those words); three band EQ on each, bright switch on the clean channel, mid scoop ("thrash") switch on the dirty, resonance switch to supposedly add bottom end/simulate a cabinet; knobs for reverb, presence, and the fabled T-Dynamics. There is a front-mounted effects loop which I haven't had the chance to fool with yet. Plenty of front panel controls to play with, nice.

I've only played live with this amp once so far (last night), so keep that in mind as you read, as well as that I've only had it for about a month.

I use two guitars mainly: a pretty stock Lotus str@t and an Epiphone Les Paul with a Duncan '59 humbucker at the bridge. My standard effects chain is: guitar>Arion stage tuner>DOD Supra Distortion>DOD Stereo Flanger>Dunlop Cry Baby>Danelectro Dan-Echo>amp.

I have always had a major problem getting enough low end out of my amps--my guitar tone has always been shrill and piercing where I want a deep, "hi fi" tone. In fact this is the major reason I sought out an amp to phase out my old Laney HC50. The Peavey comes closer, although it still isn't quite there. The best thing about the Bandit tone-wise is that it does give you more options for shaping the tone--the bright and mid scoop switches and the presence control go beyond the treble control in each channel. So the high end is covered--I usually set the treble to 11:00 or noon and the mids a bit lower. But for the life of me, I'm still not sure if the low end is sufficient. It really depends on the guitar. As before I have better luck with the str@t when it comes to a balanced clean tone--the Paul, is as always, honkingly mid-heavy. But with both the bottom is somewhat light. On to other issues: The clean channel sounds pretty good with the str@t, but breaks up very easily with the Paul--the Bandit may not be able to handle even moderately hot humbuckers, which depending on your style may be good or bad. I'm kind of on the fence that way, but last night it was very hard to play clean even when I wanted to. This may have actually been something else causing it, so this point is provisional. Dirty channel is nice...it offers plenty of overdrive thanks to the "gain" switch, but even the regular gain range will give you a lot. And it's a fairly nice distortion too. The Transtube circuitry is subtle and I don't have a tube amp to compare it to, but I will say that overall it's a more pleasing, more authentic overdrive sound than that on the Laney (which sounds more like a clipping-diode distortion or fuzz in my book). The T-Dynamics control is subtle to say the least...playing with it the closest thing you can solidly put a finger on is that it gets slightly louder overall, but there's something else too that does change the overall vibe. Neat. I've kept it at 10% for a while now, but I recall the 50% setting sounding pretty sweet too. One thing the Peavey wins at hands down: there is no shortage of reverb here...maxed out you'd think you were playing on a Joe Meek record or a Morricone soundtrack. Bottom line: until I discover what the true limits of the Bandit's sounds are, I'm gonna give it a mid-high 7 for sound quality.

Seems like a solidly built amp, as Peaveys have a rep for. Since I bought it used I don't know what kind of abuse it's had in its previous home, but on the other hand so far it seems to be just fine.

Haven't used them yet, other than to download a manual from their website. Based on that (manuals for obsolete gear available online) and what I've heard others say, Peavey's customer support is likely to be first class.

Been playing a long time, as those who have run across my reviews here probably know by now. I've owned craploads of gear, but only a few amps. The Bandit 112 is my latest in the search for an amp that I actually really really like. It's a step in the right direction, no question about it, but only a step. I feel like it has plenty of potential and I just haven't figured out the right combination of guitar and effect and control settings to match perfectly. With all those controls it will probably take a while to find that magic number, but I'd rather have the control than not. But god, not being able to dial in more bass is just maddening...and the way those humbuckers overdrive the clean channel... so yes, I admit the Bandit 112 is just a bit disappointing so far, and right now if some bastard ripped it off I'd *maybe* look for another possibly better-sounding one, but more likely I'd look for one of the newer Peaveys and/ora 2x12 combo of some kind. But remember, I've only begun playing with it, so stay tuned. Again, a high 7 overall.

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Have the amp for 2,5 years now. I play all kinds of music through it, but mostly stuff like Muse, Queens of the Stone Age, Rage Against the machine... Simple 2 channel, one set as clean, the other set as crunch with a Marshall Shredmaster for the heavy stuff. This gives me 3 basic tones on it.
Simple EQ for both channels. it's not versatile enough for me.
Simple plastic footswith which I never used. Too childish making.
The two "vintage/modern/gain" switches don't make that much difference. On very low volumes you can hear what the switch does, but at high volumes it just sounds the same.
The reverb control was always set to 0-3, because I have seperate reverb controls. The presence switch, resonance control and dynamics control are just stupid things. I again don't hear much difference at high volumes. If I connect my guitar via the "Preamp out" I can hear what it does. But then bypass the amplifier. You just use the speaker.
I now bought a VG-88 processor and I need a full range system which doesn't color the sound. So I trade this one with a peavey kb/a-100.
The bandit has just enough power to play in our repetition room. At gigs I played it mic'ed and through the PA it sounded much better.
My tip for this: never use it unmic'ed, and keep the volume below 5.

I use a Epiphone LP with humbuckers. This causes the low end to be a bit muddy. Alwys used bass control below 5. It is a very silent amp noise-wise. Not a single hiss. Clean means truly clean. Sometimes a bit too clean as I miss the warmth of the tubes. Tube dynamics really don't do it. I used power at 100% at all times, otherwise the speaker got dull at lower tones.
Nowadays I only use it bypassed (guitar to VG-88 and this output in preamp out). In this mode I get very responsive sound and nice harmonics and feedback. No volume control like this (only via the 88)

In the 2,5 years I played several gigs with it. Never used a backup. Our other guitarist only plays tubes, and in the 2,5 years he changed his amp 3 times and got frustrated. I have this cheapo amp and it never lets me down.
it also serves as a table to put my beer on and it keeps playing even soaked in beer.
It also gets bumped in the back of my car and fell off the seat, but it doesn't do anything to it.
If you play for long on low T.Dynamics power (10%) it does go crazy on the lows, so here it loses a point

Never had to call support

Nice for a beginner guitarist in a band who does a few gigs in a year.
NOT for guitarists with sound processors (VG-8; GT-6; GR-33;...) as it does color the sound too much, even on clean channel.

This baby has got all that it takes: separate EQ sections for the clean and lead channel, 3-way voiceswithing on the lead, 2-way on the clean one, a master section with power-output-control, reverb and an active 6dB presensce booster, and footswitch controllable FX-loop - it's all there!

I mostly play an epiphone les-paul custom with the gibson stock mics put in, and the amp really gives me the les-paul sound that i want. And it's very versatile, it can go all the way from clean jazz-like sound to the most brutal zakk wylde metal sound (without getting very noisy). I play all kinds of music from jazz/blues, ska, reggae, pop, and hard rock, and it always sounds amazingly good. A funny thing about this solid-state amp is that if you turn the power on the master section down to 10% the clean channel will clip the poweramp. It isn't a problem, I actually find it pretty cool, but if you want some loud clean sounds, just turn the power control to 100% again and here we go!
I have used it for rehearsing with both hardrock bands and a big-band and i have managed to make myself heard. The poweramp can though seem to "give up" after giving it more than half of the lead post-gain (volume) control. I haven't tried to put it into a 4x12 cab, which i think could help, though it gives an external speaker 100w instead of the 80 that goes to the internal sheffield 1230 speaker.
It sounds great for a solid-state amp, the best one i've ever tried. But of course some tubeamps sounds better... However, it's very versatile and it's very easy to alter the sound with the EQ-controlls

This amp is made for using. I have never ever had any troubles with it so far (had it for 3? years) and i keep depending on it. I have used it live w/o backup, my friends tube amps broke down, mine didn't.

Never had any problems :)

I've been playing for over 5 years and i listen to and play a lot of different kinds of music. I often use it with just a delay in the FX'loop and it sounds lovely. it also sounds lovely with a nice distortion pedal. since they are so cheap these days i would probably buy a new one if i would drop it from a 10-storey building (i guess that's what it takes to break it down). This sounds better than any other solid-state amp that i've ever heard.

Actually, it has pretty much everything I need/want. The amp is new ('04), and the other reviews pretty well cover the basis. I would like a plug for a set of headphones, though.

I bought this amp to play my Ibanez AF75 through for a jazzy sound. The AF75, with flat-wound, is a great, affordable jazzbox, and this amp compliments it well. I was looking at Roland JC120, but that was more amp than I needed. I also have a Fernandez Retrorocket and a Taylor CE314, so finding an amp that worked with all three was a challenge. This amp does, although I have to be careful with the Taylor or I get feedback that would crack drywall. It is versatile, and that's what I wanted. My son's guitar teacher, who does play professionally (and plays a variety of styles) played his Strat though it, and produced a nice bluesy/classic rock sound.

I also have a Peavey Blazer and a Micro Bass. While I'm a hobbyist and don't subject any of my equipment to the rigors of clubs, I've never had a problem with them. I feel that this Bandit should be just as reliable as the other two. In fact, Peaveys are the only amps I own.

I haven't had a problem, but when I was shopping I contacted Peavey via email asking for a recommendation for a jazz amp. I received a reply within a few days recommending Pro 112 (?). The store I went to had sold the one they had in stock a few hours before I got there! The salesman suggested I try the Bandit. For the next hour or so I played a half-dozen different guitars through this amp, and they all sounded good. Ithink Peavey (all manufacturers) should realize there are players out here who don't play any hyphenated rock or country/folk mutation.

I've played for 35 years, but only amplified for the last four or five. Besides the guitars mentioned earlier, I play a Peavey bass, and my son has a low-end Washburn strat-copy and an electric/acoustic Robelli. He REALLY loves using this amp, although I discourage his full-volume Hendrix and AC/DC solos. I would definitely consider replacing this amp with another one. It is a reasonably priced, versatile amp. The worst thing I would say about it is, like a lot of things that are versatile, is doesn't excel at anything. But I think even a gigging musician who finds himself or herself playing a range of venues would appreciate this amp.

Yeah same as the rest of em. twin chanel, independant eq on each, transtube. (no valves baby...)and it comes with free tupperware, i mean footswitch

i mostly use a les paul and it USED to sound great...
clean is very jazzy, but very clean, not an ounce of gain...
overdrive USED to rock like a mofo'

this amp used to be great. it IS built like a tank. its survived allsorts. but then the pre gain control broke... and then the entire overdrive chanel, forcing me to use my Vtwin through the clean chanel all the time... the clean chanel then promptly started spazzin out and making the sound "rattle" allmost, it started wavering in volume... and it still does, but i still use it because i cant break the fookin thing beyond repair. its impossible.

pah... customer support... that would mean i would have to spend money phonin em... nahhh leave it till it dies

This is a a nice 80 watt transistor peavy You can play alot with the tones on this amp, having different equalizers for clean and dirty are really helpful, the Tube Dynamics and Resonance can really help play with the sound to adjust it perfectly to your guitar. The 3 different switches for distortion really make for a lot of variation. The floor pedal is a great accesory too. I haven't used the pre amping yet, but I'm sure its great. The only thing this amp is really missing is a contour knob. A bit on the pricey side though for what you're getting.

I play this on an Ibanez RG548 (stock V7, S1 and V8 pickups). It took me a while to find the right tone, but once I did it blew my mind. This amp can really suit to any guitar, I even managed to make it suit to a Squier Strat and that's saying something! I can get some good crunch out of the "Modern Distortion" and the vintage style distortion is great for all you virtuosos. The clean sound on this amp is great, you can play with it to range from modern to blues to jazz.

This is an american-made monster, it'll survive an earthquake (actually it has). It still plays like the day I got it despite a few bumpy rides in the car, and one or two middle of the nite earthquakes

No idea, its had no problems yet.

Not bad for the price, like I said before, with a contour knob this amp would be absolutely perfect. Maybe not as great quality sound as a nice Marshall, but good enough none the less and you can really trust something made in America.

I play blues, classic rock, and I do a lot of major-league fooling around with the various sounds. It does pretty well for what I need. I don't really have the ear to pick out little sound details, but it sounds pretty good to me. It's got two channels, and it has two separate inputs for high and low gain.
I hardly ever use the "modern" and "high gain" settings on the dirty channel. I would like it if I could plug headphones in with a speaker defeat, so that I could play late at night, but it's not that big of a deal for me.
Since I play in my bedroom, it is DEFINITELY big enough. It screams very loudly if I turn it up halfway.

I use a Yamaha Pacifica, which is sort of a Fat Strat type setup for pickups. It gets a pretty decent sound for my styles which are Blues and Classic Rock.
One annoying problem, and I don't know if this has to do with the guitar or the amp, is that when I touch the strings there is a pop as if there was a transient or a short or that my body is grounding something. I'm going to try changing the grounding switch settings to see if I can eliminate this.
As far as feedback goes, it only feeds back if I turn the gain way up and hold the guitar right in front of it.
There is a lot of variation in the distortion, I can make it sound really crunchy or buzzy or anything really.
I haven't driven the clean channel enough to see if it'll distort.

I haven't really put it through much in the way of abuse, it's just sat in my room for the past six months. It's never broken down.

I haven't dealt with Peavey.

I've been playing for about seven months. I own an acoustic (washburn), and my beloved Yamaha Pacifica.
If it were stolen, besides being really pissed off, I think I would buy a different amp, but not because this is a bad amp, but rather that it's not really what I need.
It's an amp that I'm really comfortable with. I don't hate anything about it.
It's the only amp that I've ever played through, so I can't really compare it to anything.

this amp is my first (real) amp, however it has two channels one clean and a lead with modern, high gain and vintage modes, it has a master spring reverb, presence, effects loop, and resonance switch
it has a transtube circuit, it emulates tube amp sound, mine came with a footswitch, the sounds i can get from it are very good,i think is a great amp for playing modern rock, or blues

I use a squier strat, the lead channel is great grat sounds with the high gain swith, the vintage its pretty weak, but the distortion its ok, i also use a Ibanez Talman but the amp sounds are very crappy with my acoustic

its very very reliable, never crashes, its solid state, no blowing tubes, i use mine on very little gigs but it handles some abuse and never says no

never dealt with peavey

great amp, works fine for me, enough power for small shows, im not professional, i've got like 2 years playing but it works very fine, i wish i could get more distortion in the clean channel

Black tolex with old-style ?Peavey? logo. Very SOLID construction. Nice black-metal corner covers. Silver trim. 80 watts. Sheffield
12? speaker. 2 channels, clean and lead. Bright button, channel select button. Separate High, Mid and Low knobs for both channels (Nice feature), Thrash button (mid notch?) and Gain button for overdrive. Resonance knob (speaker damping) and T-knob for 10% to 100% tube compression simulation. FX in/out, power in, pre out, ext speaker. About 45 lbs.

It is not a modeling amp, but it seems to have quite a variance of sounds. I have not tried any of the modeling amps so I don't know how to rate this. I would say there is enough here for the working musician to gig out.

I play in an oldies band and free lance some for some country-style bands. I play SC guitars ? Tele and Strat. Currently, the only effect I use is a Boss Delay pedal. I have used this amp three times now. A small club; a recreation center dance; and one outdoor gig. I think I have a pretty good handle on what this amp can do now.

At first, if you are used to tubes, this amp can really turn you off. The sound is not as ?deep? (ballsey?), and sounds somewhat thin. However, after playing around with the lead channel, you can tune in some decent light overdrive. It really is quite good. On some blues-sytle leads I was impressed with the tone. I am not into metal so I have not tried the 'Gain' button for heavy distortion. I am still trying to work with it, but I believe I will be able to use this amp. I may buy the extension cabinet for outdoor gigs which raises the power to 100 watts. Also, if I have a closed back speaker cabinet, the bottom end might be more pronounced. I may also change out the Sheffield speaker as I am not overly impressed with it. If anyone out there has switched out the Sheffield, let me know the results.

Haven't had the amp long enough to know. It is used and seems to be working fine.

Never contacted, but heard it was decent.

Playing off and on since mid-60s, pro bass player until early 80s. Semi-pro guitar player since. I am essentially a tube amp guy and currently have a Fender HRD tweed LE and Traynor YCV20. The reason why I bought the Bandit 112 was to use as a ?work horse? amp. I now gig out anywhere from 2 to 5 nights a week and it really takes a toll on my rigs. Some of the gigs are low-paying and I just can?t see myself wearing out my favorite amps. Also, some of the gigs I will be doing this summer do not have great PA systems and I need substantial power. As far as the Bandit goes, let it rain! This thing will probably survice anything.

If you are really into tubes, this one is not for you. The Bandit is SS and can only partially emulate the tube amp sound. I would say for recording, I would rather place a mike in front of my YCV20 and crank. But for a solid dependable ?gig-rig? this appears to be the ticket.