Peavey Transformer 212

All kinds of goodies. Fairly easy to use. What the heck is "Power Dynamics"? Tap delay is cool. Nice footswitch included.

Strats, G&L Legacy, Jackson DK2, Gibby LP Classic with Duncan 59's, Tele Deluxe w/noisless.
Lot's of sounds. Distortion is never enough on any amp! Clean and quiet when you want it. Sound quality very good for a solid state amp.

The Post Gain switch went south within a week. The local Dealer sent it to the guys at Mojave Amps for warranted repair and I had it back within a week or so. I'll withhold judgement on the switch because it could have been dicked with at the store by someone.

For the repair I needed it was handled quick, clean and free. Perfect 10 for the guys at Mojave Amps (autho'd Peavey repair)

You'll like it. It's cool and versatile. Fairly loud and nice looking too.

I have had this amp for about a year and 1/2, and I honestly believe it is the best unknown bargain among current modeling amps. The reviews prior to mine have fairly well documented the features. It is versatile enough to cover everthing from country twang to in your face gutty distorion, but with an ability to change and edit even while you play, other tweak types should love this- saving the new settings is super easy as well. The ability to see your settings with the LED readout in semi darkness or with stage lighting in your face- wow, it is all right there, no problems!! The amp has 16 user and 16 presets, the only thing I could have wished for would have been a foot toggle switch arrangement to go between the user/preset patches- it can be done by quickly moving your left hand and tapping the user button back to presets, but if you like the preset you can easily make it part of your user patch setup. The user patches are very musical, allow for a wide variety besides showing off what this amp can do. Hendrix, U2, ZZTop, Jazz, and Santana licks ripped off the presets as some of my friends went through the settings. Another feature that might have been nice to have would be a way to adjust the drive of the distoriton on the various lead models, but hey, in all fairness for the most part you can back off your guitar volume and do this on most of the models- and that is pretty cool in itself. I use this amp at my Church where in a 1/2 hour we span the range during Praise from pop, rock, funky, blues, boogie shuffle to very quiet refective material during Worship. Powerwise, I have not had a direct shotout with the ASx2 line six the other guys have, but in fairness at 1/4 output I have no trouble hearing myself andI get motioned to turn down- almost the same results at higer lvels but now I am moving lots of air too. It easily keeps up with the Line 6- this is a very powerful amp with strong output when required. It is also the only modeling amp I have found that can work with success with acoustic pickups (American clean model- read Twin Reverb). I searched for an amp that could meet both my acoustic and electric needs, with a variety of user friendly good sounding effects- at this time, this is the amp.

Lets talk about what guitar players are striving for-TONE! This is a trans tube amp; it allows the flexibility to push the amp at 10% to 100% power output, allowing for a natural compression of the tone allowing a sweet round articulated sound that can be incredibly clean, blusey overdrive, to driving feedback even at low volumes- you have to go try it to hear it. I was not a believer in Peavey nor have ever owned any, I have always owned fender/musicman tube amps and wanted something more than one tone amps. I was also tired of hauling a variety of pedals and or pedal boards around to get that TONE- most of you know exactly what I mean. I took my TEX MEX Strat in to demo the transformer 112 amp- I also have an LR Baggs acoustic bridge pickup installed. I was completely blown away by the sound with the Tex Mex pickups- you still get the strat noise on high gain, but in between setting on the strat were fairly quiet- in fact the amp even turned up did not have any HISS unlike the line six stuff. The tone is rounder and more tuby that the line six stuff in this price range, even more so when I switched to a Gretsch I have with humbuckings- talk about sustain. Then I tried the LR Baggs- this is the only electric amp I have found that could make the sound of the Baggs sound "correct", like an acoustic. It is very similar to the sound with an acoustic amp I have. I found this tone and sound to be truer with a Takamine I just sold, and that the amp sounds even better with my new acoustic, a Taylor 414ce with Fishman electronics. The variety of the effects is small- 5 plus delay and reverb-- but I find them very good, especially the rotary and delays. I play in a church that seats about 550 to 600, and my biggest problem is always being told I am to loud (typical setting is about 1 1/2 on the master) and too much bass- pretty good for an open back cabinet. The clean remains clean on the clean channels even at high volumes with maxed pre and post gain, the crunch models are dependent on the pre and post gain offsets- so are the lead models. This makes for a variety of endless tweaking because the lead models can be made to sound clean, edgy, ect--- also there is the ability to change cabinet styles (15 other choices besides the preset)which do make a difference to the tone as well- I am still coming up with new tweaks and changes as I listen to differences- keeps it fun looking for the elusive tone/sound or the new one I want to make up.

Very reliable and dependable so far- no problems, other than it is heavy and I got myself a little trasport carrier for it.

It is fair to say that I have not had problems nor a direct need to contact Peavey except for one thing- there were none of the 212 amps on the west coast, mine was shipped directly from the factory to my Peavey dealer, and there was a slight mixup that the dealer sraightened out.

The best thing was that I was curious about the amp and did an internet search on it, which lead me to a web site by one of the amps software designers. I emailed him with some questions, and was suprised that he not only answered me, but it was the advice I needed to learn how to do a boost fuction on the amp- that was really way cool, designers that standby their work and give a reply. Of course he is not the company, but it makes me secure about the product and the people they employee. Kudos to the design team, hope they remain with peavey for awhile.

I have played since I was 13, seen lots of amps and guitars- heard countless bands and concerts. Today, the ability to mike an amp or line out to the PA makes it far simpler to look for tone in a smaller 2 by 12 package, one that can be heard on stage with authority as needed. This amp can do it. I love the fact that I can have such a variety of sound ready at my fingers without a lot of time spent editing, that the sounds are tasty, the effects are good enought to put away the pedals- as Frank Zappa pointed out shut up and play your guitar! that is what the Peavy lets you do. The Cyber Twin is great, so is the Vetta- but those are way above the price of this amp. The editing on this amp is so simple, as well as setting the effects. It does not sound harsh like the line 6 stuff does, nor does it have the solid state hiss sound that a lot of products do such as Crate or Line 6. Given the opportunity, I would donate this to my Church when a newer improved Transformer 212 came out- for the money (which includes the food pedal) this amp is a very good deal- for the sound and the TONE, it is a bargain.

I bought my Transformer in September 2001. I joined a new band a couple of months earlier and we were ready to start playing on a semi-pro basis. My other amps are a 60's Selmer bass'n'treble valve head and cabinet which was getting too old to rely on, and a Peavey Express which I'd used for rehearsing. I needed something a bit more powerful and simple to use as I'd always had to use multi-fx and stomp boxes with the other two. I was thinking of getting a Fender amp as that would suit the style of the new band (mainly soul/funk/disco) but after reading about the Transformer, modelled on 12 amps, I realised I could get one for a similar price to the Fender models I was thinking about. There are two Fender-style settings - Bassman and Tweed, 3 Marshall-style - Bluesbreaker, 70's and 80's, Vox AC30 Top Boost, 2 Mesa-Boogie style and 4 based on Peavey amps like the 5150 and Classic. The amp has built in digital effects - the basic ones chorus,phaser, flanger, tremelo, rotary speaker,one of which can be used at one time, and separate reverb and delay. It also has Peavey's Transtube T-Dynamics control which is subtle but imitates valve amp compression. The amp has a built-in tuner. Each knob on the panel has a circle of LEDs which show which amp is being used, which effect is on, and all the level settings. When you switch pre-sets using the foot-switch included, the LEDs move to show the new settings - something which only happens on amps with motorised-knobs like the Cyber-Twin. The footswitch also allows you to boost a patch for solos or switch effects in and out.

I play one of the early Japanese Squier strats which i bought in 1984 and although i have a couple of other guitars, this has always been the best-sounding and versatile. The amp was worth buying for the Bassman setting alone which I use most. I use some of the other amp models when a bit more overdrive is needed or for solos. Playing around with the settings, I think you could play any style of music with this amp. I don't know how accurate the sounds are when compared to the original amps which were modelled, but for a covers band this type of amp is really versatile.

I have had no problems with the amp except for one gig when the sound went dead - I switched the amp off and on again and it was back to normal. It may have been caused by a power-surge in the buildings electrics because all the power went off later in the gig. Apart from this, I have had no problems in the 9 months I've been gigging and rehearsing with it.

I got the amp through a local PA dealer who specialises in Peavey PA equipment and doesn't stock many guitar amps. He said he could get one for me and phoned Peavey's UK office who said it could take 4 to 6 weeks to deliver because they were awaiting a shipment from the States. However, as I'd been offered a price #120 less than the book price for the amp, I thought I might as well wait. I got a call from the dealer the following week - my amp had arrived ! I've not had to retun the amp for anything but I did get a 2 year warranty.

After playing electric guitar for over 20 years, this is the first time I have had a set-up which I feel comfortable with. The guitar plugs straight into the amp and just one footswitch to worry about. The average audience doesn't know or care whether you're playing through a tube amp and for the price and the features, I think this amp ( and probably some of the other DM amps) are ideal for use in a covers band. They may not be exact copies of the amps they model, but they certainly come close enough to get the right sound for the song. I read about some of the other amps like the Flextone, Line 6 etc, but the Peavey, with its LED interface and the footswitch included in the price seemed to be the simplest to use and the best value. I would probably replace it with the same model if it was lost or stolen although there are a few amps which have come onto the market since I bought the Transformer which I might check out first

Made in 2002. Has very cool modulations ala Korn and coal chamber. Has 4 channels per bank, and 4 banks. the channel switching is fast compared to other modeling amps but NOT FAST ENOUGH for fast verse/chorus changes. Its awesome that you can have modulation and reverb at the same time. The amp i got wasnt that loud...turns out the POWER AMP WAS DEFECTIVE, so i took it back and got a refund...

I use an ESP with 2 Humbuks and a kramer with 3 humbuks ran thru a Zoom 505 II for tuning and FX. It would havve been an awesome amp for my NU-Metal style(coal chamber, korn, rage) but it cant channel switch fast enough for heavy, quick music. The combo was erratic and noisy on distortion and the volume/noise fluctuated wildly. Has tons of awesome clean tones, modulations(twirps,blurbs, wehr-wehr-wehrmps) awesome heay distortions(if they would work right)

It was broke when i got it, the power amp was crap, and wildly fluctuated the volume levels, so i returned it, SUCKED FOR ME

never talked to them, returned it to retailer, got my $730 back, its a good amp, but not worth that much

it COULD hae been awesome, but it was defective and the switching is NOT FAST ENOUGH, maybe someday they will make them instantaneous like the wonderful A/B boxes ive come to love

2002 Model, all the features you would expect from a modeling amp.
The Best interface I've used yet (simple to use). Smart, easy to use
footswitch (love the boost feature!).

This thing blows away the competition here...and this is the catagory
that matters! Amazing clean tones, smooth lead tones with punch.
SOUNDS LIKE A TUBE AMP. FEELS LIKE A TUBE AMP. Very easy to dial in a great tone- with humbuckers or single coils. I play a McCarty & a Strat, both sound amazing through this amp and I don't have to tweak settings much when changing guitars. Very loud amp...but not overly loud. Good for my style. I play mainly classic rock with a LOUD drummer & a 2nd guitarist who plays through a Marshall 1/2 stack.
This amp cuts through it all with ease.

No Problems so far.

I Bought the Cyber Twin at GC and returned it with in my 30 window.
I tried to like the CT but in the end I felt it was a piece of shit.
In case you're wondering, I've been a tube player for the last 20 years. I was VERY skeptical about the whole digital thing but wanted to keep an open mind. I have owned mainly Boogies & Marshalls over the years. I found the Transformer 2x12 by accident, I NEVER even considered a Peavey...Sure am glad I stumbled on to this thing.
Best kept secret in the industry!!!

too many to list!! see others for stats

I'm playing an ESP EC-300 through this, and the total sound is just amazing! The built in effects, specially the phaser, are really on the mark and sound great when added to your presets. While it could use a bit more of an edgy sound in some of the distortions (to suit my metal moods), and an overall normal distortion sound, (not that you couldn't make one up), the other amp models are great and come fairly close to what they're supposed to sound like. Very versitile sounds. THIS AMP IS LOUD!! although I've only had it for a while, and it hasn't gotten out of my room. 2 12's is plenty for me, and I'm sure this thing would hold up great at any type of gig. Super quiet switching with no split second delay periods. All around, probably one of the best you could ever buy.

Seems like with Peavey anything you don't have to worry about reliability anything. This things a boat!! (60lbs) I need a trolly to cart it around and save my back! It should be able to take anything you can give it.

haven't had to deal with them, but from what I've heard, support is great.

This is the most versatile amp I've ever seen in my life. Sounds are great in tone, and the features are endless. Go buy one and have fun!!

If you've got any cool settings, feel free to email. I'd love to add to my collection

Modeling amplifier - read others for the specs

Sounds pretty good. I play it with a Peavey Predator plus. Suits my playing in a Classic Rock and Roll band.

Not too sure. This is a replacement for the amp I originally bought. The handle nut fell off inside a FRIED it! I used loc-tite to secure the handle on the replacement (it was loose too!!!). Once tightened and secure, it looks like it should hold up.

In the interim that my amp was at peavey, it took a long time for results. I wonder if they lost the amp???? Anyway my local dealer finally started to hound peavey for some results. Finally agreed to exchange amp for another off the floor. Dealer helped out superbly. Peavey dropped ball.

Overall the second amp is working fine and the amp is sounding well in the 4 piece group i play with. Not as loud as my Peavey stereo 212 chorus. but holds it's own. Price was Ok for what you get. Just watch the handle hardware

Transformer, 2 x 12, 50 Watt x 50 Watt stereo, amp modeling, 16 factory presets, 16 user, chorus, flange, phaser, tremelo, rotary speaker. Complete with midi footswitch, bulit in tuner, standard and chromatic, E and E flat. 16 amp models including American, British, Peavey 5150 and classic, 2x12, 1 x 12 and 4 x 12 cabinet selections available. All funcitions are knob controlled, no numbers, LED backlit on each knob,(kind of neat in the dark). Stereo headphone jack, left and right send and return, 8 pin midi in, 5 pin midi out, left and right line out for console direct or to tape.

Speakers are 12" Blue Marvel(?) 4 0hm

Specs are 29W x 11.6 deep X 20.6 H, 60 lbs.

G&L Legacy, 3 sinlge coils. Humbuckers should be awsome through this modeling amp. As with many of the submissions for the 1 x12 Transformer, it models amps very close. It does not sound like a Peavey 5150 or Marshall head with 4 x12 cab, but it comes damn close. The modulation effects are very nice. Huge stereo chorus. The rotary speaker is realistic. For the first time in my 30+ years of playing, I plugged straight into the amp, no foot switches etc. to go through. The pre sets are well thought out, lots of flexibility. Tweak the low, mid, high and modulation knobs and press the save button, select where you want to save it (turn a knob) and your USER sound is saved. The footswith has a boost switch, which allows you to tweak the saved preset. So basically, you have 16 factory,16 USER presets, each with boost giving you a total of 64 possible presets. I will probably only use 3 or 4 presets but having the ability to save a sound I stumble on is nice feature. The presets are stored in A,B,C,D banks and 1,2,3,4 presets sounds, each with BOOST. The BOOST allows you to tweak the EQ and Modulation effects. Very user friendly.

The amp is very quiet. No cracks, pops when switching banks or presets. Silent switching. Totally Amazing.

I have the left and right send going to (two) other amps. Left to a Fender Concert and right to Fender Princeton Chorus. Both amps set to clean with volume set at 3 to 4. The Transfomrer pre amp powers the send circuit, therefore all of the Transformer effects are in stereo, coming out the slave amps. The tone is totally awsome. Even my wife was impressed.

The distortion sound like solid state. But remember it is solid state. Don't expect it to sound like a Mesa triple rectifier. The pre gain and post gain combinations are flexible enough to get a good bluesy tone all the way to hard metal crunch. Many combinations are possible due to the software amp modeling selection. You can even mix amps with different cabinets. Tons of possibilities. Just remember, this is a solid state amp, no tubes. So don't buy this thing if you a re looking for a huge fat tube, one sound type of amp. This amp is extremely flexible. I chose the Peavery over the Flextone, Line 6 and Repliflex. (It was my second choice).

This is my first Peavey product. The amp cabinet is very well constructed. Built to withstand abuse. The control knobs are smooth. The LED backlit knobs and footswitch seem reliable.

I have not had to deal with Peavey direct. From the quality of the amp and user friendly owners manuals (easy to understand, technical made simple), I do not anticiapte any problems with support from Peavey. I purchased the amp for $650 from Evans Music in Houston, Texas. The amp tech/salesman was extremely helpful, courteous and made the buying experience very pleasant. We both read through the manual to figure out the USER save functions etc. In a matter of minutes we had it figured out.

I have been playing for 30+ years and have owned/own Fender and Mesa Boogie amps. This is my second solid state amp I've purchased. The other one is a Fender Princeton Chorus. This is by far the most versatile and fun amp I have purchased. The amp is internet ready ( User Presets) from Peaveys web site. Peavey promises this feature soon. Overall, if you are hunting for a modeling amp which is portable, affordable, stereo effects and easy to use, I recommend the Peavey Transformer 2x12.