Peavey HP Signature USA Custom

Standard USA Signature Custom with upgrades. The upgrades are 2-CTS 500K linear potentiometers and a set of Smit's Pickups-CC2n in the neck position and a slightly overwound MT12-2. I also wired together a .022uf Mundoff Silver Oil and a .022uf Jenson on the tone controll in place of the stock ceramic p.o.s.

Stock my guitar was way bright, rich and clear. The moment I plugged it in I could tell it had a ton of potential, it just needed the right pups. I had a set of Smit's pups, an underwound CCn and a MT-12, they had a A3 and an A4 mag in them, which I knew wouldn't be right for this guitar but I had some A2 mags which I knew would give me close to the sound I was looking for with those pups. Soon as I installed them I knew they were close, they just needed to be a little fatter. So I got a standard CC-2n for the neck and had Kevin wind a slightly overwound MT-12-2 and "bammm" killer tone! Awesome killer tone....neck and bridge. Both neck tones and bridge tones to die for, the ultimate hard rock machine. Clear, articulate with a ton of gain at your disposal. I can go from the sweetest of cleans, to industrial grade metal with both pickups. It's just an awesome axe now. Stock it was limited, the stock Peavey A5 pickups it came with just didn't match this guitar, the Smit's pickups, and the linear 500K pots made it a real hard rockin' tone monster that chews up and spits out PRS's and Gibson's, they just don't stand a chance. The audio taper 500K pots just didn't work well in this guitar, they were not smooth in their roll off. The new caps added to the tone as well. It is the best sounding hard rock axe period.

Top notch. Everything top notch. Killer fret dressing.

Built like a tank. Built to last.

Couldn't tell ya.

Been playin' for 20 years. This is the nicest sounding axe I own. I have allot of nice gear, I've owned at least 50 electric guitars, even an original '58 Gibson Les Paul Custom, this guitar tops them all as far as tone goes and is equal to any of them in quality, craftmenship and playability. Highly underated axe. I got mine for $900 brand new off Ebay.

2005 Peavey HP Signature USA Custom in vintage sunburst finish. One piece mahogany body, one piece mahogany set neck, ebony fretboard and quilt maple top. 24 frets on a 24 3/4" scale. Top notch hardware, including Peavey's Dual Compression bridge system, Schaller bridge and tuners, and Peavey dual humbuckers. 2 volume, 1 tome and a 3-way switch. Quality all around.

Sound is nice and sweet with a lot of sustain. The sound is what you'd expect from a mahogany body/maple top guitar, and it doesn't do the Strat thing. However, it doesn't fall into the "dark" category that many Gibson-style guitars do. Every not rings out crisp and clear- I would say clairity is the guitar's tonal signature. Very pleasing and versitile for sure- I can't think of a style that the responsive controls and pickups could not handle (outside of singlecoil sounds).

I have absolutely nothing bad to say about the fit and finish. In the past I have sold guitars, and even worked at a guitar manufactureer (not Peavey). Almost every guitar has some flaws to find- but good luck finding something wrong with my HP Signature. Knowing the work that goes into good quality control, I must say I'm very impressed!

This guitar just feels very solid all the way around. The finish is even and durable and the hardware is just top of the line. Nothing wrong here.

I actually did have to contact the company regarding the build history when I was shoppping, and like many others on here, I received a full reply within the day. Wish they were all this good!

I have been playing for about 15 years now. I have had many guitars over the years, and at this time of my life guitar playing has been relegated to the hobby status (that's what two kids and a job will do!). But I still play every day and know quality when I see it. I have had many USA guitars over the years from different manufacturers (Gibson, Fender, Washburn, Ibanez USA Custom, etc). In shirt, the HP Signature USA is the best built, best playing one I have owned. There is not one corner cut in the build of this guitar- even the wood truss rod cover screams quality. If you get the chance to get one of these, I couldn't recommend it more. Well done Peavey!

Guitar was made in 2005 in Peavey's USA custom shop. 24 frets, two custom wound Peavey humbuckers matted to two volumes and one tone knob and a 3 way pickup selector. The body is a one piece mahogany body with a quilted maple top. The neck is also mahogany and is toped with a gorgeous tight grained ebony fingerboard. The body and neck have a great quilted maple binding the really add to the high end looks of the guitar. The bridge is Peavey's patented dual compression system and the tuners are gold Schaller with pearloid buttons. The guitar comes with a custom Peavey case and Schaller straplocks. Everything is here that you need. I only gave it a 9 for the lack of the ability to split the coils, which would be nice.

This guitar sounds incredible. It is nice and full sounding with great sustain. It really sings and the volume knob is very responsive. You can really use it to add or subtract as much gain as you want while still keeping the guitar very responsive. This guitar can really do any type of sound you throw at it. The pickups are not real high out put so you have to really push them to do metal but when you do you get a very nice tight bass response. I am using this guitar with a Mesa Express 5:50 2x12 which I usually run straight. When I do use it, my pedalboard consists of a Keeley DS-1, a Keeley Fuzz Head, a Fulltone Clyde Deluxe Wah, a Fulltone Octafuzz, a Fulltone OCD, and a MXR Custom Shop 1974 Phase 90 and a MCR Carbon Copy. This guitar interacts really well with all of them. There is nothing I do not like about this guitar's sound.

I got this guitar from Music Unlimited which is a local guitar shop and they set all of the guitars up before they even go on the wall. I do not know how it was from the factory but the setup on mine is perfect. The action is low enough that I can burn through licks but high enough that chords and notes really ring out. The pickups intonation and everything is just set up to a T. The finish on the guitar is perfect. You sometimes see some bleed over with bindings. You will not find that on these guitars. They are very high end and it shows. The only flaw on mine is a little offset on one of the abalone side dots but that is very minor.

I have always had some type of Peavey product and there products are as solid as they come. I have no doubt that this guitar will last my whole life with no problems whatsoever.

I emailed Peavey regarding the serial number and the guitars details. I got an email back next day. I also emailed HR to get Hartley's email address so I could let him know how happy I was with the guitar. I also received that response next day. I would like to see that level of service from one of the other big companies. I promise you that you would not be able to email the CEO of Fender or Gibson or even PRS.

I have been playing for over 20 years both in bands or for the pure pleasure of it. I have released a CD with one of my past bands and have also taught guitar lessons for years. I play mainly guitar oriented instrumental music. I am influenced by George Lynch, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Al Dimeola and Larry Carlton. My playing reflects all of those styles. I am in the fortunate position of really being able to afford any guitar I want. Before I bought this guitar I tried PRS, Tom Anderson, Suhr, Baker, David Thomas McNaught and some high end Gibson's. This guitar played and sounded better than all of them. As soon as a picked up this guitar it just fit. It felt like it was made for me. These guitars are no longer made anymore so if it were lost or stolen I would honestly have Peavey's custom shop make me another one. If you have the chance, go out and get one of these guitars while you can still find them.

2006 model, 22 frets, dual humbuckers with Les Paul style switching. Tobacco sunburst over quilted maple with quilted maple binding on body and neck. Gold hardware, Schaller-style two piece straplocks, very nice croc case. In terms of feel, it's closest to a PRS.

It's a very decent guitar and covers a nice range of clean and gain sounds. I would prefer a hotter pickup myself, but this sits very nice in the classic rock range.

I bought the guitar at an auction and it came set up pretty well. The strings were a bit old, which turned me off. But a replacement set put a decently fast neck in my hands. I love the body style. It's well contoured and pretty light - very comfortable to play on a strap or seated.

It appears pretty solid, although I've only taken it out a couple of times. The finish is strong and deep and there's no wiggle room anywhere. There's a big of wiggle and creak in the straplocks - which is common for this style. But I've never had a lack of confidence in the construction.

Since it was purchased at an auction, I didn't really know anything about it beyond the serial number and posted a query to the website. In a day I had a full workup on the guitar and the model history from a customer service rep.

I haven't had a need for repair.

I'd give this a 9.5 if the rating was there. This is a gorgeous guitar. The particular finish is not so flashy, but it's very well done and the binding is amazing. I only deduct from a 10 because the pickups could be hotter and brighter. I bought it for a song with an intent to sell on Ebay, but I fell in love with the thing.

Made in USA. Mahogany with a 5 A Quilt Maple Top. 3 way switch with no tap. Peavey Custom Made Pickups that are Passive. Neck is also Mahogany. Finish is Tobacco Burst that really brings out the flame. Body style is very PRS like. Bridge is the best feature with a stop tailpiece plus string through. Incredible sustain. Tuners are non locking vintage looking Schaller. Neck is not as fat as a Les Paul but not as small as a Strat or PRS. Big enough so that the sound really transfers from neck to body. Glued Set Neck. Neck is rosewood. The case is the finest I have ever seen. It is gator covered.

I thought about giving it a 9 because the pickups are not tapped. However, those typically don't sound good with the exception of Tom Anderson so I gave it a perfect 10.

I have owned the guitar for 3 months and have really had time to think this one through. At first, I expected the pickups to sound like a Les Paul. However, the more I played, the more I found that they are better. They have the best sound of the Burstbuckers but can really drive a clean distortion. Lots of top and bottom end. Rich and full. Brings out the Mahogany Wood with the deep sounds only found in an LP style guitar. Not noisy at all on all settings. You can get a Jazz sound, Vintage Rock, Modern Rock, Country if you back off the tone knob. You can get a great blues sound with the sustain of the body ringing through.

I play through a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe Tube Amp and a Vox 30 Watt Pathfinder. Sounds great through all of them.

This is the first guitar that was set up perfectly and has maintained the setup even with temperature changes, moving, etc... Very low action, pickups set just right and the intonation is spot on.

Now for the best part - The finish. I hang at a store that only sells custom shop Gibson, Fender, PRS, Suhr and they sell a ton of it. Of course, they wouldn't carry a lowly Peavey. I brought it in and they were stunned. This guitar rivals any custom shop works from any manufacturer out there. The top was perfectly bookmatched. There are absolutely no flaws in the finish, hardware, wiring or anything. I have looked and looked and nothing.

Finally, I have to say that this is the most beautiful guitar I have come across. I own 25 guitars but this one sits next to my baby grand piano. It took me over a month to feel good about playing it as it is Art. I play it daily now and it is holding up like a champ. Just wipe it down. No issues with the gold hardware fading which was a major concern of mine.

This is a rock solid guitar. Hardware is the finest in the industry and will last a lifetime. As stated before, the gold seems to not tarnish or fade which just shows your the quality. I would gig without a backup. However, it looks so good that I would have a hard time taking it out of the house.

I don't know

Played for 25 years. Own Tom Andersons, Vintage Gibson Les Pauls, Multiple Custom Shop Strats and Teles, Godins, MIJ Ibanez and another Peavey VT Strat that is the best value on the market. This guitar is as good in quality as my Tom Anderson which I consider the finest quality in the industry.

I love this guitar. I love to play it and I love to look at it. Peavey built a masterpiece that is so undervalued that you can pick up a mint used one for $1,200. The same type of guitar from PRS or Gibson would go for 4 times that amount and I can't say they would be better.

This is a follow-up review to the one I posted last year.
First off, I can't believe that after a year there are only two reviews posted! All I can figure is that most people still don't know about the tone, quality, looks, and great price of this killer guitar.

This guitar really shines when it comes to lush clean tones and fat vintage crunch. This thing kicks my Wolfgang's hiney when it comes to overall tone. The mahogany neck and body, combined with the ebony fretboard produce that famous Les Paul Standard tone, then the bridge and string-though-body give it incredible note definitition. Like I said before, I played a lot of Les Pauls before I bought the HP. Price wasn't a factor, I just wanted the best playing best sounding guitar. The decision to buy the HP was easy.
I'd still love to hear the HP with some high gain pick-ups, but the tone is so great, I can't bring myself to change a thing.

Like the previous reviewer said, this guitar is a true beauty. Quality woods, top notch hardware, and superior craftsmenship. After nearly a year and a half, it looks and plays as good as the day I bought it. Actually, it plays a little better. The frets were nice on day one, and now they're perfect.
My guitar was shipped with 10-46 gauge strings. They sound great and 11's are even better.

I've been playing this guitar an average of 12 hours a week for 1.5 years and it's still perfect. The volume/tone knobs and pick-up selector are still quiet and smooth, frets are perfect, tuners are smooth and accurate, nut is broken in and smoooooth, neck is arrow straight and very stable, and despite a few bumps in to walls, doors, etc., the finish is still perfect. Initially, I had a couple D strings break at the bridge. I took some 1000 grit sandpaper and sanded a little on the bridge saddle. I haven't had a break since.

After all the years of owning Peavey products, I've still never had to deal with any repairs, so I can't rate that. The only times I've contacted them was by email and they responded quickly and answered all my questions.

Not only would I replace it if it were stolen, I'd like to pick up another one. This guitar holds it's own or surpasses any PRS or Gibson, so when you factor in price, it's a clear winner.

Vintage Burst Quilted maple Flame-top, double-cutaway one-piece mahogany back laminated dual-compression bridge, dual-wound humbucker pups. Locking Schaller tuners, 24 frets, 24-3/4 inch neck. Neck is one piece with body. Made in 2005 at Meridian, MS Peavey Custom Shop. Hardshell case, 2 volume controls, ONE Tone control for both pups.
The guitar really a show-stopper for me, personally. It sits in our formal living room on its stand right next to our baby grand piano; it's THAT pretty. I'm kinda fanatic about wood furniture & finish, and this might be the most beautiful piece of art we have. ONE CAUTION: I went down and viewed the exact same model in a store here, and the top on that one was very sub-standard (I almost suspect they got it as a second because it was also way discounted-$1699). The flame top I have is bold, broad, and gorgeous.

Great variety of tone. I play thru a Peavey Classic 30. Clear tones sound best with the selector switch set to both pickups; the bridge pickup is too harsh by itself, and the neck one is overly muddy. But with both it's fine, considering it's not an acoustic.

Distorted; well, I LOVE the sound variety, especially paired with a tube amp. I get a nice screaming lead with decent sustain, and a good chunky rhythm. The pups aren't the highest gain I've seen, but they work fine for a stock pickup. It might be nice to have the tone separated for each pickup, though, especially if you like to switch your sound around a lot.I'm not sure I'm done with the pickups. There is something about the two bass strings (E & A) that seems like it could be improved. I'm going to go to 11s from the current 9s and see what I think.

I set the guitar up myself; when I got it off of eBay, it was stock from the factory and wasn't especially low plus it buzzed. Now it plays nicely, the intonation is perfect. I can't get the setup-super low without some buzzing, but I'm not real experienced in it and plan to try a professional with it at some point.
Much lighter than a LP, and a joy to cradle or sit with and just noodle. Peavey anticipated every curve of your knee, thigh, or belly with smooth-as-butter cutouts.
One major issue; after a month, the switch went bad, which surprised me because it's such a simple piece of equipment. I took the cover off the back and it looked so plain I can't believe it doesn't work. It's an L-style toggle switch similar to the Gibson Les Paul. I currently can set it to neck which works, or bridge which works, but it does goofy things in the middle, like one pup cutting out entirely.

The guitar is SOLID; locking strap buttons included. It's so beautiful I'm super-careful with it, so I hope I never find out otherwise. Still, I'm certain it would withstand some harsh treatment; you just wouldn't do that. It would be like taking a Mercedes out joyriding on 4-wheel-drive trails. This is a top-of-the line professional guitar, you could gig with it in a heartbeat.

Case is a little on the cheap side. I don't care that much, because I have the guitar out on display all the time. It just looked like a better case in the pictures.

I haven't tried to contact them yet. Since I got it off eBay, I'm not sure about the warranty.

Playing about 15 years. I'd replace it if stolen, but I wouldn't pay anything near list. Not because it's not comparable to a PRS or Gibson LP; it just isn't as well-known as other guitars and I don't expect it to hold value like ones with substantial demand.

I think the finish, sound, and playability are great, overall. My ratings seem low probably to most people because I just don't give out 10s on everything. If I buy a $200 guitar, I'm not giving it great ratings just because it is better than the garage sale special I had before. This guitar lists on Peavey.com for $2899. That's too much in my opinion. For what I paid on eBay (mint condition) I feel like I got a steal.

MADE IN USA!!!
Double-cutaway mahogany body with maple binding, 5A quilted maple carved top (I've got the Tiger Eye finish), one-piece mahogany set neck, 24 3/4" scale, ebony fretboard with maple binding and mother of pearl inlay, 24 fret, Stop tail patented Dual-Compression Bridge System, Schaller 18:1 machine heads, 2 custom Peavey humbuckers, 2 volume controls, 1 tone control, 3 way pick-up switch, gold-plated hardware, Alligator print leather covered case.

This guitar plays and sounds a lot like a $4500 maple topped Les Paul, but it's lighter (around 7 lbs.) and less expensive.
The patented Dual-Compression Bridge System gives this guitar the most articulate string presence I've ever heard.
This guitar is much brighter than my Wolfgang. The pick-ups have less gain than the Wolfgang pick-ups and are a lot clearer. Running both pick-ups together through the clean channel on my Decatone sounds almost hifi. The bridge pick-up through pushed power tubes gives perfect vintage crunch. Crank up the gain and you get sweet lead tones that really cut through.

The guitar arrived with a near perfect set-up. The only thing I did was adjust the bridge pick-up a little closer to the strings. The action is low and fast. The intonation is perfect.
The workmanship on this thing is totally custom shop.
Very impressive.

I've been playing this guitar for a couple months now without any problems. My Wolfgang has performed perfectly for 6 years and it's still going strong. I expect this guitar to perform just as well.

I've never had to have any of my Peavey gear worked on, but they're good to return emails.

I was originally looking to pick up a Les Paul, but after playing a bunch of Gibsons, I wasn't overly impressed. I usually will not buy a guitar without playing it first, but when I saw this USA built HP new on the internet for such a great price and knowing Peavey's reputation for quality, I couldn't resist.
This guitar is definitely a keeper.