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i just bought this used Peavey Mace 2x12 combo off my dad's old bassist...and paid 100 bucks even, and for that price....you cant beat that all tube sound...any opinions on this amp?


Originally Posted by OvationSensation.... used Peavey Mace ....you cant beat that all tube sound...

any opinions on this amp?

Correct me if my memory is flawed here, but all tube? Wasn't the Mace solid state preamp with power tube output section (the Legend comes to mind along these lines, but they were horrible IMO)? Well, if you can push the amp loud enough you'll get some descent power tube compression, could be just the thing to smooth out a string of pedals. I don't know how the lead channel on those is distortion wise (S.S.) or if they even had a separate lead channel. I honestly can't remember the last time I saw one of those.


Originally Posted by Kent S.Correct me if my memory is flawed here, but all tube? Wasn't the Mace solid state preamp with power tube output section (the Legend comes to mind along these lines, but they were horrible IMO)? Well, if you can push the amp loud enough you'll get some descent power tube compression, could be just the thing to smooth out a string of pedals. I don't know how the lead channel on those is distortion wise (S.S.) or if they even had a separate lead channel. I honestly can't remember the last time I saw one of those.

I think they where hybrid amps, But Skynyrd used them and you can't argue with their TONE !!

Well if you have to put SS in the path do it in the preamp because it seems the power section would smooth things out a lot once you get it cookin.

I'd like to try one of those.

I have an old '78 Deuce that I bought used-- its essentially the Mace but with four rather than six power tubes. Has a built in phaser, too. The amp really sounds nice once you incorporate some Celestion speakers into the mix.


Originally Posted by kmcguitarsI think they where hybrid amps, But Skynyrd used them and you can't argue with their TONE !!

Naw, ... the Legends were the ones that sounded horrid (at least to me), they were put out by Marshall (I think )as a kinda cross between a Marshall and a Fender ... The Rock 'N' Roll 50 was the one a friend of mine had ... a 1X12 combo ... yuck! The Peavey Heritage (2x12, reverb, phaser, switchable channels) was a hybrid also, tubes in power section, they were nice. But getting back to the Mace, I've never used one, but I just remebered it was a hybrid ... like I said, it might be the thing, especially with pedals , and it's got to have better preamp overdrive/distortion than the typical Fender preamps.
I don't think Peavey ever made a non-musical overdrive in their S.S. Preamps, maybe it wasn't quite what one was looking for, but generally speaking very useable. Sounds like a good buy, if it's in good shape (speaking of the insides that is).


Originally Posted by Boston JoeI have an old '78 Deuce that I bought used-- its essentially the Mace but with four rather than six power tubes. Has a built in phaser, too. The amp really sounds nice once you incorporate some Celestion speakers into the mix.

I forgot about that one, I wonder how many models they did do that with, then again ... Now that I'm thinking about it, I don;'t know if the Heritage *did* have tubes or not ...


Originally Posted by ranalliWell if you have to put SS in the path do it in the preamp because it seems the power section would smooth things out a lot once you get it cookin.

I'd like to try one of those.

Well, there are of course applications for the other path as well (tube pre amp; S.S. power) ... I think they tend to work better in lower volume settings , and the S.S. pre amp; tube power in high volume settings (once again gotta crank 'em) ... interestingly though the S.S. Pre amp; tube power came first, and then kinda faded away ... maybe they come back again. I mean think about how many people use their precious tube amps, but yet really like something S.S. in front (like an SD-1, BD-2, Rat, Blues Breaker, Etc.).
I'd like to see an amp with an S.S. pre-amp with one stage of clean tube gain pushing it, and one stage after (kinda like putting a high gain S.S. overdrive/distortion in between the stages on a Fender BF Preamp), and then on to a PI and tube power amp (with FREDs for the S.S. parts of the circuit, and tube rectifiers for the power section (maybe the preamp tubes as well), and then built in attenuators, and FX loops. I don't want much do I?
Oh, well enough Hi-Jacking the thread ...

My previous business partner used a Peavey Mace for years. He said it was the loudest amp he'd ever played through. He told me a story about auditioning with another band where the guitar players were going through Marshall half stacks and he came in with his 212 Mace, hadn't even stepped on the overdrive and they were already asking him to turn down. Take that for what you will. Hey, is Drew Half Empty reading this? He might be interested in the volume thing! LOL

Theres a Mace head(130 watts!) for sale in my local paper, $150

Maces are all right, my friend had one growing up. Huge Skynyrd fan.

The Legends may have sucked bt they were beautiful looking amps!!!! I think Marshalls distributor haqd them, don't think there was any direct relation to Marshall.

yeah, they're loud as hell. A buddy of mine has one. Freeeeeebird man!! woooooo!!!