1987 Peavey VTM-120 head
2003 Avatar G412 4 x 12" cab


     The Peavey VTM-120, introduced in the mid 1980s, was one of the first regular-production "pre-hot-rodded" amps, if not the first. Based on the master-volume Marshall JCM 800 circuit, albeit with four 6L6 output tubes instead of EL34s, the VTM-120 provides a massive 120 Watts of gain (and powers up to four 16 Ohm cabinets!) in a seemingly no-frills package. (The VTM-60 head was identical except that it had two output tubes, providing 60 watts of power.) It has one channel and no reverb or graphic EQ, but on the front panel (usually hidden behind a removable panel) are eight "response modification" DIP switches. These switches allow the user to "mod" the amp with any combination of two stages of gain, built-in compression, and boost (two low end boosts, one mid, two high end). Cosmetically they went through at least two front panel designs before being discontinued in the mid 1990s. The VTM-120 supposedly formed the basis for Peavey's 5150 series of amps, designed with and for EVH.



     As a fan of hardcore/punk/metal, I've always respected Marshall amps as one of the standards in distorted guitar tone. However, I'll probably never be able to afford an old Plexi head or a new DSL (or TSL) Marshall. My 1987 VTM-120 head was much more affordable (~$230 on eBay). In addition, it didn't hurt that Kim Thayil/Soundgarden and the guitarists in a few prominent Memphis hardcore punk bands in the mid/late 1990s (Todd/HHiG and William/COPOUT, among others) also used VTM-120s. Like their amps, a previous owner of my amp performed the "Peavey logo mod" (i.e., removing the Peavey "lightning bolt" logo from the front panel). I didn't really care either way about that, but did replace its screws that were subjected to high stress (handle, chassis; this head is heavy!) and otherwise cleaned it up.

     Although my amp was long out of warranty, Peavey customer service was fast and very friendly; I ordered a new handle and some other parts from Peavey, and even got a wiring diagram free of charge. Since re-tubing it with NOS Chinese 12AX7 "grey plates" and a quartet of NOS Philips JAN 7581A output tubes (all from Lord Valve), I'm very happy with this amp, and I haven't even scratched the surface yet with regard to the DIP switch settings (all I currently use is compression when paired with my white '65 MM2, but that's only because its neck pickup polepieces are too close to the strings). Until last year, this head was paired with my Marshall cab, which leads me to....

     After being very satisfied with my Avatar B210 bass cab, I knew my next guitar speaker cabinet would also be an Avatar. The fact that his 4x12 guitar cabs weigh only 70 lbs. (as opposed to the nearly 100 lbs. of my Marshall cab) made it even more attractive. In summer 2003, I used my tax refund check to buy an Avatar G12 straight cab, in his newly available black Tolex and grey Fender-style grill cloth. The Celestion/Marshall "Vintage" speakers in my Marshall cab are equivalent to the regular production Celestion Vintage 30s, and initially I wanted all Vintage 30s in my cab. I eventually settled for a pair Vintage 30s on top and a pair of Celestion G12H30s on the bottom (the G12Hs supposedly have tighter lower end). After its warranty expires, I'm going to install a Marshall mono/stereo switch on it, for 8 Ohms (stereo) or either 4 or 16 Ohms (mono).


Vital statistics:

  • 1987 Peavey VTM-120
  • Avatar G412 cabinet
    • Serial number: none (made in U.S.A., in 2003)
    • Speakers: (top) two Celestion Vintage 30s, 60 W each; (bottom) two Celestion G12H30s, 30 W each
    • Rated power handling: 180 W RMS @ 16 Ohms (mono)