Scored a Peavey 260h Standard PA, help me not blow shit up

[JTurbide]

Hey y'all, I bought a Peavey 260H Standard PA, to use straight as a guitar head, add reverb to my OR15 and use has a amp+reverb for my BX3.

The thing is that I'm an idiot and I'm not even 100% sure it will fit in my setup. The manuel here (and I've seen picture) shows that it has two speaker outputs, and is rated 4 Ohms. My only cab is a 1x12 with an 8 Ohms speaker. According to the manual Impedance/Output scheme I tend to think that it would be fine to plug it in a 8 Ohms speaker, but the output would be 90W instead of 140W (still way more than I need so that's no problem). So yeah would that be possible ? Do I need like a split cable or something ? Or is it fine to only use one of the two outputs and plug it into my cab ?

Also thinking about it, would it even be possible to use it for all these above? I mean, I guess I'd have to plug it into my OR15's FX loop to use both at the same time for the same guitar signal ? but then the peavey wouldn't be plugged in the cab to be used alone ..

manual: https://assets.peavey.com/literature/ma ... 361027.pdf
random reverb listing with good pictures of this model: https://reverb.com/ca/item/2291255-peav ... r-amp-260h

halp

[repoman]

The music department in high school had one of these and we would turn it all the way up and then kick it because of the giant spring reverb tank in it and die from the sound.

[crochambeau]

Hanging an 8 ohm load off the Peavey is a non-issue, go for it!

That said, I'm a touch unclear as to your intentions regarding integrating this unit into your existing set-up, so forgive me if I'm belaboring the obvious (I've spent YEARS on forums where the following is in fact critical, so no offense intended):

1) Any speaker system should be powered by one, and only one amplifier.
2) Any active amplifier (that is to say, powered on and being fed signal) needs to have a speaker load connected.
3) Daisy chaining signal from one amplifier to another must not use a speaker output, unless an attenuator specifically designed to convert speaker level to line level is employed AND the amplifier has a load on it. (the Peavey has line outs on the front and you say your OR-15 has an FX loop, I just saw "splitter cable" and this is my reaction)

[JTurbide]

repoman

crochambeau: Thanks!

So my speaker would be fine , good news ! Do I use only one of the outputs to plug it into my cab ? (cab has only one input) Or do I need a split (2 to 1) cable ?

Regarding the setup integration:
Right, I didn't even thought about the Peavey needing a speaker connected to it.. So I won't be able to use the spring reverb of the Peavey with my OR15 even if the peavey has a line out (so I could do something like OR15's send -> peavy's aux or any channel input, peavey line out -> OR15's return) , right ? (because Peavey would still need to have a speaker load, and it couldn't because the Orange would already be on it)

Also, I have a MicroMass attenuator (15W max) that does the job for my orange, could I use it for the Peavey if I do not crank it up ? (since it wouldn't be cranked, and it is 90W but solid state (which is not as loud as if it would be a tube amp). ) or would it blow up ?

sorry if this is confusing or sound obvious, I never had that kind of setup so I'm a little lost

[crochambeau]

So my speaker would be fine , good news ! Do I use only one of the outputs to plug it into my cab ? (cab has only one input) Or do I need a split (2 to 1) cable ?

Just use one of the jacks, they are wired in parallel already (meaning you can drive two 8 ohm cabs and still be "inside" the recommended 4 ohm load)

Also, I have a MicroMass attenuator (15W max) that does the job for my orange, could I use it for the Peavey if I do not crank it up ? (since it wouldn't be cranked, and it is 90W but solid state (which is not as loud as if it would be a tube amp). ) or would it blow up ?

sorry if this is confusing or sound obvious, I never had that kind of setup so I'm a little lost

I'd avoid using an attenuator not rated for maximum power, save yourself the trouble of killing it. You could employ a dummy load like this: https://www.parts-express.com/8-ohm-100 ... r--019-020, but at that point you're burning a lot of power and taking up space for what amounts to an outboard reverb..

..or maybe pick up a "bass shaker" or tactile transducer that you can affix to any resonant object and let the Peavey drive that for atmosphere.

IF the master volume on the PA snubs the signal being fed the amplifier stage AND allows the input channel with reverb to pass, you can use the PA head as an effect unit without anything else.... you just have to be careful about not absentmindedly turning the wrong knob and putting things at risk (I have a self imposed rule not to do this sort of thing in my set up, even though it can be safely done).

Another option, if you're not interested in using the Peavey amplifier stage is to open it up and remove power or the signal input to the amplifier section. This would be a plug-in cable assmbly inside the unit, and totally reversible (albeit rather involved to turn on & off).

[JTurbide]

Thanks for all the info !

I would still want to use the Peavey as a head for guitar and my BX3 sometimes so I won't ''open it up and remove power or the signal input to the amplifier section''.

Your idea concerning using it as an effect unit is interesting but I'm not sure I got it. You mean like using the OR15 fxloop with the send going in one channel and then the main output going in the OR15's return ? But the Master Gain would have to be on 0 and still let the signal go through the main line output but nothing else ? That seems unlikely..

If I can't use it as an external reverb it will still be a cool head for my BX3 and for a different flavour for guitar (different from the OR15). but yeah the external effect idea would be awesome too if possible

[JonnyAngle]

To be honest, it’s a fucking tight guitar head.

You can use it as a 4 channel guitar head if you have a 4 ch bypass looper. You can do multiple effects into different channels in parallel.

I’ve used a pa-100 as a guitar head and there kvlt solid state delivers.

[JTurbide]

To be honest,

it’s a fucking tight guitar head.

Also, if I'm right I can use my attenuator as a dummy load.. and that would mean I could for example plug my guitar into the OR15 into my cab and put the Peavey in the OR15's fx loop and the speaker out into my attenuator (and the other way around) right ?

edit: after some research I've found that apparently SS amps don't need a speaker load, you won't damage a solid state amp if no speaker is connected to it. So I guess that means I can simply have my attenuator between the OR15 and Cab (so no police come to my door), and simply plug the peavey in the fx loop for gain/EQ shaping and reverb (just like a pedal) !?

[JTurbide]

I received the Peavey like an hour ago, so far I'm impressed !

It's actually a real good head, sound is really clean and when you up both turn the gain and master (only the gain doesn't bring much drive, it's not like and Orange for example) it gives quite a good overdrive ! Spring reverb is also pretty good, not quite Fender good but still great. Takes both my guitar and electric organ really well. I also can use it only as an external spring reverb for my OR15 which is pretty cool.

So yeah ! If you find one for cheap GO FOR IT !!! I bought this one for $50 USD before shipping so.. it's a fucking steal.

[waltdogg]

That's the "head" black flag used for guitar before switching to roland sip rack gear. i got one for a small wad of cash once as well, definitely worth it.

[JTurbide]

Wowoow I just tried jumping all 4 channels and DAMN. Reverb is now stronger (I thought it was too weak so now I'm happy with it) and the gain omg. I saw it as a clean amp but with all 4 channel gain maxed it distorts quite alot, close to my OR15 at 1-2 o'clock. This thing SLAYS !! and for that money.. what a deal.

Also my Micromass seems to handle it for now, I am not turning the master volume past 5 and don't plan on trying, it's already loud as fuck without attenuation so.. I hope it continues handling it because I can't get those great gain tones with the master on 1

[spacelordmother]

#oneofus

[waltdogg]

keep in mind this amp is only like 120 watts at 4 ohms. you already know how to make it sound it's best with the channel jumpering. just use it for your beater live guitar amp.