review

Peavey VYPYR 15

Review by Mark Starlin

Peavey VYPYR 15 Peavey's new line of modeling amps combine their own TransTube analog distortion with a 266 MHz Dual Core SHARC processor for a huge amount of modeling horsepower in a small package. The 60 and 120 watt models also include real tubes in the preamp section. I chose the VYPYR 15 to review. This is an entry level, 15 watt amp that fits the bill as a first amp or a practice amp. This is the only model that doesn’t include the “stomp box” effects models included with the other VYPYR amps, but it does include a full compliment of “studio” effect models and one stomp box effect model, a “Tube Screamer”.

Features

The VYPYR 15 has a single input jack. The control panel is on the front of the amp and has seven dual function knobs. There is a large knob to select amps, a large knob to select effects, and smaller knobs that act as standard tone/gain controls and also double as effects parameter, delay, and reverb controls. The front panel also includes an 1/8” aux input for iPODs or CD players and an 1/8” jack that doubles as a headphone input and a recording output jack. There is a Master volume knob that goes up to 13 — obviously an attempt at Spinal Tap style humor. Below the knobs is a very small tap tempo button and equally small preset buttons with three banks of four presets for a total of twelve presets.

In Use

I will start off with a few small quibbles I have with many small amps, VYPYR included. First, in my opinion, any small amp should have its controls mounted on the top of the amp. When the VYPYR sits on the floor the controls are very hard to see, especially the amps and effects at the bottom of the knobs, and the preset buttons. I am constantly tilting the amp back to see what I am doing. Second, I really don’t like dual function knobs, which the VYPYR uses extensively. That said, let’s take a look at those dual function knobs and what they do.

The first knob is an Amp knob where you select one of the 12 amp models included. It also serves as the channel select knob. When the amp lights display green, you are in channel 1, or the “low gain” channel. Push the knob and the lights display red, which is the “high gain” channel. If you hold the knob, it goes into tuning mode. The tuning mode takes some getting used to and I had a hard time getting the high E string to tune.

Next up is the Effects knob. There are eleven effects and a bypass setting. All the usual effects are here including Octaver, Phaser, Rotary Speaker, Reverse, Pitch Shift, Chorus, Envelope Filter, Slap Back Echo, and Flanger. There is also a Tube Screamer model. Most of the effects are clean and sound good, although the Envelope Filter is a little subtle for my tastes. The Tube Screamer boosts the volume significantly when engaged, so it acts like a lead boost also.

Pressing the Effects knob puts you into edit mode where you can control two parameters for each effect. You will need the manual handy at first to know which parameters are available since they are labeled on the amp only as parameter 1 and parameter 2. In edit mode you can also control the delay feedback and level setting (plus use the tap tempo button). You can also set the reverb amount in edit mode.

Leave edit mode and standard pre-gain, tone, and post gain controls are available. Once you have dialed in a signal chain you like you can save it in one of the 12 preset slots available. The VYPYR 15 doesn’t have a foot controller jack so all preset selecting must be done by hand.

Tone

The right side of the amp dial consists of mainly vintage and boutique amp models and the left side is mainly high gain amps. In channel 1 most of the “right side” amps sound quite good, however they will not break up in this channel. You can’t get that “verge of distortion tone” most vintage amp lovers desire. The left side amps are never “clean”, even in channel 1, they simply have less gain.

In channel 2, the right side amps seemed a bit fizzy and there was noticeable noise when the signal decayed on a few of the models. I found it hard to get a good “crunch” tone, which is what many of these amps are known for. The left side amps are high gain amps and they sounded great in channel 2, although I didn’t notice huge variations in tone between them.

Metal heads will probably love the high gain amps, but I think those looking for 70’s style crunch may be disappointed in the two channel setting which makes it hard to get minimal overdrive on the right side amps.

Construction

It’s hard to be too picky with a $99 amp, but the construction on the VYPYR 15 is one area where costs were obviously cut. The cabinet is made of thin particle board, which is fine for sitting in your bedroom, but I wouldn’t trust it for gigging. Most of the hardware is plastic. When looking straight at the amp, I can see between the metal “rack” that contains the guts of the amp and the cabinet where it is mounted, giving the impression of poor workmanship.

Final Thoughts

The VYPYR 15 packs a lot of tone and effects into a small, inexpensive package. High gain amp lovers (especially beginning guitarists) will probably be thrilled with its amps models. Vintage amp lovers may be disappointed in its crunch tones. The effects sound great and add a lot of value. Construction is a weak spot, but fine for home use. As a first amp, or a step up from a “starter pack” amp, the VYPYR 15 is a good deal and offers everything a beginner could want. More experienced players should listen carefully to the vintage amps before deciding.

Reader Comments

Better Guitar encourages your input. Agree with this review? Think I’m crazy? If you own or have used a VYPYR 15, email me your comments and I’ll post them below. The more opinions we have available, the better our buying decisions will be.

T.R.

My kids got me the practice amp for Christmas. I have to say I agree with your review. IMO it was an excellent description. Actually, mine was sent back and I'm awaiting its replacement. The corner protectors were smashed. The amp worked fine so I guess they did their job. My only bone of contention is at the end where you say more experienced guitarists might want to give the vintage models a closer listen as the crunch tones are not up to par. I agree about the tones but what does experience have to do with this? I have been playing since 1977 but I have always been and still am partial to high gain tones. I actually wanted this amp to be a practice tool. Something where I can sit down with a guitar and chord and have everything I need. No need to plug in the pedal board or tuner, warm up the tube amp and yes, no need for high decibels to get "that" sound. No need to start up the PA so I can sing along. You said you wanted feedback and yes, you did an excellent job with this review as far as I'm concerned. Thanks, T.R.

T.R. To answer your question, I simply meant that beginning guitarists often aren't as picky about tone as us "older" players who have played a long time. - Mark

stats

  • • 24 amp channel models
  • • 11 editable "Rack" effects
  • • True analog distortion
  • • 15 watts
  • • 8" custom voiced modeling speaker
  • • Dual parameter effects control
  • • 12 Onboard programmable presets
  • • Up to three effects simultaneously
  • • 32-bit floating point Sharc processor
  • • Studio quality headphone out
  • • MP3/CD/Aux input
  • • Patented TransTube technology
  • Positives
  • Lots of amp and effects models; inexpensive; realistic high gain tones; 12 channel presets; record out jack; headphone jack.
  • Negatives
  • Hard to get minimal overdrive (crunch tone) on most vintage amp models; noisy overdrive on vintage amp models; dual function knobs; very small preset and tap tempo buttons; front mounted controls can be hard to see; flimsy construction.
  • Rating
  • Performance: 8
  • Sound Quality: 8
  • Construction: 5
  • Value: 8
  • Overall: 7.3
  • Ratings Key
  • 0 = Worthless
  • 10 = Excellent
  • Approximate Street Price
  • $99.99

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