Fender Blues Deluxe vs Peavey Classic 30: Which Should You Buy?

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Fender and Peavey are two of the well-known guitar amp brands. And the Fender Blues Deluxe and Peavey Classic 30 are two guitar amps from these brands that are similar in many regard.

Due to how similar they are, it can be quite hard to choose which one to go for. So in this article, we’re going to make a head-to-head comparison between the Fender Blues Deluxe Peavey Classic 30 and help you decide which one to go for. If this something you’re interested, then let’s dive right in.

Specification

AttributeFender Blues Deluxe ReissuePeavey Classic 30 112
PriceCheck Current Price on AmazonCheck Current Price on Amazon
TypeTubeTube
Number of Channels22
Total Power40W30W
Speaker Size1 x 12”1 x 12”
Preamp Tubes3 x  12AX73 x 12AX7
Power-Amp Tubes2 x  6L64 x EL84
EffectsYes (Reverb)Yes (Reverb)
EQ3-band3-band
Inputs2 x ¼” (instrument) 1 x ¼” (power amp in)1 x ¼”
Outputs1 x ¼” (preamp out)1 x ¼” (speaker)
Effects LoopYesYes
Footswitch I/O1 x ¼”  (channel, effects)1 x ¼” (channel, reverb)
Footswitch IncludedYes (2-button footswitch)Yes (2-button footswitch)
Dimension (H x W x D)”(18.75 x 23.5 x 10.44)”(16.1 x 19.6 x 10.8)”
Weight45 lbs39.5 lbs

Similarities Between the Fender Blues Deluxe and Peavey Classic 30

When you compare the Fender Blues Deluxe (on Amazon) and the Peavey Classic 30 (also on Amazon), you would realize that they have a lot in common. To start with, the build quality of these two guitar amps is similar. And without a doubt, both amps have great build quality and are durable. 

The Fender Blues Deluxe and the Peavey Classic 30 have the same number of preamp tubes. Both of them come with three preamp tubes that are of the same type as well, i.e., 12AX7 preamp tubes.

You can find the same controls on both amplifiers. Some of the controls they have in common include a boost switch, reverb level control, effects loop, footswitch selectable channel switching, and reverb. 

In addition, both guitar amps come with a 3-band EQ control consisting of a Treble, Mid, and Bass for tweaking the color of the guitar’s audio signals.

Another similarity between these two guitar amplifiers is the number of channels they come with. The Fender Blues Deluxe and the Peavey Classic 30 both come with two channels that can be selected using their two-button footswitch. 

Furthermore, both devices have 12-inch speakers built into their cabinets that can deliver a wide range of tones quite nicely.

Differences Between the Fender Blues Deluxe and Peavey Classic 30

These are the key differences between the Fender Blues Deluxe and the Peavey Classic 30 guitar amplifiers.

Type of Speakers

As I’ve already mentioned, both amplifiers have a 12” speaker built into them. Although both speakers are of the same size, they are different sets of speakers.

The Fender Blues Deluxe is built to have a 12” Eminence special design speaker that delivers a versatile tonal output and performance. This 12-inch eminence special design speaker is driven by a power of 40W

This Eminence speaker found in the Fender Blues Deluxe is known to produce a sound that perfectly highlights the distinct rock n roll flavor present in the guitar tone being played.

On the other hand, the Peavey Classic 30 comes with a 12” Celestion Midnight 60 speaker that is driven by a power of 30W. This Celestion Midnight 60 speaker delivers a classic and rich British tone. When it is overdriven, it produces sound with lots of mid-band character and low-end warmth as well.

By comparison, the Fender Blues Deluxe is louder and has more headroom than the Peavey Classic 30 because its speaker is 40W compared to the Classic 30’s 30W speaker.

Tonal Differences

Although the number of preamp tubes on both amps is the same, the number and type of power amp tubes found in the Fender Blues Deluxe and the Peavey Classic 30 are not the same. 

The Peavey Classic30 has been incorporated with four EL84 power amp tubes and three 12AX7 preamp tubes that provide you with great tone. 

These preamp and power tubes provide the needed power and headroom for producing clean and aggressive distortion. Apart from these tubes, its reverb adds great effects to your sound.

On the other hand, the Fender Blues Deluxe comes equipped with two 6L6 power amp tubes and three 12AX7 preamp tubes. This Fender Blues guitar amplifier offers big tubes, headroom, and more power than the Peavey Classic. 

Due to this, the tone and sound produced by Fender Blues Deluxe are much louder and bigger than what you get from the Peavey Classic 30 amp.

Furthermore, the clean channel of the Blues Deluxe offers a pedal platform that sounds really great. Thus, when you compare the clean headroom of both guitar amplifiers, you will realize that the Blues Deluxe has a much better clean headroom than the Peavey classic 30, which sounds a little dirty. 

However, getting a good crunch is easier on the Peavey classic 30. That notwithstanding, the sound produced by the Peavey Classic is more focused and has a richer mid-range than that of the Blues Deluxe.

Since their preamp tubes are the same, the variation in their power amp tubes is majorly responsible for the tonal output difference that exists between these two guitar amplifiers.

Check out an amp shootout between the Peavey Classic 30, Fender Blues Jr, and the Blues Deluxe done by Nickalous Benson of the Orange Constant.

Cabinet Design

When you observe these two guitar amps critically, you can tell straight away that there is a difference in their cabinet size. The Fender Blues Deluxe is larger than the Peavey Classic 30. 

It is heavier than the Peavey Classic 30 as well. This Blues Deluxe guitar amplifier weighs 45 lbs, while the Peavey Classic weighs only 39.5 lbs.

Another distinguishing feature between the Fender Blues Deluxe and the Peavey Classic 30 is how their cabinet has been designed. The Fender Blues Deluxe is designed to have a sharp and vintage-styled tweed-colored cabinet that is made from particle board material. 

In addition to this, it spots a distinct gold and brown colored grille cloth and mirrored chrome/silvery control panel.

On the other hand, the Peavey Classic 30 spots a Chrome-plated chassis with a classic lacquered tweed covering. It also has metal corners and a classic metallic handle.

Which One Should You Buy? My Opinion

The Fender Blues Deluxe and the Peavey Classic 30 are both nice guitar amplifiers to own and use. However, the Blues Deluxe is suitable for a wide range of musical applications, which makes it an overall much better choice than the Peavey Classic 30.

All I am trying to say is the Peavey Classic 30 does better at low volumes and is ideal for home playing, while the Fender Blues Deluxe is suitable for live or gigging performances, band rehearsals, and recording as well.

Peavey Classic 30 has a master volume knob that allows you to control the overall volume of your amp. And this makes it ideal for practicing at home without getting too loud. But don’t get me wrong, the Peavey Classic 30 can also get quite loud, but in comparison, they are quieter than the Blues Deluxe.

On the other hand, the Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue is built to have two 6L6 power-amp tubes. These power-amp tubes are more powerful than the four EL84 power-amp tubes the Peavey Classic 30 comes with. 

The Fender Blues Deluxe’s 6L6 power amplifiers provide you with big tubes, a big headroom, and a tone that will meet all your playing needs, no matter how they are used or overdriven.

With the Fender Blues Deluxe, you won’t have a challenge with hearing yourself over the drums and other instrumentals when gigging. Thus, the performance of the EL84 power amps used by the Peavey Classic 30 is no match for what the Fender Blues Deluxe’s 6L6 power amps offer. 

In addition to this, the Fender Blues Deluxe provides a much better headroom for producing a nice big clean sound. It also gives you access to a great pedal platform that makes it suitable for any form of gigging or performance you may have in mind.

In summary, the Fender Blues Deluxe is ideal for live playing than the Peavey Classic 30. Therefore, if you intend to play at home most of the time without pissing off those in the apartment above and below you, the Peavey Classic will be an excellent choice for you.

Conclusion

The Peavey Classic 30 and the Blues Deluxe produced by Fender are two great guitar amplifiers that are not too expensive to acquire. The Blues Deluxe is more powerful than the Peavey Classic 30, which makes it suitable as a versatile guitar amplifier. 

Thus, the Fender Blues Deluxe is ideal for live playing sessions, rehearsals, and recording, while the Peavey Classic 30 is more suited for practicing at home.