Windsor Head Review

The Windsor is a single-channel, 120-watt, all-tube amplifier voiced to classic British rock guitar tones.

Features:	7.8
Sound:	8.5
Reliability:	9.8
Impression:	9
Overall rating:	8.8
Users rating:	7
Comments:	20

overall: 7.8

Featured review by: Unskathed, on july 23, 2007

Price paid: $ 305

Purchased from: Musician's Friend

Features: This is a scratch and dent Peavey Windsor 100W all tube head. It was made in 2006. The amp has one channel and one effects loop. The front panel, left to right, consists of: high gain input, low gain input (padded -10db), preamp volume (gain), bass, middle, treble, boost Switch, effects loop jacks, master volume, presence, resonance, standby Switch, and then the power Switch. The amp comes stock with 4 matched EL34 Ruby poweramp tubes, 2 JJ 12AX7 preamp tubes, and 1 JJ 12AX7 driver tube. The boost feature adds a boost to the volume and boosts the mids, it's perfect for situations like soloing, or when one guitarist is playing alone for a bit. The Texture control phases out half of the power stage and makes the amp operate as a Class A amp. Obviously, the two main features this camp could use are reverb and a clean channel, but for 305 (400USD Brand New) it is an absolute steal. Don't let my 5/10 deter you, it's low because the amp is low on features. // 5

Sound: My signal chain goes as follows: Washburn WG587 (stock pups) > DigiTech Bad Monkey OD pedal > Peavey Windsor high gain input > Mosh Audio 2x12 bass cabinet. The reason why I'm using a bass cabinet is because I think it helps to get the mud out of the low B on a 7 string guitar. I play thrash metal and just straight up heavy metal. Anything from 3 Inches Of Blood to Iron Maiden, or old Metallica to Sanctity and Municipal Waste. I also like to break out some bluesy or southern rock-esque licks. Without the Bad Monkey, the Windsor can easily do Iron Maiden, old Metallica, Judas Priest and it could also cover the likes of Nickelback, 3 Days Grace, Demiricous, and 3 Inches Of Blood. There is more than enough gain, but to get tones of newer bands (Sanctity, Municipal Waste, Unearth, etc.) you have to use something to modernize the tone. I chose an OD pedal, but an EQ pedal would probably have just as much benefit. The noise is only factor at higher gain settings and if you are close to the amp itself. With proper room the noise would be a minor problem. The amp excels at one thing, and one thing only, high voltage heavy music. Sparkling cleans are impossible to achieve at gigging volumes. Versatility is not what this amp was made for. Roll back the volume and you get some sweet, crunchy blues tones. This amp is 100W of all tube fury, so obviously it's loud enough for large venues. // 8

Reliability & Durability: This amp hasn't broke yet. It feels extremely sturdy and weighs about 60 pounds. I would gladly use it at a gig without a backup. I've tried halving the power section by removing the outer two power tubes and then switching the amp up to 16 ohms and it worked just fine. The metal grille protecting the tubes is really strong, and the tolex is very well done. The knobs feel extremely sturdy and the input jacks are tight. // 10

Impression: Like stated early, I play thrash and heavy metal. This amp suits my tastes perfectly. If you're looking for that grinding death metal tone, then maybe saving for a nice SS amp or a 5150 is your best bet, if you just want really crunchy, balls to the wall gain, this amp is your best candidate for 400USD. I have been playing bass for 7 years and guitar for 5. I have owned several guitars and a lot of mediocre modeling amps. However, I have played Mesas, Marshalls, Kranks, higher-end Peaveys, and Fenders, and honestly, the Windsor can hold its own. If it was lost or stolen, I would try to save up for a better amp, but if I was tight on cash I'd definitely pick up another Windsor. When I was amp searching, I compared this to a B-52 ST60 and a Peavey Valveking, this amp just had the crunch and the feel I needed. I don't use cleans, so it works out just fine. If you're seeking all tube crunch madness and have a fairly loud amp that you can use for cleans (like an old modeler or something), I'd definitely recommend buying the Windsor and ABY'ing the two amps. // 8

overall: 9

Reviewed by: sjones, on august 29, 2007

Purchased from: CA House Music- Wva.

Features: The Peavey Windsor Head is a straight up rock machine. It is a single channel, all tube amplifier that sounds like a "Hot Rodded" Marshall JCM 800. It has a gain boost (which is more of a solo boost as it increases mids greatly) and an effects loop that can be switched on and off. Both of these features are controlled by a 2 button footswitch. With 120 Watts of pure tube power, it's enough to shake any large venue, but still sounds when used for a smalled venue. I wouldn't suggest this amp for bedroom practice, as it's loud amplifier. It has all of your basic EQ contols plus controls for Presence and Resonance. Also, one geat feature of this amp is that you can go from class A/B power to class A and anywhere in between via the attenuation knob on the front. It's appearance is also very classy, and downright sexy. // 9

Sound: My main guitar is a chambered body Agile Les Paul copy (AD 2900, which is now out of stock/production). This amp covers all the sounds I need. My band's orginals are a Hard Southern Rock and our covers range from the '70s, '80s and up. This amp suits my music style very well. Because I use a high gain setup, I always use a Noise Gate to prevent any unwanted noise, but with any high gain setup a noise gate of some sort if needed. The amp has a good deal of gain by itself, but I front end it with a DigiTech Bad Monkey Overdrive to tighten up the sound and add a little more grit. The clean channel isn't bright and shimmery, rather more bluesy. This amp is a straight forward rock machine. Whether you want 70's sounds, or more modern sounds (with the exception of extreme high gain) this amp can do it all. It you want and amp with chunk and "balls", this is definately one to look into. // 9

Reliability & Durability: I've never had any problems with this amp. It's built like a tank, and never has given me any performance problems. Tubes in the amp are good, no problems with those (EL34 and 12AX7). The tolex will get a few scratches from time to time, but so will any other amp. Knobs are sturdy and easily movable. This amp is built to last. // 9

Impression: This amp is a great match for me. It was also a bargain deal. Peavey could easily charge more for this. If it were stolen or lost, I would of course be dissapointed, but probably have another one in a few days. I suggest this amp to anyone looking to rock out, but doesn't have a huge amount of money to spend. // 9

overall: 9.3

Reviewed by: eyebanez333, on december 12, 2008

Price paid: $ 405

Purchased from: Musicians Friend

Features: I'm not sure what year this amp was made, but I've been the proud owner of it for almost a year now. I got the half stack package fairly cheap at Musicians Friend, I used some credits I had built up and waited until they were having a sale with free shipping. This amp is versatile if you play rock music. Any other genres and it's not very versatile at all due to the lack of clean sounds. The Windsor it's 100 watt all tube, and has one channel with a boost function, as well as an effects loop located on the front of the head. The boost function is footswitchable, however, the footswitch is NOT included with the amp. I have used this amp Live, and it's plenty loud enough for most scenarios. I have also used it at home to practice and it hasn't bothered the neighbors too much. It features three 12AX7 pre-amp tubes and four EL34 power tubes. Separate high and low gain inputs and a 3-band EQ allow you to some versatility in tone. The texture knob allows you to change the power setting of the amp from class A to A/B. The head itself also includes an impedance Switch (4, 8, 16 ohms), which allows you to use it with different cab combinations. The only thing I wish this amp had was another channel. The front of the amp (from left to right): high gain input, low gain input, preamp volume, bass, middle, treble, boost Switch, effects loop send, effects loop return, master volume, resonance, presence, texture, Status light, standby Switch, master power Switch. // 8

Sound: I have a few different Ibanez guitars that I use with this amp and they all have passive pickups. This amp suits my metal and rock music preference fairly well. It has that classic rock/metal distortion (think older Marshall); but if you want to get newer metal sounds I would get a distortion or EQ pedal. I use a Electro-Harmonix Metal Muff and a MXR 10-band EQ with mine to get a more modern metal tone. The only complaint I have about this amp is the single channel setup. This makes it difficult to get any clean sounds out of this amp... it always has a slight overdrive or crunch to the sound. The way I get the best cleans out of it is roll back the pre-amp volume on the amp, use the neck pickup on your guitar and roll the volume back, and I throw in a little chorus (I use an Electro-Harmonix Small Clone) to help mask the overdrive that seems to be on every setting on this amp. // 9

Reliability & Durability: This amp is very reliable. I have used it a handful of times Live with no problems. I use this amp everyday at home and it's been going strong for almost a year. The tubes still sound great, although they will be getting changed very soon. The cabinet is very durable and weighs about 90 pounds. It comes with factory-installed casters to make transport easier. Handles are very durable. The head itself is also constructed very well. It weighs about 45 pounds, and is a fairly big box (it makes other amp heads look pretty small). The tolex stands up well, mine doesn't have any tears from the past year. The back of the head is covered with a sturdy black metal grille to protect the tubes. // 10

Impression: This amp is perfect for rock and metal, especially for the price. I know there are better metal amps out there (5150, Mesa, etc.), but for the $405 I paid it's not a bad choice (these are on sale for $499 right now at Musicians Friend, without the sale and credits I used). I have been playing guitar for a few years now and I have owned a couple other amps in the past but this is my first tube amp half stack. I currently own a Crate V18 as well so I really don't mind that this amp lacks a clean sound, because the Crate has great cleans! If this were lost or stolen, I would definitely buy another one. No question. I just wish that it had a separate channel, and that the footswitch was included. I compared this to the Valveking and a couple solid state amps when I was searching. I thought that for the money, this was my best option. // 10

Reviewed by: unregistered, on april 19, 2008

Purchased from: Lee's Music

Features: This amp is definately a rock machine. Despite having only one channel this amp can pack some serious power. This amp comes stock loaded with four EL34's in the power-amp section and three 12AX7's in the preamp. It also comes with a footswitchable effects loop and gain/midrange boost. The effects loop jacks are located directly in the middle of the front panel for easy access. This amp also features a three-band eq in the preamp and presence and resonance controls which affect the top and bottom end of the frequency range. The power-amp section also features Peavey's patented "Texture" control which allows you to change from Vintage class "A" opperation to modern class "A/B" opperation. On the back panel, there are two speaker jacks wired in parallel, so it is possible to run only one cabinet. There is also a Switch that allows you to run 4, 8, or 16 ohms into the speaker cabs. Downside on this amp's features are that there is no headphone jack (like you really need one), and there are only two input jacks, one high gain and one low gain. The upside is that both jacks can be run simultaneously but they will both be low gain. I am giving this amp a 9/10 because it has most of the features I would ever use in an amp. // 9

Sound: I play a stock Fender Standard Series Stratocaster HSS with a Floyd-Rose and a Zeller's Washburn-Lyon Paul Stanely autographed guitar through this amp and I have to say that the Lyon definately comes alive through this amp, even though it's only a $280.00 CAD guitar. Despite what most people have said about this amp sounding too-thin and "brittle", set it with the preamp at max, push the Boost Switch in, and set texture at either class "A" or "A/B" and deliver a few power chords to it. It definately produces a classic Black Sabbath overdrive tone. As for cleans, simply roll the preamp volume down to about 1 or so and turn the gain boost off, the Windsor will now produce, depending on your guitar, a convincing "Stairway To Heaven" type clean. For modern metal, this amp could use a little more "sizzel" in the overdrive but other than that the amp, with the eq setup properly, can almost deliver the Van Halen "Brownsound." With the volume turned up (to about 2 or 3), you get a bit of tube hiss and feedback, so a good quality noise gate would be a worthwhile investment. The effects loop works good and my MXR EVH 90 phaser and Jimi Hendrix Wah Wah pedal sound a bit more "in your face" when plugged into it, versus being run in front of the preamp. I am going to rate the Windsor at 8/10 simply because the distortion lacks a little "sizzel" when cranked and it is a bit of a pain having to get up and drop the preamp volume to get the cleans. // 8

Reliability & Durability: The amp hasn't broken down yet (probley because I've only owned it for a couple weeks). I know that Peavey has got an excellent reputation for high-quality products and this amp is no exception. Right now I probably wouldn't use this amp at a gig without a backup simply because it's the first Peavey product I've ever owned. Once I've run this amp for a while without any problems, I would be more inclined to use it without a backup. // 10

Impression: This amp is a fairly great match for the music I play, which ranges from classic rock like Nazareth, Zeppelin, Hendrix, and Clapton to more modern rock like Wolfmother, and newer Van Halen. I've been playing for almost 4 and 1/2 years and this is the first amp I've found which has nearly everything I want in an amp at a price I can afford. If it were lost or stolen I would definatley buy it again. There is nothing I really hate or dislike about this amp except for there only being two inputs. The only thing I really wish this amp had built in is a high quality noise gate to keep those tubes silent. // 9

Comments

[bite_the_bullet]

i just got this amp as well, and i agree it could really use a clean channel... but if you don't need sparkly cleans you can use a morley little alligator to roll back the gain. just make sure you turn the knob ALL THE WAY TO THE LEFT or it won't work like you want it to.

basicly, if it had cleans... this amp could be priced at $1000usd easy.

[CORT noob]

This is one of the best reviews I've seen in a while, it wasn't biased at all. Bravo my lad. For the price you get this amp, you could buy a fender amp for your cleans.

[erock82190]

I own this amp and I think its great. I mostly play it through my podxt but for the money you can't beat buying a tube head for the windsors price. And the windsor does have cleans you just have to adjust the knobs, it doesn't have a button to push to switch right to clean which kind of sucks but no big deal.

[Saofan12]

i want to play a like pop punk style to avenged sevenfold metal would this amp work?

[sjones]

^^Yes, as long as you don't need a clean sound. It's a single channel amp. For heavier stuff, I suggest getting an overdrive pedal to boost the amp.

[zparticus]

Or get FJA mods to modify a clean channel in it!... FJA is local to where i live, that guy is a modding god!

[fleh]

thinkin of buyin this amp n wondrin if playing thru an acoustic sim pedal would give a decent clean tone

[qotsa1998]

^It would, but the amp would distort it probably. You could always buy an OD pedal and boost the amp to get the OD i think. If u want a clean tone, i think you could buy another, maybe smaller amp and use a 3-way switch pedal and run em thru the same cabinet.

[*Vintage*]

I'm thinking of getting this amp, I play a Hamer Calq with a Dimbucker pickup and a mxr Dime distiortion, is it wise to buy it with these or would i just get a load of noise back with no audiable notes?

[Korzack]

I managed to find this & the 4x12 cab that goes with on sound control for £370 for the pair set. Worth a shot? Worth bearing in mind I am a student, so I'll be leaving it until my 2nd year when I'm into a proper house before buying this behemoth.

[Unskathed]

Korzack wrote:

I managed to find this & the 4x12 cab that goes with on sound control for £370 for the pair set. Worth a shot? Worth bearing in mind I am a student, so I'll be leaving it until my 2nd year when I'm into a proper house before buying this behemoth.

I wouldn't get the matching cab, it SERIOUSLY dulls the sound of the amp. I have Weber signature series speakers in a 2x12 and it sounds tight and crunchy.

[ryanph2421]

Does this amp handle distortion pedals well?

[veteran011]

how's the background noise on this thing? I have a Peavy solid-state that hums like a mother when i'm not playing.

[LedZoso4]

would using an effects pedal like a digietch allow you to get clean tones?

[jabtheibanezguy]

this amp is great!!! i got it for 400$ for the half stack! great deal!!! it could use a clean channle i agree but all you really have to do is turn the preamp vol. down

[Irvgotti]

Im looking for some new amps half stacks and I need a little help since I'm 15 so try to keep it under 700
But I was thinking This or the Spider lll Any help?or New Suggestions

[milwaukeerocker]

Ok, you guys want a clean sound? I don't know why this is so difficult for everyone. Plug into the low gain jack, keep your pre-gain around 1-2, and then just use the master volume. Of course you'll need a pedal for dirt, (i use a ds-1 or a pro co rat2) and all should be fine. this amp is great

[sbinlb]

will a noise gate and compressor help me get good sparkling cleans with no distortion at high volumes

[Polystant]

Irvgotti wrote:

Im looking for some new amps half stacks and I need a little help since I'm 15 so try to keep it under 700
But I was thinking This or the Spider lll Any help?or New Suggestions

This is WAAAAY better than the Spider 3. I am 15 also and this seems to be the best amp for the price. Only thing that comes close to this in value is B-52 At-60 or At-100

[wdaubo]

the valveking comes close to the price also