The tones that this amp can generate are top notch. Everything from crystal clean to dirty blues to 80's metal to modern death metal. And it all sounds great. I've played Marshall and Carvin tube amps for 20 years, with a board full of pedals and they are now in retirement. You really can't believe the quality and range of the tones that an amp this relatively inexpensive can generate until you hear them. Nothing sounds digital or processed. Does it sound 'exactly' like a Dual Rec, or a Plexi? That's for your ears to decide, but they are pretty darn close...especially the Peavey models (6505, XXX, Classic). The important thing is that you can get all the tone you need, distorted or clean, from this thing.

Just rating the amp alone, I have to ding it for a couple of things. (With the additional Sanpera II pedal, I'd give it a 9 or 10.) Having only 12 presets available in the amp itself is a handicap if you play a broad range of styles. Obviously, with the Sanpera II's 400 presets, that's not an issue. Basically, without the Sanpera pedal, the Vyper series is unusable in a live setting unless you don't change patches during songs. A simple "Up, Down, Reverb On/Off, Delay On/Off" pedal included with the amp would have been nice. I'd like to see more control over the effects than just two parameters. The built in and non-adjustable noise gate can be an issue. I personally haven't found it to be too much of a problem, but if you use your guitar's volume control a lot (which I don't) it can be. I found the USB recording-out to be not very quality. It was very thin and transmitted very little of the tone of the amp. I was a little disappointed by this, but it's not a big deal because the amp sounds so great. But don't expect the 'recording quality USB' touted by Peavey. (Although some folks have found it quite good. Maybe it was user error.) To use the looper, wah, or volume, you have to have the Sanpera pedal. It really unlocks this amp and is worth the $200. The amp has plenty to offer, but will be lacking for the live musician who needs to play more than one style. With the pedal, it's nearly perfect.

For a modeling amp, with this many features, it is VERY easy to use. After playing with it for about 15 minutes, I was good to go.

Going from personal experience, I rate it high. I know there have been some problems with this line, but I haven't had one yet. I've been playing my amp 2-3 hours a day for almost a month now and had NO issues. Peavey has always built reliable gear. I think this line had some growing pains, which hopefully have been corrected.

You will be hard-pressed to find an amp at ANY price range that offers the tone and features of this one. But to get it for less than $700 is a steal. I have always been very picky about my tone, very partial to tube amps, and not a fan of modeling amps in general. I was in the market for a new amp after my gear was damaged in a fire. I had my heart set on a Dual-Rec or Peavey 6505. Money was not an issue, and I would have never even looked at the Vypyr amps except I heard someone playing one in the store. Once I started playing on it, I was sold. (I ordered it from Zzounds 'cuz the store didn't have the 120. Zzounds has been so great to deal with, that they now have a customer for life, but that's a different story.)

From my past dealings with Peavey, my current participation in the Peavey forums, and the couple of questions I've had about this amp, I have found Peavey's customer service to be second to none. Very friendly, helpful, and quick to respond.

I personally HATE the 'fangs' on the amp. They can be easily removed with a few screws, but not a big fan. Peavey may be trying to appeal to a different crowd, and I know some people like them, so go figure. I would not have bought it on asthetics alone. But I don't care what it looks like...I care how it sounds...which is top-notch.

Gigging musician

Rock/Blues/Metal

I have found the right amp. You can play any style of music you desire on this amp. You can play Lynyrd Skynyrd sweet home Alabama hit the pedal and then play 80s Round and Round by Ratt. It is clean and it is dirty. Love this thing 10 10 10 all the way. Peavey has out done all the other big boys again. Thanks Peavey you guys ROCK

I gave it a ten even though you have to buy the pedal seperate because I would have spent the combined total for this amp if the pedal came in the box. I believe that it helps the guy who doesnt have the extra hundred bucks for the larger pedal to get this amp or may have the money in a month or two. Bottom Line Great Amp.

EASY>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Great>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Great amp it is worth double.

Havent had to use support. Kind of a good thing dont ya think.

Very nice and modern.

Hobby

all classic rock. 80s/70s

Frankly, I am amazed at the tonal range and spectrum that I have with this amp. I use a Line 6 Pod xt live on the front and use clean amp settings and wow, what a sound!

I really like the sound chain...stomp boxes, amp models, rack effects, and then the tone knobs. Very logical.

Right out of the box, there was no problem. I got it one afternoon and that night, I did a Church worship service, no problems!

Built like a tank! I would have rated it a full 10 except it is extremely heavy...floor casters should have come with it!

You couldn't get more value for the money, unless you paid nothing!

I have used Peavey since 1972, and have had nothing but competent help when needed.

Great looks!

Active Musician

All Types

Great sound. Very clean. The distortion is AMAZING. Cant ask for anything better. It has a extremely nice clean channel but dont underestimate it, it can, and will, get a really heavy distortion. This amp is great for ANY type of music. And thats a fact.

AMAZING EFFECTS. BETTER THEN ANY PEDALS IVE USED.

Very easy after messing around with it for awhile. Thats always fun!

Cant get any better. No complaints.

In my opinion, this amp should be a lot more money, seeing how amazing it is. But I'm not complaining.

Never had to call, but from what I have heard from MANY Peavey owners, the support is the best.

Very Good looks. Very sexxxy. Plus if you read the details on this amp, it really grows on you. Not to mention if you try it out somewhere before you purchase it.

In a Band that is recording and playing small shows

Heavy Metal, Black Metal, Death Metal, Thrash Metal

All styles

This amp has the modeling features with the slighty warmer tone of the better tube amps. Im not sure how this all works,but I do know that this amp has lots of power and gets very loud with out breaking up.

The features are very easy to access and use. There are no hidden features that you have to find to use like the Spider amps.

Super easy

No problems as of yet. Peavey has since published a software update that is available from their website. I work for a Peavey dealer and mine was done by the outside sales rep from Peavey.

the MAP price for these are a bit pricey. Compared to other hybrid amps,these are a great value.

Any time I call Peavey,those people do all they can to help you out. Always very nice and always helpful.

It can get very loud. You have all the effects you could need. Very easy to operate. More of a natural tone.

Weekend gigs

Old school metal,hard rock, heavey metal

sound is good does not have a gate or noise reduction adjustment and while making sound adjustments the amp has gone crazy a few times ..a restart of amp send it back to normal.....very easy to use

easy to use

what you see is what you get ..no hidden features

solid

worth the money sounds better than my line 6 mkii 120 tube

they tell you nothing make you go to forum for all questions..and answers

guitar 30 years

all