Peavey Vypyr VIP 2 amplifier

Peavey's latest incarnation of their modelling series is the Vypyr VIP, or Variable Instrument Performance amplifier. Basically this means you now get modelling for both bass and acoustic guitar out of this amp. The amp is rated at 40 watts, with a custom 12” speaker that's powered by a 32-bit SHARC processor and Peavey's “Transtube” technology. Onboard you have 36 amp models plus six bass and six acoustic models, ten different instrument models including acoustic guitars, sitar and baritone models, chromatic tuner, 12 stomp and 26 post effects with up to five simultaneous effects present at the same time.

To my ears the VIP 2 is basically just an expansion of the original Vypyr series. The models aren't “next generation” like some other companies, but you get a lot more of them and having the ability to plug in a bass or acoustic is also a big bonus. Peavey's own models are the best sounding with some great high gain tones coming from the 6505, 6534 and XXX models, while the Budda and Classic and Twin were the go-to choices for clean and low gain tones.