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The Vypyr comes loaded with a huge variety of amp tones and FX

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• Review

In 2008, as a result of a partnership with effects experts Damage Control and a reported $10m investment, Peavey introduced the Vypyr, its all-singing foray into the world of digital modelling guitar amplification.

We checked out the Vypyr 30 previously, but the company also introduced a trio of intriguing hybrid amps – the Tube 60 and the 120 head and combo. The Vypyr Tube 120H is a 120-watt head that's jampacked with features and sports one of the most powerful digital processors used in any amp.

"Far more valve-y feeling than the first generation of hybrid amps."

This Vypyr's power stage is styled after Peavey's 6505, utilising four 6L6GC power valves, producing a plentiful 120 watts RMS. Instead of all-digital operation, the preamp is coupled with a single 12AX7 preamp valve and Peavey's TransTube circuitry. Peavey claims that this circuit should provide, "much warmer and responsive harmonics, overtones and dynamics than an all-digital equivalent."

Check it out in action:

A '32-bit floating-point SHARC processor' takes care of all the amp's digital effects and interface leaving the analogue preamp to look after the amp tones and distortions, freeing up the processor for up to four simultaneous effects (either stompbox, rack-mounted, delay or reverb), better effects quality, increased editability and a built-in 30-second looper.

In terms of aesthetics, Peavey has kept the classic spiky logo, alongside the Vypyr's bat-like plastic front panel. However, the gold-fronted control panel, paired with black control knobs, does give it a classier look than the non-valve models.