Josh Homme's "Secret Weapon" — Upgraded, Expanded, and Refined
Musical inspiration can strike from the most unexpected of places. For instance, Josh Homme’s self-admitted “signature weapon” on several iconic Queens of the Stone Age tracks came in the form of the long-discontinued Peavey Decade practice amp. Josh directly gives credit to the model for his signature “wiry” tones during an enlightening interview on Mark Ronson's Watch the Sound documentary series. Naturally, as a result, the model then exploded overnight on the secondhand market; however, Peavey’s Josh Homme Decade Too brings the original’s idiosyncratic sonics back to the masses. This compact, 10-watt combo amplifier draws from Peavey’s TransTube technology to deliver all the fury of a low-wattage valve amplifier, pushing it through an 8-inch speaker for a sharp and focused blast of sonic aggression. What’s more, Josh requested Peavey upgrade the model with an enhanced 3-band EQ section (now with Bass and Treble boosts), an effects loop, and the ability to switch between channels via footswitch. A transformer-balanced XLR speaker-simulated direct out with Level and Ground Lift controls ties it all together, arming modern guitarists with a far more versatile and studio-friendly iteration of the Josh Homme Decade Too’s ferocious forebearer.
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Expanded equalization section
The original Peavey Decade was a relatively straightforward practice combo amplifier, equipped with dedicated Normal and Saturation inputs, Pre/Post gain knobs, and a 3-band EQ. To retain the soul of the original, Josh requested a laser-focused selection of enhancements aimed to offer greater versatility to modern guitarists. Right off the bat, the Josh Homme Decade Too elevates its 3-band EQ section with additional Bass and Treble boost switches. Plus, while the original Decade sported dedicated inputs for its Normal and Saturation channels, these two flavors can now be toggled from a single input via footswitch control.
Speaker-simulated silent recording
Naturally, the first thing we did when the Josh Homme Decade Too arrived at Sweetwater was crank out a few of our favorite Songs for the Deaf riffs. Let us tell you, this amp’s 10-watt power rating dishes out far more punch and projection than you might expect! Luckily for recording guitarists everywhere, Josh and Peavey opted to bring the Josh Homme Decade Too into the 21st century with a transformer-balanced, speaker-simulated XLR speaker out. This handy feature offers silent recording in the studio no matter how hard you push the amp, and it also comes equipped with a dedicated Level control and a noise-defeating Ground Lift.
Peavey Josh Homme Decade Too Features:
- A modern re-creation of Josh Homme’s “secret weapon” amplifier, used on several classic Queens of the Stone Age tracks
- Packs 10W of TransTube power to capture the raw and dynamic sound of a low-wattage valve amplifier
- 8-in. proprietary speaker delivers a focused and direct response that fits into the mix with minimal modification
- Flexible 3-band EQ section, along with Bass and Treble boost switches not found on the original
- Upgrades the original Decade with a single input that switches between Normal and Saturation channels via footswitch
- Effects loop for easy, clean integration of your favorite time-based and modulation stompboxes
- Transformer-balanced, speaker-simulated XLR direct out enables silent recording with the utmost sonic authenticity
- XLR direct out also features a dedicated Level control and noise-defeating Ground Lift switch
