Just got a new Peavey Classic 30...

RollnRock89

Personally, I wouldn't worry too much about one tube glowing brighter than another as long as the amp sounds ok.

It would be a good investment to purchase the shield that goes on the back though. Several years back I owned a Peavey tube amp with exposed tubes. My daughter who is 6 years old got into it (maybe 2 when this happened). I don't know how she did it, because my amp was backed against a wall and the thing weighed 85 pounds, but she got back there and pulled several tubes out. NOT THE CORRECT WAY HOWEVER. She broke the pins off right in their sockets. But I bought new tubes and it was ok.

As far as your amp getting hot, that is normal. As for the hum, it could be your guitar, circuit, whatever. I doubt those tubes are bad at all. I have a 1958 Premier Twin Amp. I think this thing sat in somebody's attic for 40 years, it is in very good condition. It has the original tubes in it and works fine. I was playing through it last night. In fact, it has wonderful tone, you should hear it. Tube amps are not nearly as delicate as many people claim. I've never had a tube amp go out on me while playing. I have had several solid-state amps do so. Tube amps usually give you lots of warning when the tubes are going bad. You'll hear it. And usually that's about all that ever goes wrong with them. There are old Fender amps on E-Bay that work perfectly. Some are over 50 years old.

Anyway, this is very interesting. Let us know if you figure out what is causing the hum.

Make sure the amp's unplugged. Also don't touch any of the wiring because there's still a charge in the circuit I believe.

The tube retainer should be something that can be loosened or moved to the side. I wish I could see what it looked like though. The manual doesn't have any diagrams of the way the tubes are held in place. After you loosen and/or move the retainer aside, you can carefully pull the tube downward. Straight downward, because the pins are pretty thin and can bent easily in some cases. Sometimes you can reseat by just pushing the tube up into its socket without taking the retainer off.

Actually, you could try that first. Just push up to make sure the thing's in there right.

If you're going to take them out, then make sure you use a gentle but firm pressure. Sometimes the fit is tight on all those pins and it'll fight you to the last millimeter and then come out all at once, creating the possibility of bruised knuckles. After its out push it back in - facing the same way of course because the pins have to line up a certain way - and then go on to the next.

All of this might accomplish nothing, but at least you eliminated one possible cause.

Take care around that high voltage stuff though!

I havent quite figured out how to get the tube holders off or out of the way. I don't want to break anything, so I'm kinda hesitant to put force on anything that I'm not sure is right. Should the metal wires completely come off or do they get pushed in a certain direction?

Also where might I find these tubeguards? I only know of one site [link removed], and he's out, and is prolly gonna stop making them soon. any others?

I'd have to take a look at it to tell. Sorry. Anyone else know about Peavey's tube retainers?

Does it look like any of these?

There's usually a way to pull it up and out of the way, or to the side, or to unscrew it and remove it.

My old Peavey amp had clips like the very last two shown in that photograph (TUC011). Those type of retainers simply close around the tube. You may have to use one hand to spread the clips open, and pull the tube out with the other. You CAN use a little bit of wiggle on the tube to get it to come out, but just a little. You don't want to bend the pins. However if you do, you can use needle-nose pliers and GENTLY straighten them. And as DemoEtc said, take a good look at the socket before you put the tubes back in. They only go ONE way.

Don't be too afraid of the tubes. They are tougher than you think (except the pins). But you are not going to crush one in your hand if you put a good firm grip on it.

I also have a Peavey Classic 30 which I've owned for about 4 years (bought new) .... I find that whenever I use my Tokai start copy or Fender Strat ... it hums ... the annoying 60 cycle hum .... when I use a Gibson or anything with a humbucker it is nice and quiet .... do I need to buy a pedal (Hum Debugger) or change tubes to stop this .... drives me nuts ... cheers, Andrew.

Most of the tubular metal tube shields come off by pushing them down to the socket, rotating them slightly counterclockwise, and pulling off. Like taking a "bayonet" light bulb out of its socket. Some are simply friction fit and pull off with a little twisting to help loosen them.