Peavey Stereo Chorus 400 2x12 Solid State Guitar Amplifier, (Used)
The Peavey Stereo Chorus 400 is a powerful vintage solid state guitar combo amplifier known for its huge clean headroom, wide stereo spread and lush onboard chorus. Built during the 1980s, this amp has become a favourite among players who want a bold, loud, reliable combo with classic Peavey durability and a distinctive alternative to more famous stereo clean amps such as the Roland Jazz Chorus.
This pre-owned Peavey Stereo Chorus 400 is listed in Fair condition, meaning it shows heavier cosmetic wear from previous use but remains fully operational. It comes with an unbranded amp cover, giving it a practical layer of protection for storage and transport.
With a 2x12 speaker configuration, solid state reliability, onboard stereo chorus and spring reverb, the Stereo Chorus 400 is well suited to players who want a loud clean platform, a wide modulation sound and a rugged vintage combo for rehearsals, gigging, studio use or pedal-based rigs. Common specifications list the Stereo Chorus 400 as a 130-watt 2x12 solid state combo with two channels, three inputs, built-in effects and spring reverb.
Condition Overview
Fair Condition
This Peavey Stereo Chorus 400 is in Fair condition. This means it shows heavier cosmetic wear from previous use, but remains fully operational.
Fair condition is ideal for players who want a functional vintage amplifier and are comfortable with visible signs of age, use and wear. This is a practical working amp rather than a collector-grade example.
What’s Included?
✔ Peavey Stereo Chorus 400 2x12 Guitar Amplifier
✔ Unbranded Amp Cover
✘ No Footswitch Included
✘ No Original Box Included
✘ No Additional Accessories Included
Condition Notes
This amplifier is listed in Fair condition, so it may show heavier cosmetic wear such as scuffs, marks, scratches, covering wear, grille wear, corner wear, tarnishing to hardware or general signs of regular use.
No specific faults or modifications have been provided for this listing. The amp has been checked for operation before sale.
Fair Deal Inspection & Assessment
This pre-owned Peavey Stereo Chorus 400 has been inspected and assessed by the Fair Deal Music team before being offered for sale.
Our checks include:
- Amplifier powered up and tested
- Guitar inputs checked
- Speaker output tested
- Main controls checked
- Channel operation checked
- Chorus / vibrato section checked where applicable
- Reverb checked where applicable
- EQ controls tested
- General sound performance assessed
- Amp cover checked for basic usability
Service / Setup Work
As part of our pre-owned amplifier checks, this Peavey Stereo Chorus 400 has been tested to make sure it is functioning correctly before leaving the shop.
For guitar amplifiers, we check the inputs, controls, speaker output, onboard effects where applicable and general sound performance. As this is a vintage solid state combo, some age-related cosmetic wear should be expected, particularly given the Fair condition grading.
Why Choose The Peavey Stereo Chorus 400?
Huge Clean Headroom
The Peavey Stereo Chorus 400 is well known for being loud, clean and powerful. Its solid state design gives it excellent headroom, making it a strong choice for players who want clean tones that stay clear at higher volumes. This is especially useful for funk, jazz, country, worship, pedal steel-style tones, clean indie sounds and players who use pedals for gain.
Wide Stereo Chorus Sound
The main appeal of the Stereo Chorus 400 is its built-in stereo chorus. The effect gives the amp a wide, spacious character that works brilliantly for clean chords, arpeggios, 1980s-inspired textures, ambient playing and shimmering rhythm parts. The original operating information describes the amp as having chorus/vibrato and reverb controls, with remote footswitch control for channel selection and stereo/mono mode.
2x12 Combo Format
A 2x12 combo gives the amp a fuller and wider sound than many smaller practice or 1x12 amplifiers. The larger speaker configuration helps with spread, stage presence and low-end authority, making this a serious amplifier for players who need more than a small home combo.
Strong Pedal Platform
Because of its clean headroom and solid state stability, the Stereo Chorus 400 can work very well as a pedal platform. Overdrive, fuzz, delay, modulation and reverb pedals can all benefit from a loud clean amp that does not collapse too quickly under volume. Players who build their tone from pedals may find this amp especially useful.
Classic Peavey Reliability
Peavey amplifiers from this era are known for rugged construction and road-worthy reliability. The Stereo Chorus 400 is very much part of that reputation: heavy-duty, practical, loud and designed to be used. For players who want a dependable older amp with plenty of power, it remains an appealing option.
Unbranded Amp Cover Included
This example comes with an unbranded amp cover, which is useful for keeping dust and light marks away from the amp when stored. This is especially welcome on a larger vintage combo, helping protect it between rehearsals, gigs and home use.
Comparison Against Popular Alternatives
Peavey Stereo Chorus 400 vs Roland JC-120 Jazz Chorus
The Roland JC-120 is the most famous stereo clean chorus amplifier, known for its bright clean tone and iconic onboard chorus. The Peavey Stereo Chorus 400 offers a different flavour: still clean, loud and stereo, but with its own Peavey character and often a more affordable used-market price. Choose the Peavey if you want a powerful vintage stereo chorus combo with a less obvious identity and plenty of headroom.
Peavey Stereo Chorus 400 vs Fender Twin Reverb
A Fender Twin Reverb is a valve amplifier famous for sparkling clean tones and spring reverb. The Peavey Stereo Chorus 400 is solid state, generally more rugged in feel and focused around stereo chorus as well as clean power. The Twin has classic valve feel; the Peavey offers solid state punch, reliability and chorus width.
Peavey Stereo Chorus 400 vs Peavey Bandit
The Peavey Bandit is smaller, easier to move and more straightforward for general practice and gigging. The Stereo Chorus 400 is larger, louder and more spacious thanks to its 2x12 format and stereo chorus. Choose the Bandit for portability; choose the Stereo Chorus 400 for big clean power and wide modulation sounds.
Peavey Stereo Chorus 400 vs Modern Modelling Amps
Modern modelling amps offer many amp simulations, presets and digital effects. The Stereo Chorus 400 is more focused: it gives you a real vintage solid state combo with a strong clean platform, onboard chorus and reverb. Players who want simplicity and an analogue-style amp experience may prefer the Peavey over menu-driven modelling amps.
Who Is It For?
Beginner Players
This is probably more amplifier than most beginners need. It is large, powerful and better suited to players who already understand what they want from a loud clean combo. However, a beginner with rehearsal or band needs could still benefit from its volume and simplicity.
Intermediate Players
Intermediate players who need a powerful rehearsal or gigging amp will find a lot to like here. It is especially useful for guitarists who use pedals and want a clean, loud platform with a classic onboard chorus sound.
Professional Players
Professional players may appreciate the Stereo Chorus 400 as a vintage solid state clean amp, studio texture tool, stereo chorus platform or rugged live combo. It is particularly useful where clean headroom, stage spread and reliability are more important than valve overdrive.
Suitable Genres And Uses
This Peavey Stereo Chorus 400 is well suited to:
- Clean guitar tones
- Jazz
- Funk
- Country
- Indie
- Shoegaze
- Ambient
- Worship
- 1980s-inspired guitar sounds
- Pedal-based rigs
- Rehearsals
- Gigging
- Studio clean textures
- Players wanting a Roland Jazz Chorus-style alternative
Why Choose A Stereo Chorus Guitar Amp?
A stereo chorus guitar amplifier is designed to create a wider, more spacious sound than a standard mono combo. By spreading modulation across two speakers, the amp can make clean chords, picked passages and ambient textures feel bigger and more three-dimensional.
This kind of amplifier became especially popular in the 1980s, when clean guitar tones, chorus effects and wide stereo textures were a major part of popular music. However, the format is still useful today. Indie, shoegaze, worship, funk, post-rock and ambient players often value spacious clean tones that sit beautifully with delay, reverb and modulation pedals.
The Peavey Stereo Chorus 400 gives players that wide stereo feel in a powerful 2x12 combo. It is not the smallest or lightest amplifier, but it offers a bold sound that smaller amps simply cannot reproduce in the same way.
Looking for advice on choosing the right clean guitar amp, pedal platform or stereo chorus amplifier? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store.
Story & Context: Peavey Stereo Chorus 400
The Peavey Stereo Chorus 400 comes from an era when solid state amplifiers were becoming powerful, reliable and popular with working musicians. In the mid-to-late 1980s, amps with built-in stereo chorus offered guitarists a wide, polished clean sound that worked especially well for the tones of the period.
The Stereo Chorus 400 is commonly associated with the 1980s and is listed as a 130-watt 2x12 solid state guitar combo with built-in effects and spring reverb. Some used-market descriptions also refer to the amp as a USA-made mid-80s model with two 12-inch speakers and a particularly lush onboard chorus.
For players today, its appeal is clear: big clean volume, Peavey toughness and a stereo chorus sound that is difficult to recreate from a small practice amp.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Product Type | Solid State Guitar Combo Amplifier |
| Brand | Peavey |
| Model | Stereo Chorus 400 |
| Era | 1980s |
| Output Power | 130 watts |
| Speaker Configuration | 2x12" |
| Electronics | Solid State |
| Channels | 2 channels |
| Inputs | 3 inputs |
| Built-In Effects | Stereo chorus / vibrato and spring reverb |
| Reverb | Spring reverb |
| Footswitch | Not included |
| Included Accessories | Unbranded amp cover |
| Condition | Pre-Owned, Fair Condition |
Power Requirements
The Peavey Stereo Chorus 400 is a mains-powered solid state guitar amplifier. It does not require batteries.
As with any vintage amplifier, it should be used with a suitable mains connection and kept away from moisture. Always ensure the power cable and wall socket are in safe working order before use.
Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?
Fair Deal Music is a family-run independent music retailer founded in 1987 and is Birmingham’s largest independent music store. With over 6,000 Excellent Trustpilot reviews, we have built our reputation on friendly advice, reliable service and genuine product knowledge.
When buying a pre-owned guitar amplifier from Fair Deal Music, you benefit from a team that checks equipment before it leaves the shop. Our staff are musicians themselves and can offer advice by phone, online or in-store, whether you are choosing a powerful clean amp, a pedal platform, a vintage solid state combo or a practical rehearsal amplifier.
We offer fast UK delivery, secure online ordering and a large Birmingham showroom where you can browse new, used and vintage guitars, amps, effects, keyboards, drums, PA equipment and accessories. We also buy, sell and trade pre-owned gear, helping musicians upgrade, part-exchange or sell used equipment with confidence.
FAQ
What condition is this Peavey Stereo Chorus 400 in?
This amplifier is in Fair condition, meaning it shows heavier cosmetic wear but remains fully operational.
What comes with this Peavey Stereo Chorus 400?
This amp comes with an unbranded amp cover.
Does this amp include a footswitch?
No. A footswitch is not included.
Is the Peavey Stereo Chorus 400 a valve amp?
No. The Peavey Stereo Chorus 400 is a solid state amplifier.
What speaker configuration does it use?
The Stereo Chorus 400 is commonly listed as a 2x12" combo amplifier.
Is this amp good for clean tones?
Yes. The Peavey Stereo Chorus 400 is known for loud, clean headroom and a wide stereo chorus sound.
Does it have built-in effects?
Yes. It is commonly listed with built-in stereo chorus / vibrato and spring reverb.
Is it suitable for pedals?
Yes. Its clean headroom makes it a strong pedal platform, especially for modulation, delay, reverb and drive pedals.
Is this amp suitable for gigging?
Yes. It is a powerful 2x12 combo and can be suitable for rehearsals and live use, although it is likely to be heavier and larger than modern compact amps.
How does it compare to a Roland Jazz Chorus?
The Roland Jazz Chorus is the more famous stereo chorus amp, but the Peavey Stereo Chorus 400 offers a powerful alternative with its own solid state character, built-in chorus and strong clean platform.
Can I try this amplifier in-store?
Fair Deal Music has a large Birmingham showroom, and our team can offer advice on pre-owned amplifiers, stereo chorus amps and clean pedal platform setups.