Peavey Forum

Recently came across (in my daily search for Peavey gems), a Peavey catalog on eBay. Here are some screen shots. I think I'm fairly knowledgeable when it comes to the company's guitar offerings, heck, I own quite a few, but I have never seen a Defender! Anyone have one? Was it just a prototype or proposed guitar that never was? Wow...I want one now. Maybe someone from Peavey can explain.

Oh, I've searched the archives in manuals and came up empty. Usually that's a good starting point as I have found almost everything else there...And...the catalog on eBay also has the Predator DX. I have never seen that in print. Only the AX model.

I had a Detonator, for a short time.
It was very similar, but it had a two point, non locking trem, and HSS pickup configuration.
The neck had a 15" radius, and felt like it was really wide, but it was actually standard width.
I kinda miss it;

Yes...those are nice guitars. I have an Axcelerator. Very similar neck-wise I believe. But Defender? Strange I never see one. Thanks! Cool color on yours. Great guitars for sure!

Wow, thanks a lot for showing those. I also thought I was reasonably knowledgeable about Peavey models, but I had never heard of either of these guitars. Does it say in the catalog whether these were USA-made?

My Detonator said it right on the headstock.
I think it was about a 1995 model.

Camaro Guy wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 31, 2018 7:03 am

Wow, thanks a lot for showing those. I also thought I was reasonably knowledgeable about Peavey models, but I had never heard of either of these guitars. Does it say in the catalog whether these were USA-made?

I will assume made in the USA, as most of those guitars from that time period were. The Predator AX/DX, Axcelerator, Detonator and even Reactor AX were all USA. I have a few, but Defender? That's a new one for me. I'm thinking it wasn't made or maybe a NAMM thing for that year...early/mid 90's?

IIRC, I saw a Predator DX a while back, and it was just like the AX, but rather than rosewood fingerboard, and die cast tuners,
it had a maple fingerboard, and stamped tuners.
So it kinda fell in between the standard Pred and the Pred AX.

tele twister wrote: ↑

Wed Jan 31, 2018 1:13 pm

IIRC, I saw a Predator DX a while back, and it was just like the AX, but rather than rosewood fingerboard, and die cast tuners,
it had a maple fingerboard, and stamped tuners.
So it kinda fell in between the standard Pred and the Pred AX.

I actually own 4. 2 of the DX type and 2 of the AX variety. My go to guitars with the current band I play with. So darn versatile. Love the DX maple necks. But both types are awesome. Is the AX supposed to be the higher end model? I'm thinking yes as it had its own label on the necks. Whereas, the DX did not have any special designation. (Other than Predator). Curious...

The far right AX has been heavily modded. Really a metal screamer. All play incredibly smooth and easy. Peavey sure can make guitars when they want. Easily throw those up there against USA strats. I mean it. Certainly way above MIM strats...

WOW!

I am in the middle of trying to find out details of the defender as i do own one. So can confirm at least 1 was made. . I dnt know much else about them though.

According to DeCola, some went out with the defender name before it became the Detonator