Newbee, finally picking up my PSG: now need an amp

Paul Haun · From: Pennsylvania, USA

I've been reading the forum for quite some time. And now it is finally time for me to pick up a PSG very soon. I am having quite a time figuring out an amp though...

My issue...I would like an amp for my electrics and PSG. I currently have a 614ce that I use with my Genz Shenandoah (which might be traded out for new PA), but I just received a Taylor T5 and need an amp for this and the PSG.

When I played electric in the past I had a Tweed Blues Deluxe and have since loved the tube sound. I was looking at new and used deluxe reverb, vibrolux, twin reverb, TR with 15", etc. and am at impasse over what to do. It seems most everyone says 15" is the way to go, however the TR is is monster and much more power than I really need even for gigs.

Any help/advice is greatly appreciated. I thought about getting a DR and then picking up an external 15" cab...I guess if needed I could pick up a 400/1000/etc later but would like to limit my total amps to 2...

Thank you very much and look forward to the forum as I progress..

Ben Jones · From: Seattle, Washington, USA

disclaimer: been playing steel only 4 years. guitar for much more.

If you still have the tweed blues deluxe I'd use that! I've played steel thru one lots and think it sounds great, didnt seem to lack in volume either.

The deluxe Reverb is used by some. I find them not quite loud enough for stage.

If a twin is too heavy you could try a showman head with a cab or get a twim head in a cab. Some poeple like old musicman heads for this purpose as they can be had CHEAP. others say the musicman is too trebly and cannot be tamed (i own one and its fine).

The "how do I play guitar and steel thru the same amp?" question is an old one and a frequent one around here with many many different opinons being offered. The Twin is usually the most commonly suggested, but as you mentioned it is ungodly loud and heavy. Some will birng two amps and insist this is the ONLY way. In fact most will insist THEIR way is the ONLY way, no matter what the subject..hehe Laughing

I have a bad back so the twin was out for me, as wqas two amps. I got a showman head but even that was just too much for my back. I ended up with an SS evans head and use a tube preamp pedal to sweeten the guitar tones. Its not ideal (iD rather have an all tube rig for guitarespecially) but im happy with it for giggin.

Dont be afraid to try things other steelers dont and dont be afraid to just work with what you already own. There are steelers here playing thru everything, every kind of amp imagineable. Marshalls, Crates, Dr. Z's, you name it.

finally, 15's are prefered by many, but many of the most well known and best steel tones thru the years have come from other sized speakers. LLoyd Green at Panther Hall, widely regarded as one of the best steel tones ever, is a stock twin with 2 12's. The nice thing about getting a head, aside from the wieght reduction, is the ability to try out different speakers and cabs. They are making excellent lightweight neo speakers now so you can really reduce the overall weight and still sound great.

enjoy!

Paul Haun · From: Pennsylvania, USA

Thanks for the reply...

Never knew this decision would be so difficult. Much easier as just a guitar amp purchase, but worrying about the PSG is driving me nuts.

Unfortunately, I don't have the tweed deluxe anymore...sold that a while back. So I'm thinking about a Pro Reverb since it's middle of road between DR and TR/Showman. The Vibrolux is tempting too, just wish I could find more info comparing the vibrolux to the PR specifically with steel as I know they will both sound good with the T5. The PR will be plenty of volume for any gigs I play and seems will still get good tone practicing. From what I read there is still some good headroom on the PR.

I think my solution for the steel is to add a 15" cab later. Can anyone comment on this?

Thanks again.

Nick Reed · From: Russellville, KY USA

Paul,
I have several steel amps, but for the past 6 months I've been using my Fender Twin Reverb with 2x12's. I seem to like it for pedal steel better than anything else I've used. I also have a Webb 614E and Peavey Nashville 1000 but the Twin Reverb to me wins the contest. I have a smaller Fender Deluxe Reverb like was mentioned but it just doesen't have enough bite to cut through for a steel guitar, especially on a gig.

Click here to see my amps:
http://www.nickreedsteelguitar.iwarp.com/photo5.html

Nick

Paul Haun · From: Pennsylvania, USA

Nick, thanks for the input...I'm picking up a '68 Pro Reverb. Not quite the twin, but will be enough headroom for my gigs and will allow me to have some breakup fun with the electrics...I appreciate all the advice...thanks y'all

Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

Hey Paul welcome to the upside down world of "which amp do I use for Steel"...

Most of us have been there done that, subscribed to the "I use this because everyone else does" theory and somewhere along the way discovered that there are many other options.

Probably what will not change is the requirement for clean headroom all the way up to bandstand level, whatever that may be and that's why we all jumped into the pot with Nashville 400's, 1000's, Evans, Webb's , Twin's, etc . All great amps that will exceed the purpose.

Presently I use a Hot Rod Deville 2x12 for most bandstand work when I am on Steel and Tele. I have not run across any situation where this was not adequate. I even used the HR Deville for a bunch of Steel sessions , it has a nice bright " fendery tone" which I really like. I did use a Hot Rod Deluxe for awhile but the headroom was really lacking and there was just too much distortion at bandstand volume with the Steel. .Nick above uses the Twin which is really an excellent choice, excellent headroom and classic Fender tube tone which is not like the hi powered solid state state amps. I used a Twin for 20 years, wish I had it back as quite frankly that is, in my opinion, the one amp that can still do it all, Steel and any guitar you can throw at it !.

I do own a Nashville 400 but it has not been out to a gig in probably a year now.

Clean headroom up to the level you need it to be is still the main requirement.

Good luck..

t
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jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years

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Jonathan Lam · From: Brooklyn, NY

Used a Vibrolux with JBLs for gig for doubling, it worked but it just didnt sound great with steel. Either way you are most likely going to need to compromise.
Twins are HEAVY, but a pro reverb which is half the wttage isnt THAT much lighter...
If i need to double with only 1 amp i use a super reverb modded a little bit and with a 15" speaker for both. But mostly I go out with an Evans and a Vox or Fender for guitar.

Depending on your show situation , I have used smaller power amps like princeton reverbs on smaller shows or shows with good soundmen...

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