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Topic: Can NV 400 ever sound like a Session 400 |
Paul Sutherland
From:
Placerville, California
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Posted 29 Jul 2010 6:28 pm |
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I love the sound of my stock Session 400. But my NV 400 just doesn't cut it. I recently installed the BB chips in the NV 400 and it helped a bit. I then connected the NV 400 to a 1501 SB Black Widow speaker, and it improved the sound further (over the sound of the 1502 ribbed cone speaker that is in the NV400). But it is still not enough to make me want to play through the amp. I am wondering if I am just wasting time and money trying to turn the NV400 into something it can never be. What do you think?
PS: Don't tell me about restored tube amps. That's not in the budget. |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 30 Jul 2010 2:21 am
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One big difference between the two amps is the EQ system. The Nashville 400 uses the Peavey "Paramid" EQ design (that is also used in the Session 500, Nashville 1000 and Nashville 112). The Session 400 uses an active EQ but a different design.
The older Session 400's were discrete component designs (transistors) where the Nashville is solid state (op amps). Another major difference. The cabinet size is another issue, the 400 is a smaller physical cabinet and some consider that a negative with that amp.
I found the exact opposite. I was using a Session 500 for about 10 years and decided to buy a second "backup" amp. I was torn between a Nashville 400 and a reissued Session 400 and bought the Session 400. As I was used to the Peavey Paramid EQ system I could never get what I wanted from the Session 400 and sold it after having it for 5 years. I bought a new Nashville 400 (with the tone mod installed at the factory) and although it wasn't the Session 500, it had the same Paramid EQ system and I was able to get close to my sound. |
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Bill Terry
From:
Bastrop, TX
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Posted 30 Jul 2010 8:32 am
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| Quote: |
| ...trying to turn the NV400 into something it can never be. What do you think? |
Apples and oranges in my book, I ditched a Nash 400 for a Session 400 a few years back and never looked back. I think the biggest factor is the discrete design that Jack mentioned, whatever it is, it's a lot more toward the tube sound side of the fence IMO.
Backup amp? I bought another Session 400. 
Edited to add: The newer Session 400 Limited is something else altogether, and has little if any resemblance to the original Session 400s, never tried one personally.
_________________
Lost Pines Studio
"I'm nuts about bolts" |
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Jim Snowman Mitchell
From:
Leesburg, Alabama
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Posted 30 Jul 2010 10:23 am NV 400 to a Session 400
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Save yer money I tried this too it CAN'T be done I finaly bit the bullet and bought a Session 400
GOOD LUCK
_________________
Sho-Bud & Jackson steel guitars
ONLY Peavey Amps
Goodrich & Fender volume pedals
Walker seats |
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Larry Robbins
From:
Fort Edward, New York
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Posted 30 Jul 2010 6:48 pm
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Silk purse...sow's ear? haha!!
Both very good amps for steel!
Both very diferent amps. Never be the same amp! Both have nice tone depending on what YOU like..sometimes they are both under and overrated depending on the individuals ear  ie: everyone likes something a little different..got a good one? keep it!!! got a not so good one?? get rid of it and try for yourself one of the many other steel amps out there!
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Twang to the bone! |
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Paul Sutherland
From:
Placerville, California
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Posted 30 Jul 2010 6:56 pm
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| Thanks for the input guys. I am just back from playing a retirement home gig. The tone of my Emmons through the Session 400 was superb. The Nashville is back in storeage for now. |
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