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Topic: best steel amp |
Ron Ross
From:
Midwest City,Oklahoma
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Posted 23 Mar 2011 1:15 pm |
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i guess what im askin more of an opinion type question....but im curious what everyone considers to be best...webb and evans are quite pricey and rather hard to find new..but HONESTLY how does the nashville 112 stack up against them?also...how big an amp is considered them norm to gig with?i have a fender twin but its way to heavy to carry around.any help in my search for an amp would be greatly appreciated
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"Kick'er off there Wichita" |
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Larry Bell
From:
Englewood, Florida
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Posted 23 Mar 2011 2:48 pm
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There is no objective answer to your question, as you so wisely pointed out.
An amp is a tool. What kind of hammer do you need? A tackhammer? A sledge? A Nine Pound Hammer (a la Merle Travis)? Each has its own characteristics but a similar purpose -- to drive a nail or pound on something.
A Nvl 112 is a small, low powered amp that is voiced for steel guitar played at relatively low stage volume. It has very flexible routing -- in's and out's and loops and all that 21st century stuff. It's reasonably priced and performs pretty well for most folks.
It is only one of many choices. I've played many gigs using a 112, but it is not my amp of choice. I'm going on 4 decades of steel playing and I tend to hang onto what works for me. I suggest you do the same. I had two situations where the 112 didn't cut it and I sold it. I was working with a band that did not mic instrument amps at the time. Whenever we played a large venue I felt underpowered. Whenever our stage volume got excessive I would also run into problems, even in a smaller venue.
It is important to mention that I have crossed paths with a lot of players on tour with major artists who use Nvl 112s -- one or two. Just realize that a MONSTER PA system is providing lots of sound reinforcement for those little amps. If you don't have a solid PA for frontals (and possibly monitors as well) your mileage may vary.
The 112 just wasn't the amp for me. I've also played other Peavey amps and Evans amps -- never owned a Webb.
It all depends on your needs. Not all steel players have the same needs or the same taste. That's why we play through so many different amps and have so many brands of guitar to choose from. My advice is to try as many as you can, buy those that grab you, and keep those that stand the test of time.
Right now I'm using a Fox 5F8B chassis tube amp (100W) and a 1970 Standel Custom XV (140W solid state) -- sometimes just the Fox; sometimes both. That's what works best for me. Best rig I've ever played through. Only you can determine what works best for you.
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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
My CD's: 'I've Got Friends in COLD Places' - 'Pedal Steel Guitar'
2021 Rittenberry S/D-12 8x7, 1976 Emmons S/D-12 7x6, 1969 Emmons S/D-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Quilter ToneBlock 202 TT-12 |
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Dave Hopping
From:
Aurora, Colorado
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Posted 23 Mar 2011 5:05 pm
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| I'm happy with my NV-112.For a low-powered amp it does a good job,and I carry an extra SM-57 for gigs where it needs to be mic-ed,so I'm always covered.But I like the sound of my Session 500 better,and where there's room for it(and an easy load-in/out),that's the one that goes to work. |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 23 Mar 2011 5:22 pm
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MINE!!!! 
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Carter D10 8p/8k, Dekley S10 3p/4k C6 setup,Regal RD40 Dobro, Recording King Professional Dobro, NV400, NV112,Ibanez Gio guitar, Epiphone SG Special (open D slide guitar) . Playing for 54 years and still counting. |
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Dave Grafe
From:
Hudson River Valley NY
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Posted 23 Mar 2011 7:39 pm
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I have two Randall Steel Man 500's with JBL E130's and a Fender Blues Deluxe Reissue with a JBL K120, looking to add a second K120 in an extension cab 'cause it works so good with one. The Randalls behave differently than the Fender, they each have their applications and their inadequacies, but in the world of opinions that's just me at the moment, your mileage WILL continue to vary.
I have played through Fender Twins and Vibrolux amps, Evans and Webb amps and more that always sounded great but since I already have what I need I'm done spending more money just for a change. Knowing what TC Furlong, Brad Sarno and Ken Fox are capable of I have no doubt that anything either of these gentlemen have built would be equally superb, if I was shopping for an amp I would be checking out Ken's new stuff for sure. If, on the other hand, I was traveling without an amp I would spec a NV400 or Session 500 because it would be the most likely to show up from an unknown backline comany working and capable of covering my needs.
Mostly I figure the best amp is the one that works for your needs and is already paid for. |
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