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Topic: NV400 Amps - Chrome vs Black Hardware |
Johnny Thomasson
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 6 Jul 2012 8:04 pm |
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Many players have a distinct preference for the older NV400s with the chrome hardware. Gary Carpenter is one of the guys in the chrome camp, and it's hard not to take Gary's opinions seriously. I always thought Peavey's switch to black hardware was a cosmetic change only, but does anyone know if Peavey made any internal design changes when they switched over to the black hardware model?
I have a black hardware NV400 with the Ken Fox chip upgrade, and it sounds really good to me. However, I use that amp mostly for fiddle; I've always preferred my Session 400 for steel. Gary's NV400 is the best sounding steel amp I've ever heard, but of course that's Gary Carpenter playing through it. He uses the amp reverb only; no outboard effects of any kind.
Personally, I never cared much for the reverb in any Peavey amp, but Gary's tone is incredible. I think his amp has the Peavey mod, but otherwise it's stock all the way. Of course, we all know tone is in the hands, and Gary does have quite a pair of hands on him... JMHO, but I've always believed the brain has something to do with it too. 
So, does anyone know if Peavey changed the circuitry when they switched over to black hardware? I'm really curious to know.
Thanks,
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Johnny Thomasson |
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Mike Kowalik
From:
San Antonio,Texas
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Posted 7 Jul 2012 12:39 am Nash 400's.....
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It is my understanding that the black hardware 400's have a tone mod of some sort.....I have never cared for those.I've always preferred the 400's with chrome hardware as I thought the tone was far better.
However a few months ago I purchased a 400 with black hardware and it really sounds good with my push-pull.....so there goes my theory!!
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Cremation is my last shot at having a hot body...... |
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Ken Fox
From:
Nashville GA USA
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Posted 7 Jul 2012 3:34 am
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There is no difference in the circuitry design in the two amps. Some of the later ones had a Peavey mod. I have seen over 300 of these amps in here and found that the factory installed mod never used Burr Brown chips, it only had a few changes in the tone caps, some coupling caps and a few resistors. Not all factory modded amps were the same either, I saw those changed over time as well. The kits Peavey sold did in fact have OPA2604AP chips in them, but not the factory modded amps. Another big difference in Nashville 400 amps was the different speakers used in them as time went on.
Due to a tendency for the OPA2604AP chip to sometimes oscillate in the reverb circuit (on rare occassion), I went to the OPA2134PA chip. It proved more stable and is a much better sounding chip as well. |
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Jerry Van Hoose
From:
Wears Valley, Tennessee
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Posted 7 Jul 2012 5:07 am
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Ken, exact & right on, excellent explanation as usual! Also, I would like to add that several years ago, I had the opportunity to sit right next to Gary Carpenter while he played live, on stage, in an outdoor/gazebo setting. He used a passive pedal & Nashville 400, no outboard effects whatsoever, and his tone was one of, if not the very best I've ever heard.
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GFI w/Steeltronics 507, Profex II, Nashville 112’s, Hilton, George L .155’s, BJS, Steelers Choice |
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Johnny Thomasson
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 7 Jul 2012 7:35 am
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Thanks for the explanation, Ken. That makes perfect sense. Tastes vary widely in amps, but there's not much question these are great amps for the money.
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Johnny Thomasson |
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John Swain
From:
Winchester, Va
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Posted 7 Jul 2012 8:54 am
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| One more difference, the black-cornered amps weigh more(stock). It must be cabinet construction, though I don't know what the difference is. That said, I have a 1983 silver-cornered Nashville 400 that Ken installed his "Intense Mod" to that I use with an Emmons vp pedal and I'm always complimented on my "tone"..The reverb is strong and Fenderish! Even with an 8 OHM Deltalite 15 it's always loud enough and at 37 lbs it's about perfect!!!! JS |
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Ken Fox
From:
Nashville GA USA
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Posted 7 Jul 2012 12:36 pm
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| I believe you are right on the cabinet weight, They went to a high density particle boad and it weighs a ton. |
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Johnny Thomasson
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 7 Jul 2012 2:21 pm
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My black cornered NV400 is certainly no featherweight! But that's OK, it's still a solid, great sounding amp. Besides, I need the exercise.  It's still lighter than my '65 JBL Twin. Now that amp is heavy.
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Johnny Thomasson |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 8 Jul 2012 12:38 am
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| Quote: |
| It's still lighter than my '65 JBL Twin. Now that amp is heavy. |
I've had wives/girlfriends that weighed less than a Twin with JBL's.
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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 55 years and still counting. |
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Dan Beller-McKenna
From:
Durham, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 8 Jul 2012 1:59 am
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| I've had wives/girlfriends that weighed less than a Twin with JBL's. |
yeah, but I'll bet they had early breakup!
Seriously though, I think the change in BW speakers over time might have as much as anything to do with any change in sound of the NV400.
As per the weight, I recently sold a chrome-corner and kept a black-corner. They felt about the same weight to me. Go figure.
Dan |
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Ken Fox
From:
Nashville GA USA
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Posted 8 Jul 2012 5:05 am
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If you have drummer that plays with some control of his volume a 40 watt amp will work. Been there. With a loud drummer even a 200 watt amp may not even cut it. Strange world we live in. I see plexiglass shields around drummers in churches and other places venues. Rick, with the time Jumpers does not need one. Ever drummer I have seen at steel shows did not need one. Why not tell them to turn down and let us hear some tone? First thing I ask a drummer is if he has a set of brushes. If he looks at me wioth that bewildered look I know I am in for a rough night!
Just my rant and rave for the day  |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 8 Jul 2012 5:53 am
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| Why not tell them to turn down and let us hear some tone? First thing I ask a drummer is if he has a set of brushes. If he looks at me wioth that bewildered look I know I am in for a rough night! |
I feel your pain, Ken! I've played with some drummers that do not understand there is a time for loud and fancy, and a time for laid back and tasteful. Once, when a band I was in was playing "Another Bridge To Burn", it got so bad the singer turned around and asked the drummer "What the hell are you doing back there? Building a damn shed?" |
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Johnny Thomasson
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 8 Jul 2012 2:38 pm
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| Donny Hinson wrote: |
| Quote: |
| Why not tell them to turn down and let us hear some tone? First thing I ask a drummer is if he has a set of brushes. If he looks at me wioth that bewildered look I know I am in for a rough night! |
I feel your pain, Ken! I've played with some drummers that do not understand there is a time for loud and fancy, and a time for laid back and tasteful. Once, when a band I was in was playing "Another Bridge To Burn", it got so bad the singer turned around and asked the drummer "What the hell are you doing back there? Building a damn shed?" |
I have guys like this to thank for my 24/7/365 tinnitus. 
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Johnny Thomasson |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 9 Jul 2012 12:09 pm
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| wouldn't the particle board attribute to a change in the sound of the amp? |
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Dan Beller-McKenna
From:
Durham, New Hampshire, USA
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Posted 10 Jul 2012 4:55 am
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| Anybody know in what year(s) Peavey switched over to particle board cabinets? |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Posted 10 Jul 2012 5:18 am
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I bought 2 new NV400's in early 1990 with black hdwe. Both of them were built with 3/4" plywood, not particle board.
I know this because I pulled the tolex off and recovered them. |
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Henry Matthews
From:
Texarkana, Ark USA
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Posted 10 Jul 2012 8:05 am
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I've got two Nashville 400's, one the chrome corners and other black and my black cornered one sounds better to me. I think Ken is right about the speakers being different changing the sound considerably. Both are heavy as ****. I've also got two old LTD's that in my opinion will walk all over the Nashville 400's tone wise but won't get as loud, but of course, I hope I don't have to play that loud.
Johnny, I've played thru Gary's amp and is a great sounding Nashville but didn't sound like Gary's tone. I agree that most of it is in Gary's touch and his guitar.
Thanks Ken for the info about the amps being different, I too have wandered that.
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Henry Matthews
D-10 Magnum, 8 &5, dark rose color
D-10 1974 Emmons cut tail, fat back,rosewood, 8&5
Nashville 112 amp, Fishman Loudbox Performer amp, Hilton pedal, Goodrich pedal,BJS bar, Kyser picks, Live steel Strings. No effects, doodads or stomp boxes. |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 10 Jul 2012 10:10 am
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i've got an ltd 400, my favorite all around amp. i also have a nashville 400..chrome corner..1502 bw spkr. which sounds as good as a steel amp needs to be. it's slightly heavier, but the compression circuit gives it a great edge and clarity. my friend has the same amp with a jbl k model spkr. 'even better' tonewise.
all of these amps have had an occassional minor prob like cold solder joints ... in 30 yrs.... and the reverbs don't really work in either but i just use a little delay and it's fine. this could be fixed cheaply, but not necessary to me.
i don't think there is a better amp than these in a working musician's price range!
$300ish for a working pro amp that will make you millions! |
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 10 Jul 2012 1:32 pm
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Millions of what Chris???
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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 55 years and still counting. |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 10 Jul 2012 7:26 pm
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friends! you make millions of 'friends' playing for free!
richard..i was at the candlestick/beatles show, too.
remember the fence jumper running across the field with the cops chasing him? |
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Johnny Thomasson
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 13 Jul 2012 2:38 pm
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| Richard Sinkler wrote: |
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| It's still lighter than my '65 JBL Twin. Now that amp is heavy. |
I've had wives/girlfriends that weighed less than a Twin with JBL's. |
Just saw this. I have too, Richard. But they couldn't carry my Twin for me so I sent them away.
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Johnny Thomasson |
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