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Topic: Best PSG amp? |
Charley Hill
From:
The Dirty South
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Posted 16 Feb 2014 5:54 pm |
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I played through an Evans FET 500 the other and was enamored by the sound quality over my Peavey Session 400 LTD.
I have launched a search for an Evans. However, since my return after a long absence, I am seeing a lot of posts about Little Walter, Milkman amps etc....
Any input would be helpful before I fork out the money.
BC |
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Dickie Whitley
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Jamie Lennon
From:
Nashville, TN
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Posted 18 Feb 2014 12:00 am
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Best amp ever.....plus paul franklin plays one 
_________________
Mullen Guitars, Little Walter Amps, Benado Effects, D'Addario Strings
www.georgettejones.net |
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Tim Marcus
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 18 Feb 2014 7:52 am
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I build Milkman amplifiers. I'm a long time member here, professional steel guitar player in the Bay Area, and I build the amps in my time between gigs.
I am happy to answer any questions you may have - I have designed the amps to sound great, be very reliable, look good and not weigh too much. I also customize each amp to the needs of every customer because everyone's needs are slightly different.
It's hard to say what is the best - but you are certainly on the right track 
_________________
Milkmansound.com |
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Charley Hill
From:
The Dirty South
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Posted 18 Feb 2014 7:56 am
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| Jamie Lennon wrote: |
| Best amp ever.....plus paul franklin plays one |
Paul would sound great playing through a shortwave radio powered by a 9 volt battery...and a bad cord IMHO  |
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Bob Knight
From:
Bowling Green KY
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Posted 18 Feb 2014 8:38 am
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Best PSG amp?
Peavey's NV400, NV112, Vegas 400, Session 400 and Session 500 Session 2000
Fender's Twin Reverb, Showman, Pro Reverb, Deluxe Reverb, and Steel King
Evans, Webb, Standel and Randall and a lot of others. 
_________________
<b>Rick Johnson Cabinets<b>
<b>Brand X Custom Fiber Cases</b>
<b> John Pearse Thumb Picks, Bars and Strings</b>
"Thankfully, persistence is a great substitute for talent."
— Steve Martin |
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Daniel Morris
From:
Westlake, Ohio, USA
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Posted 18 Feb 2014 8:55 am
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Naturally, a "best" anything is a subjective issue.
I've used Peavey solid state amps for nearly all of my playing years, but would not trade the quality of a good tube amp for them now. I feel an Evans would be a step up, tone-wise, from a Peavey, though my Peaveys did serve me well.
Depending on your needs, a Little Walter or Milkman are great choices, in my experience, but a Milkman tops the list. I've got even more clean headroom with my Milkman amps, which I need, and Tim's voicing his amps for pedal steel gives them the edge. There is a difference between LW and Milkman amps, though I'm not sure I can put it into precise words. Both have that tube warmth and clarity. Ultimately it's a personal choice, so if you're going for a tube amp, I'd put Milkman at the top, and a Little Walter next (both builders have been gracious to speak with).
_________________
1979 MSA U12 Pedal Steel
1982 Kline U12 Pedal steel
2019 Sierra U12 Pedal Steel
2011 Bear Creek MK Weissenborn
Milkman 40W Mini amp w/Telonics 15" speaker.
Dr. Z Surgical Steel w/TT 15" speaker.
Frenzel MB-50 head.
Spaceman, Empress, Eventide, Pigtronix. |
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Steve Lipsey
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 18 Feb 2014 9:37 am
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What Dan Morris said....although I put the Milkman a big step up from a Little Walter - and everything else - for steel, for a few specific reasons that matter to me, you have to decide for yourself...I've heard them play in the same room...the Little Walter is fine, but it lacks power and headroom (I suspect that is why you can get them in a cabinet with two of them built in, for big $$). When I heard it live, the tone was noticeably crunchy, which that player happened to prefer, so it was just right for him.
I also know the attention that Tim Marcus has paid to construction techniques and detail...not just the electrical stuff, but the mechanical build, and the Milkman is built tougher than anything I've ever seen - mine once came off a cart I was using and actually cartwheeled end-over-end down a loading ramp - no problem, just plug int in and play, I wasn't worried.
I have a Milkman Sideman, with two channels - the first is a Tweed EQ guitar channel, which is sort of like the Little Walter EQ style - you can turn the single knob up or down, if you like what you get, you are fine - and that seems to work great for 6-string guitar, which is what that channel is for (and for some steel players). But the second Milkman channel is a beautiful 3-knob system where each knob is backed by a steel-guitar-focussed EQ circuit....you can crank out unbelievable, crisp bass, pretty mids, and bell-like highs, to whatever degree you personally prefer (or that your guitar needs, or that the room needs).
And the reverb on the Milkman is basically a full Fender Tube Reverb - full and lush, and you can control every aspect of it (tone, dwell, blend).
Anyway, I've only been playing steel for a few years, but I've been been around amps for 50 years - my first amp was a '66 Blackface Twin, bought new - and I now own a few Milkman amps (yes, I sold other stuff to be able to afford them), they do it better than anything I've played, tube or solid-state. Not cheap, but you get more than you pay for....and you don't just hear the difference, you can actually feel the responsiveness in your fingers.
This all is, of course, just my opinion, and everyone is entitled to their own. When I find what I believe is a really good thing I just want to share my feelings with the world...again, you all are welcome to differ....but you should know that Milkman amps sell on the used market - when they are for sale, which is rare - in a couple of hours at most, unlike every other brand of amp...just look at the "for sale" section in the Forum...
Check out the Milkman FB group https://www.facebook.com/groups/milkmansound/
to see what other owners have to say about living with a Milkman...
_________________
https://www.lostsailorspdx.com
Williams S10s, Milkman Pedal Steel Mini & "The Amp"
Ben Bonham Resos, 1954 Oahu Diana, 1936 Oahu Parlor
Last edited by Steve Lipsey on 18 Feb 2014 9:50 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Ian Sutton
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 18 Feb 2014 9:48 am
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I have the pleasure of gigging with Tim Marcus--and where available, he's gracious enough to let me play through whichever Milkman he brought to that particular gig.
I most recently used his 40W Mini, and it was plenty of amp for a medium sized room, I don't think I had the volume above 4 the whole night. Definitely consider Tim's amps if you're in the market.
_________________
Some gear. |
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Daniel Morris
From:
Westlake, Ohio, USA
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Posted 18 Feb 2014 9:53 am
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Ah, yes, Steve, I forgot to mention that reverb section of my 85W PSG Milkman amp. While the 40W Mini has a very sweet 2 knob reverb section, the Big Boy has 3 knobs, and it allows for a very tweakable reverb sound. Phil (LW) chose not to include reverb, so my Eventide SPACE took care of that nicely. I've had to crank the LW (a couple of my bands are loud), but while I wouldn't say the sound got crunchy, it did go into a natural tube overdrive, which is good. (If you don't play loud, you'd be fine).
As we're saying, it depends on your needs and wants. I'll sail off into the sunset with tube amps, so I recommend one to you, Charley.
_________________
1979 MSA U12 Pedal Steel
1982 Kline U12 Pedal steel
2019 Sierra U12 Pedal Steel
2011 Bear Creek MK Weissenborn
Milkman 40W Mini amp w/Telonics 15" speaker.
Dr. Z Surgical Steel w/TT 15" speaker.
Frenzel MB-50 head.
Spaceman, Empress, Eventide, Pigtronix. |
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Josh Rossow
From:
Mchenry, Illinois
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Posted 18 Feb 2014 10:22 am Milkman
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| I've been very happy with the big 85 watt Milkman I got last year. Always liked the tube amp sound with pedal steel. I took a chance a bought one without playing it, just goin off the sound clips on Tim's website and was not disappointed when I got it. No problems with getting through the mix while I play out, this thing is a beast! Even sounds great playing at really low levels when practicing at home. Worth saving the money for one of these hand made beauty's. |
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Steve Lipsey
From:
Portland, Oregon, USA
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Posted 18 Feb 2014 1:09 pm
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Dan-
Yes, I apologize, "crunchy" may not have been the most descriptive term - I really just meant that the crystal cleans were gone.
I use my Milkman's bias switch (fixed vs. cathode) to get more cleans or edging into nice tube OD, depending on the sound I'm looking for at the time...
-S
_________________
https://www.lostsailorspdx.com
Williams S10s, Milkman Pedal Steel Mini & "The Amp"
Ben Bonham Resos, 1954 Oahu Diana, 1936 Oahu Parlor |
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Scot Buffington
From:
North Carolina, USA
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Posted 15 Mar 2014 6:45 am
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Thanks for your kind words about Evans amps. Our combo amps and speaker cabinets are now available in your choice of power (200 or 500 Watts) and speaker size (10,12 and 15").
In fact, the new SE500 at 43 pounds has twice the power and headroom of the old FET500 that you checked out. We even make a 200 Watt amp head that weighs only 5 pounds.
I'm up the road in Burlington, NC, so just give me a call at 336 270 5700. I'll be happy to get you caught up on what's new with Evans Custom Amplifiers in 2014. Thanks again.
Scot Buffington
www.evansamps.com |
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john widgren
From:
Wilton CT
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Posted 15 Mar 2014 7:24 am best amp
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If you are looking at Boutique tube amps Look into Dan Lurie's FYD amps. www.fydamps.com www.facebook.com/fydamps The town and country pedal steel amp is my favorite tube amp. Tweed 5B6 tones or modified blackface with mid shift tones, octal preamp tubes (6SL7 or 6SN7), and can be used with a variety of power tubes. (6L6, 6550, KT88, KT90, KT120)
Very reasonable pricing for hand wired, premium component excellence.
_________________
Steel Guitar Services:
Live performance and recording. Instruments, repairs and lessons. Fresh bait/discount sushi.
(203) 858-8498
widcj@hotmail.com |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 15 Mar 2014 7:49 am
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| Daniel Morris wrote: |
Naturally, a "best" anything is a subjective issue.
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really ?
_________________
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders , Eastman Mandolin ,
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years
CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website |
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Fred Rushing
From:
Odin, IL, USA
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Posted 15 Mar 2014 10:31 am Best amp.
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This topic always brings out ONE observation to me.
If you are a pure steel player, meaning that is the only instrument you play, like myself. You will have a different taste in tonal preference than people who are 6 string converts or play both.
Almost without fail, the 6 string players will put the Steel friendly Peavey amps at the bottom of the list where as the Pure Steel player will favor the peavey sound.
Just a unique observation on my part. Anyone else notice that? Like we all know best amp is subjective.
Fred |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 15 Mar 2014 5:36 pm Re: Best amp.
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| Fred Rushing wrote: |
You will have a different taste in tonal preference than people who are 6 string converts or play both.
Almost without fail, the 6 string players will put the Steel friendly Peavey amps at the bottom of the list where as the Pure Steel player will favor the peavey sound.
Just a unique observation on my part. Anyone else notice that? Like we all know best amp is subjective.
Fred |
Yup, without a doubt. Lead players want crunchy, compressed, distorted, edgey, overdriven sounds; and pedal steelers want it squeaky-clean, with high power. Lead players and pedal steelers are truly from different planets.  |
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Dustin Rigsby
From:
Parts Unknown, Ohio
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Posted 15 Mar 2014 6:24 pm Re: Best amp.
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| Donny Hinson wrote: |
| Fred Rushing wrote: |
You will have a different taste in tonal preference than people who are 6 string converts or play both.
Almost without fail, the 6 string players will put the Steel friendly Peavey amps at the bottom of the list where as the Pure Steel player will favor the peavey sound.
Just a unique observation on my part. Anyone else notice that? Like we all know best amp is subjective.
Fred |
Yup, without a doubt. Lead players want crunchy, compressed, distorted, edgey, overdriven sounds; and pedal steelers want it squeaky-clean, with high power. Lead players and pedal steelers are truly from different planets. |
I guess that's why Lloyd Green still plays a twin. No disrespect,but,that's an overly broad and general supposition. I like the peavey sound. It's not the compressed,distorted tones as much as it is the warmth you get from a tube amp. To answer the OP's question, the best amp for steel is the one YOU are pleased with. There are so many different amps used for steel guitar and opinions on them are like butts....everybody has one.
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D.S. Rigsby |
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George Seymour
From:
Notown, Vermont, USA
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Posted 16 Mar 2014 8:52 am Re: best amp
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| john widgren wrote: |
If you are looking at Boutique tube amps Look into Dan Lurie's FYD amps. www.fydamps.com www.facebook.com/fydamps The town and country pedal steel amp is my favorite tube amp. Tweed 5B6 tones or modified blackface with mid shift tones, octal preamp tubes (6SL7 or 6SN7), and can be used with a variety of power tubes. (6L6, 6550, KT88, KT90, KT120)
Very reasonable pricing for hand wired, premium component excellence.
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How about this John!! Wicked!
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john widgren
From:
Wilton CT
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Posted 16 Mar 2014 10:28 am tube tasters
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Oooh baby!!!! Much goodness there George.
_________________
Steel Guitar Services:
Live performance and recording. Instruments, repairs and lessons. Fresh bait/discount sushi.
(203) 858-8498
widcj@hotmail.com |
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Clete Ritta
From:
San Antonio, Texas
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Posted 17 Mar 2014 1:50 am Re: Best amp.
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| Fred Rushing wrote: |
| ...6 string players will put the Steel friendly Peavey amps at the bottom of the list... |
I have to disagree with your generalized stereotype (only because my opinion is exactly the opposite of your observation). I am a long time six string player, recently started playing pedal steel. I often play multiple instruments live, and though I dearly love and own a variety of tube amps, I prefer to use the Peavey NV 1000. Id bring two amps ideally, if it weren't for space and weight relief, but Im already packing enough gear as it is.
I'd rather sacrifice guitar "tube" tone to hear the pedal steel thru a Peavey. It is also a workhorse of an amp for everything else thrown at it, including mandolin, bass and keyboards. The effects loop and line out are just two more reasons some of the others will remain at home or rehearsal.
| Donny Hinson wrote: |
| ...Lead players want crunchy, compressed, distorted, edgey, overdriven sounds... |
Thats true we sure do! Fortunately for me, I can still get those sounds via an EP boost/compressor, an MXR Dist+, a Fulltone OCD, a Boss GE-7 or last but not least, a Dunlop CryBaby.
Though I've never gotten a complaint about my guitar tone for lack of a tube amp, to be honest I think a lot of the hype about amps is lost by the time it gets to the general audience anyways. Even average tone is quite acceptable to the public as long as the playing is at least above average.  |
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Tim Marcus
From:
San Francisco, CA
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Posted 17 Mar 2014 7:23 am
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that reminds me of the time I played a show with my Session 500 and the sound guy told me that it was a terrible amp for pedal steel. I was shocked! What else is it good for?
_________________
Milkmansound.com |
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George Redmon
From:
Muskegon & Detroit Michigan.
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Posted 17 Mar 2014 8:32 am
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"Pure Steel Players"???? Never knew just because i play 6 string as well, that i'm not a "pure Steel player".
| Quote: |
| Yup, without a doubt. Lead players want crunchy, compressed, distorted, edgey, overdriven sounds; and pedal steelers want it squeaky-clean, with high power. Lead players and pedal steelers are truly from different planets |
huh? I play gospel, jazz, pop, and classic country, with both steel and 6 string. If i went into a lounge with compressed, over driven, loud sounds on 6 string, it wouldn't take long beforee i'd be out of a job. In fact, i do at times actually use a little sustain, and over drive on my steel..not my 6 string. Like amplifiers, one size doesn't fit all guitar players either.
P.S. currently using a Jimmy Webb amplifier, and a split cab steel king. Pure enough?
Solid Vote For Tim..."the milkman". |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 17 Mar 2014 11:20 am
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Here's my two cents from one who only recently bought a Tele, and my entire life has been spent on Dobro or pedal steel (the lap-Strat is new also).
I own two Peaveys, both of them older than 1983 (an LTD and a Session 500--Oops, I forgot about the 400 Limited, but it's on loan to my guitar-playing co-driver who says it makes a Strat sing), and they're BOTH dynamite steel amps, and make good guitar tone, provided you want clean (I think it's a shame that Brent Mason and Brad Paisley can't afford decent amps that stay clean...)
But I like the sound of the Fender Twin more. Because the Twin has had a tendency to break up on me (at lower volumes than it should according to some tube amp friends of mine), I bought a Super Twin.
The last Peavey I bought was the LAST Solid State amp.
OOOH!! Yesterday I got the chance to play Colm Chomickey's Milkman steel amp. In other places he has described it as a "Twin-inspired steel guitar amp". I sat down at it and LOVED the tone. It's only subtly different from the Twin, but in subtle ways that sound SO much better. I got a case of the "Me Wants".
I've been saying that the Milkman deserves a listen just based on the words of people I trust. Now I say the Milkman deserves a listen on the basis of having played one.
If I could find someone who wanted to trade three Peaveys and a couple Fenders for it, I'd happily switch to one Milkman. It's DEFINITELY on the list of things to get with my gear fund.
_________________
2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Dave O'Brien
From:
Florida and New Jersey
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Posted 17 Mar 2014 2:07 pm Best steel amp
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this is the best amp I've found yet. Vintage Fender Twin Reverb head, J D Neuwerth cab, Emminence neo 15" speaker. 50 lbs.
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Dave O'Brien
Emmons D-10, CMI D-10, Fender Deluxe Reverb, PV 112, Fender Pro Reverb
www.myspace.com/daveobrienband |
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