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Author Topic:  Peavey Session 400 knob settings
Lee Dassow


From:
Jefferson, Georgia USA
Post  Posted 19 Dec 2015 9:16 am    
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I was just curious what knob settings some of you working musicians used for the Session 400. If you used to play through one of these amps or you still do, I would appreciate any info. Thank you Tenn.Lee
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Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 19 Dec 2015 10:44 am    
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Volume, around 4
Lows, as hot as they can go without "woofing"
Mids, around 10 o'clock
Shift, around 2 o'clock
Highs and presence around noon
Reverb around 3 or 4
Sensitivity is actually a master volume, crank it all the way.
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Tom Quinn


Post  Posted 20 Dec 2015 11:22 am    
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Buddy's settings are here:

http://www.buddyemmons.com/info.htm
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Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 20 Dec 2015 12:09 pm    
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Tom, the Nashville and Vegas (op amp based) are somewhat different from the Session 400. But they should be similar. Nearly all Peavey amps take similar settings.
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Tom Quinn


Post  Posted 20 Dec 2015 12:41 pm    
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Exactly Lane. I have a first-year '74 Session 400 and it sounds fine with these settings. I never thought of the sensitivity knob as a master volume. It doesn't turn off the sound at zero. I've always considered it similar to a Fender "Presence" knob.
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Lane Gray


From:
Topeka, KS
Post  Posted 20 Dec 2015 12:50 pm    
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I forgot whether it was Ken Fox or Mike Brown, but someone had posted here that its label on the schematic is "master volume."
I remember seeing, in the old Tom Bradshaw magazine, Jeff Newman saying something like "I'm not sure what it does, but leave it at 10 unless it doesn't sound right."
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Tom Quinn


Post  Posted 20 Dec 2015 1:15 pm    
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I dial it back because it adds too much sparkle for my taste. YMMV...
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Tommy Mc


From:
Middlesex VT
Post  Posted 20 Dec 2015 5:09 pm    
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My settings change a little with each room, but these are the settings on my amp from the last gig:
Bass = 9
Shift = 6
Mid = 2
Treble = 2
Presence = 8

Volume = 6
Sensitivity = 8

There was an excellent post by Brad Sarno back in 2003 in which he explains how the EQ settings work on the Session 400. If you haven't already, it's worth a read: http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum11/HTML/003822.html
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Ernie Renn


From:
Brainerd, Minnesota USA
Post  Posted 21 Dec 2015 12:27 am    
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The Peavey settings on the Info Page are for a Nashville or Vegas 400.

The Session 400 is
Presence = 7.5 *(If it's too bright 7)
Treble = 7 *(If it's too bright 6.5)
Mid = 4
Shift = 10 (On all the way. Buddy called this the warmth knob.)
Bass = 7-8, to where it starts getting boomy and back a hair.
Reverb = 3
Vol = 2.5
Sensitivity = 9

He used my Session 400 at a show in Minneapolis way back when. Since then all the Session 400's I've had (with exception of the one I'm using right now), sounded great with these settings.

The one I'm currently using was recently repaired. After it was fixed the tone settings changed drastically. I'm guessing new non-vintage parts...

Merry Christmas, y'all...
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Tom Quinn


Post  Posted 21 Dec 2015 4:58 am    
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Thanks Ernie. Seems like I got my Session 400 settings from your Site many years ago. I recall them being for a Session 400. Whatever, my old amp sounds pretty great with your input.
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Ernie Renn


From:
Brainerd, Minnesota USA
Post  Posted 21 Dec 2015 7:21 am    
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I'm glad it works for you. It has for me for years. (Since 1977...)

Merry Christmas!
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Ernie

www.BuddyEmmons.com
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Dale Rottacker


From:
Walla Walla Washington, USA
Post  Posted 21 Dec 2015 7:47 am    
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Here are my settings on my 1976 Session 400

Presence= 5
Treble= 3
Middle= 2
Shift= 6
Bass= 10
Vol= 5
Sensitivity= 10
Reverb= 6

These seem a fair bit different than some of the other settings
shown here, and I can’t really say why... I’m playing a 1990 PRP Mullen
with Quad Original 705’s... to my ear, these are the hottest PUP’s
I’ve ever had, so perhaps thats the difference Question Question
Or my ears are totally shot Laughing Laughing
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Justin Griffith


From:
Taylor, Texas, USA
Post  Posted 16 Jan 2016 8:59 am    
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I use the following in a JBL session or LTD
Bass: 8-10
Mid-off
Shift- 10
Treble- 5-7
Pres.- 9-10
Sensitivity- 10
Reverb and volume to taste.
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Bo Borland


From:
South Jersey -
Post  Posted 16 Jan 2016 10:37 am    
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Back when the Session 400 was new, I was at a show and checked out Buddy's amp rig..
2 Session 400 amps, A single 15 and a 2x12 with only one speaker and a blanket inside.
After he tuned up he made a few small adjustments to the amps and moved the blanket a couple times..

I wrote down the settings on the 1x15 and they are very similar to what Ernie posted. I used these settings as a starting point forever.

I don't carry it around anymore but I still use it at home and the setting are still very similar even tho it has been repaired at Peavey twice and there is an Eminence Neo 15 in it.

Volume at about 2.5-3
Presence at 6-7
Treble 6-7
Mids at 4
Shift is at 6 ( its a very small room )
Bass at 7
Rev 3
Sens 5

Every guitar, pickup and player will sound different with any settings.
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