Any amps with as many features as Telonics?

Dave Stroud · From: Texas

I'm saving up for a new amp because... pedal steel is my only hobby Smile

I've been considering a few things though...

1) My wife and I will be living in apartments for the next 3 years. This means limited space, and no loud speakers due to neighbors.

2) We'll probably start having kids in a year, which means sleeping babies for a good long while... SHHH!

3) I'm going to start playing out at some point, so I DO need a speaker.

Telonics has these features:

-Headphone Jack
-A QUALITY direct out, appears to be really nice for recording in silence
-A switch to turn off the speaker
-An auxiliary input to plug in my tablet/computer for simple practicing

With the exception of a very good direct out, these seem like they should fairly easy to include in an amplifier...but they are not typically included. I would go with a rack rig of some sort... but I'd like to be as mobile as possible, not having a bunch of stuff to hook up and tear down. Less time setting up/tearing down = more time playing and practicing. We travel quite a bit and I often take my steel to practice.

So here's the question- is a pricey telonics amp my only option?

Michael Maddex · From: Northern New Mexico, USA

Have you looked at the Fender Mustang and Champion lines of amps? They are solid state, lots of options, come in a variety of power ratings and have good reputations.

I recently bought a Fender Rumble 25 Bass Amp and am quite surprised at how much amp I got for the money. I guess that a lot of us have used a lot of Fender products over the years. I have. Still, I am pleased with the recent purchase.
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"For every expert, there is an equal and opposite expert." -- Arthur C. Clarke

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

One of Brad's preamps should do that too, and then get a powered cab for when you need a speaker
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Dave Stroud · From: Texas

Lane, that's a very good thought... My first thought is, don't tubes need a speaker load to prevent damage? But that is only with power tubes, right? Otherwise you wouldn't be able to record direct, and plenty of people have already done that..

Dave Stroud · From: Texas

Also, there doesn't seem to be a headphone jack on the revelation....

A few questions for Mr. Sarno:

Brad, is there enough room in the V8 for an aux input AND headphone jack?

Is there enough room in a revelation for a headphone jack?

David Nugent · From: Gum Spring, Va.

Dave..A 'Nashville 112' has all of the features that you mentioned and I believe that plugging in a set of headphones automatically turns the speaker off. Noticed that there are two for sale in the 'For Sale Amps and Accessories' section for a fair price AND they are located in Texas.

Dave Stroud · From: Texas

Thanks David, but I'd like to have a 15" for that C6 neck you helped me get! Lovin the Fessy, by the way.

I wonder if the new session 115 will have these features... but my gut tells me Peavey wouldn't include a headphone jack and aux input in anything but a smaller low powered amp.

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

I'm pretty sure that any of the hand-built amps can be ordered with whatever features you require. You just need to ask about anything you don't see on the price list.
If I were faced with your project requirements in combination with my tastes (and an adequate budget, this ain't the cheapest rig), I'd ask Tim Marcus for a Half and Half with headphone jack, line out and power amp kill switch and the (switched) series external speaker jack.
I love the Telonics 12 in my Half and Half, and it can easily handle the low notes, but I also like the tone of the 15" extension cab.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Bill Moore · From: Manchester, Michigan

Go with the Nashville 112; it will work great, either practicing at home or for most gigs. You will save some money too.

Brad Sarno · From: St. Louis, MO USA

Brad Sarno · From: St. Louis, MO USA

Another very good consideration would be to buy a small, cheap Mackie or Behringer or similar mixer. Then a good sounding steel preamp could go into the mixer. The mixer would also take an aux input for stereo music to play along with. And a mixer will also have a good headphone output. Some mixers may even have some basic effects, reverb, delay, etc.

With a small mixer like that, a V8 or similar, warm, tubey preamp would be ideal.

Brad

Brad Sarno · From: St. Louis, MO USA

something like this perhaps:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/1002FX

B

Brad Sarno · From: St. Louis, MO USA

And this for the preamp and tone magic.

http://www.sarnomusicsolutions.com/products/V8G.html

B

Tony Glassman · From: The Great Northwest

Brad is right on the money.

I have a small Beringher mixer plugged into the DI of my rack mount Quilter. It has a inputs for both the amp & computer/iPad with separate level knobs for each.

According to the Quilter labs, it's perfectly fine to run the head w/o speakers. So I leave them in the garage, where they are a quick load for gigs. I did invest in some studio grade earphones.

The amp is in a soft bag on the floor just next to my steel & the mixer (about 6 sq inches), fits nicely next to my Mac on a small computer desk......... Very small footprint and is silent to others.

To gig, I just unplug the mixer from the DI, grab the amp and go!

Jerry Overstreet · From: Louisville Ky

If you are leaning toward the Telonics combo and you can swing the cost, it seems that everything you are looking for is wrapped up in that package. It's also more convenient and less to keep up with.

Consider, if you buy an amplifier, you will probably be looking for some effects too. If you buy just a head, you are going to need a speaker cabinet at some point and possibly a preamp if none is integral.

You will just have to make a decision if you're willing to go the price tag of the complete state of the art Telonics package, or are willing to split the package and match up a pile of separate components that you will have to connect and disconnect as required.

Weigh out the pros and cons, compare the cost v. a component package, consider what you like and see if it's worth it to have everything you want in one bundle....that and justifying the cost to anyone else in the equation. Winking

....my thoughts. FWIW.

Cameron Parsons · From: Angleton, Texas

For practice, I use the iRig which allows me to hear my steel through headphones connected to my iPhone mixed with any music I can access online or in my library. Check it out: http://www.ikmultimedia.com/mobile/products/irighd/.

Dave Stroud · From: Texas

Dyke Corson · From: Fairmount, IL USA

I use one of these: http://www.rolls.com/product.php?pid=MX122

I put the output of my V8 in one channel, Line 6 for 6 string guitar in another, my Aux mix from the band console and a iPod for quick song checks. Plug my IEMs into this and I'm all set. Very quiet and made in the USA

John Sluszny · From: Brussels, Belgium

Mike Brown · From: Meridian, Mississippi USA

Danny, the Peavey Nashville 112 has all of these features NOW on the stock amplifier, ie; speaker mutes when headphones are plugged in, CD/Line input/laptop headphone output for plugging in an audio signal from the output of your IPad, IPhone or CD player. Balanced XLR line out to your mixing console

Call me for details on this amplifier and I will be glad to discuss. I can be reached toll free at 1-877-732-8391, ext.1180.

Mike Brown
Peavey USA

Dave Stroud · From: Texas

Lane Gray · From: Topeka, KS

One of my FB friends gives high marks to the Mackey "Thump", a powered 15 with a 3 band EQ.
His words, edited for typos:
"Actually good! Great low end, mids, 3 band graphic EQ on each, 1000 watt capability...plus a mix knob to dial in your sound"
I don't have any powered cabs.
If I had the desire, I'd get a >500W Class D power module (with power supply, you can find them on Amazon) and drop it in a 15 cab I already have.

Or shoot Mike Brown an email, I think Peavey has a cab with a Black Widow and a Class D power amp.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects

Paddy Long · From: Christchurch, New Zealand

Dave buy yourself a Combo TCA500 - buy once, cry once. You will never need another amp -- and once the kids arrive you won't be able to afford one anyway hehe
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14'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
08'Zumsteel Hybrid D10 9+9
94' Franklin Stereo D10 9+8
Telonics, Peterson, Steelers Choice, Benado, Lexicon, Red Dirt Cases.

Dave Stroud · From: Texas

After extensive research I'm starting to consider a Nashville 112... Is there any good, practical reason to own two of them? I'm guessing not since I don't play stadiums... or any large venues.

Bob Hoffnar · From: Austin, Tx

I would go with the Nashville 112 myself. It will handle everything you need for quite some time. There is no need for a 15" speaker. The idea that you need a 15 to play the C neck is false.
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Bob

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