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Post new topic Peavey Session 400 Tuneup
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Author Topic:  Peavey Session 400 Tuneup
Peter Siegel

 

From:
Belmont, CA, USA
Post  Posted 20 Jul 2020 3:09 pm    
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My wonderful one owner '75 Session 400 needs a tune up.
I love the tone as is, but the pots are microphonic, the reverb is buzzy, it just needs some TLC.
In addition to sending back to Peavy, I'm looking for referrals to the best amp wizards out there.
Suggestions????

Many thanks.
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Steve Spitz

 

From:
New Orleans, LA, USA
Post  Posted 21 Jul 2020 6:43 am    
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Send the Chassis to peavey. My opinion, they are the amp wizards. Quick , great work, very reasonable.

I’d buy a MOD reverb tank as well. They’re cheap and it’s an upgrade.

You’ll be set for another lifetime.
Best of luck , let us know how it works out for you.
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Mike Taylor

 

From:
Wetumpka, AL
Post  Posted 21 Jul 2020 12:31 pm     Peavey repair shop
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I agree. This year I sent them the head and reverb tank to mid 70s LTD 400 and my Nashville 400. They did a fine job.

Mike
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Mike Holder


From:
Alabama! Home of the great “Don Helms” & his singer “Hank Williams”!
Post  Posted 22 Jul 2020 6:43 am    
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That sounds like $300.00 worth of time & trouble, I would look for a great used one of which there are many!
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I thought Nashville was the roughest, but I know I’ve said the same about them all.
I received my education, drivin through the Nation listenin to Paul!.. ( Franklin that is! )
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Jim Pitman

 

From:
Waterbury Ctr. VT 05677 USA
Post  Posted 3 Aug 2020 5:44 am    
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Peter, I'm a big fan of the original Session 400.
Brad Sarno was too and years back, at the dawn of the internet, he published a wonderful guide to replacing the capacitors on a session 400.
With time electrolytics can dry up and become leakey/change value. He also came up with some not so expensive film capacitor sources to replace the interstage caps. Film caps are know for their longevity and some say they sound better.
If you are decent with soldering iron this isn't that difficult to do. The session 400 circuit board is quite easy to service since it uses connectors. You'll have to remove the knobs and pot nuts to remove the circuit board to get at the solder side. - typical of many amps.
His site was taken down but it has been archived. Check out:
https://sites.google.com/site/robertllawrence/amps-peaveysession400mod
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Peter Freiberger

 

From:
California, USA
Post  Posted 3 Aug 2020 5:57 am    
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I’m not much of a solderer but I got a good soldering station and some tutoring from a tech savvy friend and did the Sarno mods to two Session 400’s with excellent results. Kudos to Brad!
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Steve Spitz

 

From:
New Orleans, LA, USA
Post  Posted 4 Aug 2020 4:43 pm    
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Actually, if you spend a bit of dough to get yours checked out, you’ll be set for a long time.

If you buy another, and it develops an issue, you aren’t ahead .

I’d rest easy having one checked by Peavey vs. any other option.
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Kevin Mincke


From:
Farmington, MN (Twin Cities-South Metro) USA
Post  Posted 4 Aug 2020 5:48 pm    
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My vote is sending it to Peavey as the amp is worth the repair and they will do it right. These are great amps. They will do all the current upgrades while keeping the amp stock like Ken Fox used to do.
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Jim Kennedy

 

From:
Brentwood California, USA
Post  Posted 5 Aug 2020 7:56 am    
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I have a 35 year old Mesa amplifier that I take to the factory when it needs service. They are quick, reliable, and reasonable. Everything I have read about Peavey customer service implies the same thing. IMHO, it will probably prove less expensive to have it serviced by a factory tech than replacing it. Your issues appear to be a result of age and normal wear and tear. Another of that same vintage will, in all likelihood, display similar issues at some point. IF you really like the amp, have it serviced.
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ShoBud Pro 1, 75 Tele, 85 Yamaha SA 2000, Fender Cybertwin,
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