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Topic: Nashville 1000 or 2 Nashville 400s? |
Burton Lee
From:
Denton, Texas, USA
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Posted 15 Jul 2004 7:43 pm |
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Forumites,
I have been using a Nashville 400 that I love, but sometimes I wish I had more juice behind me.
Should I go with a Nashville 1000, or get a second Nashville 400 and run stereo?
Burton Lee
Denton, TX |
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John Bechtel
From:
Nashville, Tennessee, R.I.P.
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Posted 15 Jul 2004 9:02 pm
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If you go to (2) 400's, you'll only have 800! Sorry, I couldn't pass that one up! It's been a rough couple of days, and I needed some levity! Seriously, I think it's a matter of whether you want to go for a Stereo-Sound or stay Mono! If you're happy with the Mono-Sound, I would suggest just going with the Nashville 1000, although you will have approx. 420 Watts with (2) 400's and 300 Watts with a 1000. Still the 1000 should be more than enough for any reasonable venue! JMHO 
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“Big John” Bechtel
Franklin PSG D–10 (9 & 
Fender ’49–’50 T–8 Custom
Fender ’65 Reissue Twin-Reverb Custom™ 15”
click here
click here |
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Mike Brown
From:
Meridian, Mississippi USA
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Posted 16 Jul 2004 8:22 am
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| I have never ran across a steel guitarist that states that 200 watts isn't enough. After that, you just mic it through the PA. However, the more headroom that is available, the cleaner and clearer the signal. |
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Burton Lee
From:
Denton, Texas, USA
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Posted 16 Jul 2004 9:57 am
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Yeah, it's not like I have a problem when the house PA is available. I'm (unfortunately) playing some gigs at places where the PA isn't available and the band is seriously overplaying the room.
One day I wont have this problem, but until then, I'd like some more. |
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John Daugherty
From:
Rolla, Missouri, USA
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Posted 16 Jul 2004 10:45 am
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Burton, I'm sure Mike will agree; doubling your power is hardly noticeable if noticeable at all (3db audio).
However the weight decrease in your wallet is definitely noticeable. .. One NV400 works for me. Great amp......... JD |
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Burton Lee
From:
Denton, Texas, USA
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Posted 16 Jul 2004 1:44 pm
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So two nashville 400s wouldn't be louder than one? Are you sure?
I'm getting a second steel and I'm looking for a second amp so I can keep them in separate locations. The question is whether for the odd super loud gig I would be better served by a single Nashville 1000 or two Nashville 400s.
It doesn't have to be blow-the-doors-off loud, I just need more than what the 400 is currently giving me. |
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John Daugherty
From:
Rolla, Missouri, USA
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Posted 16 Jul 2004 2:35 pm
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What I was referring to is using one 200w amp as opposed to one 400w amp.
If you use two 200w amps and separate them by a considerable distance you can cover a larger area. This is what happens when you "mic" the amp through the PA system. You could also extend the coverage by using two speakers on one amp and put them on each side of the bandstand. I have done this.
There is a funny story related to this. I was working a large club where the owner complained that he couldn't hear me with my Fender bassman turned to full volume. I was pretty upset over this so when I got home that night, I took a saw and cut that amp into two pieces. The amp had 4 10" speakers. I cut the bottom 2 speakers from the main cabinet and attached them back with 2 suitcase latches. The next night I carried that old bassman in, unlatched the bottom speakers, carried them to the far side of the stage. I then sat the amp with 2 speakers behind me where I could hear it.
No more complaints..... JD
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Burton Lee
From:
Denton, Texas, USA
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Posted 16 Jul 2004 5:59 pm
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Okay, I see what you mean.
So here is what i've gathered from the posts here and the emails sent:
1. Almost everyone thinks the Nashville 400 alone should be loud enough for any gig.
2. Everyone thinks the 1000 is enough alone.
3. Very few people think 2 nashville 400s are a good idea.
I think the Nashville 400 is loud enough at full blast for any gig, but I find myself turning the gains to 7 and 9 and hitting the floor with the volume pedal sometimes. That's why I want more.
I played a session 500 for a little while and that thing could peel the paint off the walls if I opened up on it. I enjoyed the massive amount of headroom available with that setup.
I also know that this is partially because of my playing, and maybe I should just get more comfortable going towards max on the pedal. It makes a nice sound, I just like keeping my foot towards the 60-70% mark.
Still, I want more juice and I'm leaning towards the dual 400 because I can put an amp in each location and like the sound I get and I can combine them for a big sound when I need it.
Are there are any negatives to running stereo amps? I thought steel players used to do it as a rule?
Thanks to everyone for the help. I benefit greatly from your collective experience.
Burton Lee
Denton, TX |
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Larry Bell
From:
Englewood, Florida
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Posted 16 Jul 2004 6:16 pm
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Burton,
I agree with your logic re: two amps
Granted, the audience probably can't really hear much difference if I use two amps and use stereo effects, I CAN. I prefer two amps if the room is large. If not, one works fine. And I usually use 1 or 2 Standel Custom's -- 100 W each. Fills up any bar I've ever worked and even sounds good outdoors. I feel that two amps provides higher fidelity and many options for making the sound 'bigger' (slight delay in one but not the other; slightly different eq; maybe a hair of stereo chorus) than I can get from a single amp. It gives me sufficient stage volume for any war games the peanut gallery wants to throw at me -- but it sounds best with the volume on 3 or 4.
That said, most gigs I actually play are one amp gigs.
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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps
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Jim Smith
From:
Midlothian, TX, USA
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Posted 16 Jul 2004 7:01 pm
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| Quote: |
| I find myself turning the gains to 7 and 9 and hitting the floor with the volume pedal sometimes. |
That should be loud enough to break windows!  If you're running a pot pedal, have you checked to be sure it's opening up all the way? The string may have slipped so you're not getting full volume. |
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Burton Lee
From:
Denton, Texas, USA
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Posted 16 Jul 2004 8:51 pm
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Hmm... this reminds me of my earlier post that my new Truetone pickup doesn't seem to be loud or hot enough. I'm sensing there is some truth to that. I considered what you said and with my BL705 on the C neck, it's loud as a siren.
Is the signal strength from the pickup purely a result of distance to the string? Could my wiring be shoddy? The pickup is at 3/16ths, but there is about a 50/50 mix of hum to signal.
Maybe I'm looking at the wrong part of the formula here... hmm..
Burton Lee
Denton, TX
PS I'm on a hilton pedal wide open volume.[This message was edited by Burton Lee on 16 July 2004 at 09:52 PM.] |
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Jim Smith
From:
Midlothian, TX, USA
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Posted 16 Jul 2004 8:56 pm
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| My TrueTones seemed weak at 3/16" also. I run them at about 1/8" on my Fessy - no hum and no distortion. |
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Burton Lee
From:
Denton, Texas, USA
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Posted 17 Jul 2004 10:22 am
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I adjusted the truetone and found the missing volume on my Nashville 400. I think it's definitely loud enough alone now.
I had it sitting at a generous 3/16ths before and now it's sitting a hair under 3/16ths, but more than 2 quarters and a dime. Any lower and I didn't like the tone change.
Big increase in volume. It was definitely too far from the strings before.
Burton Lee
Denton, TX |
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Vann Ray Cranford
From:
Kinston, N.C. 28501-1571
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Posted 18 Jul 2004 6:07 pm
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Hey Burton,
As you know everyone has their own preferences. I personally like using two 400s behind me. I don't try to blast anyones' ears, but I like the full sound that I get from having two speakers and 420 watts of power behind me. Also, the two 400s in amp stands sitting beside each other are not much wider than having my Nashville 1000 alone behind me. If I play my 1000, then I sit my PX-300 on the other side of the stage if I need the additional sound. Either way, you can't go wrong with using Peavey gear and Mike Brown at your assistance should a problem arise! |
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