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Topic: The "Best" Peavey Steel Amp--Your Opinion? |
Al Carmichael
From:
Sylvan Lake, Michigan, USA
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Posted 2 Jun 2005 11:26 pm |
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| I'm getting ready to buy a steel amp and I've pretty much sold myself on the idea of buying one of the Peavey series of amps. I'm leaning to the Nashville 112, which has stellar reviews here, but I'm also thinking about an LTD, a 400 and a 1000. If you had the choice today, what would you choose from the Peavey line? I know there are other choices--Webb, Fender Steel King, Twin reverb, etc. Mainly I am interested in your opinions of the various Peavey amps. |
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Gordon Borland
From:
San Antonio, Texas, USA
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Posted 2 Jun 2005 11:46 pm
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You started a great topic and I hope the folks who post will also give an idea of the
PSG and pickups they use because everything in the chain gives the result.
I play 1976 MSA D10 with superstains on both necks. I used a Nashville 400 with a peavey Addverb rackmount.
I bought a Peavey Sessions 2000 because of all the talk on the forum. It stays at home in the corner.
I brought home a Peavey 112. I work at a music store so I can try all the amps I want.
I took it back to the store.
My favorite Peavey is the Nashville 400. To stay true to your post I wont mention other brands.
Great topic.
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Gordon Borland
MSA D10,FENDER STEEL KING, NASHVILLE 400,PEAVEY SESSIONS 2000, 1963 BROWN FENDER DELUXE NO REVERB. 1973 FENDER JAGUAR SUNBURST SIX STRING GUITAR, PEAVEY T60 SIX STRING GUITAR.
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Bobby Bowman
From:
Cypress, Texas, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 2 Jun 2005 11:55 pm
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Peavey Nashville 112.
'71 Emmons PP D-10
Original Emmons single coil pick ups
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If you play 'em, play 'em good!
If you build 'em, build 'em good!
http://www.bobbybowman.com
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Richard Sinkler
From:
aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana
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Posted 3 Jun 2005 12:11 am
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Having owned a Session 400, session 500 and a Nashville 400, my favorite Peavey amp is the NV 400. Been using the same one now for over 20 years.
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Carter D10 9p/10k, NV400
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Stephen Gambrell
From:
Over there
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Posted 3 Jun 2005 1:50 am
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| Session 400, with a BW speaker. No mods, just facts. |
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LARRY COLE
From:
LANCASTER, OHIO, USA
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Posted 3 Jun 2005 2:02 am
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Nashville 400 with factory mod and reverb mod. Sounds like a big powerfull Twin. Has the Fender sounding reverb and the Nashville power.
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Playing For JESUS,LC. WILLIAMS U12,SHO-BUD PRO1,CARVIN TL60,GIBSON LES PAUL CUSTOM,YAMAHA L-10A ACOUSTIC,ROLAND JW-50 KEYBOARD,G&L AND BC RICH BASS'S
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jim milewski
From:
stowe, vermont
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Posted 3 Jun 2005 2:07 am
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| Session 400, right now using the smaller LTD with a BW 1502, years back my Vegas did a real good job, but the push pull has a lot to do with it |
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c c johnson
From:
killeen,tx usa * R.I.P.
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Posted 3 Jun 2005 2:07 am
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| the LTD before the nash 112 which is the best ever. CC |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 3 Jun 2005 2:08 am
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Asking which amp is like asking which car you like the best. No one answer.
My favorite Peavey amp was a Session 500 that I used for 15 years. The Peavey amp I liked the least was a reissue Session 400 LTD - never could dial in the sound I wanted.
I've owned a Nashville 400 (with factory installed tone mod) and when I bought a Nashville 1000 the Nashville 400 was sold almost immediately. I never really cared for it but accepted it as a compromise as I was trying to get a lighter amp than the Session 500.
I bought a Nashville 112 in February and it is being used almost exclusively. Although I like the Nashville 1000 and think it's still a better overall amp, it's again another compromise trying to get a lighter amp. |
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Billy Carr
From:
Seminary, Mississippi, USA (deceased)
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Posted 3 Jun 2005 2:41 am
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| I guess my favorite Peavy amp would be determined on what's available as a new amp. I tell you I'm really sold on the NV-112. I didn't think it would compare to the NV-1000 mainly because of the difference in power. Only 80 watts. But man, when I set down and played a 112 at a music store that sells steel guitars, etc., I was really shocked. I've got three amps, so I'll list them in the order I like best. NV-112,NV-1000 & Fender Steel King. 112 is about 45 lbs. also a plus! |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 3 Jun 2005 3:30 am
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Al, Jack from Florida is right on the money..there is NO ONE ANSWER.
My comments below are referenced with 4 different Steels, 2 D10 Carters, D10-Sho-Bud Professional and an old D12 MSA..
The only real difference that a buyer needs to be aware of is that the new 112 is NOT in the same catagory as the Session 400,LTD's, 500's, Nashville 400's , Vegas's etc and Nashville 1000's. "THEY" are all in the same similar catagory . Same approx power, 15" BW , heavy and can all handle medium to large venue gigs.
The new 112's are fine amps but they are NOT and should NOT be compared overall to the others in the Peavey series. They are 80 watts with a 12" speaker and cost several hundred dollars less brand new..they fill a niche in the market but are not intended to replace the big brothers.
For me, keeping it Peavey, I rate the older Nashville 400's at the top for my needs. I have had a new N1000..liked it ok but there was always something missing for me. So back to the N400 it was.
I just recently picked up an old Seesion 400 Limited with the 15" BW and I am gonna drag it out tonight, so the jury is still out on this beast..but at the first home plug-into it sounded pretty good..Loud + clean..did I say Loud ?
Of course others will have a totally different view and thats expected. Whats impotant is WHAT YOUR needs are, not mine or someone elses.
One thing is abundantly clear, if you pick up any clean Nashville 400 in the $300 to $350 range, you will never loose your investment.
good luck, get one of each !
t[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 03 June 2005 at 04:40 AM.] |
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Dennis Detweiler
From:
Solon, Iowa, US
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Posted 3 Jun 2005 3:56 am
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Mid 1970's Session 400. If you can find a 1974, latch onto it.
DD |
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John Daugherty
From:
Rolla, Missouri, USA
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Posted 3 Jun 2005 4:27 am
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| I think most of your replies will choose the NV400 and NV112. Any Nashville series will sound good because they are designed for steel guitar. I like my 400 and 112 but only use the 112 for the weight factor. If I was only going to play at home, I could make most any amp sound good. When you are in a situation where you need a lot more volume, the Nashville amps really strut their stuff.........JD |
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Joe Alterio
From:
Irvington, Indiana
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Posted 3 Jun 2005 5:44 am
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I might disagree with John....I think the majority will pick the older Peavey amps.
I have owned a Session 400, Nashville 400, Nashville 1000 and have used a friend's Session 500 for an extended period of time. The Session amps are the BEST. I believe the FETs they use give a great warmth to the overall sound.
Personally, I would not go without my '77 Session 400 (my Nashville amps are long gone). I have heard great Session 500 Mark IVs as well...but their 90 lbs of weight is enough to keep one of those anchors from being an option for me (my basement steps are a killer).
FWIW....on two recent trips to Nashville, I kept a mental tally on who was playing what. All but one steel player I saw played through Peavey....and it was really across the board as to what they were playing. Terry Wendt with a Session 500 Mark IV, Mike Sweeney with a Nashville 112, Eddie Lang with a Vegas 400, Rusty Rhodes with a Nashville 1000....come to think of it, I don't recall seeing anyone with a Session 400! 
Joe |
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Hook Moore
From:
South Charleston,West Virginia
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Posted 3 Jun 2005 5:48 am
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I have kept a late/mid 70s session since new. These amps get the job done in most any situation and are incredibly dependable. I will most likely keep this amp for backup for years to come. Today if I needed a new Peavey it would be a 112(or 2 of them).
Hook
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www.HookMoore.com
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Glenn Suchan
From:
Austin, Texas
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Posted 3 Jun 2005 5:55 am
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My mid 90's Nashville 400 has a significantly improved sound since I installed the Peavey circuit modification. However, the best Peavey amp I ever used was a mid 70's "Artist" with a 12" BW speaker. I played a 1970 Emmons S10 p/p through that amp and the sound is still my "benchmark". Sold it after I bought the N400. Wish I still had it.
Keep on pickin'!
Glenn[This message was edited by Glenn Suchan on 03 June 2005 at 06:57 AM.] |
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jim milewski
From:
stowe, vermont
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Posted 3 Jun 2005 6:04 am
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| my first steel amp was the Session 400 with two EVM 12's, and I'd love to have that back, I would encourage anyone who hasn't owned a Session 400 to buy one if they had the cash and was courious, I'd be surprised if they didn't just love it, I still have my Session 500 as well, but the weight gets to me |
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Bob Carlucci
From:
Candor, New York, USA
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Posted 3 Jun 2005 6:42 am
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I liked my Session 400, my Session 500 was better I think,,, thought my NV 112 was ok, but STILL don't see what all the hoopla is about, had a Vegas that was EASILY the WORST amp I ever owned..
BUT IMHO the best peavey steel amp By FAR I ever had was my battered old Deuce with 2x12 JBL D 120F speakers...
it was loud,bright and those 4 6L6 tubes warmed and sweetened the sound a LOT..I really liked that old amp and played it hard and long for years and years... bob[This message was edited by Bob Carlucci on 03 June 2005 at 07:45 AM.] |
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Gene Jones
From:
Oklahoma City, OK USA, (deceased)
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Posted 3 Jun 2005 7:11 am
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Session 500. I hated that it kept getting heavier while I kept getting older! 
www.genejones.com |
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Nicholas Dedring
From:
Beacon, New York, USA
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Posted 3 Jun 2005 7:22 am
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You can't really go wrong with a clean used 400 Peavey of any model... some better than others, and opinions vary, but for $300 to $400 you can get an amp that can sound good loud, quiet, and in between, and takes a beating without giving out.
I have a Session 400 Limited (reissue of the older original Session 400), I'm picking up another amp now, but basically to get some variety and to ensure that I have backup if something does go wrong at any point...
The N112 had not come out yet at that point when I bought mine, but even if it had, I would have made the same choice. Pay the same price (though the used amp is probably cheaper), and get your choice of a new amp with 80 watts and a 12" speaker, or used and a 15" speaker with 200+ watts... the weight difference (15 lbs?) isn't enough to get me to switch over at the moment. |
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Ron Sodos
From:
San Antonio, Texas USA
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Posted 3 Jun 2005 9:04 am
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| I own 2 session 400's and a Nashville 1000. I actually l;ike the tone on the 400's better than the 1000. But, if you are working a larger club the 1000 cannot be beat for power. Of course all the instruments go through the PA but the large sound really is nice. Also the circuitry on the 1000 is genius. You can plug your volume pedal directly into the loop before the amp section in the circuit and it eliminates any hum or noise. For a small club I still prefer the tone on the sessions 400. |
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Lefty
From:
Grayson, Ga.
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Posted 3 Jun 2005 9:22 am
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I am partial to the Session 500 as long as I don't have to move it. Many good tones to be had.
Lefty
Dekley D-10
Sho-Bud LDG
Peavey Session 500 |
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Darvin Willhoite
From:
Roxton, Tx. USA
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Posted 3 Jun 2005 10:14 am
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I have a Nash 112, an LTD 400, a Session 500, a couple of LA 400's, and a Session 400 (that is currently getting Brad Sarno's upgrades). Out of all these, I still think the Nashville 112 is the best for steel. The lower power doesn't bother me at all, if I ever need more, I'll either mic it, or use the direct out. After the upgrades, the Session 400 may have a comparable sound, but it will still be heavy.
I also have several other Peaveys that I consider as guitar amps, not steel amps. I think I currently have 25 Peavey guitars, and around 20 Peavey amps, someday I'm going to get all of them together and take pictures. When the stock market went KAPUT a few years ago I started investing in guitars, I have had a much better return on the few I've sold.
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Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording
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Jim Hinton
From:
Phoenix, Arizona, USA
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Posted 3 Jun 2005 10:31 am
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This message is directed toward Bob Carlucci, or anyone else that has a Vegas 400.
I bought a Vegas 400 in 1983, and still use it. I have never owned any of the Nashville series, but was of the understanding that they were all built around a similar design.
Is that a mis-conception on my part?
What was wrong with the Vegas 400? I have never used any other amp, but must admit that I've heard a Fender amp or two that caught my attention ... but that's off topic.
Do the rest of you hate Vegas 400's too? |
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Jerry Gleason
From:
Eugene, Oregon, USA
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Posted 3 Jun 2005 10:44 am
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I had a Vegas 400 for a while, and I liked it a lot. I added the Lemay mod, a JBL speaker, and some casters. It sounded great, and the two channel configuration made it very versatile for doubling on guitar and steel.
Before that, I had a Nashville 400, and it was ok, but the Vegas sounded much better.
If i were to buy a Peavey amp today for steel, I'd probably go for the 112.
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