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Topic: What's the smallest amp you can use? |
L. A. Wunder
From:
Lombard, Illinois, USA
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Posted 17 Jul 2005 1:20 pm |
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I need some advice. What is the smallest amp you can resonably use for pedal steel? Due to physical limitaions, I need an amp that is as small and light as possible. My ability to accept potential future gigs depends on it. I've seen some pretty small amps, but I don't know if they would work for steel. Any help or advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
L.A. |
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Frank Verdone
From:
Schaumburg, Illinois, USA
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Posted 17 Jul 2005 1:58 pm
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| Check out Evans Custom Amplifiers they are Super |
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Roger Kelly
From:
Bristol,Tennessee
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Posted 17 Jul 2005 3:16 pm
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| Peavey Nashville 112 has been recognized here on the Steel Forum as one of the BEST SMALL amps with a BIG SOUND out on the market for Steel Guitar. It's hard to beat a PEAVEY! |
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Darvin Willhoite
From:
Roxton, Tx. USA
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Posted 17 Jul 2005 6:37 pm
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I have an Evans AE100 with an 8" speaker that sounds surprising good with a steel. I have used it on a couple of different occasions with a fairly loud band and it performed great.
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Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording
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Dave Grafe
From:
Hudson River Valley NY
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Posted 18 Jul 2005 11:06 am
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| I saw Eric W. the other night with just his NV112, it sounded really great and he was cutting through a failry loud band, too. |
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D Schubert
From:
Columbia, MO, USA
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Posted 18 Jul 2005 11:40 am
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| Have you looked at something like the POD device that would let you go direct into the PA without an amp? I don't have any firsthand experience with one, but could be an alternate answer to your question. |
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David Wren
From:
Placerville, California, USA
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Posted 18 Jul 2005 1:28 pm
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I have a Fender Delux 90 DSP (Digital sig. Proc.), 90 watts, and about 27 lbs, one 12" Celestion (Marshall amps)speaker. I bought it just for a practice, but now use it on all my small club gigs, and even some large venues as a monitor before being miced off. Lighter, smaller and cheaper than the PV 112, and a good sound. Can't say how they compare as I have never played though the PV 112 (my other car is a Session 500).
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Dave Wren
'95Carter S12-E9/B6,7X7; Session500; Hilton Pedal
www.ameechapman.com
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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 18 Jul 2005 1:44 pm
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Questions:
--ideally, what sort of sound are you looking for (classic country steel guitar? roots rock/country?)
--what sort of rooms are you playing (cafes? bars? VFW halls?)
--what sort of budget?
There are some good options including some outside-the-box solutions for lightweight rigs. But $$$ limits and wattage requirements will have a bearing on this. |
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L. A. Wunder
From:
Lombard, Illinois, USA
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Posted 19 Jul 2005 8:21 am
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Thanks for all your replies, a assure you they are appreciated.
John, in answer to your questions.
I am looking for a basic "country" sound, with a minimum of whine.
The venue would be the choir loft of a Catholic church.
Said loft it at the top of two flights of stairs, and I am a heart patient. So, while money is a consideration, the biggest consideration would be the weight.
I was wondering if any of the small amps that run on both battery & electric would be sufficient for such a use. Has anyone ever used such an amp? Do they work?
Again, I appreciate all your responses, and I'll check-out the amp sites you mentioned. If anyone can think of any other ideas, your suggestions will be welcome.
Thanks again,
L.A. |
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Jon Light
From:
Saugerties, NY
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Posted 19 Jul 2005 10:59 am
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OK--this isn't cheap but it's a question of just what it's worth to you. You simply won't find a lighter weight solution than an Acoustic Image head:
http://www.acousticimg.com/products/prod_clarus.html
and a Marrs cab:
http://www.duanemarrs.com/Products.0.html
loaded with a Neo speaker from Celestion or Eminence.
Instead of the Acoustic Image and its price point, I just recently bought something that is WAY inferior but is surprisingly usable--a Crate Powerblock head:
http://www.samedaymusic.com/product--CRACPB150
Just add reverb--E-H Holy Grail or a Boss RV-3 and you are in business with stuff that you can carry in one hand.
OTOH, I will second the recommendation--a Nash 112 would be a good choice and it is one piece. |
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Gary Stiles
From:
Tennessee, USA
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Posted 20 Jul 2005 9:56 am
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Another vote for the Nashville 112. I just picked up one used (4 motnhs old). IMHO very pewerful and easily portable with great tonal variety. What an amp!
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Gary Stiles |
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seldomfed
From:
Colorado
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Posted 20 Jul 2005 12:08 pm
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AER Compact 60 sounds good for E9, at low vol. and it weighs 13lbs. In a choir loft you won't need much vol. at all and prob. no reverb! You could prob. get by with a Roland MicroCube. 
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Chris Kennison
Colorado
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