Peavey amp for bass and lap steel?

Dave Sky · From: Columbus, Ohio, USA

I am learning bass and lap steel and want to buy a new amp for around $300.
I could buy two cheap amps, like a Behringer 15 watt bass amp and an Epiphone 8 inch speaker tube amp or get one amp to do bass and lap.

Would a Peavey keyboard amp (KB3) with 60 watts and a 12 inch speaker work for both?

I was thinking of a Roland Cube 60 amp, but many folks on the forum seem to like Peavey. Since many of you play bass and steel, I would appreciate your opinions on getting a Peavey keyboard amp.

Thanks,
Dave

Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

I sometimes use a 50-watt Ampeg BA-112 bass amp with a Pod 2.0 for both steel and a Fender Jaguar Baritone Guitar (basically same as a Fender Bass VI, and mine is set up as a 6-string bass). The BA-112 is $300 new from the usual mail-order sources or more like $200 for a used one, and a Pod 2.0 can be easily gotten used for about $100. Unless I really need to be loud and clean, this works very nicely in a lot of situations and is very versatile.

I do not like full open-back cabinets for bass or even baritone guitar. The BA-112 has a small port in the back, but is otherwise closed-back.

Peavey may also have a useful 50-60 watt bass amp that could be used with something like a Pod - but I can't imagine trying to play lap steel into either a clean keyboard or bass amp directly. YMMV.

I also don't think a 15-watt bass amp is of any real use except for very low-volume practicing at home - at least to me.

Craig Stenseth · From: Naperville, Illinois, USA

Hi Dave,
I'm currently playing gigs (on bass guitar, lap steel, and ukulele) through a small Behringer combo amp with a single 12" speaker http://www.behringer.com/BXL900A/index.cfm?lang=eng
I run thru a Digitech RP50 pedal, with effects on the uke and lap steel (a little reverb, etc.) and hit the 'bypass' function on the pedal for bass. I wouldn't recommend getting a bass amp much smaller than this (either in wattage or speaker size).

Jim Sliff · From: Lawndale California, USA

Keyboard amps are about the only thing you CAN use for both bass and steel, but be wary of cheap models - the speaker might not take the pounding of bass. For clean steel, they're OK, though, as they are eq'd for a pretty full range.

No matter how you look at it, it's still a compromise. This would have to be a low-volume rig.
_________________
No chops, but great tone
1930's/40's Rickenbacher/Rickenbacker 6&8 string lap steels
1921 Weissenborn Style 2; Hilo&Schireson hollownecks
Appalachian, Regal & Dobro squarenecks
1959 Fender 400 9+2 B6;1960's Fender 800 3+3+2; 1948 Fender Dual-8 Professional

Jerry Hayes · From: Virginia Beach, Va.

At one point my old Session 500 went out so while it was being repaired I used my (ex-wife's) Peavey TNT-130 bass amp which worked very well. I just used a small delay pedal and the amp and was very happy with the results. Most Peavey amps have a lot of versatility. I'm now using the same amp for a powered sub woofer with my sound system!.........JH in Va.
_________________
Don't matter who's in Austin (or anywhere else) Ralph Mooney is still the king!!!

Dave Sky · From: Columbus, Ohio, USA

Thanks everyone for the information.
Dave- I have thought about an Ampeg just didn't know how it would work with a lap. Thanks

Craig-Thanks for letting me know what size. I had no idea how much power to get. It seems that you and Dave like the 12 inch speaker.

Jim, thanks- I'll test one out with my bass. At what price range should I be looking? Maybe when I get rich, I can get two amps. I can start dreaming now.

Jerry- I have heard good things about the TNT amp. Are the Peavey keyboard amps as well made?

So maybe I should look for a bass amp once I get to the point that I can jam with others. Right now I just need something for practice.

Dave Mudgett · From: Central Pennsylvania and Gallatin, Tennessee

Dave - I specifically like that Ampeg straight in for bass, but with a modeler for steel and guitar. It sounds OK for steel and guitar straight in, but it's very clean, with no reverb, and it's a bit dry-sounding. With the modeler for steel and guitar, I really like it. The bass amp seems - to my ears - to hide some of the modeler's digital artifacts I notice when I plug it straight into the board.

Of course, this isn't a real loud bass amp. But if it's not a loud band, I can switch between steel, guitar, 6-string bass, and even b@njo.

Dave Sky · From: Columbus, Ohio, USA

Thanks Dave!

I decided due to price to go with a Fullerton Keyboard amp with a 12 inch Emminence speaker and tweeter and claiming to be 280 watts.

I just wanted something to practice on and thought I was getting a small amp. When the amp arrived it weighs 84 pounds.

This lets me run a bass, lap, ipod and electric drums at the same time for practice sessions with friends (4 channels). It sounds okay but I will get an ampeg when I know what I am doing.

Thanks for everyones ideas!

Oh yea, the Fullerton amp was $89 and shipping was $4.95!

Tom Campbell · From: Houston, Texas, USA

This past Sunday I played my lap steel in church. I used a Peavey Mark III Series bass head. It has two independent channels and lots of EQ sliders plus regular knob EQs. I played bass through the other channel. I was using a bottom with two, 10" speakers...worked great and had plenty of highs. Crystal clear!

Mike Brown · From: Meridian, Mississippi USA

From my testing experiences, a bass amp seems to appeal to me for steel moreso than a keyboard amp. I recommend that you check out either the Max 115 or Max 112 for a small steel amp. But, if you do this, why not purchase the Nashville 112 which was designed for steel applications? It would "fill the bill" much better.

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