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Topic: Session 500 chip upgrade? |
Michael Douchette
From:
Gallatin, TN (deceased)
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 30 Sep 2011 11:17 am |
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The 500 is great the way it is.
Personally, the best steel guitar amp that Peavey built. I used one for 15 years until I went on a "weight reduction" campaign. |
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Bob Hamilton
From:
California Central Coast
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Posted 30 Sep 2011 12:24 pm 500 chip upgrade
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| Hi Mike, still using the seat I picked up from you on the tour in Monterey. I tried upgraded chips in my Session 500, and couldn't wait to put the old ones back in. I'm with Jack...BH |
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Michael Douchette
From:
Gallatin, TN (deceased)
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Posted 30 Sep 2011 12:54 pm
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I was just wondering. I hadn't used mine in years, loaned it to a church buddy a long time ago, he gave it back, and it didn't work. Took it to the Amp Doc in Mt. Juliet; he just called today, after three weeks and $175, he says it's as good as new. Said the speaker was shot, electronics were all filthy... I just wanted to have it working for the next time I work with a really loud, overbearing guitar player, I can remove HIS skull.
Been spoiled by my NV112; don't know how I'll feel about the 500 after I pick it up (or TRY to) next week...
_________________
Mikey D... H.S.P.
Music hath the charm to soothe a savage beast, but I'd try a 10mm first.
http://www.steelharp.com
http://www.thesessionplayers.com/douchette.html
(other things you can ask about here)
http://s117.photobucket.com/albums/o54/Steelharp/ |
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Michael Douchette
From:
Gallatin, TN (deceased)
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Benton Allen
From:
Muscle Shoals, Alabama, USA
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Posted 30 Sep 2011 3:45 pm
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Mike,
A few years ago, Peavey did offer a tone upgrade kit for the Session 500 that included some new chips, and capacitors for the tone circuit. I put one in mine, and it sounds great! It really smoothed the old boy out.
I weighed the amp after the mod was done, and found that the mod did nothing for the weight issue. 
Cheers!
Benton |
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Bob Hamilton
From:
California Central Coast
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Posted 30 Sep 2011 3:49 pm Cottonwood
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I'd love to Mikey, but I have a gig tomorrow night.
Let me know when you're going to be in the land of the fruits and nuts again and I'll stop by for a visit (and more stories). BH |
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Jim Bates
From:
Alvin, Texas, USA
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Posted 30 Sep 2011 7:37 pm
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Ken Fox has chip upgrades for the 500.
Thanx,
Jim |
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Kevin Mincke
From:
Farmington, MN (Twin Cities-South Metro) USA
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Posted 30 Sep 2011 7:47 pm
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I would like to do an upgrade on my 500 as well.....it does sound good but think it could be component updated.
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Ken Fox
From:
Nashville GA USA
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Posted 1 Oct 2011 5:09 am
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| I had not thought about it but will get a kit together with the latest chips and offer itonthe website. They seem to make anything they go in sound even better. |
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Michael Douchette
From:
Gallatin, TN (deceased)
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Ken Fox
From:
Nashville GA USA
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Posted 1 Oct 2011 5:47 am
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I will check my schematics, but I am pretty sure all the pre-amps were the same, so the chips should work.
Last edited by Ken Fox on 1 Oct 2011 6:29 am; edited 1 time in total |
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Ken Fox
From:
Nashville GA USA
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Posted 1 Oct 2011 6:09 am
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I am going to offer the mod for the smaller, one piece chassis. It will work in the older two piece, but it is a "mother" to get apart and I do not want to get involved with phone calls and emails on "how to get my amp out of the chassis". Such calls (and I get too many already) are cutting into our ability to serve customers needing repairs and new amps built. A line just has to be drawn somewhere. Over 1/2 my day is taken by calls, emails and drop in visitors now! I know folks mean well, but this is just a one man operation and time is something we are running out of every day.
The kit will include instructions for the one piece chassis only. 
I will have it on the website in a few minutes. |
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Kevin Mincke
From:
Farmington, MN (Twin Cities-South Metro) USA
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Posted 1 Oct 2011 6:26 am
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| The 500 head was "cut down" from a full size combo cabinet. Peavey never offered the Session 500 as a single head unit that I'm aware of. |
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Ken Fox
From:
Nashville GA USA
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Posted 1 Oct 2011 6:28 am
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It is a single chassis, not a two piece chassis. The two piece chassis is the heavier of the combos built. I am now aware of a head model either.
The website is updated for the new kits and additional kits (no shipping on additional kits, if one kit has already been purchased). |
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Michael Douchette
From:
Gallatin, TN (deceased)
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Michael Douchette
From:
Gallatin, TN (deceased)
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Ken Fox
From:
Nashville GA USA
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Ken Fox
From:
Nashville GA USA
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Posted 1 Oct 2011 7:55 am
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It is onthe page with the batteryless mods and DIY kits.
Thanks! |
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Michael Douchette
From:
Gallatin, TN (deceased)
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Ken Fox
From:
Nashville GA USA
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Posted 1 Oct 2011 8:12 am
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| The one on the picture above looks like one. Basically similar to a N-400 chassis, all one piece. The big S-500 has a massive heat sink, the power amp comes out from the rear and the peamp comes out from the front. A real pain to work on, way too many Molex connections that can cause issues in that model. Did I mention HEAVY? |
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Ken Fox
From:
Nashville GA USA
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Posted 1 Oct 2011 8:17 am
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http://www.elderly.com/vintage/items/130U-9640.htm
There you go, the big monster can be viewed at the link above.
Hurt my back twice on two of these and vowed never to work on or pick up another one!
There is one heavier amp, the Peavey Mace with 2-12 BW speakers. |
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Michael Douchette
From:
Gallatin, TN (deceased)
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Ken Fox
From:
Nashville GA USA
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Posted 1 Oct 2011 9:39 am
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It will work, same preamp. I just can't include a directions sheet showing how to get it apart. that would be up to the individual to figure out. The directions I send are for a single chassis amp:
Nashville 400/Vegas 400/Session 500
Chassis removal:
1- remove upper back panels
2- remove the wood screw that holds the power cord strap to the cabinet, kit applicable
3- Unplug the reverb tank at the chassis (Molex connector, white)
(you should also check the connector while it is out and re-tension the female Molex pins with a small screwdriver)
4- push speaker terminal release clips to release speaker wires from the Black Widow speaker
5- Remove four chassis screws from top of amp while simultaneously supporting amp from under the chassis
6- Slide the amp out through the rear of the cabinet
7- remove old chips and insert new chips, align notch in chip properly
note:
speaker positive (red terminal) is the yellow wire
speaker negative (black terminal) is the blue wire
caution, do not short these wires out with the amp on, you will cause severe damage to the output transistors! |
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Willis Vanderberg
From:
Petoskey Mi
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Posted 3 Oct 2011 8:38 am
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| I played my 68 p/p through a 500 at a steel jam a few years ago. I was the first one up and everyone insisted I leave the old girl set up so they could play through it. Best sounding amp I have ever owned. |
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It's not a separate head like pictured above. Does that make a difference?