| Author |
Topic: Amplifier |
Michael Phillips
From:
Ohio, USA
|
Posted 10 Mar 2012 5:47 pm |
|
Need some help on amplifier for steel guitar.
Local music store told me that I could use a
amp for a base or keyboard. Was wondering about the
Nashville 112. Have heard mixed reviews. |
|
|
 |
Dave Grafe
From:
Hudson River Valley NY
|
Posted 10 Mar 2012 6:37 pm
|
|
Lots of folks like the NV112, Michael, although it is somewhat under powered for loud stage use unless mic'ed. The suggestion of a good keyboard or bass amp is valid, provided the EQ is adequate and you have your own outboard effects unit(s).
High-powered solid state favorites include Peavey's NV400 and Session 500, the Randall Steel Man 500, and just about anything from Evans or Webb.
Popular tube amps for pedal steel include the Fender Twin Reverb/Showman Reverb and variants, the less-powerful Super Reverb and Bassman series, and numerous boutique offerings. I often play through a 2005 Blues Deluxe Reissue and an extension cabinet loaded with JBL K120 speakers for recording and small stages.
Due to the high output and complex waveform of the pedal steel and the desire of most players for a good clean tone the speakers you choose are as important as the amps driving them, both in terms of efficiency and clarity of tone.
There have been a number of very comprehensive threads here lately on this subject, if you take the time to look through them you will surely find out more than you ever thought there was to know! |
|
|
|
Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
|
Posted 11 Mar 2012 11:09 am
|
|
The best steel amp I ever had was a Peavey LTD 400 with a black widow speaker. Unfortunately it was stolen, and I never replaced it. I could never get a good guitar sound out of it, but it was great for steel.
After the theft, I used a Music man HD 212 (which I still have) which is not as good for steel, although it it's OK, but works well with guitars and other instruments.
I'm currently using a pair of ZT Club amps. (Full disclosure: I have an endorsement deal with them.)
http://www.ztamplifiers.com/products/club.html
These put out 200 watts, and weigh only 22 pounds. They work very well for steel, and with 400 watts, I have plenty of power. However they are designed to add a little crunch to the sound, and you have to set the controls to avoid that.
My rig is steel - Sarno Black Box - Telonics volume pedal - POD XT - amps. The black box adds the warmth of a tube, and I use the POD to shape the tone. (My default setting is the Marshall Plexi 100 amp with the four 10" speaker cabinet simulators, along with the tiniest bit of compression, and a little bit of stereo chorusing between the 2 amps.)
I don't know what the Peavey weighed, but the Music man is about 70 pounds. At 22 pounds each, the combined weight of both ZT amps and the black box and the pod is still less than the Music Man.
To quote Danny Glover in the lethal weapon films; "I'm getting too old for this (brown stuff.)" In my case the "brown stuff" is carrying around an amp that breaks my back every time I lift it.
_________________
Please visit my web site and Soundcloud page and listen to the music posted there.
http://www.mikeperlowin.com http://soundcloud.com/mike-perlowin |
|
|
|
Ransom Beers
|
Posted 11 Mar 2012 12:42 pm
|
|
| An older amp that is made for steel guitar is the Peavey Vegas 400 & I believe there is one for sale in the amps section of this forum.I have one or I would buy it myself.Albeit a bit heavy but a good amp nontheless. |
|
|
|
Tim Tyner
From:
Ayden, North Carolina U.S.A
|
Posted 12 Mar 2012 10:47 am
|
|
| Michael,I play traditional country on the weekends in mooselodge and VFW type facilities for senior and singles events.We do not mike the instruments playing directly off the stage.I use an Emmons Le Grande and a Peavey Nashville 112.I sold my heavy Nashville 400's 5 years ago and have never regretted it.I think you would really like this amp as I feel its one of the best things Peavey has ever done for the steel guitar players.I get great tone and on the few times we play outdoor festival type events we use a soundman anyway.Just my opinion. |
|
|
|
Sandro Rocco
From:
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
|
Posted 14 Mar 2012 6:35 am
|
|
| Anybody use a Roland Jazz Chorus amp with a steel and have good results? |
|
|
|
Mike Perlowin
From:
Los Angeles CA
|
|
|
|
Earnest Bovine
From:
Los Angeles CA USA
|
Posted 14 Mar 2012 8:25 am
|
|
| Sandro Rocco wrote: |
| Anybody use a Roland Jazz Chorus amp with a steel and have good results? |
I had bad results. |
|
|
|
Sandro Rocco
From:
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
|
Posted 14 Mar 2012 8:57 am
|
|
| Earnest Bovine wrote: |
| Sandro Rocco wrote: |
| Anybody use a Roland Jazz Chorus amp with a steel and have good results? |
I had bad results. |
How come? |
|
|
|
Earnest Bovine
From:
Los Angeles CA USA
|
Posted 14 Mar 2012 9:27 am
|
|
| Sandro Rocco wrote: |
| Earnest Bovine wrote: |
| Sandro Rocco wrote: |
| Anybody use a Roland Jazz Chorus amp with a steel and have good results? |
I had bad results. |
How come? |
I couldn't get a good sound. It was always thin & brittle sounding. |
|
|
|
Tom Wolverton
From:
Carpinteria, CA
|
Posted 14 Mar 2012 9:53 am
|
|
I encounter Roland JC 120's as backline amps from time to time. I'd rather eat rancid zombie meat than use one. I now keep a GK MB200 in my steel seat just in case.
_________________
To write with a broken pencil is pointless. |
|
|
|
