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Topic: Located a Peavey session 400 in PHX yesterday! |
David Weisenthal
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 29 Jul 2015 7:56 pm |
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I bought a nice old Session 400 off craigslist for $280 yesterday, based on so many of you guys thinking its a great steel amp. It seems in good shape-looks original. So far it seems great. Serial # places it from '76, so its pretty early. I see all the control setting advice on the forum - thanks guys!
How many of you with old Peaveys have actually put new electrolytics in? I count about 16 elec caps give or take. Since its pretty quiet right now I'll just use it for a while.
Take a look at the speaker - early black widow without label?
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Derby SD10, Peavey Session 400 |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 29 Jul 2015 10:27 pm
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Second generation Black Widow.
The first ones had a flat round magnet.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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David Weisenthal
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 30 Jul 2015 7:19 am
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good info, thanks Lane
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Derby SD10, Peavey Session 400 |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 30 Jul 2015 7:27 am
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If it's quiet, I'd just play it.
In my opinion, this is the best sounding Peavey ever.
A close second to the Twin.
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2 pedal steels, a lapStrat, and an 8-string Dobro (and 3 ukes)
More amps than guitars, and not many effects |
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Lee Dassow
From:
Jefferson, Georgia USA
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Posted 30 Jul 2015 2:33 pm
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You cant go wrong with that one David. I like The old s/// myself. It stands the test of time. Good luck with the amp. Tenn.Lee
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2015 Mullen D-10 Royal Precision 9x8,-1990 BMI S-10 5x5-1972 Silver face Fender pro Reverb amp,-1965 Fender Super Reverb Amp,- 1966 Fender Showman Amp Two 15" JBL speakers,- 2006 65 Fender Twin Reverb reissue Amp,- 1982 Peavey Session 500 amp,-1978 Peavey Session 400,Goodrich Volume Pedals,John Pearse Steel Bars, |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 30 Jul 2015 5:06 pm
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or even later bw. mine are older with a dome shaped magnet. of course the first ones were flat with spider web. newer speakers are better.
sounds like a good amp to just use. good deal! |
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John Limbach
From:
Billings, Montana, USA
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Posted 31 Jul 2015 5:06 am Re: Located a Peavey session 400 in PHX yesterday!
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| David Weisenthal wrote: |
How many of you with old Peaveys have actually put new electrolytics in? I count about 16 elec caps give or take. |
If you mess with old amps much, a good ESR meter is an inexpensive investment. It will allow you to check the elec caps in the circuit (power off) and tell you the value and condition. I mostly use it to decide whether or not to replace smaller electrolytics like bypass and decoupling caps, etc. I'm afraid I'm incurably old school in the power supply and feel that any elec cap over 30-40 years old needs to be replaced on general principles. But that's just me. |
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David Weisenthal
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 31 Jul 2015 6:34 am
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Hi guys. Yes Lee, the old stuff is fun to use. I love the smell of hot old tube radios and amps, but went with the transistor peavey cause so many people here love it. I took it apart to inspect- and that meter sounds interesting john, I'll read about it. Yes I think I will change those big pwr sply caps at least.
Have you seen this article online...this guy did a real study of the session 400, and Ltd
http://home.earthlink.net/~bradsarno/session_400page.html
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Derby SD10, Peavey Session 400 |
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Tommy Detamore
From:
Floresville, Texas
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Posted 31 Jul 2015 7:20 am
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I have a similar story. A couple months ago I bought a first-year Session 400 off Craigist for $275.00. It was quite dirty but it cleaned up great. It had a slight hum so I figured it needed recapping. So for fun I went all the way and had my tech do all of Brad's suggested upgrades.
The amp sounds really great now and is quiet as a mouse. And it should be good for another 40 years (unlike me  )These amps are real bargains and I would agree with Lane in that sonically they are the best steel amps Peavey made.
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Tommy Detamore
Quilter Labs, Goodrich Sound, Source Audio, Neunaber Audio, and Stringjoy Authorized Dealer
www.cherryridgestudio.com
www.steelguitartracksonline.com |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 31 Jul 2015 7:27 am
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| respectfully, if you bought the amp to use, i would play it for awhile . it may work fine. i never understood the trend i see here often to change things unless there is a need. |
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Peter Freiberger
From:
California, USA
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Posted 31 Jul 2015 9:14 am
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"If it ain't broke, don't fix it" is always good advice. If you feel like it's noisy or the caps may be suspect Brad Sarno's mods work very well. I've done two Session 400's with great results. If yours is a Session 400 Limited I'm not sure how they'd apply.
http://home.earthlink.net/~bradsarno/session_400page.html |
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James Taylor
From:
United Kingdom
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Posted 31 Jul 2015 11:21 am
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| I go with Lane , Chris and Peter on this as it is good advice. JAMES TAYLOR |
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David Weisenthal
From:
Arizona, USA
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Posted 31 Jul 2015 2:48 pm
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The electronics nerd in me wants to "work" on it, the budding steel player wants to play through it -- tough choice. Good thing its the weekend!
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Derby SD10, Peavey Session 400 |
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