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Topic: I need a Dedicated Steel amp |
Jeff Metz Jr.
From:
York, Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 17 Feb 2016 6:50 pm |
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I have been playing with a Fender Hot rod Deluxe 40 watt Tube amp for the past year. I like the sounds but I think I can do better. I tried 2 Nv400 amps in the past and Didn't care for either of them. They were both chrome cornered models.
I am considering trying a NV112. I can't afford a $1000.00 amp I wish I could.
I would love some suggestions. Thank you!
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Mullen G2 SD10 , Lil Izzy Buffer, Goodrich 120 volume pedal, Boss DD-7, Peterson Strobo flip, Peavey Nashville 112 |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 17 Feb 2016 6:56 pm
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You can usually find a Twin for 6 or 7.
A Session 400 is dynamite, often available for around 300ish (too cheap, IMO. Awesome amp).
Any Peavey with Session in the name is better IMO than anything with Nashville in the name
_________________
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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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 18 Feb 2016 2:36 am
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Jeff, you are not alone in the club. I recently had been using a HR Deluxe for medium sized rooms for both Steel and Guitar, they can easily get HARSH and bright and if your Steel happens to lean towards bright they can be hard to tame.
Years previous , like 30 or more...I used a Twin Reverb , always found it to be real close.
The Eminence speakers that come in the newer Fender amps , those Gold Label deals, I like them but they also tend to be shrill.
My take, The N400, for Steel alone, maybe grab one and dial it in, it sounds nothing like a HR Deluxe though.A N112 to me is problematic as well, the mids are really hard to contain with the stock speaker. I recently installed a Fender Gold Label Emmy in mine and will take it to the gig this weekend.
Some of us gravitate to that old Fender classic bright tone which we are not going to get from a N400 or N112.
The issue for me is I play double duty and if the amp is not right for the Telecaster then it's outta here !
I would like the N112 to work for me as it is the right size and power but if I can't be comfortable with the Telecaster then it comes home and sits around for a couple of years !
I don't want to carry my 67 Showman or a Hot Rod Deville ( 2x12) both of which I know will do more than I want but, I may . The HR Deluxe is just to dang bright with both of my Emmons Steels , even with an Emmy Cannabis Rex ( Hemp cone) Speaker which is supposed to warm up any amp.
I sold my Twin last year, maybe that was a mistake.
Lane is correct, the Twin will indeed give you what you want , put a pair of Jensens 12's in there and it will warm it up with a nice top end.
The other selfish thing I am dealing with is I want to load in and out in ONE trip on my cart. Sometimes I am thinking that is more important than the gear I actually use !  I do not want to make two trips so I am searching the world for a mid sized amp that I expect to sound like a Twin ! 
_________________
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders , Eastman Mandolin ,
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years
CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 18 Feb 2016 3:33 am
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Everyone has their take on the "ideal" steel amp.
You need to try one to see if you like them. Harry Hatterer, there in York, uses a NV112 with his ZB. I think the NV112, with the OPA2134 chip mod does well (much better than the stock chips in the preamp). A NV400 (with tone mod if its a newer model) is still a workhorse. |
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Tim Whitlock
From:
Colorado, USA
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Posted 18 Feb 2016 9:05 am
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| If you like the Fender sound, you would probably like a Twin Reverb. For clean, deep and sparkly sound they can't be beat. Silverfaces come up frequently for around $600 on CL. They do require some maintenance, but they were designed to be fixable, unlike many of today's throwaway amps. A sound back and knees are required for ownership if you play out. |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 18 Feb 2016 9:55 am
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Tony, it's not in Jeff's budget, but a mid-sized amp that sounds like a Twin is called the Milkman Half and Half.
_________________
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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Brett Lanier
From:
Madison, TN
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Garry Pugh
From:
Nashville Indiana
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Posted 18 Feb 2016 12:01 pm
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I have to agree with Jack, the Peavey amps are great but if you want an all tube amp try a Fender Bassman RI. I have one that I played on stage quite a bit. I liked it better than the Fender Twin I had at that time. It is 40 watts into 4 10" speakers. You can probably pick up a used one in the $700 neighborhood.
_________________
Emmons PP D10 8X5, GFI Ultra D10,both are setup up "Emmons" style. Quilter 202 Tone Block, Nashville 400, Milkman 85, Stewart PA200, BW and JBL speakers, Profex II
cell # 812-603-1612 |
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David Nugent
From:
Gum Spring, Va.
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Posted 18 Feb 2016 7:49 pm
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| As in most modern Fender amps, the weak link is normally their factory speakers. These speakers (normally Jensens or lower grade Eminence) are voiced and marketed to "shredders" and let's face it, once you engage the second overdrive option and your guitar begins to sound more like a bench grinder than a musical instrument, tonal quality is not exactly a priority. I used a HRD for a while and substituted a 1201-8 BW for the stock unit and it sounded quite good for steel. |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 19 Feb 2016 3:14 am
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| Lane Gray wrote: |
| Tony, it's not in Jeff's budget, but a mid-sized amp that sounds like a Twin is called the Milkman Half and Half. |
even a used mid 70's Twin reverb ? Thats what I was thinking..I recently sold my very clean 71, bone stock , for $950...
_________________
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders , Eastman Mandolin ,
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years
CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website |
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Bill Moore
From:
Manchester, Michigan
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Posted 19 Feb 2016 8:57 am
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| Jeff, you can't go wrong with a Nashville 400. Every steel player should own one. Even if it's not their primary amp. |
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 19 Feb 2016 9:39 am
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| Tony Prior wrote: |
| Lane Gray wrote: |
| Tony, it's not in Jeff's budget, but a mid-sized amp that sounds like a Twin is called the Milkman Half and Half. |
even a used mid 70's Twin reverb ? Thats what I was thinking..I recently sold my very clean 71, bone stock , for $950... |
I was talking about MID SIZED amps. If you call a Twin mid-sized, I don't want to pick up your big omes
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| I do not want to make two trips so I am searching the world for a mid sized amp that I expect to sound like a Twin ! Laughing |
This is the bit I was commenting on. A midsized amp that sounds like a Twin.
_________________
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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mike nolan
From:
Forest Hills, NY USA
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Posted 19 Feb 2016 10:40 am
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Jeff,
There are a couple of Nashville 112s for sale on the Forum. I am a tube amp guy and don't really love the 112, but I do own and use one. In certain situations, it is the right tool for the job. I changed out the reverb pan and the speaker in mine, and it is OK. I still fiddle with the mids a lot, and never quite get it... but it is very close to what I want.
I have a pile of old Fenders and a Milkman Mini... most of those are out of your price range for now.
If you buy a 112 from the Forum and don't like it, you will be able to get most, if not all, of your money back by reselling.
If you happen to be in NYC, let me know. You could stop by the studio and try out a few amps to see what direction you want to go.... |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 20 Feb 2016 2:44 am
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Well the N112 with a different speaker is a step in the right direction for me. I installed a Fender Emmi ( Gold Label) in the 112 and it changed the tone 180 degrees. Used it last night for both Steel and Telecaster in a fairly large room, not mic'd. Now it's a tad bright but workable. The mids were easier to dial in with the Fender Gold Label speaker unlike the stock speaker. I'm using it again next week .
For Steel only I prefer the speaker swap as well, I find the stock PV speaker in the N112 way too dark for me. I'm not certain if the Fender eminence speaker is the long term right thing but it's a step in the right direction.
_________________
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders , Eastman Mandolin ,
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years
CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website |
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chris ivey
From:
california (deceased)
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Posted 20 Feb 2016 7:57 pm
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i don't understand why everyone has such a problem with teles. my main buddy normally uses a n400, but i've heard him through a deluxe reverb and lately just a pv bandit.
he gets a fat snappy tele tone out of all of them cause he knows how to pick the strings.
you know that there are tone and volume controls on the guitar and the amps?
and half of the time he'll use a cv squier tele which
sounds incredible. |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 21 Feb 2016 2:31 am
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Chris easy to say or imply...
thats a pretty broad statement you just made...all guitar players, all strings/gauges, pickups, styles, all settings are not equal.
Who really cares if one player loves his Nashville 400 for guitar, I know plenty of people who do, and plenty who do not. The ones who do not, that does not make them less of a player or uninformed...maybe they just KNOW what they want to hear back from the amp, I know I do.
_________________
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders , Eastman Mandolin ,
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years
CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website |
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Kyle Everson
From:
Nashville, Tennessee
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Posted 21 Feb 2016 7:30 am
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Jeff, I think the HRD is a fine amp for steel. If you want a little more clean headroom, throw a black widow 1201-8 in there and you will be good to go. Lloyd Green has been known to record with this amp and a D-130F in an extension cabinet.
Any Fender amp will sound great with steel, in my opinion. A Deluxe Reverb will even work on a loud stage with a powerful speaker. I can't say enough good things about the BW 1201-8. I use them with almost every amp I own. Good luck with your search. |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 21 Feb 2016 8:25 am
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While I agree that the HRD can work for a small to medium gig, comparing it to L Green using in a studio session is not an accurate comparison. Pushing air on bandstand is way different than a controlled setting is a studio. I do like the HRD for a small gig setting , it is workable but for a larger room it will indeed break up.
I attempted for a good while to bring my 1st HRD up to a more headroom scenario, tubes, speakers , etc...Then I found the mod that worked...
HR Deville ! That solved the headroom problem overnight !
_________________
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders , Eastman Mandolin ,
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years
CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website |
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Jeff Metz Jr.
From:
York, Pennsylvania, USA
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Posted 21 Feb 2016 8:50 am
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Wow, Ive never had to push my HRD enough to make it overdrive. I am however, known to be a more quiet player. Lately its been earning me slack. I always figured I rather be the under heard guy , rather than the Bone crushingly loud guy. I think Im going to shoot for a NV112 when I get some money together, that or an older Session 400.
I think an black widow in the HRD would be a good combo. Time will tell. who knows what I will end up with.
Thanks everyone.
_________________
Mullen G2 SD10 , Lil Izzy Buffer, Goodrich 120 volume pedal, Boss DD-7, Peterson Strobo flip, Peavey Nashville 112 |
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Tony Glassman
From:
The Great Northwest
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Posted 21 Feb 2016 9:18 am
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I hated Peavey amps for years. I felt they were too-honky and did not care for their metallic reverb. Once the parametric mid EQ system was explained to me, I did a 180 degree flip & became a Peavey fan, but still used digital reverb/delay.
I played through both an N-400, and N-112 for years and was satisfied with both, but now use a Steelaire Rackmount w/ a single BW neo-mag 15. The reverb is better and it is very light rig (which has become increasingly important with age). |
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Luke Sullivan
From:
El Paso de Robles, CA, USA
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Posted 21 Feb 2016 11:48 am Speaker makes a big difference.
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My Hot Rod Deluxe needed work anyway. Couple hunnerd for tech to do Fromel mod, and installed hemp cone speaker. I'm grinnin'; no brittle highs, bass doesn't break up. Ditto on the Coupe Deville for headroom, but I'd think I'd rather have two single 12'' complimentary amps if in a larger room than my usual venue (cave).
_________________
Mullen PRP D10, accordions, Harmony Sovereign guitar. |
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Ben Waligoske
From:
Denver, CO
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Lane Gray
From:
Topeka, KS
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Posted 22 Feb 2016 4:43 am
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My recommendation: snag the Session. One of the best sounding factory steel amps. If you like the blues, the phase shifter is dynamite.
_________________
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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ROBERT MYERS
From:
HEDGESVILLE, W.VA. USA
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Posted 22 Feb 2016 5:35 am
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Jeff I have a early 90'S Nashville 400 that I bought new. I am 2 hours from you if you would like to bring your steel and check it out sometime. I'll let it go for 300.00
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Bob Myers Pedalmaster Classic 8 & 7 Profex2 Peavey M7000 Power Amp 2 15in speakers Nashville 400 Digitech RP 100 67 Fender Duo-sonic 69 Fender Mustang |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 23 Feb 2016 6:05 am
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| Jeff Metz Jr. wrote: |
Wow, Ive never had to push my HRD enough to make it overdrive. I am however, known to be a more quiet player. Lately its been earning me slack. I always figured I rather be the under heard guy , rather than the Bone crushingly loud guy. I think Im going to shoot for a NV112 when I get some money together, that or an older Session 400.
I think an black widow in the HRD would be a good combo. Time will tell. who knows what I will end up with.
Thanks everyone. |
I'm not bone crushing loud ,not even close, when you need to push air in a larger room , gymnasium size, not mic'd, it will break up on you, it's only a 40 watt amp under the best of conditions with a single 12. It's not about volume, it's about the amp being able to deliver clean with no breakup when required, thats not over driven, it's headroom. We cannot change the characteristics of a 40 watt designed amp. It is what it is by design. Changing speakers may give you a tad more but it may also change the tone/characteristics of the amp big time in a direction you may not like.
The N112 will out perform the HR Deluxe with clean gain all day long but it also a has very different tonal characteristics. You will lose the Fender old school brightness that comes with the HR Deluxe. I recently installed one of my Fender Eminence 12's ( the Gold Label speakers) in the N112 and it brought out some very good brightness, it's going in the right direction.
_________________
Emmons L-II , Fender Telecasters, B-Benders , Eastman Mandolin ,
Pro Tools 12 on WIN 7 !
jobless- but not homeless- now retired 9 years
CURRENT MUSIC TRACKS AT > https://tprior2241.wixsite.com/website |
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