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Topic: Peavey Session 400 circuit topology history |
Jim Pitman
From:
Waterbury Ctr. VT 05677 USA
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Posted 30 Oct 2019 2:53 pm |
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Can any of you help me distinguish between an early session 400 with discrete transistor circuitry vs a latter one with IC circuitry just by outward appearance?
I have a chance to buy one I can't take apart.
I'm thinking the cosmetics changed when the circuitry did. ie, the ones with the round aluminum knobs with black centers are the discrete and the ones with the later plastic knobs are of the later IC vintage. |
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Dennis Detweiler
From:
Solon, Iowa, US
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Posted 30 Oct 2019 3:21 pm
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I'm not sure about the knob theory to depict whether it's transistor or IC? I know that the Session 400 Limited is IC. If it's just a Session 400 or Session 400 LTD it should be transistor and of original circuitry. Brad Sarno may chime in. He will know the history. There should be a serial number plate on the back of the amp starting with a number and letter (4A-????), 5A-????) The first number is the year (1974, 1975). These will be the early years 70's and my preference for the 400's.
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1976 Birdseye U-12 MSA with Telonics 427 pickup, 1975 Birdseye U-12 MSA with Telonics X-12 pickup, Revelation preamp, Carbon Copy Delay and Hall Of Fame Reverb, Crown XLS 1002, 2- 15" Eminence Wheelhouse speakers, ShoBud Pedal, Effects Pedals. 1949 Epiphone D-8. |
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Jim Pitman
From:
Waterbury Ctr. VT 05677 USA
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Posted 30 Oct 2019 3:54 pm
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Yeh Dennis, the one I currently own is 8A so I presume is a 78. Thanks for that tidbit. It's discrete transistor.
Indeed Brad is the expert.
I love the cosmetics of this amp as well as the tone, power, and headroom. It get's my vote for equipping the most aesthetically pleasing knob.
Would you know if the "400 limited" is cosmetically different? |
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Rick Abbott
From:
Indiana, USA
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Posted 30 Oct 2019 4:35 pm
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I have a 9A (1979) with the more modern looking knobs. It's the discrete transistor circuit.
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RICK ABBOTT
Sho~Bud D-10 Professional #7962
Remington T-8, Sehy #112
1975 Peavey Pacer |
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Michael Hartz
From:
Decorah, Iowa, USA
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Posted 30 Oct 2019 6:28 pm
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| I have both, an aluminum knob older 400 and a later plastic colored knob 400. I did my own cap job on the older one but have the the circuit out of the newer one cause it needs a cap job as well. From what I can see the two circuit boards are pretty much identical with the older discrete transistors. I also had a Session 400 LTD in the 90’s when they first came out. Mine was in a monitor wedge cabinet but the standard cabinet had much thicker sides than the old original. These were completely different animals and I quickly sold mine because it sounded horrible. It had a real mid honky sound to it I could never get rid of, the worst amp I ever played thru. |
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Jim Pitman
From:
Waterbury Ctr. VT 05677 USA
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Posted 31 Oct 2019 12:36 am
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Michael, I never heard of that wedge. Good info Rick about the more modern knobs with transistor circuitry.
I'm going to rob my own thread here.
Does anyone know what the Black Widow 1503 model speaker is voiced for?
I see it's an 8 ohm speaker. Perhaps that's the differentiation. All others I've seen have been 4.
I've researched the Peavey site and scoured the rest of the internet with no success. |
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