I need a good SS amp! (But which...?)

Bill Llewellyn · From: San Jose, CA

Ok, steelers, I may be getting ready to buy a good steel amp. (Replacing my honky little Roland JC50.) The Peavey Session 400 (500?) seems to get a lot of attention. Isn't there also a Nashville 400? (Is my ignorance showing?)

Anyway, I did a search for "best amp" and "best amplifier" on Bar Chatter and only got one discussion -- on SS vs tube amps. I'm ok with solid state, so I'm now a-lookin' for the right one.

Also, when comparing guitar amplifiers, I see a lot of comments about warmth, tone, edge, sustain, bottom, and so on. Doesn't a lot of that have to do with the speaker (driver) itself and the cabinet, maybe even moreso than with the electronics?

Anyway, my price range for a good SS amp is about $400.

Fire away!

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Bill * MSA Classic U12 * email * homepage

Bob Tuttle · From: Republic, MO 65738

Bill,
You can't go wrong with the Nashville 400 (especially if it has the LeMay modification). You can often find them in the buy & Sell section in the $300 to $350 price range. I've used the Session 400, the Session 500 and now have two Nashville 400s. IMO I get a better sound out of the Nashville and they're somewhat smaller and lighter than the others.

Hope this helps.
Regards,
Bob

Dave Burton · From: Richland,Wa. USA

Bill, do yourself a favor and try a Nashville 1000. It will be over your budget but if in the future you play through one (if your like me ) you will want one.You might as well buy something you will use for a long time.JMHO GOOD LUCK Dave

Bill Llewellyn · From: San Jose, CA

Thanks for the replies, gentlemen.

One of the difficulties I have in picking among steel amps is actually finding live ones around so I can give them a "road test". They tend to be specialty items and hard to find, so I can't just walk into a local music shop with my MSA U12 (read: Sherman tank) slung over my back and give the amp a good workout.

I do know a few local steelers, and maybe they have the Nashville 400 or 1000 or the Evans, I'm not sure. I do know that I like a "tight", spectrally flat (uncolored) sound more akin to a high quality studio monitor with a solid state amp, moreso than I like the open-back cabinet sound.

The Nashville and Evans are solid state, yes?

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Bill * MSA Classic U12 * email * homepage

jerry wallace · From: Artesia , NM (deceased)

Bill,the Nashville 400,1000,2000 or any of the older "400" series are the most used ss amps for psg.Depending on what you want to spend the Evans,or Webb are also great ss but a little higher in price...

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Jerry Wallace-LegrandeII,D-10,8+6,Carter S-10DB,3+5,Nashville 1000,Webb 6-14e,tubefex,profexII, ARTESIA, NEW MEX

Bosse Engzell · From: ï¿½ppelbo, SWEDEN

Have you try a WEBB? I have one from-79 with 15" JBL. Work great with MSA D10. Good luck. Bosse

John Bresler R.I.P. · From: Thornton, Colorado

Bill:

I recommend getting on I-680 and driving to Antioch and try a Webb Amp. Jim may have some others on hand that he took in trade, too. I'd call ahead, tho. I think he's in the progress of closing the store, but continuing the Amp business.

Jerry Wright · From: Leeds,Al. US

How does 20 yrs of service on a amp before you have to spend $60 on it.
I am still playing on my Session 500 at home.
I got a Nashville 400 to replace it for the road.For the money and sound it has to be a Peavey.Timex has nothing on these amps.They
take a Licking & keep on Ticking!!

Randy Reimer · From: Ardrossan, AB

I've the session 400 (old) and a webb (old but new to me). Both wiegh as much as the MSA - or seem to.

Another decent amp for steel is the old fender twin reverb.

Ive also tried Yamaha (cant remember the model) with good results, and a lighter amp too.

Craig Allen · From: BEREA, KENTUCKY, USA

When I played a Tele, I played a Fender "Twin". I was the friend of a lot of techs, as I've probably spent enough money having those twins hot-rodded, to put their kids through college.
Now I play steel, full time, and up until now,I haven't found an amp better than the Peavey, for steel. I've had session
500s;Session 400s; and now I have a Nashville 400. And, I suspect that since my B'day is in November, I'll have a brand new 2000 in November.

Bill Llewellyn · From: San Jose, CA

A lot of the differences between amps, I think, is the frequency response. Guitar amps aren't usually flat, and the frequencies each emphasizes or de-emphasizes (the countour of the response spectrum) defines a lot of the particular character. The next most significant factor, I think, would be the non-linearities in the speaker and the electronics, which add subtle overtones or harmonics. Some of those can sound good, some bad.

As the frequency response issue goes, does anybody have experience trying to dial their amplifier into a great sound using a 10, 15, or even 31 band graphic equalizer? It seems to me much of the blandness of a flat amp or the unevenness of a highly colored amp could be overcome by proper equalization.

Or am I out to lunch?

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Bill * MSA Classic U12 * email * homepage

[This message was edited by Bill Llewellyn on 06 May 2000 at 10:19 AM.]

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

Of course you are out to lunch

Still think I'm not the worst player? We'll see.

I have tried eq's in the past (both graphic and parametric). I've used them with Twin Reverbs, Webb, and Peavey Session 400, 500 and Nashville 400. I never really thought they helped me that much and at times I found it harder to dial in a tone I really liked.

I think your best bet is to go with a Peavey Nashville 400, Session 400, or Session 500 (only if it comes with a roadie to lug it around for you. You'll never get it up those stairs in your house). This is based on your budget of $400. Used Webbs and Evans tend to go for more than that.

Of course, the way music is headed these days, a couple of Marshall stacks could be a possibility

.

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Carter D10 8p/10k
Richard Sinkler BS, www.sinkler.com

Don Walters · From: Saskatchewan Canada

At the Winnipeg Steel Guitar Jamboree in April, I took my Session 500 along with full intentions on selling/trading, etc. (it weighs over 80 pounds!)

In the Saturday morning seminar session, Al Brisco had 3 Carters, all with different pickups. For amps, we had 2 Nashville 400's, one with the LeMay Mod, my 500 (with LeMay mod), and the new Nashville 1000. We spent over an hour comparing all the combinations and the conclusion most of us came to was that my Session 500 was a reasonably close second to the 1000 (at that time in that location, etc. etc.).

I don't play out much so the weight isn't often a problem. Still, I've decided to remove the head into its own enclosure, and leave the speaker in the original box. I'm going to check again with Mike Brown to get Peavey's advice, but I don't see why it wouldn't work well.

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Don Walters
get "listed" at the World Wide Steel Guitarist Directory
www3.sk.sympatico.ca/waltd/
(aka On-Line Steel Guitarists of the World)

Rich Paton · From: Santa Maria, CA.,

Richard, what parametric EQ didn't work for you?
I would avoid graphic EQ's due to "Phase funnies" and their downstrean effects on tone.
I have used the Rane PE-15 5 band parametric eq, always with excellent results.
http://www.rane.com/studicat.htm#peq

Bill Llewellyn · From: San Jose, CA

Mr. Sinkler, you're in for it. I've just strung my guitar with Brillo wire, and we'll just see who's da baddest at the next jam.

I keep hearing about the LeMay mod for the Nashville 400. I visited a site of someone who does the modification, but it never described what the modification really is. What is it? A boost to the mids? More bass? Less "bite" in the 2kHz area?

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Bill * MSA Classic U12 * email * homepage

ChickenJoe · From: Blairsville, Pa. USA

Seems like Peavey is the choice. I agree. I have a very old Session 400. I play out every sat and sun. Not just country sounds either. The S400 covers it all. Blew it up a month ago. Had most of the transistors replaced. Peavey still had them. Total cost was $80. I keep it in an Anvil flight case. Well worth the investiment. I also tried various EQ's. Still play straight through. I see alot of Peavey psg amps posted on the web. Good luck in your search.

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

Rich... The parametric EQ I used was a Furman PQ-3. With combo amps, I just couldn't get good sounds. I had originally bought it to use in a rack system in the early 80's (it can also be used as a preamp) along with a Furman Reverb unit and a Peavey M-3000 Power amp into the 15"JBL in my dead Session 400. This setup was OK, But decided at the time to go for a Session 500.

With the quality of the steel amps over the last 15 or so years, I don't think external EQ is necessary.

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Carter D10 8p/10k
Richard Sinkler BS, www.sinkler.com

Mike Brown · From: Meridian, Mississippi USA

WOW! You guys have a lot of Peavey amps! I would like to start posting a photo of you and your arsenal of Peavey amps so that I can post it the Peavey website.

If you wish to send a photo of yourself and a short bio(name,city,length of playing time, and a brief statement about your experiences with Peavey), the webmaster and I will determine if the photo will duplicate for the website. Anyone interested?

You can e-mail me at "mikebrown@peavey.com". I'll send you a Peavey shirt if your photo is used. Thanks again.

Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

Well Mike, Peavey amps are good amps. I must confess, that in my rack I have 2 different setups depending on my mood. I use a Profex 2 into a QSC PLX1202 Power Amp or an Evans ESPA preamp with a Digitech Studio 200 effects into the QSC. I use 2 15" Black Widows. Again, it depends on my mood. For the best value for quality amps, you can't beat Peavey.

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Carter D10 8p/10k
Richard Sinkler BS, www.sinkler.com

Mike Brown · From: Meridian, Mississippi USA

Thank you, Richard.

Dave Burton · From: Richland,Wa. USA

Hey guys I have played through Peavey along time,Guitar and steel.I would have to say it depends on the room and what mood i'm in to what amp I like using.I,ve recently purchased a Nashville 1000 and love the tone I get.Thats after playing through a Session 500 for 15 years!Peavey has done it MHO with the 1000.Mike Brown How about a Special 130,Session 500,Bandit,And a Nashville 1000 do I qualify for a Tee-shirt?I don't buy clothes anymore. Ha Dave B.

WannDJ · From: Longmont, CO USA

Bill, Presummary: It's more than the amp!
Option 1 - Nashville 1000
Option 2 - Nashville 400
I'm not too far ahead of you only I can say I went down the road you're heading and maybe you can benefit from my pain.I had the same problem.. there was no where close to home I could test the amps... so I read up and finally bought an Evans FET 500 Custom. & while it sounded much cleaner than my old Fender Deluxe Reverb, it didn't seem to have any balls on the low-end & something was still wrong with the sound. I LUCKED into a Nashville 400, like new for $250.00. I got it home and wow, what a difference. MUCH BETTER than the Evans FET 500. But in conversations with others here, several love the Evans FET 500 (THEY CAN HAVE MINE FOR $400 + SHIPPING BY THE WAY) and I've recently found out why. It seems nearly everyone plays through a Peavey ProFex II, TubeFex or Transtube Fex. I recently bought the Transtube Fex. They do amazing things for the overall sound and several of the guy's have custom presets you can get from them to emulate the 65' Emmons, a Dobro, all kinds good stuff. If I would have bought the TTF prior to the Nashville 400 I may have been ok with the Evans. But knowing what I know now... If you're trying to stick with a tight budget. Find a used Nashville 400 and Profex II. You'll be happy!

Bob Metzger · From: Waltham (Boston), MA, USA

Well, now that you've found a way to get a good sound out of your Evans amp, I'll give you $250 for that Nashville 400 that you probably won't be using anymore.

Bob

Dennis Manuel · From: Quesnel, B.C., Canada

It seems like no matter what we steel guitarist have, we are never satisfied with our sound. That ultimate tone we hear in our heads is what we strive for, its a never ending quest. Recently, I bought a Webb amp and my search for that ultimate sound has ended, at least for now. I've tried them all and the Webb seems to be the only one that I have found that has a natural full rounded tone. It has tons of power and its clean without being compressed.
Also, a lot of effects manufacturers have programs claiming to have the sound of an Emmons guitar. Why not spend $500.00 more and buy an Emmons, instead of spending a $1000.00 on something that will try and make your guitar sound like an Emmons. Not trying to start a war simply stating my humble opinion.

[This message was edited by Dennis Manuel on 27 May 2000 at 12:45 PM.]

Fred Murphy · From: Indianapolis, In. USA

For instant gratification, go for the Evans. You don't have to do much to get a good tone. The new Peavey 1000 sounds good too, and it is also the best sounding amp that I have for lead guitar, and I have several of all brands and sizes. I have Mesa Boogie, Crate, Fenders of all kinds, and Peavey Classic delta blues, polytones and Yamahas. The Evans I don't like very well for my Telecasters and Stratocasters, but it is very good for fiddles and Gibsons. If I could only have one amp, it would have to be the new Peavey 1000. I also have the Session 400, the Session 500, and have had the Nashville 400 and the Webb. For Sho-Buds, I would buy the Webb. If I were only going to play steel, I would buy the Evans FET 500. It is pretty light, small and great tone. The Nashville 400 I like the least of any of them. They are also heavier than the Evans. Everyone has their own likes and dislikes, however, so the only way to know for sure is to try them on the job. That gets to be expensive though, as you can tell from what I own. I also have the new Session 2000 and it will sound good too, but it takes some work to program.

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