A good amp for steel

Gary Shepherd · Post by **Gary Shepherd** » 8 May 2006 4:24 am

I'm looking for a good pedal steel amp. Kind of planning to get a Nashville 1000 but I thought I'd ask you guys what else you use. I know there's a Session 400 around here close that I might get cheap.

What others should I look at? I don't want to play another gig like the one this weekend. I used a little 60 watt amp and couldn't hear much of anything all night. What I could hear was too distorted.

And a Peavey Stereo Chorus 212 is on eBay now for around $400. How would that do?

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Gary Shepherd

Carter D-10

www.16tracks.com

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 8 May 2006 4:29 am

I have a Peavey Transfex Pro 212s
With a midi pedal it is a very programable
90w x 2 12 amp.
But damn heavy too.

John Parker · Post by **John Parker** » 8 May 2006 5:58 am

In my opinion you would be better off with the Session 400. I have a Session 400 and love the tone.

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John Parker
Zumsteel SD10 3x5
Peavey Session 400
Fender Steel King

Larry Strawn · Post by **Larry Strawn** » 8 May 2006 6:08 am

Gary,
Check the forum for sale section, last week there were several amps listed, about any of them would work fine.

edited to add, after my dealings with Forum members I would much rather buy from one of our members than E-bay.

Larry

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"Fessy" S/D 12, 8/6 Hilton Pedal, Sessions 400 Ltd. Home Grown E/F Rack
"ROCKIN COUNTRY"

[This message was edited by Larry Strawn on 08 May 2006 at 07:10 AM.]

Ben Jones · Post by **Ben Jones** » 8 May 2006 6:30 am

I am starting to think that every single thing on ebay is broken. least it seems that way. anything costing over 40$ is never "as described". on the few occasions Ive sold things I go out of my way to OVER-empahsize any dings or blemishes or problems no matter how cosmetic or superficial...extra pictures full disclosure etc. Some folks apparently have no idea what the terms "mint" or "like new" mean, that or they know perfectly well what they mean but dont mind lie-ing.

My ebay days are over.

edited to add: On the other hand some of my favorite items have come from ebay incluiding my main amplifier... I guess I am a hypocrite. maybe i just want to convince MYSELF my ebay days are over

[This message was edited by Ben Jones on 08 May 2006 at 07:34 AM.]

Rick Garrett · Post by **Rick Garrett** » 8 May 2006 6:41 am

You might want to take a listen and look at a Nashville 112 too. Lots of volume and great tone and about 40 pounds to carry.

Rick

Jim Eaton · Post by **Jim Eaton** » 8 May 2006 9:01 am

Nashville 112!
JE:-)>

Greg Cutshaw · Post by **Greg Cutshaw** » 8 May 2006 9:12 am

Forget the Peavey Chorus 212, it is voiced for guitar and will not sound too great on Steel Guitar, especially the low frequencies.

If you're using an external reverb, you can ignore differences in the amps' reverb. In that case I have gotten great results with the Fender Steel King, Webb 6-14-E and the Peavey Nashville 400 (with factory mod). At lower power levels the Nashville 112 has done well for me also. There are lots of good tube amps and rack setups also, so you need to get out and listen to more amps and try them out to see how they suit you. Not everyone is looking for the same sound and weight may or may not be an issue for you.

Greg[This message was edited by Greg Cutshaw on 08 May 2006 at 01:13 PM.]

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 8 May 2006 9:27 am

Fender Steel King

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Lee, from South Texas
Down On The Rio Grande

Mullen U-12, Excel 8-string Frypan, Evans FET-500, Fender Steel King

Clyde Lane · Post by **Clyde Lane** » 8 May 2006 9:59 am

I agree with Lee.
Clyde Lane

Gary Shepherd · Post by **Gary Shepherd** » 8 May 2006 12:11 pm

I have a Peavey 410 cabinet and a 6 space rack full of guitar FX. Maybe I should hook that stuff up and try it out again.

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Gary Shepherd

Carter D-10

www.16tracks.com

Larry Robbins · Post by **Larry Robbins** » 8 May 2006 1:29 pm

Gary,
you owe it to yourself to at least check out a steelking before you by anything.
Check out as many other different amps as you can as far as that goes.

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72 Professional 8&5,73 PRO II 8&4, 79/80 PRO III 8&4,Fender Steelking, Hilton pedal, USA Tele, Fender Twin,Peterson tuner,Tut Taylor Reso's and Twang to the Bone!!

[This message was edited by Larry Robbins on 08 May 2006 at 02:29 PM.]

Charles Davidson · Post by **Charles Davidson** » 8 May 2006 4:20 pm

Nashville 112.

Paddy Long · Post by **Paddy Long** » 8 May 2006 6:46 pm

About the only thing that comes close to my Peavey rack rig, is my Nashville 1000 -- you already have the best amp in your sights Gary !

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 8 May 2006 6:53 pm

Unfortunately, steel and regular guitar need very different things. Steel needs lots of clean headroom, many players use big solid state amps; most guitar players like tube tone with early breakup and crunch, jazz players being the exception. Guitar can sound great through 10s, but most steelers prefer one or more 15s - some find 12s acceptable.

There are two practical ways to play guitar and steel through a single amp: 1) use a tube amp with 100 watts or more, with a good clean channel for steel (you still may need to mic it in loud venues), and a separate dirty channel, preferably with a low power switch, for guitar; 2) use a big clean solid state steel amp, and one or more good tube emulator and overdrive stomp boxes for regular guitar. In either case 2x12 or 4x12 would be a good compromise for speakers.

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Student of the Steel: Zum uni, Fender tube amps, squareneck and roundneck resos, tenor sax, keyboards

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » 9 May 2006 8:35 am

Gary, if you need assistance I will be glad to help. It depends on your application, ie; big venues, loud band, low stage volume, etc..

I can be reached toll free at 1-877-732-8391, ext. 1180. With the information provided, a Nashville 1000 would work or two Nashville 112's.

Mike Brown
Peavey USA

Bill Fuentes · Post by **Bill Fuentes** » 9 May 2006 1:51 pm

I was curious about the (2) 212's comment.
I'm just a no account honky tonker with probably the loudest (or second loudest if you count Medtkers band) band around these parts, and thought a single 112 through a PA was more than enough for us thrashers. Are you boys trying to push deep stage volume? Just wondering, remember "Pedal Steel Challenged" over here

David Wren · Post by **David Wren** » 9 May 2006 2:53 pm

I just emailed bobbe for price on a new Peavey Nashville 112, and it's not much more than the used "stereo chorus" you mentioned.... however, this is an 80 watt amp (I already have two session 500's, so covered for BIG amps)... you may want to invest in more watts if the 60 watt wonder you last used was diapointing.... steel can use a heck of a lot of head room, by the time you run the signal through your VP. Best if you can "try out" some of these before committing.

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Dave Wren
'96 Carter S12-E9/B6,7X7; Twin Session 500s; Hilton Pedal; Black Box www.ameechapman.com

[This message was edited by David Wren on 09 May 2006 at 03:54 PM.]

Jim Peters · Post by **Jim Peters** » 9 May 2006 4:20 pm

If the NV112 isn't loud enough, look around for a used NV400. I love my 112. JP

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 9 May 2006 7:09 pm

Bill F., a 112 is fine if you can always mic through the PA. Some of the dives I play in don't mic the guitar amps, and they expect rock club volume. The big amps for steel are not necessarily about playing loud. They are about having plenty of clean headroom and sufficient sustain with the volume pedal.

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Student of the Steel: Zum uni, Fender tube amps, squareneck and roundneck resos, tenor sax, keyboards

Eric West · Post by **Eric West** » 9 May 2006 8:13 pm

I'm thinking of looking into some Marshalls.

They have some great looking specs etc on their hybrid 100-150w amps.

Probably for a second stage amp with a guitar in one channel.

EJL