Question for Michael Johnstone on NV1000

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 3 Dec 2002 11:43 pm

i wish Mike Brown would chime in on this one[This message was edited by CrowBear Schmitt on 04 December 2002 at 02:57 AM.]

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 3 Dec 2002 11:45 pm

yep !
there's a NS1000 on ebay at 350$ round now !
"reserve not met"
search "Steel Guitar"[This message was edited by CrowBear Schmitt on 03 December 2002 at 11:46 PM.][This message was edited by CrowBear Schmitt on 04 December 2002 at 02:58 AM.]

Ole Dantoft · Post by **Ole Dantoft** » 4 Dec 2002 11:46 am

Heiko,
There ARE amps (Peavey Sess./Nash. 400)available every second year or so, usually at at a price of 1200-1400$ and I'm NOT paying that for a 30 year old solid-state amp !

As for "Country Circle Magazine" I don't know it. The last thing I can recall of a music-related magazine is that I got burned by the "Steel Guitar World Magazine" and I haven't considered subscribing to anything since then !

CrowBear,
I think I have a rather good idea as to why Mike Brown hasn't chimed in yet !

Ole

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 4 Dec 2002 12:20 pm

Ole, please tell me why ?
i sent him him this thread along w: a solo email and have gotten no reply

i'm sure it's steel a deal to get a Nash 1000 from bobbeeee or whoever in the good ol' get it back home and deal w: 220vs after.

------------------
Steel what?

steve takacs · Post by **steve takacs** » 4 Dec 2002 8:12 pm

Ole,
If you have not yet put an want add on the Buy and Sell section of The Steel Forum, you might try it. A Nashville, Reno, LTD, or Session may just turn up in Europe. Good luck, Steve

Ole Dantoft · Post by **Ole Dantoft** » 5 Dec 2002 8:10 am

Crowbear,
This subject has been brought up before, and Mike knows that the fact that Peavey has deliberately chosen to abandon the European market (when it comes to steel-amps) is a really sensitive subject to us over here.

If he has followed this thread, he also knows that I've been told a downright lie directly to my face by one of his colleagues - a lie that kept my from bying a Peavey amp right there - so it's very understandable that he doesn't wan't to enter. I probably wouldn't have done that either.

Steve,
To me, buying an amp without trying it out first is a last resort - I'll only go there when panic sets in - but thanks for suggesting it anyway !

Ole

Bob Hoffnar · Post by **Bob Hoffnar** » 5 Dec 2002 10:22 am

Ole,
Let me clarify that I am the one that said that the idea that you need a Peavey amp in order to play steel is ridiculous.

I play pedalsteel for a living and have somehow managed to play without a Peavey Nashville whatever or any sort of designated "steel amp" for about 10 years now. As a matter of fact about half of the working players I know do not use Peavey gear. They make fantastic gear but for chisakes its just an amp. One trend among working road players if they are not into Fender twins is to use bass amps over in Europe. Just bring a stomp box reverb and you are all set.

You guys in Europe have some great amp companies that make perfectly suitable gear for steel. I use all sorts of amps and although I have my preferences when it comes down to doing the gig or not it doesn't make much difference.

I just did a gig last week with arguably the most hideous sounding amp ever made.
The Roland JC120! I plugged my Emmons in and cranked her up and my tone was fine. A couple nights earlier I didn't feel like hauling my amp into some club with stairs so I plugged into some keyboard amp that was already on stage. No problem.

I'm a real geek when it comes to amps. I have it down to my prefered plate volatge and combinations of tubes and there relationship with different sorts of speakers. I am way into it and spend all sorts of money and time working on that stuff. I live and work in amp heaven with the studios in NYC. (I also have a little collection of amps that includes Charleton's old Standell.) I'll tell you straight, the idea that you need some consumer production amp that says its for steel players is freakin goofy.

Bob[This message was edited by Bob Hoffnar on 05 December 2002 at 10:25 AM.]

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » 5 Dec 2002 3:05 pm

A few Forumites did bring this post to my attention, and I appreciate it. It's good to know that steelers are concerned. I have "held back" on responding to posts such as this, until I had my facts straight, and only then would I respond.

I have been aware that some steelers have purchased the Nashville 1000 and transported them to overseas locations. I rarely hear from them concerning problems with these amps. The fact is that they will operate on 50Hz. without a problem, however this will result in less capacitance and slightly lower output power.

It would not be a big problem to convert one of these amps for export operation...............we've been doing this for years with the DPC power amp series. However, additional parts would be needed to improve the shielding of the digital section of the amp. And this adds to the complexity of the amp. This is not to say that the existing domestic(120 volt) Nashville 1000 is insufficiently shielded as the amp has to pass CSA and UL standards here in North America.

As I have posted numerous times before on this subject, ie; the expenses are greater than the return concerning export steel guitar amplifiers. Is there any player that would like to work 2 years with no pay? Well, this is basically what we have to do, ie; sell hundreds of amps to recoup tariff and safety certification costs. On one export product alone, these certifications can range from $15,000.00 to $20,000.00! Let's face it, we as steelers are a small group and as far as I can tell, most of this group lives in the U.S.. However, I could be wrong. If someone can tell me differently, I would be interested. Can the overseas steel clubs and music dealers provide this info? Before anyone spends their money on a car, they want to know what they get for their efforts(money). Our past experience has not been favorable in this area. I guess that is why no other American company has offered such an amplifier.

I have attempted to determine the approximate number of steel guitarists outside the U.S., but I don't know how to accomplish this. This is the type of information that we need in order to justify a product for the export market.

Believe me, if we had the support and data that would back us up on a project such as this, we would be in a better position to make a decision on this situation. Hartley Peavey is and has been committed to the steel guitar community since the early '70's when Curly Chalker and Julian Thorpe visited the single building Peavey factory about the design of a steel amp.

If step down transformers are working for players in export markets, then this would be the way to go. However, keep in mind that our warranty is extended to customers in the U.S. and Canada. We have also been made aware that this amp works in a 100 volt situations with the proper step down transformer. I am not encouraging that you purchase this amp and ship it to other countries for use, but I am just presenting you with the dilemma that we face in the amplifier business. You know, price vs. weight vs. bang for the buck.

I am open for comments and welcome your suggestions. My e-mail address is mikebrown@peavey.com or I can be reached toll free in the U.S. at 1-877-732-8391. Let's work on this for a solution.

Mike Brown
Peavey Electronics Corporation

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 5 Dec 2002 3:13 pm

Thanks Mike, i really appreciate the reply.

Roger Kelly · Post by **Roger Kelly** » 5 Dec 2002 6:30 pm

For what it's worth, I shipped Heiko Aehle, who lives in Germany, a brand new Peavey Nashville 1000 and included a 220 volt to 115 volt power convertor,(see pic in above post) which I bought for him, here in Tennessee. I used the origional Peavey Shipping carton, which by the way, conforms to the US Postal Regulations for overseas shipments. It cost around $75.00 to ship it to Germany. So by the time Heiko got his Nashville 1000 and Power Converter, he had about $750.00 or so invested, including the shipping cost. The Nashville 1000 and converter arrived in good condition and Heiko uses it a lot, he tells me. I cannot see why anyone in Europe, who wants an Amplifier, couldn't do the same, if you have someone over here who will make the buying and shipping arrangements for you. Heiko and I used Pay Pal to transfer the funds necessary to make the purchase and pay for the shipping.
I'm giving you first hand information on how it can be done. You don't need to be concerned about whether a Converter or Stepdown Transformer will work with the Peavey 1000, I'm here to tell you, as several others have on here, it will! The fact that Europe is on 50 HTZ is no problem either.
I would be glad to assist any Steel Player in Europe, to obtain an Ampilifier, if at all possible.

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 6 Dec 2002 11:55 am

Moved to 'Electronics' section of the Forum.

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 6 Dec 2002 12:30 pm

I'd still like to know why they don't use grounded circuits overseas?

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 7 Dec 2002 2:13 am

Jim which circuit are you askin' about ?
the step down transformer ?
Grounding is compulsory on electric installations here in France as well i'm sure most civilized European countries.

Joey Ace · Post by **Joey Ace** » 7 Dec 2002 5:48 am

Thanks for the reply, Mike.
I really respect companies that tell it like it is, even if it's not good news.

Too often other manufactures just "keep quiet" and the result is worse rumors.

It's interesting to note that many US players have recently been using a European amp, the AER. I guess the numbers are in favor of importing to the US.

Ole Dantoft · Post by **Ole Dantoft** » 7 Dec 2002 6:19 am

Bob Hoffnar,
Surely you're right about the fact that one doesn't need a Peavey amp to play steel, that's obvious, but to me a big part of the typical steel-sound IS that big BW-speaker - that's just how I'd like to hear my sound on stage and I'm pretty sure that the band leader who has hired me - and who is willing to pay me money to do a gig that's rather important to him - expects me to sound like the steel player he has on his records. That steel player happens to be Hal Rugg on some of the tunes and I intend to do my very, very best to deliver just that ! I've got a handfull of guitar-amps around that i COULD use, but they don't sound right TO ME and therefore I'm trying to find something that DOES sound right and a Nashville 400 just happens to be one of those amps !
If you can get a good steel-sound of a Roland JC120, I have the utmost respect for you (I have a lot of respect for ANY working steeler, don't get me wrong !) because I've tried one of those, and it sounded .... well not too good, let's leave it at that !

Mike Brown,
I'd like to thank you also for chiming in and telling it like it is ! In all fairness, the Peavey-guy I spoke to at the convention last year explained about the costs of getting the European approvals as well, and I know that's a large expense, but had he just told me, that I COULD run the NV1000 with a stepdown transformer, I'd have bought one right there, but instead he specifically told me that it wouldn't work - and that has left me a bit frustrated now !

Heiko Aehle,
Can you confirm the price that's been mentioned ? I don't know the German import regulations, but here in Denmark, I'd have to pay at least 30% extra in taxes and VAT on an item like this !

Ole
[This message was edited by Ole Dantoft on 07 December 2002 at 06:20 AM.]

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 7 Dec 2002 6:26 am

Crowbear, my question arose from looking at Roger Kelly's pictures. Those transformers only have two prongs instead of the standard three for US outlets.

CrowBear Schmitt · Post by **CrowBear Schmitt** » 7 Dec 2002 7:11 am

Jim, certain appliances have a classification that dont require grounding.
in the case of an amp + Guitar, i would make sure the rig is grounded, i guess that means hookin'a ground wire from the rig to the mains.[This message was edited by CrowBear Schmitt on 07 December 2002 at 07:15 PM.]

Roger Kelly · Post by **Roger Kelly** » 7 Dec 2002 7:13 am

Jim...The Power Converter you see is not a Transformer. It is, I believe, a voltage divider circuit, using Diodes, SCR's, and resistors to accomplish the voltage drop from 220 to 110 volts. This package comes with several wall socket adapters, to allow you to access the many different wall socket combinations you find in Europe.
You can plug Hair dryers, Coffee Pots and even Peavey Amps into it. If anyone is concerned about the fact that the U S socket on the Converter is a 2 wire system, then they should not use this particular product. I have used many Amps in my lifetime, before the electrical Code was changed, that only had a 2 wire plug, as have many others here. So, if you don't feel comfortable using a 2 wire system or a 3 wire to 2 wire adapter....don't use it.

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » 9 Dec 2002 2:49 pm

Ole, I'll relay that message to those Peavey employees that were manning the booth. I appreciate the fact that you allowed me to respond to the comments about Peavey Electronics "not" supporting the overseas communities with Peavey steel amps. Believe me, we know that there is a market overseas for Peavey products as we have been exporting our products to over 150 countries for many years. But when it comes down to individual specialty products, it depends on whether a return can be made on the product in question.

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 9 Dec 2002 2:57 pm

we have been exporting our products to over 150 countries for many years.

Mike, could you list those countries?

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » 10 Dec 2002 8:23 am

Joey, as with any product, there are limitations. But, common sense has to be used as well when making decisions in marketing/manufacturing as well. I don't know this for fact, but I would guess that our import tariffs(if any) are a bit relaxed or non existant on imported products to the U.S.. Maybe someone else might know this?

Ole, I personally wouldn't advise a customer on the use of a step down transformer even though I might "know" that there wouldn't be problems. The reason being is because the product is not safety certified for use in those export countries and unforseen problems are possible(but not probable) under those voltage export conditions. As I stated earlier in this thread, we have to ensure that the advice that we provide to a customer is correct and since we haven't gone through proper channels for export certification, its best for us to "not" suggest anything at all, even though that it may mean a loss of a sale, even though in the back of our minds, it would work. My apologies.

Heiko Aehle · Post by **Heiko Aehle** » 10 Dec 2002 10:47 am

Ole, I don't had to pay any customs or so, the amp came with UPS and the package was registrated as "used amp". So they didn't want anything. Mike, maybe is it the better way sending such amps to private persons here in europe as to big shops, you can't find a steel guitar in real big shops here so they never would import steel amps. If you would test each amp for only one hour so the amp goes to europe as used ones and you can hold down all the prices for customs,taxes ect. I am willing to deal with you, many steel players here would be happy playing with the 1000.

Ole Dantoft · Post by **Ole Dantoft** » 10 Dec 2002 11:00 am

Mike,
Thanks for responding to this thread ! I'm fully aware of the problems with the various certifications and the ridiculous prices that are charged when issuing them here in Europe and I fully understand that it has to be profitable for you to sell your products over here - that's market mechanisms at work, plain and simple ! To me it's a good thing that you just tell it like it is !

What upset me initially, was that I'd been given a very specific, technical reason why a NV1000 would NOT work over here and then all of a sudden a guy says that he has just returned from a tour of Europe with a NV1000 that he had modified in the exact same way I was intending to modify it !!

If the guy at the Peavey-booth had just said "I don't know anything about that specific question", it would have been straight talk and I'd have asked somebody else ! Had he said "It'll work, but if you do this, it'll be at your own risk" I'd have bought it and I'd probably have been a happy NV1000 owner by now I'm sure.

Instead he choose to tell me something that apparantly wasn't true, and that's what bothers me, but that's life sometimes !

Thanks for taking the time to respond !

Ole