No more Nashville 400s

NScotty · Post by **NScotty** » 3 Feb 2001 2:07 pm

I started trying to learn to play a PSG in March and still haven't got an amplifier. I've been using an old stereo to plug my MSA into. But the sound's not so great. I think I need the better sound to keep my interest up at this point. I've long heard the Nashville 400 is great and I'd just as soon not mess with a used amplifier because I don't know enough about them. So I went to the local dealer and he looks in the catalog and says they don't make the Nashville 400 anymore. So now what should I do? Anyone?

Moon in Alaska · Post by **Moon in Alaska** » 3 Feb 2001 3:07 pm

Ther are plenty of GOOD amps out there. The guys on here that are familar with the Peaveys maybe will get on here and tell you the latest. I use an Evans FET-500-LV and have for a long time.

------------------
<< Moon Mullin in Alaska >>
==Carter S-10==
<< Old Fender-400 >>
== Evans FET 500 Custom LV ==
Click HERE for Moon's Home Page

Aaron Schiff · Post by **Aaron Schiff** » 3 Feb 2001 4:01 pm

Speaking of NEW only, not used. The current standard from Peavey is the Nashville 1000. If you are just looking for a small practice amp, Mike Brown mentioned the Blazer 158 as pretty good in this category. On the Fender side the less expensive Hot Rod Series such as the Blues Jr. and the Hot Rod Deluxe have been recommended by many. If you have the big bucks then the '65 Reissue Fenders are it.

Steel tryin · Post by **Steel tryin** » 4 Feb 2001 11:11 am

Don't be afraid of a used Nashville 400.
There are countless Steel devotees that
can't stand not having the latest gadget
so most used 400's are indestructable.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 4 Feb 2001 12:53 pm

There are some good Nashville 400's around, and some probably relatively new. If you do settle on a used Nashville 400, make sure it either has the Peavey factory tone mod or the 'after market' Lemay tone mod in it.

Nashville 400's built after about mid 96, S/N 08575482 and higher, have the tone update incorporated in the production.

NScotty · Post by **NScotty** » 4 Feb 2001 4:58 pm

That's swell - thanks for the advice all. And for that tip on used Nashville 400's Jack. Ned

Chuck Martin · Post by **Chuck Martin** » 4 Feb 2001 9:31 pm

Jack, I respect your expertise and your past advice but have to disagree with you on this one. I don't think the Lemay mod or Peavey factory tone mod should be a prerequisite in buying a used 400. I recently purchased a 1995 400 in good condition and it sounds great! I may try a mod kit in the future but if you can get one at a good price, say around $300, in good condition then don't worry about the mod kit.

Chuck

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 5 Feb 2001 3:52 am

Chuck, if you hear one with the tone mod you will change your mind. I tried one at a steel guitar music store (it was a 95 model) and could not get the sound I wanted out of it. The 96 I have with the tone mod is almost a 100% improvement.

And, from my amp tech background this is what the amp should have been originally.

Consider this, if there wasn't any need to boost the lows would there have been any mods?

NScotty · Post by **NScotty** » 5 Feb 2001 11:32 am

Jack- is the Nashville 400 with the tone mod a good match for an MSA? The sounds coming out of my stereo sound subdued (if that's the right word) ---- it would be pleasant to hear a little brighter sound without buying a new guitar. And what do you think of the Session 400 which somebody recommended?

patrick donovan · Post by **patrick donovan** » 5 Feb 2001 11:39 am

I play my MSA D-10 Classic through a Peavey Nashville 400 and it's a SUPER combination!!

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 5 Feb 2001 12:02 pm

Nscotty, I personally like the Nashville 400 better than the Session 400. The Nashville 400 has the Parametric EQ, which I like.

But, there are lots of Session 400's out there and guys like them.

NScotty · Post by **NScotty** » 5 Feb 2001 1:00 pm

Thank you all. This is really helpful. NScotty

PLAYSTEEL9 · Post by **PLAYSTEEL9** » 5 Feb 2001 3:43 pm

just my 2cents worth, but i like the sound of the older 400's better then the newer ones.
the ones with the plastic corners don't sound as good to me, maybe it was just the amps i tryed, but i liked the steel cornered ones better.
wayne

------------------
Those that make music, pray twice.

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » 6 Feb 2001 6:55 am

The Nashville 400 has been an industry "standard" since the early '80's. However, many "weekend" and pro steelers have used the N'Vill4 400 since they were introduced in the early '80's and their tone has been nothing less than great! Tone mods are great if you think that "you" need one installed in your amp. It becomes a "buzz" word at a certain point. Yeah, products are improved specwise and soundwise, no doubt. But, the mod that we offer for our steel amps do have their limitations as do other kits. But, do the companies that offer these high priced kits consider this when they introduce their mod kits? Probably not because they don't have to explain to the consumer why their speaker failed. Therefore, they have no warranty responsibilities to the consumer who buys their kits. In other words you can't just allow a speaker to travel in and out at frequencies lower than what the cabinet and speaker is designed to help reproduce. The result will most likely be that the voice coil will "jump out of the gap".......therefore failing. In addition to limiting what the amp can reproduce, our patented DDT(distortion detection technique) also senses oncoming clipping signals and helps prevent failure of the speaker.

In defense of the Nashville 400, it was everything that it was supposed to be as far as design. In comparison, I think that if you ask folks if they like the voicing of a '50's hi fi system vs. what we have available today for reproduction, the majority will be overwhelming prefer what we have today. Products improve through research and developement.

We make every effort to offer the latest technology and have 110 engineers on hand to research manufacturing methods and materials so that we can offer the latest. I invite you to check out the Nashville 1000 at "www.peavey.com" and if you have questions, I can be reached toll free in the U.S. at 1-877-732-8391.

Rick Johnson · Post by **Rick Johnson** » 6 Feb 2001 4:52 pm

Mike,
Sure is good to know us steelers have
a "live" body at Peavey. My N/400 has never
had any mods done to it. It sings. I can't imagine doing anything to try and improve it.

Rick

------------------
Rick Johnson

Dave Smith · Post by **Dave Smith** » 7 Feb 2001 5:55 am

NScotty - Check the Buy and Sell. Bob Knight has a new Nashville 400 advertised at a very fair price. You can't go wrong with this amp.

Clarence Wilson · Post by **Clarence Wilson** » 7 Feb 2001 10:28 am

I own, and use three n/400 amps. One bought
new at the Marlin Store in later 70's. One
bought new at Sound Investments over in Md.
Another, I bought new a couple years ago, over in Md., also. The older pair have never given me a bit of trouble, except for scratchy controls, which a little cleaner takes care of. The still sound great.

The newer amp, with the 'factory mod', has never pleased me at all and the folks over at Sound Investments couldn't find, or fix,
my complaint. Even after it completely shut
down and I, in anger, loaded it into my truck and drove the 70 miles to have it fixed.

I have the Mod from Peavey and the first amp
to get the treatment is the new amp from Peavey. Maybe it will help, some. Let you know what comes of it Mike tried to help over the phone when I first brought it home.
We eliminated the speaker as the cause. It just sits here and looks pretty. It may be for sale cheap one of these days. I like the 400 amps and Peavey as a company and Mike as a friend, tho.

CEW

Grayson Joe · Post by **Grayson Joe** » 8 Feb 2001 6:22 am

Down threw the years i have used all the peavey-400 amps and the new 1000 amp. all are good steel amps.the best tone i ever had is what i,m useing now, which is two old LTD-400 amps, useing the george L TPP P/U with the effects of the old Lexicon LXP-1 and LXP-5, this combination is a perfect match in tone and sound for the pedal steel guitar.

------------------
Joe Grayson,Monticello ms