Peavy Amps for Steel

Carter York · Post by **Carter York** » 27 Feb 2002 8:13 am

Hey y'all,

I have seen some posts about amps specifically made for steel guitars, and before I started playing steel guitar, I picked up a Peavy Classic 50 with 2 12's...

What differences would there be between that and a specific steel guitar amp? I like the sounds I get out of it, which is most important, but I'm curious....

Thanks,

Carter

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 27 Feb 2002 12:05 pm

I use a pair of Nashville 400s and am about to put Peavey's mod in them so then they should be even better!

Uff-Da!

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 27 Feb 2002 12:33 pm

Carter, I am certain Mike from Peavey will respond but the Peavey amps were designed with high clean power output over the full range and are clean and loud with the 15" BW speakers giving excellent bottom end response. I too have used some "Normal" Peavey amps with 2-12's and they fell short at high volume on the bottom end. I am not sure of the power rating of the Peavey 50 but for example the Nashville 400 is 200 watts , maybe 210. The Nashville 1000 is 300 Watts , very loud and clean.
TP

Bill Terry · Post by **Bill Terry** » 27 Feb 2002 2:18 pm

The Classic is a hybrid, two channel (switchable) SS preamp, 2x6L6 tube power amp... I think they are around 45W RMS.

I stand corrected, (see below) the Classic I described was the original (70's?) 212 Classic. I see that the Classic 50 is something different...my mistake..
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[This message was edited by Bill Terry on 27 February 2002 at 03:13 PM.][This message was edited by Bill Terry on 28 February 2002 at 07:43 AM.]

Earl Foote · Post by **Earl Foote** » 27 Feb 2002 4:45 pm

Actually the Classic 50 is all tube (3)12AX7 & (4) EL84 50 watt. I used to have the head and 410 cabinet. It was a GREAT guitar amp. I never seriously tried it with steel, although I bet it would make a good lap steel amp. I think some of the session guys use them for guitar. I got rid of it and got something more compact.

Earl

Randy Pettit · Post by **Randy Pettit** » 27 Feb 2002 6:57 pm

FWIW Carter, I have a Nash 1000 that I play out with, and a Peavey Classic 30 that I keep at home. I really like the sound of my steel through the Classic 30 (12-inch speaker, EL84 power tubes), very warm and surprisingly smooth. It also packs a LOUD punch for a small amp.

Chuck Norris · Post by **Chuck Norris** » 27 Feb 2002 8:57 pm

Carter, around Dallas for the most part steel players use solid state, but as ive learned nationally there is a fairly large market for tube amps great player`s like Herbie Wallace uses tubes[Tube Work`s], I believe the amp you have was actually a favorite of either Curly Chalker or Loyd Green, hopefully Mike can clear that one up. But steel amps like the 1000 are designed to take the low end beating of the C-6th and those high harmonic`s of the crying steel, and more importantly the area of mid-range that a steel project`s. But the bottom line is your ear`s, your style and taste,get your sound,if that amp kick`s for you then I would`nt change a thing.
Chuck Norris NFM

Carter York · Post by **Carter York** » 27 Feb 2002 9:26 pm

Thanks for all the replies, at this point I only play a lap steel, which is probably why I like it's sound so much.....

What is the rationale for a (I assume) pedal steel player to prefer solid state over tube?Is it consistency of sound? I also play a six string Gibson SG sometimes, and, as with the steel, can certainly tell when those tubes get warm...but that doesn't really seem to wash...I'd be curious to hear...and now that I reread the replies, Tony, did the 'normal' Peavey fall short as in muddy or thin, or something else?

Thanks again,
Carter [This message was edited by Carter York on 27 February 2002 at 09:28 PM.]

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 28 Feb 2002 5:07 am

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(Carter: What is the rationale for a (I assume) pedal steel player to prefer solid state over tube?)
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Less Maintenance...which is also at the top of my list in choosing which steel to buy! www.genejones.com

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » 28 Feb 2002 6:46 am

It's funny that you inquired about using a Classic 50/212 amp for steel. When I worked with the late Curly Chalker about 4 years ago, he chose two Peavey Classic 50/212 amplifiers for his rig. I've never seen anyone use these amps for anything other than six string electric, however I'm sure that they have been used in many different applications at one time or another. I, too feel that the low end response is "just not there", but this is my opinion.

The equalization circuit on the Classic is pretty much a traditional passive 3 band with an active PRESENCE control. This is probably the most common type of equalization used in guitar amps. Through our 27 years of experience in designing steel amps, we have found that an active equalization circuit works best to control the critical mid range frequencies.

If you prefer the Classic 50 for steel, it apparently fits your playing style and the voicing that you want to hear. But, I will say that the more and more you perform among other steel guitarists, you may decide the Classic 50 doesn't have the bottom end and you may want to try a Nashville or Session type of steel amp.

If I can be of assistance, I'll be glad to answer your questions. I can be reached toll free at 1-877-732-8391.

gary darr · Post by **gary darr** » 28 Feb 2002 3:44 pm

Carter,I used to play pedal steel through a Peavy duece,I think it was basicly the same amp as the classic only twice the power rating. When I got my session 500 the difference was like night and day,I had finally found the sound plus the headroom I was searching for.Since you are using a six string lap steel the Classic 50 may be just right for your needs unless you are considering switching to pedal steel....

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Sho-Bud proII custom,Session 500,American standard Strat,Shecter tele,Peavy Classic 50,Fender Vibrolux

Damir Besic · Post by **Damir Besic** » 3 Mar 2002 12:43 pm

Peavey Rocks,just my 2 cents.

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