Randall Steel Man 500 Amps?

Randall Palmore · Post by **Randall Palmore** » 23 Oct 2003 4:54 pm

Would like information on this amp. Are they used much? Dependable? Some Amp settings would be helpful. Does Randall Amps have web site, etc.? I have only played Peavey amps, but wanted to try a Randall for some time now. The amp that I recently purchased has a grey color scheme. The ones that I remember had a orange or reddish trim. The amp has RSA-500-115 on the front. I would really appreciate any info. Thanks Randall

Jim Bob Sedgwick · Post by **Jim Bob Sedgwick** » 26 Oct 2003 12:09 pm

Go to Randallamplifiers.com. I don't think they build the 500 Steel amplifier anymore. They were great sounding amps, but I guess the demand for this particular amplifier wasn't returning enough profit, as we are small niche consumers. I think Randall basically appeals to Bass and Guitar players now.

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 26 Oct 2003 3:41 pm

Randall.
There are no more Randall Steelman amps.
Don sold the Randall company back in 84 to a group connected with Washburn.

The present owners have no interest in steel guitar amps.

Gary Sunda engineer for Don was the person responsible for the steelman amp.It was a heavy amp,but a killer. Gary runs Orange County Speaker re-coning in Irvine Calif.

Mr. Randall has been retired a few years now but still plays golf and goes into his office
of which he dabbles with Real Estate.

I speak with him on an average of once a month.He recently lost his wife Jean after close to 60 years of marriage.Don is 83 years young and looks 50.He's a GREAT human being and HE was the sucess story of FENDER,

Dont let anyone tell you otherwise. On occasion I see a Randall Steelman amp in music stores.If you would like I will check and let you know if I find one.

The color trim was changed from Orange to Silver and they are smart looking and great sounding amps.

I will ask around. I'll ask Gary if he knows where there is one.
Thanks. edited for spelling error.[This message was edited by Jody Carver on 26 October 2003 at 03:42 PM.]

Larry King · Post by **Larry King** » 26 Oct 2003 7:28 pm

One of my friends has one in his music store in Eastern Oklahoma...looks to be in good shape...$250.00

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 26 Oct 2003 9:16 pm

My buddy Jim Murphy plays a Randall Steelman amp Sunday nights with Redd Volkaert at the Continental Club here in Austin. It sounds awesome. Recently I swapped JM a Sho-Bud Little Bull for a Derrell Stephens Evans, but I guess he likes the Randall too because it seems like his regular Sunday amp.

I just left there 'cause I'm feelin' poorly... usually I stay after my set with James Hand to bask in the glow of Murph.

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Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

Randall Palmore · Post by **Randall Palmore** » 27 Oct 2003 9:20 am

Jim Bob, Jody, Larry and Herb- Thanks for the reply's. I recently purchased one and it is going to take some time to get the EQ, etc. set just right. Sounds good in the house. I think I'm going to like the Randall after all the name matches!

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 30 Oct 2003 5:22 am

Thats Great Randall
Now if your first name was Don,I would take a territory and go on the the road repping for you.

Good luck you have a GREAT AMP.

And I'm sure you will sound GREAT playing your guitar through it.There is a lot of history and effort put into that amp.

I'm happy for you.

Use it in good health

Jody

John Floyd · Post by **John Floyd** » 9 Nov 2003 3:20 am

I remember working on Randall and Aims amps back in the 70's in Nashburg. We (Sound 88) was the warranty service contact there, as well as Fender , Sunn, Sho-Bud, and a lot of others.

Ralph Mooney used a Randall and seemed to like it.

They built a great amps and It was like the Maytag Repairman as far as these two brands were concerned. Never had any problems except for HEAVY handed roadies. Waylons group used a lot of Randall and Aims equipment.
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<img src='http://www.mymailsignature.com/fwpdata/ ... CFAsig.png' border=0>[This message was edited by John Floyd on 09 November 2003 at 03:26 AM.]

Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 9 Nov 2003 8:08 am

John you wrote and I quote.

Randall and Aims equipment.

Randall and AIMS were one and the same.AIMS was started up by a former Fender rep by the name of Chuck Widner along with former VP of Fender (not CBS) Stan Compton. Together Stan and Chuck started out and Randall manufactured the AIMS amps which were in reality Randall amps.

AIMS had a tough time getting off the ground so Don Randall took over the entire AIMS operation and put Chuck Widner in full control over at Randall. Sales management etc

Compton due to ill health left the music industry.

AIMS was in fact abbreviated for Arizona Instruments Musical Services".

How come you guys know all this

Thanks for the memories.

Jody (No Hope ) Carver

John Floyd · Post by **John Floyd** » 9 Nov 2003 3:32 pm

You are always right Jody.

We used the same Warranty Claim form for both brands and mailed them to the Same address. Great Amps, Well Constructed, but never took off. They weren't Constructed well enough to take the abuse of Heavy handed Roadies, but then nothing is.

When I was in the Navy, They always said nothing is Sailor Proof, I guess Musical Equipment isn't Roadie Proof.<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/15/15_4_105.gif' border=0></a>

BTW
I have the Weekend off and was hoping you would tell another of your Great Fender Stories. I look forward to them.
John

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Jody Carver · Post by **Jody Carver** » 9 Nov 2003 4:22 pm

BTW
I have the Weekend off and was hoping you would tell another of your Great Fender Stories. I look forward to them.
John

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What??? and get thrown off of here???

Thanks John.

John Floyd · Post by **John Floyd** » 9 Nov 2003 7:39 pm

Ain't no way you are going to get kicked off<a href='http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb008' target='_blank'><img src='http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_1_105.gif' border=0></a>

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