Always hunting for that "sound"

Leon Eneboe · Post by **Leon Eneboe** » 3 Dec 2003 7:08 am

How many of you guys have been down this road? I remember when Jeff Newman wrote in the PSG newsletter, back in the 80s, telling about the "double amp" set up, using two amps with an Ibanez analog delay and a chorus. I followed through and bought two NV400s with above mentioned equipment. Later I got a PV Profex two. I have a RV3, and probable some other stuff in my accumulation. Well, what I am saying is that there seems to be a pristene sound that gets lost in the shuffle when you get on a stage with about 5 other guys and there equipment. I have just about settled in on using one amp with a DD5 delay. So my question is...what simple, minimal combination of amp and effects works best and to your satisfaction?

Larry Bell · Post by **Larry Bell** » 3 Dec 2003 8:39 am

My favorite combination is a late 60's push-pull through two 70W 1970 Standel Custom XV's. That's just my personal preference and I believe everyone should find what works for them.

WARNING: Just because it works for you now doesn't mean that
1. It will work for you every gig OR
2. It will continue to be your favorite rig

Everyone changes guitars and amps periodically. I have five different amps I use for different applications. Some are tube and some transistor amps. I don't personally prefer the newer solid state amps, but many folks sound great through them.

I think concentrating on sounding good through a really LOUSY amp will reap more benefit than obsessing over whether a NV1000 or an Evans or a Webb brings you to your own steel guitar nirvana.

Just my opinion.

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Larry Bell - email: larry@larrybell.org - gigs - Home Page
2003 Fessenden S/D-12 8x8, 1969 Emmons S-12 6x6, 1971 Dobro, Standel and Peavey Amps

Bobby Lee · Post by **Bobby Lee** » 3 Dec 2003 9:37 am

For small gigs, I've been getting a sound I really like with with my Mesa/Boogie Maverick (40 watts), two 12" Tone Tubbie speakers (1 in the amp, one in an extension cabinet), and a RotoSphere in the effects loop. The Boogie provides two built-in effects: distortion and reverb.

Sometimes I get fancy and add a Lexicon MPX-100 into the effects loop, but I don't really need it.

I used to stack the Boogie on top of a Webb, which gave me a really big sound. Lately I don't enjoy carrying the Webb so much. It's pretty heavy.

I have a stereo rack system for the big gigs. It's modular so that no one piece is too heavy, but it's more work to set up.

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<img align=right src="http://b0b.com/Hotb0b.gif" width="96 height="96">Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs, Open Hearts
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (Emaj9, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (C6add9),
Sierra Laptop 8 (E6add9), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6),
Roland Handsonic, Line 6 Variax

Mike Kowalik · Post by **Mike Kowalik** » 3 Dec 2003 10:08 am

There was a time when I was into processors and compressors and such....till one night in the middle of a job had a problem and had to disconnect all that stuff and just play with amp reverb.....got rid of all that stuff and now all I carry to a job is my amp,seat,and steel.....seems I was concentrating more on the effects that trying to play.My guitar is a Sho Bud Professional and my amps are an '85 or so Nashville 400 and an early 70's Sho Bud single channel(5 knob model)....

Jody Cameron · Post by **Jody Cameron** » 3 Dec 2003 10:17 am

I use an RV-3 pedal and a Nashville 400 amp.
I've been through everything, and this seems to work best for me.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 4 Dec 2003 2:06 pm

I think concentrating on sounding good through a really LOUSY amp will reap more benefit than obsessing over whether a NV1000 or an Evans or a Webb brings you to your own steel guitar nirvana.

Brilliant Larry, simply brilliant!

"You can't "buy" the sound, you have to make the sound!"

Bob Cox · Post by **Bob Cox** » 4 Dec 2003 8:34 pm

Getting a great sound with webb and dd3.This tone will make you have a good day!

Bill Simmons · Post by **Bill Simmons** » 4 Dec 2003 9:46 pm

'79 Emmons D-10 8+6 black mica through a '78 Webb Amp (JBL M-30 speaker) using the Webb reverb and an old Boss DD-2 delay...incredible sound combination for me.

John Rickard · Post by **John Rickard** » 5 Dec 2003 1:11 am

The simpler the better. I can get great tones out of Fender amps, Peavey Steel Amps, Tube Works Rack Stuff, Mesa Boogie Stuff etc. It's in the "Ear" of the beholder (beerholder). Searching for that "Elusive Sound" is what keeps some guys in business (good for the economy

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JR [This message was edited by John Rickard on 05 December 2003 at 01:13 AM.][This message was edited by John Rickard on 05 December 2003 at 01:14 AM.]

jim milewski · Post by **jim milewski** » 5 Dec 2003 4:56 am

push pull through a Genesis 3 into either a Twin with a 15" BW or an older Session 400 with 15" BW, note, I always have the amp on a crate or chair, or the Twin tilted back

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 5 Dec 2003 7:25 am

Webb.