FIDDLE AMP question

James Morehead · Post by **James Morehead** » 29 Feb 2004 5:34 pm

What in your experience would be a good amp choice for playing a fiddle through? We have a fiddle player that is joining the band and we are trying to outfit her. She is only 15 and needs a little equipment guidance.

Thanx in advance!!!

Drew Howard · Post by **Drew Howard** » 29 Feb 2004 6:32 pm

Though I only dabble in fiddle, most the fiddlers I've played with generally don't use amps. A typical rig I've seen and played through is:

1. a good pick-up, like Baggs.
2. carpenter jack mounted on fiddle
3. 8-band EQ, like the Boss stompbox
3. good active (powered) pre-amp, Baggs Paracoustic DI's are awesome.

No amp, just straight into the PA and back though the monitors. EFX are either in-line or from the board.

Few amps I've heard sound adequate for fiddle. The Fishman amp is nice, but around $2K.

Might want to log onto a fiddle forum somewhere to see what the consensus is.

good luck,
Drew

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The Saltines

[This message was edited by Drew Howard on 29 February 2004 at 06:34 PM.][This message was edited by Drew Howard on 29 February 2004 at 06:35 PM.]

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 29 Feb 2004 6:49 pm

Moved to 'Electronics' section.

The Webb 6-14E works great for fiddle. It's a bit of overkill, though, since a fiddle doesn't need 240 watts.

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<img align=left src="http://picturehost.net/b0b/ManzBob2.jpg" border="0"> Bobby Lee
-b0b- quasar@b0b.com 
System Administrator

Leon Grizzard · Post by **Leon Grizzard** » 29 Feb 2004 7:51 pm

Johnny Gimble and many other players have used Polytones in the past - the minibrute might be a good choice, and you see a lot of Peaveys among the younger set. Many players claim to not be happy with accoustic guitar amps, but our fiddler has a small Trace Elliot and it sounds good but does not have much power. I don't know about, but would be interested the Carvin accoustic guitar amp. I played with a dobro player who had one, and it had a good accoustic sound.

KENNY KRUPNICK · Post by **KENNY KRUPNICK** » 29 Feb 2004 10:24 pm

Peavey Ecoustic 112.

Scott Moon · Post by **Scott Moon** » 1 Mar 2004 7:37 am

I have been playing fiddle for 20+ years now and have played through alot of amps.

Here is what I use: LR Baggs pickup on my fiddles, Evans "Eighty" amp, no effects just the amp. I bought this amp used from Herb Steiner and wouldn't take anything for it. It works great for Fiddle, Gutiar, and Steel.

This amp has given me the sound I want to hear without getting that "screachy shrill" tone. If you don't want to spend the money for an Evans then my second choice would be a Peavy Nashville 400, or 1000.

Hope I have helped give you some options.

Scott

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 1 Mar 2004 7:49 am

Peavey Ecoustic 112.

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » 1 Mar 2004 8:59 am

Thanks for the Peavey references, guys. I don't play fiddle but have fiddle playing friends that I have sought opinions from after using the Nashville 112 and they really like this model. I included fiddle tone control settings for this model in the operating guide as well. Here is a link from the Peavey website;
http://www.peavey.com/products/shop_online/browse.cfm/action/details/item/00459770/wc/1A1B31/fam/1B3/tcode/1/nashvill.cfm

If you have questions concerning this amp or any Peavey product, feel free to contact me toll free in North America at 1-877-732-8391.

Mike Brown
Peavey Electronics Corporation

Ben Slaughter · Post by **Ben Slaughter** » 1 Mar 2004 11:35 am

My fiddle player buddy uses my old NV400 when I'm playing 6-string or bass. We both like the tone.

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Ben
Zum D10, NV400, POD, G&L Guitars, etc, etc.

Lincoln Goertzen · Post by **Lincoln Goertzen** » 1 Mar 2004 4:37 pm

Definitely try the Nash. 400. I can't speak for the Ecoustic 112 for fiddle, but it takes no second place for acoustic guitar, so it should be great for fiddle.

I would also vote for the LR Baggs pickup. That alone will make a huge difference.

You could also register on [url=http://www.fiddlefork.com,]www.fiddlefork.com,[/url] and do a search there. It is a great forum, too.

Lincoln

Don Discher · Post by **Don Discher** » 1 Mar 2004 5:39 pm

A friend of mine here uses 2 Nashville 400's 1 for fiddle and 1 for acoustic guitar,lots of weight to carry but he does'nt have to change his settings and they sound great.

James Morehead · Post by **James Morehead** » 1 Mar 2004 7:47 pm

Thankyou one and all for such fine advice!!! Ya'll have given us many fine ideas to check out!!

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » 4 Mar 2004 7:13 am

From my experiences in working with pro fiddle players, the Nashville 400 fits their application for a high powered fiddle amp. The Nashville Series of amps have always worked well for fiddle applications. Here is a link from the Peavey website on the Nashville 1000 and Nashville 112 amplifiers;
http://www.peavey.com/products/shop_online/browse.cfm/action/final/wc/1A1B31/fam/1B3/c/1/nashville.cfm

If you have questions concerning these amps or any Peavey product, please feel free to contact me here at the factory. I can be reached toll free at 1-877-732-8391.

Mike Brown
Peavey Electronics Corporation

James Morehead · Post by **James Morehead** » 4 Mar 2004 8:28 am

Thanx again!! Interesting that the little ole Nashville 400 & 112 keeps popping up!! I might have to be the first on my block to get one!![This message was edited by James Morehead on 12 March 2004 at 09:59 PM.]

David L. Donald · Post by **David L. Donald** » 4 Mar 2004 8:47 am

The AER amps sound good for fiddle.

My buddy plays jazz violin through it and it sounds pretty nice, we even have recorded live with it.

I nice plus is that it is AC and battery powered and has more than one input section . They are very nice for most acoustic guitars also.[This message was edited by David L. Donald on 04 March 2004 at 08:47 AM.]

Larry Behm · Post by **Larry Behm** » 12 Mar 2004 3:16 pm

Webb!!

Larry Behm

John Macy · Post by **John Macy** » 12 Mar 2004 3:19 pm

I play a lot with Hank Singer and he usually brings a blackface Twin with a JBL--sounds killer.