|
Author
|
Topic: Whats the best steel amp ever made?
|
Darrell Hendrix
Member From: Omaha, Nebraska, USA
|
posted 03 April 2004 09:30 PM
profile
What's the best steel amp ever made?------------------
I would almost give anything to play just a little like John Hughey !
|
Jody Sanders
Member From: Magnolia,Texas
|
posted 03 April 2004 10:43 PM
profile
IMHO. The Peavey Session 500. Jody. |
Kevin Hatton
Member From: Amherst, N.Y.
|
posted 04 April 2004 12:06 AM
profile
Jody, I can understand that choice. I think Webb or old Fender. |
Andy Zahnd
Member From: Plaffeien, Switzerland
|
posted 04 April 2004 12:29 AM
profile
Sho-Bud with a 15" JBL! There is nothing even close to that! But maybe I just have no taste!!!
 |
David L. Donald
Member From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand
|
posted 04 April 2004 03:36 AM
profile
There is no single best amp.
BUT there are some very fine choices that fit different players and situations.
Web, Evans, Standel, Peavey, Fender all come to mind for different places.
Plus a few more esoteric choices. |
Tony Prior
Member From: Charlotte NC
|
posted 04 April 2004 03:50 AM
profile
Theres a Session 500 in a local Pawn shop..they had $499 on it..I didn't bite..I may have at $299 to $350 though.. It's certainly worth it's weight though ..gadzeeks ! I may go back next week and offer $300..ya never know.. then give the guy an extra $20 to put it in my van ! t
|
Craig A Davidson
Member From: Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin USA
|
posted 04 April 2004 05:12 AM
profile
To me the best steel amp would be a Standel or an Evans. I could never go back to what I had before after using an Evans for a year. Also it weighs less than brand "X".------------------
1985 Emmons push-pull,S-10 Marlin,Evans SE200,Hilton pedal
|
George Kimery
Member From: Limestone, TN, USA
|
posted 04 April 2004 05:40 AM
profile
For me, it's a toss up between the Evans and the Session 500. One day, one sounds better, the next day the other one does. I look upon the 500 as a 2nd amp. You leave it at home for your practice amp or you leave it at a sit down gig where you don't have to move it. Plus, if you gigging amp blows, the 500 is a great backup. With these thoughts in mind, I don't think the weight is a problem. I put 3" casters on mine to make it easy to move around. |
Dennis Detweiler
Member From: Solon, Iowa, US
|
posted 04 April 2004 06:33 AM
profile
 After 30yrs of Session 400, a Genesis3 into a Classic 50/50.
DD |
Bob Carlucci
Member From: Candor, New York, USA
|
posted 04 April 2004 06:55 AM
profile
Silverface Fender 100 watt amps of various configurations. Twin,Showman,Vibrosonic,even the PA 100 head.. I like the silverface amps better for steel than blackface. The blackface amps sound great also,but tend to distort more easily than thier silverface counterparts. This is the exact opposite for lead guitarists... They like blackface amps better for thier more "bluesy" overdriven sound. Peavey steel amps are fine too, but just sound kind of "sterile" to my ears.. bob[This message was edited by Bob Carlucci on 04 April 2004 at 06:56 AM.] |
James Morehead
Member From: Durant, Oklahoma, USA
|
posted 04 April 2004 06:58 AM
profile
Why that's an easy question!! My '71 blackfaced S/F Twin Reverb with an EV 15L!! weighs less than the Session 500, too! |
rpetersen
Member From: Tipton, Iowa
|
posted 04 April 2004 07:15 AM
profile
I recently put a Brad Sarno update in my old 1975 Session 400 Head and had it gone through to restore 30 years of loss power - Play it through a closed back cabinet with a 1501-4 shallow basket and - It's the best tone I have ever had.------------------
Ron Petersen &
The Keep'n Tyme Band
Mullen Universal 12 - 1975 Session 400
|
Michael Holland
Member From: Nashville, Tennessee, USA
|
posted 04 April 2004 10:13 AM
profile
[This message was edited by Michael Holland on 08 April 2004 at 02:46 AM.] |
Bob Snelgrove
Member From: san jose, ca
|
posted 04 April 2004 07:24 PM
profile
BradDo you offer a cap kit for the Session 400's? thx bob |
chas smith
Member From: Encino, CA, USA
|
posted 04 April 2004 08:02 PM
profile
Sho-Bud "Christmas Tree", or tube Standel. |
Brad Sarno
Member From: St. Louis, MO USA
|
posted 04 April 2004 10:05 PM
profile
RE: Session 400 cap kitBob, I could probably whip one together for you. I think I've still got all the right parts here. Send me an email. Brad |
Tony Prior
Member From: Charlotte NC
|
posted 05 April 2004 04:10 AM
profile
So what is it that makes the Session 500 so special above the rest ?And..what is the street value of these beasts ?..as mentioned above I may take a more serious look at one this week. The one I am looking at looks to be in pretty nice shape, nice cabinet, 15" BW..not bad for a 20 year old amp I'm thinking ... thanks
t |
C Dixon
Member From: Duluth, GA USA
|
posted 05 April 2004 07:48 AM
profile
For me it is the following:1. Fender Twin reverb for my Bakelite Rick. 2. NV400 for my PSG's. (Note: I have not seen or heard any newer Peavey models) carl |
CrowBear Schmitt
Member From: Ariege, - PairO'knees, - France
|
posted 05 April 2004 08:25 AM
profile
i was expecting to find Webb mentioned here
|
Herb Steiner
Member From: Cedar Valley, Travis County TX
|
posted 05 April 2004 08:44 AM
profile
The question is worded kind of silly, IMHO, though the concept of "favorite amp for steel" is valid. My $.02...I've owned and played through ALL of them professionally in the last 40 years,... Fender (Twins w/JBL's, Vibrosonics, 4x10 Bassman), Standels, Sho~Bud (Xmas Trees and Single Channels), Peavey (Session 400, LTD 400's, Session 500, Vegas 400's), Evans (FET 500's, SC200, Parlor 120), and Webb. I've had different favorites for different periods of time. Bear in mind, I play in large Texas dance halls where clarity, power and headroom are necessities. Currently my two favorites... the ones I reach for on my way to a gig... is either a Webb 614 or an Evans SC200. The best Peavey amp for steel is a Vegas 400 with Lemay mod. All IMHO. Your mileage may vary. ------------------
Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association |
Steve Stallings
Member From: Bremond, Tx, pop 876, Home of the fighting Bremond Tigers
|
posted 05 April 2004 09:10 AM
profile
With all due respect I offer the following divergent opinion.I have owned or currently own:
Twin Reverb
Bandmaster
Shobud with 15" jBL
Vibrolux
Evans FET 500
Nashville 400
PVY Jazz Classic with 15" JBL
PVY Classic 50-212
VHT 2/90/2 I have never played a steel through a standel or a webb. I have had a ton of other amps like Kendrick, Vox, Plush, Marshall that are just not voiced well for steel. The setup I am currently using is the VHT 2/90/2 with either a profex II, tubefex, or evans preamp. This is like a twin on steroids. This goes into two pacific cabs with 15 inch BWs. There is no contest in my opinion. I can play any amp I want. I use a Evans FET 500 with a JBL in church but use my rack VHT rig for all live gigs.
We've been down this discussion before. I don't believe there is a combo amp made that can compare with a well made rack system. Of course, you are going to pay easily three or four times the cost for this type of quality.
------------------
God Bless,
Steve Stallings
|
Brad Sarno
Member From: St. Louis, MO USA
|
posted 05 April 2004 12:31 PM
profile
Well, I got to hear Tom Brumley's '59 Fender Bassman with reverb and a 15" JBL in it when I was in Dallas. I don't know if I've ever heard a better sounding steel amp. But I guess you can't call it the best because it's not really loud enough for most people. But sound-wise it was superb.
Brad Sarno
|
Waisznor
Member From: Berlin, Germany
|
posted 05 April 2004 12:33 PM
profile
Darrell,buy a Webb and you«ll never ask this question! Horst Waisznor |
Brad Sarno
Member From: St. Louis, MO USA
|
posted 05 April 2004 01:03 PM
profile
Horst may be right about the Webb. It seems to fit most of the criteria of a "best" amp. (if there really could be such a thing)Sweet sounding, all discrete FET based circuit.
Voiced like a Fender Twin.
Great tone control.
Good weight/size.
Best made cabinet in the business.
Super clean and loud as hell.
Extremely reliable.
Excellent reverb.
Has two, not one pilot lights on front.
Looks cool.
Design hasn't changed in 30 years.
Expensive so it must be good.
Jimmy Day used one...
Brad Sarno
|
Bill Simmons
Member From: Keller, Texas, USA
|
posted 05 April 2004 05:36 PM
profile
After 30 years I've ran about every amp and rack system that has come along...I wish I could have kept almost all the amps but since '79, I've had and kept the Webb for the single amp unit. Brad describes the Webb perfectly why I love my Webb...However, I should would like to have back my 'Walker Stereo Steel' system; my old Fender Vibrosonic with the 15" JBL; then there was the old Sho Bud amp; the super sounding Evans Fet 500; then my umteem Peavey's and what about my my old Standel amp that Larry Bell has etc, etc, etc...oh well, just dreaming about all those great sounding amps!! |
Susan Alcorn
Member From: Houston, TX, USA
|
posted 05 April 2004 06:15 PM
profile
-- I had an old Session 500 that had such a beautiful sound, but I think you have to be careful with Session 500's because each one sounds different, and at times it's difficult to dial in a good tone. -- The new Standels are very nice. -- For most of my performances I now use a Stewart 2.1 stereo power amp with two 15" Black Widows -- one in a small Walker enclosure, and the other in a bass cabinet. Going into the power amp, I use an Avalon preamp, a Focusrite Preamp, and a Lexicon PCM70. This gives me quite a bit of clarity and warmth. I think the modular approach is a good one. |
Bill Ford
Member From: Graniteville SC Aiken
|
posted 05 April 2004 06:27 PM
profile
Tony Prior,
Check your email ...------------------
Bill Ford |
Bill Ford
Member From: Graniteville SC Aiken
|
posted 05 April 2004 06:30 PM
profile
Susan,
Why the different speaker enclosures?Bill |
Brad Sarno
Member From: St. Louis, MO USA
|
posted 05 April 2004 06:52 PM
profile
If stage volume wasn't so loud these days requiring so much power and headroom in a steel amp, I'd have to say a 15" JBL loaded recapped Fender Twin. They do the most magical thing when you start to hit max power. We've all heard it and loved it. Ok, two Twins... Brad Sarno |
Jimmie Misenheimer
Member From: Bloomington, Indiana - U. S. A.
|
posted 05 April 2004 08:32 PM
profile
Best - now that would be a "toughie". I've owned JUST ABOUT everything mentioned above, and I always go back to my Ashley Pre-amp, and a Profex II. Cleanest, warmest set-up that I'VE ran across in 39 years. Jimmie |
Paddy Long
Member From: Christchurch, New Zealand
|
posted 06 April 2004 02:36 PM
profile
Had a great Nashville 400 I used for years but the best rig I have, and been using it for about 9 years is my DPC750/ProfexII into 2 Nashville 115E cabs - awesome sound everytime, everywhere. A close second would be my new Nashville 1000 for those smaller intimate venues. |
Samuel E. White
Member From: Greeneville TN.
|
posted 06 April 2004 06:15 PM
profile
Well here is my quarters worth. I have a Nasville 400 no mode and I put a EMINENCE DELTALITE 2515 in it and I have another in a speaker box I built and I run them both with a profex II and the sound is outstanding.I could not beleave how clean the sound is and like real sterio.WOW.
Sam White[This message was edited by Samuel E. White on 06 April 2004 at 06:17 PM.] |
Gene H. Brown
Member From: Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada
|
posted 06 April 2004 06:53 PM
profile
Well I've owned just about every kind of amp they make and I recently sent my 1972 silverfaced twin down to Ken Fox (Fender Guru and very good Friend) and he recapped it cleaned all the pots and re soldered a bunch of connections and "Black Faced" it for me and I have never heard a better sounding amp in my 45 years of playing, this amp kicks Butt! JMHO
Gene------------------
If You Keep Pickin That Thing, It'll Never Heal!
;)
|
Buck Dilly
Member From: Branchville, NJ, USA
|
posted 06 April 2004 07:02 PM
profile
Now that we have resolved this question... |
James Morehead
Member From: Durant, Oklahoma, USA
|
posted 06 April 2004 08:13 PM
profile
Gene Brown, Now thats what I'm talkin' about!! Nothin' like a BLACKFACED S/F Twin. |
Susan Alcorn
Member From: Houston, TX, USA
|
posted 07 April 2004 04:37 AM
profile
Bill (Ford),I use the bass speaker cabinet because: 1 -- it has wheels
2 -- it gives me a little more low end
3 -- it only cost me $20.
|
John Bechtel
Member From: Nashville, Tennessee,U.S.A.
|
posted 17 April 2004 09:21 PM
profile
Although I'm totally happy with what I have, (hopefully not yet)!------------------
“Big John” Bechtel
Franklin PSG D–10 (9 & 8)
Fender ’49–’50 T–8 Custom
Fender ’65 Reissue Twin-Reverb Custom™ 15
click here
click here |
Smiley Roberts
Member From: Hendersonville,Tn. 37075
|
posted 18 April 2004 12:27 AM
profile
Simple answer,to a simple question:
MINE! ------------------
~ ~
©¿© It don't mean a thang,
mm if it ain't got that twang.
www.ntsga.com
|
David L. Donald
Member From: Koh Samui Island, Thailand
|
posted 18 April 2004 01:54 AM
profile
{quote]-- For most of my performances I now use a Stewart 2.1 stereo power amp with two 15" Black Widows -- one in a small Walker enclosure, and the other in a bass cabinet. Going into the power amp, I use an Avalon preamp, a Focusrite Preamp, and a Lexicon PCM70. This gives me quite a bit
of clarity and warmth. I think the modular approach is a good one. [/quote] I guess I missed this post.. Jeez louise, Susan you are hardcore!!
This is the best rig I have seen ANYONE mention here.
Hands down. Dan Tyack has a great one, but a different way to go. But this one... ooh la la, If you have recorded with this rig, tell me which CD to buy. [This message was edited by David L. Donald on 18 April 2004 at 01:55 AM.]
|
john buffington
Member From: Owasso Ok USA
|
posted 19 April 2004 09:35 AM
profile
For my ear, Webb Amps. And my old Emmons amp with a 15" JBL is alright too!
John Buffington |
The Steel Guitar Forum
