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Author
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Topic: Session 500 ???
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Brendan Mitchell
Member From: Melbourne Australia
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posted 07 October 2004 01:26 AM
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Hi
I would like some comments on the session 500 amp as I have the chance to buy one.
Regards Brendan |
Tony Prior
Member From: Charlotte NC
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posted 07 October 2004 01:42 AM
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I personally think they are great..I attempted to buy one a few weeks back but it was running at about 50% power so I passed..I did purchase a N400.For me the main difference is the size and weight.The N400 is a bit heavier than my previous N1000 but smaller and lighter than the Session500.. I was also told that the Session 500's also are referred to as the "Hernia 500"..no doubt ! t |
Mark Metdker
Member From: North Central Texas, USA
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posted 07 October 2004 03:47 AM
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"Hernia 500" Ha!, that's pretty funny Tony! Unfortunately fairly accurate. It's a love, hate relationship. The thing is built like a tank, and has the legendary Peavy tone, but weighs close to 90 lbs. I don't regret the purchase of mine at all. If you don't mind the weight, you will love everything else about the amp.------------------
BMI S-10
Peavey Session 500 Band Pics
http://community.webshots.com/album/176544894AuXSmi My other hobby
http://community.webshots.com/album/56863057VldOYC Work Pics
http://community.webshots.com/album/104144205xDgckj |
Jerry Hayes
Member From: Virginia Beach, Va.
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posted 07 October 2004 04:13 AM
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I liked the remote switch that went on the leg of your steel to increase or decrease the reverb and turn on/off the built in phaser, etc. but I'll have to say mine was a lemon or something. I've played Peavey amps of all sizes and wattages for years and the Session 500 was the only one I ever had any trouble with. Anything that could go wrong with it, went wrong with it. I eventually traded the d@mn thing for a small Randall practice amp. I'm playing a Nashville 400 now that I got from Billy Cooper's store about 10 years ago and haven't had the first bit of trouble with it. Have a good 'un....JH------------------
Livin' in the Past and the Future with a 12 string Mooney Universal tuning. |
George Kimery
Member From: Limestone, TN, USA
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posted 07 October 2004 04:14 AM
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The weight is the only reason not to buy it. I have had one since they came out. I put 3" wheels on it, and used to take it out on gigs. Now, I just use it at home and as a back-up amp. The only problem I had was getting a sound I liked until I got the settings that Jeff Newman had, which he said he got from Buddy. I have been very happy with it ever since, and you're talking to somebody that has had a Nashville 400, Nashville 112, Session 400 LTD, Webb, and an Evans FET 500. I still have the Evans and the Session 500, but sold the others, which tells you how highly I regard the 500. |
Tony Davis
Member From: Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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posted 07 October 2004 04:40 AM
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Brendan....the Session 500 has a great sound but it is so heavey......two friends of mine had them here in Brisbane....one had to cut the top half off to split into two bits as he just couldnt carry it......the other friend had trouble lifting his into his waggon.......I used to use this one when I used to fly out to Mt Isa to play...and Mal would use his sons Bandit.
In St Louis a few weeks ago Scotty lent us some brand new Peavy 112's..they are a great amp for steel and not all that heavey....Sarah J has two of them
I am still using my session 400 that I have had for 29 years.......the chrome is rusty but it still pokes out what I want it to do.
Cheers Tony |
Joe Yednasty
Member From: Southwestern CT
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posted 07 October 2004 05:29 AM
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Brenden,
Like everyone said, its a heavy amp. The tone is also great. I'm sure theres been good and bad experiences, but that can go along for anything. My Session 500 is the least bit new and its not giving me any problems at all. You can get a wide variety of tones on it. If you end up buying it, someone posted a list of how all the pro's set the controls on a Session 500. Good luck with the decision.------------------
"Eskimo" Joe Yednasty
Emmons P/P S-10
Peavey Session 500
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Darvin Willhoite
Member From: Leander, Tx. USA
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posted 07 October 2004 06:06 AM
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I bought mine new in 1981 and have not had a one problem with it. I leave it set up in my studio and never move it (for obvious previously stated reasons). I also use the crossover feature and run the lows into a Peavey Basic 112 bass amp. This makes the range fantastic. I can rattle the walls with that boo-wah pedal on C6th and I can almost break glass with the highs on E9th. ------------------
Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording
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Erv Niehaus
Member From: Litchfield, MN, USA
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posted 07 October 2004 06:50 AM
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I have a pair of Session 500s and agree with everything that has been said. If you buy one be sure and use the settings posted on the Forum here. I tried to adjust the settings myself and wasn't too happy with the tone until I pulled up the posted ones. Now, I am one happy camper!!! I bought my last one over e-bay for $305. A lot of amp for the money. 
Erv |
Graham Bland
Member From: Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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posted 07 October 2004 05:36 PM
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Brendan,I have a original Session 500 (one of the first 50 made with the shorter cabinet) and wouldn't take anything for it!!!
I bought it in 1980 |
Brendan Mitchell
Member From: Melbourne Australia
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posted 07 October 2004 07:56 PM
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Thanks for all your comments
I have decided to save my back and stick with my Music Man 210 HD.
Brendan |
Richard Argus
Member From: Kalgoorlie, Western Australia,
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posted 07 October 2004 10:10 PM
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What were Jeff Newman's settings?
Thanks, |
Mike Brown
Member From: Meridian, Mississippi USA
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posted 08 October 2004 06:33 AM
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Thanks for the compliments and support, guys! |
Erv Niehaus
Member From: Litchfield, MN, USA
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posted 08 October 2004 06:39 AM
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Richard,
Do a search on this forum under electronics for "Session 500 settings" and they will be listed.
I also have the mod kits for my 500s although I haven't gotten them installed yet. You can order them from Peavey for less than $40.00 What a deal!!!
Erv[This message was edited by Erv Niehaus on 08 October 2004 at 06:41 AM.] |
Damir Besic
Member From: La Vergne,TN
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posted 08 October 2004 05:35 PM
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great amp.Db ------------------
"Promat"
~when the tone matters~ |
Anders Brundell
Member From: Falun, Sweden
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posted 09 October 2004 08:00 AM
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Simply a great sounding amp - I regret I sold mine when I got my new Nashville 1000; they sounded even greater together in tandem use.
500 has a clinically clean sound and the new 1000 a smoother, softer sound (I can't quite explain).
Thay both have power enough to carry out big heavy multi string chord solo playing, and I doubt that any other combo can do that.
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Bob Carlucci
Member From: Candor, New York, USA
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posted 09 October 2004 10:34 AM
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I had one..BIG sound for steel.Start a diet and exercise regimen with heavy emphasis on free weight training before you buy. Very wide range of tonal adjustment. Nothing better[or louder!!] for steel or electric piano. Worlds WORST[and loudest]electric guitar amp. I sold mine and went right back to Fenders.... bob |
Roger Shackelton
Member From: Everett, Wa.
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posted 12 October 2004 04:46 AM
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Didn't someone offer a kit for splitting the amp and speaker section, to get around the weight issue?
Roger
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Erv Niehaus
Member From: Litchfield, MN, USA
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posted 12 October 2004 06:32 AM
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Roger,
They sell chain saws at Home Depot! 
Uff-Da! |
Farris Currie
Member From: Ona, Florida, USA
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posted 12 October 2004 07:22 AM
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RODGER, be sure to get a good white marker,and mark it before sawing!!!!gotta it straight!!!! |
Gene Jones
Member From: Oklahoma City, OK USA
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posted 12 October 2004 09:23 AM
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One of the downers of advancing age was having to give up my 20 year association with my Session 500. I finally admitted that I had to break-down my equipment into components so I could handle it without assistance. The Session 500 really was the "ultimate steel guitar amplifier". Thanks Peavy! www.genejones.com |
Mike Brown
Member From: Meridian, Mississippi USA
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posted 12 October 2004 09:33 AM
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There was no access to Jeff's settings using this amp...............not to my knowledge anyway. |
Erv Niehaus
Member From: Litchfield, MN, USA
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posted 12 October 2004 10:40 AM
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If you want the Session 500 settings just do a search under Electronics for "Session 500 settings". That's where I got mine. And I'm sure I'm using the Newman settings.
Erv |
Darvin Willhoite
Member From: Leander, Tx. USA
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posted 12 October 2004 11:13 AM
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Not everyone thought they were the "Worlds Worst" guitar amp. Clint Strong, one of the best jazz guitarist I ever heard, used two of these and a Les Paul in the mid 90's and they sure didn't hurt his sound any. He may still be using them, I don't know.------------------
Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording
[This message was edited by Darvin Willhoite on 12 October 2004 at 11:14 AM.]
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Mike Brown
Member From: Meridian, Mississippi USA
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posted 12 October 2004 11:20 AM
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Merle Haggard used them during his career in the 80's. |
Roger Shackelton
Member From: Everett, Wa.
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posted 12 October 2004 07:04 PM
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Apparently the story I heard about someone splitting the power section and the speaker section, was a private project of a man with a bad back.????Roger |
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