Best Amp for Electric Guitar and Pedal Steel Guitar

Chris Grigsby · Post by **Chris Grigsby** » 19 Dec 2014 2:35 pm

Hi everyone, I'm a brand new member about to embark on learning the pedal steel guitar and was wondering what, if any, amplifiers are best suited to pull double duty on 6-string electric guitar and pedal steel guitar. Or am I better off getting something specifically tailored for pedal steel guitar? Not looking to spend a fortune, but my thought is that I can better justify the cost if I can use the amp more broadly.

I'll be using the amp with an early 90's Emmons SD10 LGII that I have on order from Billy Knowles.

Thanks!

-Chris

John Booth · Post by **John Booth** » 19 Dec 2014 2:42 pm

I pulled this off with a Peavey Vegas for several years. Good luck. Be sure to show us your LeGrand.
JB

Mike Schwartzman · Post by **Mike Schwartzman** » 19 Dec 2014 3:21 pm

Welcome Chris, and this is a topic with lots of discussion in this section of the forum. If you use the search function, you can read other folks experience on this question from now until the new year, easily.

I think my personal answer would depend on the volume level of the particular band I was playing in. At a lower volume in a smaller room, many of the same tube amps that you would use for a 6 string guitar would work with steel...given a steel friendly speaker or speakers in that amp. Examples: Vibroverb, Pro Reverb, Deluxe Reverb, etc.

If I wanted only one amp to cover a multitude of volume levels and rooms on 6 string guitar and on pedal steel on a smaller budget...it would be a SF Twin Reverb.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 19 Dec 2014 3:25 pm

Vegas 400 or Fender Twin. Seconded.

Andy Eder · Post by **Andy Eder** » 19 Dec 2014 3:37 pm

I would ask you first what style of guitar music are you playing and tell you that I worked some of the joints on lower broad in Nashville in the mid-late 70's playing stone country, top 40, and some rock with an LTD 400 and a few pedals.

Paul Sutherland · Post by **Paul Sutherland** » 19 Dec 2014 4:26 pm

How important is weight? A Twin is a great choice except for the weight.

If you've got the money, a Milkman Sideman would probably be perfect. All tube with 2 6L6's for power, and two channels; one voiced for pedal steel and one voiced for electric guitar. It weighs 42 pounds. But it costs over 2 grand, pushing 3.

Jim Bloomfield · Post by **Jim Bloomfield** » 19 Dec 2014 5:27 pm

My Nashville 112 of course! It's still available btw. Just kidding.
A lot of people around here also like the Roland Cube 80 as a sensibly priced option too.

Matthew Dawson · Post by **Matthew Dawson** » 19 Dec 2014 6:42 pm

I've had the best luck so far with a Bandmaster Reverb modded so the reverb works on both channels. I play guitar through the normal channel and steel through the vibrato channel. I have a 5751 tube in V1 of the steel channel for more headroom. This amp may not have enough headroom for some players but I works ok for me. (That said I have a Milkman on order).

Chris Grigsby · Post by **Chris Grigsby** » 20 Dec 2014 6:18 am

Thanks for the suggestions guys. The Twin Reverb seems like a good choice despite the weight as the amp will mostly stay in my studio for now.

Would a Deluxe Reverb have enough headroom for pedal steel, or is the Twin the way to go?

Finally, do the tube Fenders sound as good as the solid state PSG-specific amps like the Steel King, Nashville 112, etc...?

Best,
Chris

George McLellan · Post by **George McLellan** » 20 Dec 2014 6:25 am

Just another thought for you to consider. I use a Fender Twin RI but have had a cabinet made by Rick Johnson, a Forum member, so it's a "piggy back" now so the weight isn't all in one cabinet. Makes for hauling it much easier.

Geo

George Kimery · Post by **George Kimery** » 20 Dec 2014 8:15 am

You might want to give a Peavey Valve King (tube) amp a try. This is my steel amp and I use the left channel, clean side. It has a right channel for lead guitar. You can get a foot switch that will let you go from one channel to the other. Separate EQ on each channel. I have both the VK 112 (50 watts) and the VK 212 (100 watts). I have Telonic speakers in the 212 and it is a killer sounding amp. You can pick up like new one's on Craig's List or eBay for around $300.00. I have even seen the 112's go for as low as $140.00 on ebay. I also agree that a Fender Twin would be an excellent choice, just heavy.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 20 Dec 2014 9:20 am

If it's just studio, the Deluxe should be fine. In fact, I think Lloyd used one on Sweethearts of the Rodeo. If you gig, you'll need more grunt.
IMO, the Fenders beat all Peavey amps but the Session 400 for tone.

b0b · Post by **b0b** » 20 Dec 2014 9:56 am

The Milkman 50W Sideman has 2 channels, one for guitar and the other for steel.

Mike Perlowin RIP · Post by **Mike Perlowin RIP** » 20 Dec 2014 10:23 am

Don't forget Music Man. My 1976 HD 212 is basically a Fender Twin on steroids.

I wish to sell it because it weighs around 70 pounds, but that's its only drawback.

I'm going to list this in the classifieds. Chris, please let me know if you're interested in it.

Chris Grigsby · Post by **Chris Grigsby** » 20 Dec 2014 10:52 am

b0b wrote:The Milkman 50W Sideman has 2 channels, one for guitar and the other for steel.

The Milkman amps look amazing, but I'm not looking to spend that much money at the moment.

I'm leaning towards a Deluxe or a Twin as they seem readily available for $600, which is almost as cheap as a used Peavey 112 but would provide some greater flexibility. Not too crazy about the weight, but I won't be playing out for a while.

Best,
Chris

Chris Boyd · Post by **Chris Boyd** » 20 Dec 2014 11:05 am

I use a '69 Dual Showman Reverb which is a Twin Reverb in a head cab..big weight saver and great for steel and guitars..add a cab/speakers of your choosing...also use a couple Music Man 1-15-65's..JBL-D130 /Sica.. If you put an efficient speaker in a Deluxe Reverb...like a JBL K120,you will greatly increase the headroom.. have a '66 Princeton Reverb that I put an EV SRO coffeecan alnico and it is gig worthy for guitars and not bad for steel too...

Les Cargill · Post by **Les Cargill** » 20 Dec 2014 11:06 am

Chris Grigsby wrote:Thanks for the suggestions guys. The Twin Reverb seems like a good choice despite the weight as the amp will mostly stay in my studio for now.

Would a Deluxe Reverb have enough headroom for pedal steel, or is the Twin the way to go?

Finally, do the tube Fenders sound as good as the solid state PSG-specific amps like the Steel King, Nashville 112, etc...?

Best,
Chris

They all sound different. You don't per-se need a Twin in the studio - a Deluxe might work if you can keep the volume control below the breakup point. Heck, I'd most likely track steel direct, no amp anyway.

The weight of a Twin is a problem to be managed by machinery. From the back of a pickup to ground level, onto wheels is not *that* much lifting. If it needs to be a two-man operation, make it a two-man operation. Maybe a ramp is in order. Maybe a lift gate for the truck. I used to manhandle a 4X15" Sunn cabinet, but it was tall enough to where you could leverage it on your knee.

Half between a Twin (85 watts) and a Deluxe ( 18 watts) Reverb is the Fender Blues Deluxe ( 40 watts) . Much lighter than a Twin.

Tom Gorr · Post by **Tom Gorr** » 20 Dec 2014 2:29 pm

I think the base criteria is simple..find a multi channel amp that uses 6L6 tubes and has a reputation in the genre you play.

Tim Whitlock · Post by **Tim Whitlock** » 21 Dec 2014 8:45 am

Of all the multi-purpose amps, the Fender Twin Reverb is the only one that is both an iconic guitar amp and an iconic steel amp. Getting it to the stage can be a bit of work but fortunately once you get there you are allowed to put it down

There are several Twins on CL now, a couple in your price range and I have seen them go as low as $500.

Bill Terry · Post by **Bill Terry** » 21 Dec 2014 9:02 am

Getting it to the stage can be a bit of work but fortunately once you get there you are allowed to put it down

Exactly... you carry it for 5 minutes, but you have to listen to it all night. I'm looking for a SF Twin locally (Austin) right now. At the moment, a clean SF seems to be north of 700.00..

Chris Grigsby · Post by **Chris Grigsby** » 21 Dec 2014 9:41 am

Tim Whitlock wrote:Of all the multi-purpose amps, the Fender Twin Reverb is the only one that is both an iconic guitar amp and an iconic steel amp. Getting it to the stage can be a bit of work but fortunately once you get there you are allowed to put it down There are several Twins on CL now, a couple in your price range and I have seen them go as low as $500.

Hey Tim, I agree, it seems silly to buy a Peavey Nashville for $400-$500 when I can get a Twin Reverb for $500-$600. Glad to know you're local to the area!

Best,
Chris

Tim Whitlock · Post by **Tim Whitlock** » 21 Dec 2014 6:13 pm

Feel free to come check out my Twin Reverb in action on guitar and steel, Chris. http://www.ethylandtheregulars.com/show.htm

Paul Sutherland · Post by **Paul Sutherland** » 21 Dec 2014 6:28 pm

I've been playing through a Twin Reverb for a couple months now. I'm always impressed by how good it sounds for PSG, particularly if I can turn it up to 8 or above on the volume.

David Spires · Post by **David Spires** » 21 Dec 2014 8:05 pm

Chris,

Comparing a Peavey Nashville 112 and a Fender Twin is like comparing an apple and an orange. Different. I use Nashville 112s as powered cabinets for my Stereo Steel Pre on the road, but I'm also loving my Fender Twin at home.

I think the Twin is a great option for using both Guitar and Steel, if for nothing else than having two separate channels to adjust eq and volume...

I also have a Deluxe Reverb head, and I agree - great for the studio, or a gig where you will be mic'ed, but -- no where near enough clean headroom for loud volumes. (22 watts vs 85 watts in the twin).

My $0.02,

David Spires

Chris Grigsby · Post by **Chris Grigsby** » 26 Dec 2014 12:56 pm

So, I tried one of the new Fender '68 Custom Twin Reverbs (on 6-string) and it was a no go. Really poor build quality (made in Mexico?!?), harsh sounding, noisy electronics, etc...sending it back.

I'm also thinking I want a lightweight amp. Anyone ever play steel through a Swart Atomic Space Tone? I had one of their 5w amps and it was simply amazing, so I'm wondering if the 18-22 watt models with the tube reverb and trem would sound good on steel.

Also considering a Quilter, Evans, Stereo Steel, Fender Pro Reverb (vintage), and a Milkman. The latter looks really great, but I'm not sure I can bring myself to spend $1700 on a solid state amp. There is a '74 Fender Silverface Twin with JBL's for sale locally, but talk about heavy. I think it's close to 80 lbs.

Life would be so much easier if these amps were available to demo!

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