New from Peavey: Session-LTD 400 pedal

[Bill Ferguson]

I have been released to announce an new Product from Peavey Electronics.

Many have asked for a pedal that would have the preamp of an original Session 400.

Well here it is.
It is called the Session-LTD 400.

It is the exact preamp circuit used in the early 70's.

You can use this pedal when you need to go direct or plug it in to the Power Amp Input (use external reverb/delay) or POST EQ input (to have amp reverb) of most Peavey amps.

I received 1 of 2 prototypes several months ago and passed it around to a few professional players. The result were very favorable.

I will have a couple of these at the TSGA for people to try out.

Full production should begin within the next couple of months.

MAP Price will be $199.00 and I will include shipping in the lower 48.
I am taking Pre-Orders now. No deposit required. As of today 2/15/2025, I already have 57 orders.
If you would like to get on the list, send and email to bferguson1947@gmail.com and include your Name, Address, Phone and email address.
As soon as I get a firm date for shipping, I will contact you to confirm your order and send you an invoice.

This unit has a place for a 9V battery. However, because this is a full preamp, battery life will be relatively short. It is recommended to use a 9V Negative Ground power supply.
I inquired about shipping a power supply with each unit. However, because Peavey sells worldwide, there are different voltages around the world, making this no feasible.

Who better to build this than the company that produced one of the first Steel Guitar Amps ever.

Stay tuned for more information.

[Rick Baker]

Well, Bill... if it has your endorsement, I have to believe it's the cat's meow. I'm guessing a standard pedal power will work with this? Can't wait to get my hands on one, for a test drive. Bake

[Dennis Detweiler]

Is it transistor?

[Doug Taylor]

That is exciting news for sure!

[Jerry Overstreet]

Good news. If it's in the price range you indicated, sign me up!

[Bill Ferguson]

Dennis, yes it is transistor just like the original session 400.

[David Laveau]

I have been released to announce an new Product from Peavey Electronics.

Many have asked for a pedal that would have the preamp of an original Session 400.

Well here it is.
It is called the Session-LTD 400.

It is the exact preamp circuit used in the early 70's.

Pretty cool news

[Tony Edwards]

I want one! It would save a lot of sweat!

[David Biggers]

Where can they be purchased and how soon can I receive one?

[Bill Ferguson]

David, if you will carefully read my post it will tell you that they should be available in a couple or three months. They are planning a first production run in late April or 1st of May. Once they are available I will be able to sell them directly. Bill

[David Biggers]

Sorry Bill.. I was excited..

[Bill C. Buntin]

That is awesome.

[John Fields]

Thanks for posting, Bill! This has identical circuitry to the original with SMT versions of the original SPS953 BJTs that I was finally successful in sourcing, stacked film coupling caps, a combination of metal and carbon film resistors, and 9mm pots. The Sensitivity control is different than the real amp in that it goes all the way to zero and has a different range that drives a wider array of inputs. Instead of keeping it fully CCW, you'd typically set it at about 10 o'clock into most Effects Returns, then adjust the gain and EQ before setting the Sensitivity for the onset of clipping, etc.. At higher settings it will drive older tube and SS power amp inputs with >1V input sensitivities. They're from Taiwan, which nobody is thrilled about, but it's one click better than the PRC and they're bulletproof. There are very few Chinese parts as a result, too. There's also an analog mute circuit to allow for silent switching while still having a true hard-switched bypass, so it's 100% out of circuit when it's off. Metal bushings, metal knobs, die cast 1590BB sized box, and as Peavey as can be. Be on the lookout for more when the NAMM show happens next week.

[Dennis Detweiler]

I bought a Session 400 in 1974 and still have it. I recently went through it and updated the caps and Molex connectors. It sounds like new again and dead quiet. It's still operating on the original transistors. Very punchy and tube sounding. It's a little heavy to take out on a job in my old age. I'm looking forward to trying this new pedal.

[Jon Irsik]

This is exiting and good news. A cabinet sim pedal and reverb/delay and you could gig with this.

I wish someone would do a true modeling pedal for steel with an XLR direct out, cabinet modeling and onboard reverb/delay. With the advent of in-ear monitoring more of those types of units are available for guitar but none for steel. It sure would beat dragging an amp and a bunch of outboard gear around. It likely wouldn't be at this type of price point, though.

[Troy Engle]

The Milkman "The Amp" 50 has direct xlr out, and speaker out, verb, tremolo, eq. There are other one box options. I've been using the Line 6 Pod Express with great success for recording. It has amp sim, eq, reverb, delay, several modulation effects, and tons of amp options. No XLR on the Pod though. This Peavey looks like it will be cool too! i agree though, add some verb, and a cab sim, it'd be great.

[Bill Ferguson]

The Session-LTD pedal was designed for one purpose.

A pre-amp to match the ORIGINAL Session 400 pre-amp.

If all this other stuff were added it would:
Change the size of the unit
Increase the price of the unit.

Besides, different players like different reverbs, delays and such.
Those can all be added in the chain.

[Robert Herr]

Bill is this similar to the TC Furlong Sesh 400 pedal I saw being offered last year?

[Bill Ferguson]

Robert,
I never offered or know anything about the Furlong pedal.
Must have been someone else.

Bill

[Dennis Detweiler]

Delay/reverb into the Session 400 preamp pedal and into a power amp of your choice is what the intentions would probably be. A simple chain to get the classic sound. I think it would be perfect for a basic Quilter tone block 200. The transistors and original circuitry are the key to the Session 400 pedal, as I see it. There are many power amp options. I have a Peavey Classic tube 50/50 rack mount power amp that would probably sound fantastic, but it's heavy.

[Larry Dering]

I'm so happy to see this offered by Peavey. Definitely be on my shopping list.

[Daniel Policarpo]

This certainly got my attention. Looks like this will be available in April along with a few other Peavey pre-amp pedals.
I play a fine '74 Sho-Bud Pro 1 and am actively going through that gear acquisition syndrome, trying to marry the old girl to something suitable,and your post did not help one bit, Bill Ferguson! Nope, not one bit!

I usually prefer Fender style sound but used a Peavey Nashville at an open mic deal that brought a rich presence on the bandstand I wasn't expecting. And now I'm reconsidering the possibilities....was going back and forth between getting a Fender Deluxe or Peavey Classic, and now thinking be nice to have the flexibility supported by having separate dedicated components....was about to go on and on..but we know the drill. GAS!
I play small rooms, neighborhood places, VFW halls, and Moose lodge are about as big as it gets for me...look forward to checking this out. Probably going to pre-order one anyway. Appreciate the heads up!

[Bill Ferguson]

Time for a bump as I added ordering info in my original post.

Bill