? How many like to see the Nashville 400 come back out ?

Jim Brown · Post by **Jim Brown** » 12 Nov 2001 1:12 pm

I propose a Nashville 1500. This would be a combo amp, with a seperate head. The head would be a stereo version of the Nashville 1000, with a couple of available rack spaces for effects. It should have two output channels, with around 200 or 250 watts pre channel. Of course it should have all the loops as the 1000, including the lo-Z out for the board.

It should also have a matched set of speakers that are included with the amp, and the amp should not be sold without the matching speakers.

Bu having the seperate head, you get around the weight problem. You also take care of the guys who want stereo. and the included rack spaces will make for a simpler setup, and keep the clutter to a minimum.

Maybe I am wrong, but I think this would sell well.

Thanks

Jim Brown

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 12 Nov 2001 3:55 pm

What you're suggesting sounds almost exactly like the Stereo Steel rig by GD Walker at http://www.stereosteel.com

Herb Steiner · Post by **Herb Steiner** » 12 Nov 2001 4:09 pm

This would be a combo amp, with a seperate head.

Terminology conflict, Jim. A "combo amp," in common usage, is one with amplifier and speakers in the same cabinet. "Piggyback" refers to the amplifier in separate, smaller cabinet resting on or near the speaker cabinet.

------------------
Herb's Steel Guitar Pages
Texas Steel Guitar Association

Chris Schlotzhauer · Post by **Chris Schlotzhauer** » 13 Nov 2001 12:19 pm

To the question at hand, no I believe PV should move on to more improved products with input of the industry (you guys). How many amp manufacturers listen to the steel industry like Peavey, and respond with a great product you can afford? Zero.
I have a 20 yr old Session 400, NV 400, NV 1000. I love them all. My 400 actually sounds better straight into the amp (no ProFex), than my 1000. However, the 1000 w/ProFex is killer. I think everyone should own a 400, if nothing else as a backup. So find a used one for 300.00 and you have an amp you can go to battle with.
I havn't heard about the 100 series. So it has a 12" in it? That's probably too small to make it in the steel world, but, the best amp I EVER played through as far as tone goes, was the Special 130. It had a 12" in it, and limited it to small rooms or studio, but what a tone!

Danny Hullihen · Post by **Danny Hullihen** » 13 Nov 2001 5:11 pm

Chris.
That was basically the idea behind the design of the Nashville 100 with a 12" speaker. A small amp intended for practice, small rooms, and studio work, etc.(around 100 watts,) but with a great sound designed for the steel guitar and very nice features at less cost than the Nashville 1000. In essence, something to fill that gap for those not wanting to spend a lot for a steel amp, and for those also not needing all the power of the 1000.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 14 Nov 2001 4:00 am

I don't think the 12" speaker is bad for steel. My rack system uses two 12" Peavey Nashville 112E speaker clones with the same 1203 BW speaker. I get more lows and highs with those speakers than I do with the 15" in the Nashville 400.

GARYPHILLIPS · Post by **GARYPHILLIPS** » 14 Nov 2001 11:02 am

Hey Guys, has anyone try two of Nashville 100
together ??

STEELIN FOR JESUS

Frank Parish · Post by **Frank Parish** » 24 Nov 2001 3:20 pm

I tried the Nashville 1000 and played through a Nashville 400 for a month once. I've played through the Vegas 400's too. I own two Session 400's from the mid 70's. When I try an amp I like to compare it to what I'm already playing. My only concern is how it sounds. If it doesn't have the tone the rest doesn't matter. For my money I'll keep the Sessions. The Vegas is a close second and the rest don't get it with me. The Nashville 400 is too midi and the 1000 is a notch better. I just haven't heard anything from Peavey to compare to the old Sessions yet. These aren't the only amps I use but are my favorites. I thought Lloyd sounded a lot better last year at the ISGC. I thought he used a Session 400.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 25 Nov 2001 8:58 am

If anyone wants a Nashville 400 (this was the original question) they can buy a used one quite handily.

To my own ears, the new 1000 sounds better.

Karl Nutt · Post by **Karl Nutt** » 25 Nov 2001 6:46 pm

My first "steel" amp was the original Session 400 with the JBL and I loved it. I tried a LTD with a BW for a while and didn't like it (my guitar player buddy bought it from me). Then I bought a Session 500 (small cabinet)and REALLY loved it (yeh, it was heavy, but not quite as heavy as my D-10!). Next I tried out a Nashville 400 and didn't like the honky mids. Then, I got an Evans (loaded with my Peavey JBL from my original Session 400) and it was the best yet. I had also been using a Fender 135 watt Twin with a 15" JBL which was also real nice... warm and an excellent reverb. When the Evans broke down and the Fender's tubes were running hot, I went out and bought a Nashville 1000. Many of these amps have overlaped, so side by side comparisons have occured. I still have the Evans and the Twin, and even an old Sho Bud Compactra. The Nashville 1000 has been by far the EASIEST amp to set up a tone on, clean at even ungodly volume levels, light-weight, and even the lo Z direct out works wonderfully! To my ears, it has even more balls than the Evans without clipping, and even has a touch of the warmth of the Twin. The reverb is excellent too. I believe that Peavey has a definite winner with this one. My fellow bandmates complimented the tone of the amp on the very first night out with it. I had a couple of problems with the amp when it was new, but Mike Brown and the folks at Peavey took care of it with lightning speed and it has performed flawlessly since. I'm definitely hooked on the tone!

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » 27 Nov 2001 10:48 am

Thank you for your comments and support.

Jerry Brightman · Post by **Jerry Brightman** » 27 Nov 2001 3:45 pm

Hi,

I just came across this thread and thought
I'd toss in my two cents worth. Addressing
the C6th dynamics and the 1000 not being able
to handle it; Go to my web site and look in
the today catagory. There is a picture of
Danny Hullihen and I doing a show in Harrison
this past summer. It was the first time I
had tried a 1000. I always by instinct,
gave a little volume when using 8,9, and
10th strings. When I ended a fairly up-
tempo song with a run, the look on Danny's
face should tell the story...It about blew
him out of the chair..me too for that matter. I too used a Nashville 400 up until
that time with the mod. I use and endorse
the 1000 now, and used it along with a PX
300 during the jam in Norwalk, CT with
Herby, Joe, and John.

I've received quite a few positive comments
on the sound of this rig...Hope this don't
sound like a commercial..I just like the 1000
a lot

Thanks to Danny for introduicing
me to it, and Mike Brown at Peavey for thier
continued supprt of all us ole can't tell
nothin's to.

Jerry
http://www.slidestation.com
[This message was edited by Jerry Brightman on 27 November 2001 at 06:59 PM.]

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » 27 Nov 2001 4:11 pm

I can't tell him nothin'!

Lyle Bradford · Post by **Lyle Bradford** » 27 Nov 2001 4:57 pm

After using a 1000 for about a month now I am very satisfied with mine. Using it with a profex 2 it is the best sounding amp made to date by Peavey! I have put my rack away for a rainy day.

Danny Hullihen · Post by **Danny Hullihen** » 28 Nov 2001 5:56 pm

Mike. Just tell him... "hey big man, ya still got your ear there in your hand."

Dallas Cheked · Post by **Dallas Cheked** » 17 Jul 2013 4:46 pm

For as long as I've known the Peavey brand, they always provided the best bang for the buck. American made and solidly built. I currently play through a 1998 Nashville 400 with the Tone Mod and the 1501-4 SB Black Widow speaker. It's hard to beat considering its modest weight, size and purchase price. I am still particularly partial to the original LTD-400 with the JBL speaker. I tried to coax one from a steel player friend of mine, but he wasn't willing to part with it. I can fully understand why. It was a tone monster! That's when I decided to purchase the Nashville 400 I play now, and I'm pretty happy with it. I would say go ahead and re-issue the Nashville 400. It has the main features we want in an amp. Simple, rugged, reliable, powerful, easy to fix and reasonably priced.

Bill Rowlett · Post by **Bill Rowlett** » 18 Jul 2013 10:38 am

I'm with you Dallas. The Nashville 400 was one of the finest designs ever developed and still the prime reasons that we all trust Peavey to this day to support and develop stellar products for steel players.

Most of us players agreed that the larger cabinet amps sounded better back then. The Nashville 400 just hit all the design points we needed for a working amp:

1.)I could afford it (actually 2 of them).
2.)One piece combo amp that didn't weigh too much to carry around to gigs.
3.)It would fit under my assembled steel when I carried them upright in my van.
4.)It was easy to put in a car's backseat or trunk.
5.)It could be plenty loud and had great headroom.
6.)It was small enough for tight stages, yet looked professional.
7.)Right size to sit on if needed.
8.)I use mine for steel, fiddle, piano, Hammond organ, mandolin, PA and bass in a pinch. One amp that can be dialed in for whatever instrument that I am going out with that day.
9.)Rugged 15" speaker
10.)My two 400's have sat outside in my unheated garage for 25 years and still work when I need them. I keep all the fancy amps inside for protection and usually end up just grabbing a 400 because it's right by the car and I know it will work for any gig I am going to go play. I also have a SWR bass rig and a light little Gallien-Krueger MB-150 that complement the Nashville 400 when I need real bass or a small footprint amp. These three cover 100% of my working amp need.

There is no doubt that with Neo speakers, switching power amps and clean low noise circuits, another modern steel amp can hit all these specs and be lighter with better tone. In my engineering mind and 30 years experience, the Peavey Nashville 400 remains the ideal benchmark for all future designs for a working man's versatile amplifier.

Bill

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 18 Jul 2013 1:03 pm

My head hurts reading this thread. Hey Mike Brown, I am a Peavey fan and Hartley is one of my heros.

Innovation, price point, value and supporting the steel community. Sure I have specialty gear but peavey gear is still in my rotation. Can't wait to try the new 100

Regards,

Lenny

Dallas Cheked · Post by **Dallas Cheked** » 18 Jul 2013 1:34 pm

Bill Rowlett wrote:I'm with you Dallas. The Nashville 400 was one of the finest designs ever developed and still the prime reasons that we all trust Peavey to this day to support and develop stellar products for steel players.

Most of us players agreed that the larger cabinet amps sounded better back then. The Nashville 400 just hit all the design points we needed for a working amp:

1.)I could afford it (actually 2 of them).
2.)One piece combo amp that didn't weigh too much to carry around to gigs.
3.)It would fit under my assembled steel when I carried them upright in my van.
4.)It was easy to put in a car's backseat or trunk.
5.)It could be plenty loud and had great headroom.
6.)It was small enough for tight stages, yet looked professional.
7.)Right size to sit on if needed.
8.)I use mine for steel, fiddle, piano, Hammond organ, mandolin, PA and bass in a pinch. One amp that can be dialed in for whatever instrument that I am going out with that day.
9.)Rugged 15" speaker
10.)My two 400's have sat outside in my unheated garage for 25 years and still work when I need them. I keep all the fancy amps inside for protection and usually end up just grabbing a 400 because it's right by the car and I know it will work for any gig I am going to go play. I also have a SWR bass rig and a light little Gallien-Krueger MB-150 that complement the Nashville 400 when I need real bass or a small footprint amp. These three cover 100% of my working amp need.

There is no doubt that with Neo speakers, switching power amps and clean low noise circuits, another modern steel amp can hit all these specs and be lighter with better tone. In my engineering mind and 30 years experience, the Peavey Nashville 400 remains the ideal benchmark for all future designs for a working man's versatile amplifier.

Bill

I have used my Nashville 400 at one time or another for all the things you mentioned plus acoustic guitar, dobro, banjo and even a couple times it had to carry the vocals when the PA called it quits. It fulfilled all those roles even better than I had expected or wished for.
There are indeed better amps out there (like the Bradshaw-Webb) but their price would buy FOUR of the Nashvilles. Yes, FOUR! And with today's uncertain economy, how many of us have that kind of do-re-mi to throw around? Beggars can't be choosers!
Enter Peavey. They have provided some nice tools we the monetarily challenged can afford that allow us to do what we love to do and SHINE while doing it! And for those of us purchasing a complete rig on a budget, they may even allow room for a better guitar plus maybe even a bench, volume pedal and some accessories.

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 18 Jul 2013 10:23 pm

Incorporate ALL the Ken Fox circuit mods and make them standard. Vast improvement.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 19 Jul 2013 2:37 am

An old thread. There newer/better amps out than the NV400. I had one and "tolerated" it until the NV1000 came out, after which the NV400 was history.

My favorite Peavey steel amp is still the Session 500. I switched from the Session 500 to the NV400 to lessen the load, but never really liked the NV400 and mine had the factory installed tone mod.

Newer Peavey amps, such as the Nashville 1000 and Nashville 112 did away with the troublesome Molex connectors and went to more industry standard audio signal connectors. Molex connectors were originally designed for power use, not low level audio applications.

Lane Gray · Post by **Lane Gray** » 19 Jul 2013 3:24 am

I'm with Jack. My two favorite Peaveys are the Session 500 and its predecessor, the Session 400 and LTD.

chris ivey · Post by **chris ivey** » 19 Jul 2013 9:55 am

i think the concept of a small square combo with 200+watts and a neo 12in. black widow would be the ticket. no frills , no digital, no programming. just reverb and no more than $500.

you would only need one, not like a nv112 or 100 where you'd want two. everyone has learned from experience that you need the power for cleanliness and projection. why go backwards. and at the same time, why get sucked into the digital programming tech tinkering bull that most players can do without. keep it straight, simple and cheap, like peavy built it's reputation on.