Session 500 - a painful divorce - advice needed

John Poston · Post by **John Poston** » 18 Apr 2005 8:43 am

*edit - new pics further down in thread

Ok, I'm only in my mid 30's and I'm already tired of lugging the 500 around, but it sounds so amazing and the reverb and phaser effects are some of the best I've heard.

So I think it's time the amp and speaker went their seperate ways - with frequent visitations, of course.

Anyone have a good source for or recommendations about splitting the head and speaker into 2 cabinets?

Thanks much.
[This message was edited by John Poston on 09 June 2005 at 08:27 AM.][This message was edited by John Poston on 09 June 2005 at 08:28 AM.]

Ricky Davis · Post by **Ricky Davis** » 18 Apr 2005 9:01 am

Yes; Rick Johnson is your man for that job.
You can see ALL info and pictures what he did for me and his email; at this link here> http://steelguitarforum.com/Forum11/HTML/006626.html
Ricky

Marty Pollard · Post by **Marty Pollard** » 18 Apr 2005 9:02 am

...the reverb and phaser effects are some of the best I've heard.

DUDE!?!
The locker room at the YMCA has better reverb!
And the PHASER???
We could export this to France as an example of American CHEESE!

And don't EVEN get me started on the 'string effect'!

Seriously, you need to make a trip to a music store.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 18 Apr 2005 9:27 am

Well, I've always thought the phase was one of the better ones around for Pedal Steel. I can't say much for the string effect and the reverb is typical of a Peavey.

As far as the general amp, personally, it was the best steel amp that Peavey made.

I lugged one around for 15 years.

Marty Pollard · Post by **Marty Pollard** » 18 Apr 2005 9:30 am

Oh, definitely LOVE mine.
Even more so after the mod!
But outboard effects are the way to go.

Bob Metzger · Post by **Bob Metzger** » 18 Apr 2005 10:08 am

Aaahhh Viva la difference! It's what makes the world go 'round. What a boring place this would be if we all agreed on everything.

Bob M.

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 18 Apr 2005 1:08 pm

Well if you like the phaser in the S-500, and I do too, it's based around (or directly copied from) an Electro-Harmonix Small Stone Phaser which is widely available as a pedal. At least that's what I've been told, and the sound does seem to be the same last time I checked. I think it's one of the better sounding guitar (or steel) phasers. Check for an old Small Stone or an Electra Phaser pedal which is actually a Small Stone with different brand name printed on it. Same phaser and cheaper.

Overall a smart move. That amp is just too heavy for a human to lift too many times. The back is a terrible part of the body to injure.

Brad Sarno

John Poston · Post by **John Poston** » 18 Apr 2005 2:39 pm

Thanks for the info, Ricky - I've sent him an email for info.
Also, if anyone has another referral closer to Chicago, I'd love to know.

Brad - looks like you better come with me when I take that trip to the music store.

Marty Pollard · Post by **Marty Pollard** » 18 Apr 2005 4:53 pm

Well, maybe it's just phase shifting in general that sounds cheesy.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 18 Apr 2005 6:39 pm

Try a Stereo Chorus 212 (with a mod). It's got good power (130w/channel), great chorus, and a decent set of digital 'verbs and slaps. It's also about 25 pounds lighter than the 500!

John Poston · Post by **John Poston** » 19 Apr 2005 10:57 am

State any opinion on here and you're bound to start a little controversey.

My girlfriend and I were playing a show together a couple weeks ago and I laid into the phaser pretty heavy on one tune and she shot me some funny looks. I told her your comments, Marty, about the onboard effects and she thought they were extremely funny. I respect where you're coming from and I think she does even more.

Still taking and considering all referrals for the impending breakup. Thanks.

Tony Palmer · Post by **Tony Palmer** » 19 Apr 2005 11:43 am

I split mine up a few years ago.
It came out great, but the funny thing is, the head is still so damn heavy, I still don't take it out on gigs....even minus the speaker it's a back breaker.
It's actually worse now, because you have to carry the head, whereas you could wheel the whole amp before.

Terry Sneed · Post by **Terry Sneed** » 19 Apr 2005 1:51 pm

Hey guys, I have a session 500rd. I hate to sound dumb, but how do you use the phaser? How do you set it. I love this amp for steel.

Terry

------------------
Mullen D10 /8x5 / session 500rd/ American Strat Highway 1 model
steelin for my Lord

Jim Peters · Post by **Jim Peters** » 19 Apr 2005 2:02 pm

Two words-Nashville 112... or is that three??
JP

Marty Pollard · Post by **Marty Pollard** » 19 Apr 2005 4:04 pm

Terry, turn both knobs all the way to the left then remove them.

Jim Bates · Post by **Jim Bates** » 19 Apr 2005 5:59 pm

For the phaser, I set Color at 7 and rate around 5 or 7 depending on the song played. I only use the phaser once in a while for effect. The String Effect only works fairly well when using the three cable hookup. Since I don't do that, no string effect.

I have tried many other amps through the years (yes, even the Nash. 112) and I do not like them. None ever compared in smoothness, overall sound quality, and power in comparison to my 500's with the JBL E 130 in them. The reverb is great!
Very clean and clear - what I want.

Different strokes for different folk.

Thanx,
Jim

John Poston · Post by **John Poston** » 9 Jun 2005 7:26 am

I got the cabs back from Rick Johnson yesterday. They're beautiful.
The head weighs 44 pounds and the speaker weighs 33 pounds.
Thanks for the referral Ricky.

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 9 Jun 2005 7:43 am

*[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 05 April 2006 at 04:32 AM.]

jim milewski · Post by **jim milewski** » 9 Jun 2005 7:51 am

very, very nice!!

Mike Archer · Post by **Mike Archer** » 9 Jun 2005 10:25 am

i have to agree with JIM PETERS
NASHVILLE 112 IS A LOW WEIGHT
GREAT SOUNDING STEEL AMP
I ALSO LIKE THE EVANS SE150
I HAVE ONE AND IT TO IS LOW IN WEIGHT
AND SOUNDS KILLER!!
I HAD A 500 YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS YOUNGER AND ITS JUST TO DARN HEAVY FOR ME
SAVE YOUR BACK WHILE YOU ARE YOUNG
TAKE IT FROM ME I HAVE HAD BOTH KNEES
REPLACED AND MY BACK IS GONE FOR GOOD
AND I AM DISABLED I USE TO LIFT
PA GEAR AND BIG AMPS AMD NOW AT 53
MY BODY IS WORN OUT

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 9 Jun 2005 10:44 am

Man that is really nice. I never move my 500, it stays put in my studio, but I still may split it up just in case I do want to move it around. I like the two-piece concept because it is much easier to try different speakers and combinations of speakers.

------------------
Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording

Andrew Buhler · Post by **Andrew Buhler** » 9 Jun 2005 11:19 am

Sweet! I just had Rick build a head cab for my Session 400 to match the 1x15 cabinet he made for me earlier this year. Top notch work. I love the flexibility of grabbing the Session or my Dual Showman Reverb whenever I want. The Session 400 head seems so light now!

John Poston · Post by **John Poston** » 9 Jun 2005 12:39 pm

Gene,

LOL - yea I started getting some back trouble out of nowhere and I got worried. I'm amazed you toughed it out until 70 - just another reason you guys think my generation is a bunch of panty-waists.

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 9 Jun 2005 5:57 pm

*[This message was edited by Gene Jones on 05 April 2006 at 04:32 AM.]

Al Terhune · Post by **Al Terhune** » 9 Jun 2005 9:03 pm

who gives a crap about the sound or even the weight...where the heck's the Peavey logo, man?