Session 500 ???

Brendan Mitchell · Post by **Brendan Mitchell** » 7 Oct 2004 12:26 am

Hi
I would like some comments on the session 500 amp as I have the chance to buy one.
Regards Brendan

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 7 Oct 2004 12:42 am

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 · Post by **Mark Metdker** » 7 Oct 2004 2:47 am

"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.

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BMI S-10
Peavey Session 500

Band Pics
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Jerry Hayes R.I.P. · Post by **Jerry Hayes R.I.P.** » 7 Oct 2004 3:13 am

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

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Livin' in the Past and the Future with a 12 string Mooney Universal tuning.

George Kimery · Post by **George Kimery** » 7 Oct 2004 3:14 am

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 · Post by **Tony Davis** » 7 Oct 2004 3:40 am

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 · Post by **Joe Yednasty** » 7 Oct 2004 4:29 am

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.

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"Eskimo" Joe Yednasty
Emmons P/P S-10
Peavey Session 500

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 7 Oct 2004 5:06 am

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.

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Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 7 Oct 2004 5:50 am

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 · Post by **Graham Bland** » 7 Oct 2004 4:36 pm

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 · Post by **Brendan Mitchell** » 7 Oct 2004 6:56 pm

Thanks for all your comments
I have decided to save my back and stick with my Music Man 210 HD.
Brendan

Richard Argus · Post by **Richard Argus** » 7 Oct 2004 9:10 pm

What were Jeff Newman's settings?
Thanks,

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » 8 Oct 2004 5:33 am

Thanks for the compliments and support, guys!

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 8 Oct 2004 5:39 am

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<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Erv Niehaus on 08 October 2004 at 06:41 AM.]</p></FONT>

Damir Besic · Post by **Damir Besic** » 8 Oct 2004 4:35 pm

great amp.

Db

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"Promat"
~when the tone matters~

Anders Brundell · Post by **Anders Brundell** » 9 Oct 2004 7:00 am

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.

Bob Carlucci · Post by **Bob Carlucci** » 9 Oct 2004 9:34 am

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 · Post by **Roger Shackelton** » 12 Oct 2004 3:46 am

Didn't someone offer a kit for splitting the amp and speaker section, to get around the weight issue?

Roger

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 12 Oct 2004 5:32 am

Roger,
They sell chain saws at Home Depot!

Uff-Da!

Farris Currie · Post by **Farris Currie** » 12 Oct 2004 6:22 am

RODGER, be sure to get a good white marker,and mark it before sawing!!!!gotta it straight!!!!

Gene Jones · Post by **Gene Jones** » 12 Oct 2004 8:23 am

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