Best Amp Available For Steel?

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 10 Sep 2007 1:01 pm

Which amp is the most popular among steel players? Are there sources that compare one amp to others? Thanks in advance.

Mike Shefrin · Post by **Mike Shefrin** » 10 Sep 2007 2:23 pm

Bill, I don't know for sure but would hazard a guess that the Peavey Nashville 112 might be the most popular amp in use from what I've read here on the forum. Maybe you ought to submit a poll.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 10 Sep 2007 3:47 pm

Thanks Mike, I appreciate your help. I'll be checking it out.

Jack Stoner · Post by **Jack Stoner** » 10 Sep 2007 3:49 pm

Here is a recent amp poll.

http://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtopi ... light=poll

Jerry Malvern · Post by **Jerry Malvern** » 10 Sep 2007 5:26 pm

One of the sources I use for steel guitar amps is the bathroom scale.

Seriously, as the poll shows, steelers tastes vary as much as their music. I have a Fender Twin Reissue 15, great for recording and around the house, but breaks up before enough volume at a gig. Also own a Peavey Nashville 400, Evans SE200 hybrid, and a Fender Super Twin.

David Doggett · Post by **David Doggett** » 10 Sep 2007 7:40 pm

In that poll I counted 49% prefering a Peavey solid state amp, with the NV112 leading that pack, followed by the NV400. And 16% prefer a Fender Twin family tube amp.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 11 Sep 2007 1:18 am

Thanks to David, Jerry, and Jack for providing information that will prove to be helpful in decision making. The poll provides information that is reliable in terms of mean averages. I hope to collect more information from others who may be experiencing a long term satisfactory, and troublous free service from the amp that they've selected.

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 11 Sep 2007 1:49 am

Bill, as well as the poll giving you a yardstick, you might consider asking full time pro's what amp they use.
Whilst there MAY be a limiting financial factor in the semi pro world, the full time professional applies different criteria with regard to tools.

In my small circle of friends most use 1 or 2 NV-112's.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 11 Sep 2007 4:57 am

Hi Basilh,

Thanks, for the suggestion. It may be somewhat difficult when attempting to properly address notables who are fairly constant in their own searches for the ultimate tone. However, their sought after advice would be much appreciated at this time.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 11 Sep 2007 5:57 am

I think the poll failed to address those players utilizing a rack system.
I haven't played through a combo amp in years.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 11 Sep 2007 7:29 am

Erv,

You made an excellent point by calling attention to the rack system. It has been observed that the elite players are constantly trying to improve their tones. This of course adds credence to your statement. Thanks for shedding light on an expensive venture that may very well exceed the here-to-fore crestfallen lowly amp.
A steel player's taste becomes more discriminating and selective it would seem, with the passing of time.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 11 Sep 2007 7:43 am

Bill,
I guess I'll have to cast blame on Jeff Newmann for getting me headed in this direction. Back when he was writting the column in Peavey's magazine, he advocated using the ProFex II, the DPC 750 amp and a couple of extension speakers for a system. This got me started on the never ending quest for "the" sound. I am very satisfied with I am hearing out of my rack setup but I'd be embarrassed to list all the units that it consists of.

Besides suffering from teminal GAS, I also am somewhat of a gear head.
Erv

Earnest Bovine · Post by **Earnest Bovine** » 11 Sep 2007 8:09 am

basilh wrote:Whilst there MAY be a limiting financial factor in the semi pro world, the full time professional applies different criteria with regard to tools.

Yes, as any music retailer knows, the pros can't afford the expensive gear that amateurs buy.

Bill Terry · Post by **Bill Terry** » 11 Sep 2007 8:12 am

What EB said!!!....

Rick Alexander · Post by **Rick Alexander** » 11 Sep 2007 8:17 am

The NV112 is a great little amp, plenty of clean headroom and consistently rich tone.
For the price, you can't beat it.
At the big Steel Guitar shows (Dallas, St Louis) that's what you mostly see on stage.
A lot of players like to use 2 of them.

When I play live shows, I bring one NV112 and one VK112 and leave the vintage tube amps at home.
Thank you Bobbe Seymour for keeping me supplied with these great little amps!

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 11 Sep 2007 8:58 am

Thanks fellow musicians for helping me to scope the current most commonly used amps. As with any marketed equipment, the prices are a matter of discretion, and it is always wise to look for discounts for ready cash payments. Depending on store policies, savings of sizable cash discounts would be well worth the effort.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 11 Sep 2007 12:16 pm

I like the idea of splitting up the carry load, featured in the Pro Fex II DCP 750 Amp, with 2 extension speakers. Jeff Newman surprised me more than once at the P.S.G.A. Inc. Show in Armonk, N.Y. in the fall of 1992. The room featured long drapes at the windows near the stage. When his scheduled time to play became near, he pulled the drapes aside, and removed the Pro Fex II from behind the drapes. I thought, out of sight, out of mind. No doubt he was opting for an exclusive sound.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 12 Sep 2007 1:29 am

Sorting and weighing out advice is a full time job in this thriving world of music. A healthy attitude is always the prerequisite to arriving at levels of satisfaction. Perhaps, if at first you don't succeed, try again. There's always tomorrow!

basilh · Post by **basilh** » 12 Sep 2007 1:36 am

There's always tomorrow

We HOPE !

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 12 Sep 2007 4:43 am

Why Bill, I'm surprised at your post. Your topic title says "best" amp; however, your question asks about the "most popular" amp.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 12 Sep 2007 6:16 am

Lee,

Assuming that we're all trying to find the best tone, ample volume, and special effects, the search continues as is indicated by the wide range of choices at musical outlets.

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 12 Sep 2007 9:37 am

Just poking fun at you, Bill. The "best" and the "most popular" aren't always one and the same.

David Wren · Post by **David Wren** » 12 Sep 2007 10:07 am

I like Jerry's reply. I love my new "reissued" Fender Twin Custom 15 and it is my first choice, but in small clubs I use my NV112. If I do a large venue where I suspect there will not be sound reinforcement I take the two Session 500s (or sometimes one session 500 with the NV112, dialing in the NV112 for the higher frequencies, and the 500 for the lower register.... so the answer depends a lot on the type of venues you play.

Every player I've seen using the rack mount amp with two 15 BW speakers has sounded absolutley great... just too much stuff to load for me.

... and ditto on the thanks to Mr. Seymour. A great guy to do business with!

Bill Moore (RIP) · Post by **Bill Moore (RIP)** » 13 Sep 2007 5:24 am

I like Peavey amps. I have a Nashville 400, Session 400, and two LTD 400 amps. The LTD is my favorite, I just got the second one. These are great amps.

Bill Hankey · Post by **Bill Hankey** » 14 Sep 2007 4:24 am

Hi Bill,

Purchasing power is always a cosideration. Not everyone can afford to maintain more than one amplifier. The first feature that I look for in an amp, is how well the reverb unit works. Lately, I've checked several with faulty reverb units. It can be an open segue to petty annoyances.