Evans FET 500 Question

Chuck Martin · Post by **Chuck Martin** » 20 Sep 2000 4:18 pm

I'm close to buying a used Evans FET 500 with a JBL E-130 in it. My question is when did the amps go from the LV to HV and what is the difference? I'm told this amp was made around 1981 or 82. I'm assuming the speaker was aftermarket.

Thanks, Chuck

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 20 Sep 2000 5:37 pm

Derrell Stephens is definitely THE man to answer this one.

If he doesn't respond soon, do a search and send him an email.

Fred Murphy · Post by **Fred Murphy** » 22 Sep 2000 2:28 pm

Since Derrell hasn't responded I will tell you what little I know about them. I bought my last FET500 LV about three years ago. At that time they were still available in both models. I was told that the amps were the same, that only the cabinet size was different, the Fet500 Lv, being the small cabinet model. I have seen posted that the HV meant high voltage. I don't know if this is so or not. That is not what was told to me at the Convention at the time I bought mine. I do love my LVs though and that is what I would buy if I were buying another one.

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 22 Sep 2000 7:13 pm

Sorry Fred, I do know that HV stands for High Voltage and LV stands for Low Voltage and both are/were available in both cabinet sizes. Derrell will be around soon to give the definitive answer, I'm sure.

Lee Baucum · Post by **Lee Baucum** » 23 Sep 2000 8:34 am

I'm with Jim on this one. Derrell built my amp back in the mid 80's. It's an LV and is the large cabinet.

Lee, from South Texas

Derrell Stephens · Post by **Derrell Stephens** » 23 Sep 2000 10:19 am

Chuck:

I started building the FET 500-LV Series in 1981. The JBL speaker was the stock speaker at the time; it's probably a real good one.

Hope this helps,
Derrell

Chuck Martin · Post by **Chuck Martin** » 23 Sep 2000 1:03 pm

Thanks for your input. I'm probably going to end up buying a 5 year old 1 owner Nashville 400 instead. The price is a couple hundred cheaper than the Evans which I found out has been through several owners and maybe more. I'm just a little leary of buying a 20 year old amp sight unseen. I'm already looking into the pros and cons of the LeMay mod to decide if this is something worth doing if I get the Peavey.

Fred Murphy · Post by **Fred Murphy** » 23 Sep 2000 5:00 pm

I have just intalled the Lemay mod in a friends NV400. It is well worth the money in my opinion. I am going to put it in mine as well. I still don't think it sounds as good as the Evans, but it does make it a usable amp. Everybody likes different sounds though.

Jim Smith · Post by **Jim Smith** » 24 Sep 2000 7:10 am

For only $200 difference I'd definitely go with the Evans. If it ever does need repairs, you'll only pay for them once and it will be fixed.

I played an older FET 500 for 20 years and only had to replace the power transistors - at a cost of less than $100. Not bad for 20 years use.