Best all-around amplifier?

[Tony Kovacic]

I'm trying to decide on a do-it-all amplifier that I can use with my GeorgeBoards D-8, National New Yorker and transducer-equipped resonators. I'm not strong enough or crazy enough to haul a different amp for each type of instrument to every little gig, but I do like to have all of the guitars with me when I play. I've read great things about pedal and non-pedal steels through the Nashville 112 and the Steel King, but what about lap steels and squareneck resonators? I'd really appreciate some input from the Forum on this subject. Thanks.

[Ray Montee]

I've found that my Peavy LA-400 delivers EVERYTHING I've ever desired and/or needed. I'm of the opinion that it's one of the most under rated amps out there.

It's got 250 Watts of kick-em in the back-side power........ and I feel, it will stand side by side with any of the bigger amps.

It's a 12 inch, rather than the BIG 15 for which Peavy has become legend.

Its can give an Emmons Dbl-10 all the big guitar sound one might desire and yet for a simple 6-string Rick, it has plenty of controlability for a big fat, lush, mellow tone.

You might benefit yourself by giving one 'a play' sometime.

[Brad Bechtel]

Do a search on the Electronics section of this forum and you'll find many discussions of this same topic.

How loud do you play? What type(s) of music do you play? What other steel guitarists have a sound that you like? And most importantly, what is your budget?

Your choices are wide and varied, from excellent solid state amps to small tube amplifiers. Many people prefer the sounds of the Fender tube amps, while others prefer the clean tones of the Peaveys.

You probably won't find a magic amp that sounds good with all your guitars and is portable and inexpensive, but I'll bet you can have any two.

This belongs in Electronics, so I've moved it there from Steel Without Pedals.

[Tony Kovacic]

Ray, I'm not familiar with the LA-400, but it might be just what I'm looking for, especially with that much power and a 12" speaker. Thanks for the tip.

Brad, Thank you for moving my post to the Electronics Section. I'm just new to the Forum and still in the 'trial and error' phase.

[Danny Sherbon]

I had a LA 400 and it was a fine little amp. I sold it to Ken Fox and he did his mod magic on it and says it's a killer amp. It was good before, I would like to hear it now.

[Ray Montee]

What I forgot to mention, is this:

Everything I said about the amp, is TRUE.

BUT, I chanced to discover one day, that just a little "SATURATION"....possibly 1.5 - 2, will give you the warmth of an olde TUBE AMP. It's really a "special sound" and ideal for any lap steel player that doesn't want that sterile sound of a standard solid state amp. This is NOT, a rock & roll affect but rather, like a minimal reverb setting, it delivers a lot of "quality sound" if you're careful in setting it up.

Good Luck to you!

[Bob Hoffnar]

I think the perfect amp for what you are doing is a real late 60's Fender Deluxe Reverb. Leo got it right with that one.

[Jerry Hayes]

Tony, I think I'd try to locate a Peavey Stereo Chorus 400. They have two 12" speakers and two completely separate channels. That means totally different EQ's and settings can be had with each instrument as they have a duplicate set of controls in each channel and the chorus and reverb work in both channels. I use mine a lot with lead guitar and pedal steel as they can be set up like you need them.....

Another option would be a small 4 channel PA head with 12" or 15" cabinet. Old Peavey heads can be found pretty cheap and they're workhorses. With a rig like that you could add an acoustic guitar and maybe and electric also.

I disagree on the Fender Deluxe Reverb. That's only a 22W amp and totally useless if you get stuck in a large venue and they don't mike your amp. I had that misfortune at an outside show at the beach a couple of years ago. The following week I traded mine for an old MusicMan One Fifty.......JH in Va.

[Curt Langston]

Tony,
Three words:

PEAVEY DELTA BLUES

Get the single 15" version. Best sounding tube amp for lap or lower volume pedal steel.

IMHO