session 400 settings

Darrell Joe Glidden · Post by **Darrell Joe Glidden** » 1 Sep 2008 9:47 am

I use a sho bud pro 3 custom, and have trouble getting that sweet spot on my session 400. Any one have the basic emmons settings that i can get back to?

Bo Borland · Post by **Bo Borland** » 1 Sep 2008 5:06 pm

It really depends on the room, but try this to start with

based on the clock and as a starting point
Vol @ 11 pres
pres @ 1
treb@ 1
mid @ 10 -11
shift @ 1-2
bass @ 4-5
rev @2
sens @ 10-11

Ernie Renn · Post by **Ernie Renn** » 2 Sep 2008 3:31 am

If you mean an old Session 400 and not a Session 400 Limited...

Buddy used my amp in Minneapolis many years ago. It was set like this:
Vol: 2.5-3
Pres: 7
Treb: 6.5
Mid: 4
Shift: full
Bass: 7.5
Rev: 0
Sens: 9

Lately, I've been using this, too. I found that thru the PA my mids were pretty weak. So, I tried this and I like kinda it.

Vol: 3
Pres: 4
Treb: 4
Mid: full
Shift: full
Bass: 7
Rev: 0
Sens: 8

Good luck finding that sweet spot!

Bill Terry · Post by **Bill Terry** » 2 Sep 2008 3:56 am

Ernie,
My Session 400 setup is virtually identical to yours. What I find that changes most often from room to room is Shift. If I get in a room that seems muddy, I turn the Shift down, conversely in a room that sounds really bright, I turn the shift up, which warms up the tone.

Getting the Shift and Mid controls tweaked is the key I think.

Darrell Joe Glidden · Post by **Darrell Joe Glidden** » 3 Sep 2008 11:49 am

Hey, Thanks for the help.I did find it , but I never thought about room size, I play mostly at my studio or small bars. Thanks again

Darrell Joe Glidden · Post by **Darrell Joe Glidden** » 3 Sep 2008 11:51 am

Ernie, I,m in Ky now but have family in Minn. I get to play up near Effie every summer or so. Have to look you up. Joe

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 3 Sep 2008 12:56 pm

but I never thought about room size, I play mostly at my studio or small bars.

Even small rooms can require significantly different settings. Carpeting, parallel or offset walls, and ceiling height & shape can all really change your settings. That's why there just aren't any "normal" settings for any amp. Even in the same room, crowd size can have a huge effect on tone.

You also can't let *your* ears be your guide - it has to be someone in the crowd who knows sound...or have a buddy that plays warm up your axe while YOU listen.

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 3 Sep 2008 1:50 pm

I gotta dial out those highs to get a decent sound on my session. The key to a Session, I find, is being generous with the Shift. If you lay back too much on the shift, the amp gets really honky. Conversely, be skimpy on the mids.

Many experienced steel players have the sensitivity on full when they use a Session 400. It increases the richness of the tone.