Princeton Reverb Reissue or Peavey Nashville 112, Lap Steel?

Doug Burling · Post by **Doug Burling** » 11 Oct 2011 3:02 pm

I recently received a Sierra lap steel. Right now I'm using a borrowed Fender Princeton Reverb Reissue, but need to start looking for my own amp. I've read so many good reviews on the Peavey Nashville 112 and now I'm wondering if I should go that route. I think the Peavey is a solid state amp, and the Princeton is a tube amp. I can only go by what I've experienced with the Princeton and it's all good. Probably talking about the same money more or less with each. I've looked for a Peavey Nashville 112 locally, but they are not available to try, only to order. I'd like to hear what you think. Especially those who have experienced both amps.

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 12 Oct 2011 7:10 am

How loud do you need to be? Are you playing in a band?

Of the two, I prefer the tone of a tube amp, but I haven't had any direct experience with the Princeton Reverb reissues, just the original ones. The Nashville 112 is a very fine amp and gives a great clean sound. I prefer a bit of grit with my lap steel, and I can get a warmer sound from my Princeton Reverb.

I'd look for an older silverface Princeton Reverb first, but either amp should make you happy.

Dave Hopping · Post by **Dave Hopping** » 12 Oct 2011 10:59 am

Lap does need a little grit in it so I'd think something with tubes.David Lindley supposedly uses an old tweed Deluxe.

Rich Hlaves · Post by **Rich Hlaves** » 12 Oct 2011 11:32 am

If you want a bluesy more vintage tone try a Fender Blues Jr.

Greg Cutshaw · Post by **Greg Cutshaw** » 12 Oct 2011 11:43 am

I've used the Princeton Reverb reissue without much luck. Maybe I had a bad one but the tone was boxy and the reverb was very metallic sounding. Many buyers swap out hte speaker and use an external reverb box to solve those issues.

No luck with the Nash 112 either. No warmth and too clean for the lap steel.

Blues Jr has decent tone, better that the above... but....

I bought an all original Princeton Reverb for $700 and it sounds so good you don't want to quit playing. If you were using some of the other amps listed above, you might be fairly happy with the tone until you tried an amp similar to the Princeton. Also the Princeton doubles as a great guitar amp. I have a reissue deluxe reverb that's pretty good for tone but the reverb is useless. And lastly the Vibro Champ that sounds great on guitar doesn't produce that fat tone with my lap steel.

Of course these are just my opinions based on my setup and my particular amps. Any of these amps can produce an acceptable tone but I greatly prefer the Princeton Reverb.

Greg

Dennis Burling · Post by **Dennis Burling** » 12 Oct 2011 5:35 pm

The Princeton Reverb Reissue Doug is using belongs to me. I can tell you for a fact it's anythig but boxy. In fact, it sounds a lot better than a friends vintage Princeton Reverb. To tell the truth, After buying the Princeton Reverb Reissue, I stopped looking for amps.

I can't speak for the Nashville 112, but I'd be surprised if a solid state amp can sound as good. I know their good for clean headroom and maybe that's what most people are looking for with steel guitar. Personally, the Princeton Reverb Reissue sounded great with the Pettingill Teardrop and the Sierra. But that's Doug's decision. I told him to buy a Nashville 112 from Musicians Friend. That way he can keep it for 45 days and return it if he doesn't like it.

By the way, the reverb is ok on the Princeton, but I use a Hardwire RV-7.

Dave Hopping · Post by **Dave Hopping** » 12 Oct 2011 6:43 pm

Bobbe Seymour is the guy to talk to about NV 112s.I called Steel Guitar Nashville after I looked up what MF wanted for one.I'm glad I did.