hello all, amps

[Richard Sinkler]

I see a 2 channel amp as having inputs for each channel. If that amp was made for having 2 instruments plugged in at the same time with their own dedicated "channel" controls, you would think there would be a second input. I believe that was not the intention of the designer. It appears he just designed it so you can get different sounds at the flip of a switch without the need to reset all the controls each time you wanted the different sound (and everyone that I know that plays Mesa Boogie amps with the switcher use it to get different sounds for their guitar, not have multiple guitars plugged in, although there are probably many who do use it that way). So now you need to hit the A/B box, go to the amp and flip a switch if you want to change instruments. Nothing wrong with that, but it's just more stuff you have to do when switching instruments. I personally would rather just get up from my steel, grab my other instrument and turn up it's volume control and play. Then, just turn down the volume control without having to remember if I hit the A/B box AND flipped the switch on the amp. And if I was one of those who plays their guitar and steel at the same time (wearing their guitar at the same time they play steel, like Terry Christofferson and many others do), then they have to hit the A/B box, flip the switch, turn up the volume control on the guitar (well, with the A/B box, I guess the volume control could already be up at the volume you want) play their parts, then have to hit he A/B box again, flip the switch, play their steel parts, etc... Seems like a lot of extra work. And what happens if you have a brain fart and forget to flip the switch on the amp and start a smooth country ballad with your Led Zepplin setting active? If I was the band leader and that happened more than once, you would most likely be looking for a new job.

But it all just comes down to where you want to do the extra work. This scenario, or carrying a second amp.

[Jerry Overstreet]

What amps do you know of that are designed for having 2 instruments plugged in at the same time?

If you're too lazy or distracted to hit a switch, then I guess it could be a problem.

Either way, you have to mute one of the inputs either by turning down your volume control or by switching one or the other.

But whatever, doesn't matter to me. I was just offering some alternatives for interested parties. Over and out.

[Jim Cooley]

Kevin,

Welcome to the forum. It is an invaluable resource. There's a ton of good advice here, and from people who are lot more experienced than I am. If you're like most, you'll agonize over this for a long time. I did, and might again. When all is said and done though, this is very subjective. Only you can decide what you like.

My personal preference, finally-at least until I decide I need something "better"-is my early 1970s silverface Twin Reverb. It was kind of like a Dorothy-in-the-Land-of-Oz experience. I've owned the Twin since the 1970s. I tried several other amps for steel, only to discover that what I was looking for was right here all along. I followed the advice of a few forum members, and had my Twin converted to adjustable bias. That has been a great mod. I also had the reverb modified so that it works on both channels. I left the master volume alone. I play the Twin through a JBL K-130 mounted in a Rick Johnson cabinet. Rick also just finished building a head cabinet for the Twin's chassis. I'll carry the head and 15" speaker cabs separately to reduce weight. If I need to play Tele, I'll take the original 2 x 12 cabinet along. I replaced the Twin's original Oxford speakers. It's another cabinet to tote, but more portability and versatility. There are also several players who play steel through a Twin with 2 x 12 speakers and sound great. I tried that a few times. It wasn't bad at all. I just prefer the 15" JBL for steel. If I was going to play both steel and lead on a regular basis, I would experiment more with the stock cabinet and 2 x 12s. Again, all that is my personal preference.

Now that I got all of that off of my chest, the lead player in a band I sang with a while back played a Stratocaster through a Nashville 400 with a Digitech effects unit. He sounded great.

[Carson Leighton]

Welcome to the Forum...You'll get lots of advice here from a lot of very knowledgeable people...Personally,,I like the Fender Twin for doing lead and steel...I'm not too familiar with the new stuff that's out there,,and you may be able to find something comparable that's a whole lot lighter...Another amp that works good for guitar and steel is the Peavey Stereo Chorus 212..It's a dual channel amp. and you step on a foot switch to change channels...I think Peavey has discontinued them,,but you may be able to find a good used one...They have a great sound with the digital reverb and FX.... Hope you find something that works for you.....Carson

[Scott Appleton]

Vibrasonic with a neo 15 .. goes with anything ..

[Jos Roderkerken]

welcome mate,

Im playing on a roland cubexl80.. small amp with a big kick in it.. HAd a twin reverb that made me break my back everytime i had to take it with me.

A lot of players where talking about this little monster so i bought one..

Been a happy steeler ever since

[J J Harmon]

I'm still green.

My 1999 Carter D-10 used came with a Nashville 400. Chet Atkins used one and other fingerstyle players too and you can put all kind of pedals in front of it. I then started picking up a mess of other amps. I already had a Super Reverb, standell w/215, epiphone tube 210 and other lesser amps. With steel you got to have good clean lows in your speakers. Most guitar amps today are designed to distort. I think if you can find either a ss or tube with high power and 15" speaker(s} you can play anything thru it just use pedals for preamp. I recently traded for a Super Bassman head and I haven't dialed it in yet. Look on craigslist if you go for a Nashville 400.

[Matthew Jackson]

since solid state peavy amps are pretty darn cheap and relible they are a great option. I have had an old special 130 for years and it works for alot of things pretty well, not great for every thing, but pretty good at a lot of things. i recently picked up a pretty beat up nashville 400 that is not to big (heavy as heck) but only slightly larger than my old special. i am gonna be sad to see the old special go, but, i need two amps like i need a second wife.....

[Mike Perlowin]

I used a Music Man HD 212 for many years. It's a great amp that effectively handles both guitar and steel. But it weighs around 70 pounds, and I'm too old to carry around anything that heavy.

I'm currently using a pair of ZT Club amps, with a Sarno black box and a POD XT with some custom patches. Each of the ZT amps puts out 200 watts, and they weigh only 22 pounds. My entire rig still weighs less than the Music Man.

These amps are designed for guitar, but they work well on steel. Here is a link. http://www.ztamplifiers.com/products/club.html

[Roual Ranes]

For DOUBLE DUTY there is none better than the Peavey Vegas 400.