What amp do you use if not a steel amp??

Ernie Pollock · From: Mt Savage, Md USA

Are any of you fellows using regular guitar amps instead of Evans, PV's, Webb, Stereo Steel etc. If you are, what amp are you using and how does it compare with a steel guitar amp, and do you like it better??

Ernie

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Richard Sinkler · From: aka: Rusty Strings -- Missoula, Montana

I think you will see a lot of twin reverbs on here. My first amp was a twin with JBL's. Fantastic amp. I then made a speaker cabinet to JBL specs and loaded it with a K130, made a "head" out of the twin and used that setup for years. I then talked Webb into building me a head only amp (this was before they offered them to the public) and used it with my cabinet and I have been using "steel" amps since.

I once tried a Super Reverb (original blackface) loaded with 4 JBL 10's that a guitar player I worked with had. This was one awesome sounding rig. Had a ZB Custom at the time. Would love to have that amp.

I also tried my Brother's Lab Series amp with a 15" JBL and it pretty much sucked. It was a great jazz guitar (which by brother plays) amp.

I know I've used others, but I'm missing the world series and need to pay attention.

[This message was edited by Richard Sinkler on 27 October 2001 at 06:26 PM.]

[This message was edited by Richard Sinkler on 27 October 2001 at 06:29 PM.]

Sage · From: Boulder, Colorado

At the time I bounght my '73 Fender Vibrosonic, I was playing a Rus-ler D10. The pickups were a bit like P90's, and wound up so that there weren't as many highs as I like. The bulletproof Altec-Lansing 15" speaker didn't help much in that department either, so I put a Motorola horn in next to the 15. It has been a nice rig for me- very full range.

Cartwright Thompson · Posted 28 Oct 2001 2:56 am

Ernie,
One of my favorite steel (or anything else for that matter) amps is a '66 twin that I bought from you several years ago.
It was in need of a "going through", like they all are, and after new caps etc. it turned out really well-Thanks!
I have since changed the speaker to a D-130, changed the power tubes to two 6550's(also beefing-up the screen resistors). Now it is even better. I wouldn't use it on a gig where I have to play "stupid loud", but for anything else it is great. Plenty of power, loads of bottom end, hi-fi tone etc.,etc.,etc.

Ernie Pollock · From: Mt Savage, Md USA

Cartwright: I knew I should have kept that amp!! Glad that worked out for you. I don't have a 'serious' steel amp to use at the moment and have been experimenting with some guitar amps with 12" spkrs, so far I have not been all that pleased. I do have an old Fender keyboard amp that I play my tracks through that I use sometimes, but it is only 60 watts. I have been running 'lines out' to the PA systems on my last couple of gigs, that seems to help alot. Looks like the fellow above you is probably right - the Twins are about as good as it gets for steel, other than a real steel amp! Thanks for you input

Ernie http://www.hereintown.net/~shobud75

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Chris DeBarge · From: Boston, Mass

Believe it or not, I use a Deluxe Reverb for 75% of my gigs on PS. The band ain't exceptionally loud, so it's fine. When I need more juice, I use my 66 Twin Reverb. Of course, I go for a vintage sound so these Fenders are perfect for me.

Tele · From: Andy W. - Wolfenbuettel, Germany

Most of the time I use my Standel, but if volume would be needed it's either a Twin/15" or a Nashville 1000. But the Standel is hard to beat.

Andy

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1962 Sho~Bud D-10 : 1969 Emmons D-10 : Bigsby T-8: 1954 Gretsch DuoJet: 1955 Gretsch DuoJet:1957 Standel 25L15
about me
My steels

John O Keeffe · From: Co Waterford Ireland

I use a Peavey Triumph(60) Valve amp.

Marc Muller · From: Neptune,NJ USA

The amp that seems to make every instrument sound GREAT in the studio is a Fender Pro Junior. I was amazed at how good the steel records through it. Tiny though, definetly not a live amp.

Bobby Lee · From: Cloverdale, California, USA

I use a Mesa/Boogie Maverick prototype for small gigs and for recording. It has a 12" EVM in it.

The Mesa/Boogie Mark II-B was also a good steel amp.

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Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (E7, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (F Diatonic)
Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6)

Joseph V. Sapp · From: eastern shore, Md.

Hi Ernie:
Been meaning to take a drive down but with my work schedule, just cant swing it as of yet. Currently , out of my Derby into a profex ll, then one side to a Nashville 400, and the other side to a Mid 80's Fender twin with two oridiginal Fender 12's inside. to me, its sort of the best of both worlds. each has plenty of what I'm looking for both in the highs and lows. I only woodshed, so am super critical of what I hear and look for in a special sound. Hope to see you soon. take care, and god bless.

Joe
Derby SD-10 4x5
Nashville 400
Fender twin
profex ll
Boss DR-5

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

I use Peaveys and Fenders. None of them was designed as a "steel amp". In fact, I think the term is a little misleading. A good amp (with adequate tone circuitry, ample power, and good speakers) is a good amp. Period! All this "voicing" for certain instruments is a little confusing. "Voicing" (with clean sounds) merely means changing the tone. If they give me proper circuitry, and put controls on the amp, I can change the tone myself, thank you!

Jussi Huhtakangas · From: Helsinki, Finland

I use a reissue Standel 25L15 with a 15" JBL D130 in it. Bob Crooks designed them as "musical instrument amplifiers", not necessarily a pure steel amp. If "stupid loud" volume is needed, I just mike it or tell everybody else to "turn it down".
Jussi

Robert Thomas · From: Mehama, Oregon, USA

Hi Ernie. I am using a Peavey XR 560 4-channel amp. I really enjoy it very much. I have used an amp-head since 1972, never did like the the regular guitar amps for steel.
I have 2 speaker boxes with 2-12" Jensen 16-ohm speakers and 1 8-ohm horn driver in each box. I run my mike, HWP 8+4 mullen psg, Roland space echo and Mutron bi-phase through it and it sounds just great.
Sure is great for handing too.
Have fun steeling.

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

I haven't played out with it, but I've used my wife's Peavey TNT 115S bass amp at home several times. It does well and if needed I wouldn't be afraid to take it on a job (although it's about as heavy as a Session 500 - and bigger).

Ziggie · From: Freeland, Mi. USA

I've been using a MusicMan with a single electrovoice 12" speaker that puts out 100 watts. Tube preamp and transistor power amp. Seems to do me well but I am looking for a good deal on a Peavey to see how I like because I hear so many good things about them. Ziggie

John De Maille · From: On a Mountain in Upstate Halcottsville, N.Y.

I had been using an old Peavey Mace amp. Borrowed it from a friend one night, and never gave it back. The only problem I had with it was, I kept blowing the two 12's in it. So,I replaced them with a single 15 JBL E-130. The amp has been a reliable, pure sounding workhorse for me. Not too long ago I got a Nashville 400, and wasn't that keen with the sound. Added the LeMay mod to it, and now I have two great sounding amps to use, depending on how strong I feel to be lugging one or the other around.

Michael Johnstone · From: Sylmar,Ca. USA

I used to play a rack & barrel 'Bud thru a Twin when I started out cause that's what was available and that's what steel sounded like in the late 60s early 70s - but that don't make it good.People now use steel amps for a reason - they sound good for steel.Having said that however,over the years I have gotten a pretty good sound at medium to low volumes out of a Polytone 50 watt amp w/1-12" speaker and a REAL good sound out of a Lab L-5 100 watt w/2-12 EVs.The Lab sounded good because it had a parametric midrange EQ like a Peavey 400 and it had a built-in compressor that added to the sustain nicely and w/heavy duty speakers,it handled both necks real well - a tad underpowered,tho.One time on the road w/Dale Watson in Ft.Lauderdale,I was provided w/a Fender Super Twin and it really sucked tonewise in the midrange so I took it back to the rental place and traded it in for a huge one piece closed back Traynor bass amp of all things - but which had a very comprehensive EQ section,built-in compressor,a 15" speaker and around 300 watts.It had no effects but I had my rack so I finally dialed in a sound as good as any modern steel amp.In my opinion,headroom,tight sounding speakers and a lot of EQ in a small package(w/wheels)are what makes an amp good for steel - which is why I like my Nash 400. -MJ-

Patrick Smith · From: Shreveport, LA, USA

my new "non steel amp" which I've posted on here before is a "blackfaced" SF Twin, tweaked so both channels have reverb, both channels tweaked to 50's tweed specs, one channel tweaked as a bright channel, old Master Volume removed and replaced with a presence knob.....now mind you, all the parts to make these changes will set you back at least 16 or 17 bucks!.....

...built a new twin cab out of Poplar and mounted a 15" Black Widow in it....cut the weight considerably!....so what did all this do?

Volume is probably a good 2 times that of a normal twin....gig volume for me, and we play pretty loud!.....gig volume is 3 on both channels (I cross channel). I have never taken this thing even to 4!...no kidding!...it's a gainer!...but with unbelievable clarity!

I have real live sweet midrange!...a result of tone stack and potentiometer changes

This amp smokes!....just smokes!....it is so NOT your normal twin reverb sound.

All in all, my "non steel amp"....is now voiced perfectly as a "steel amp"

I have a Peavey, I have an Evans, I love my Evans, my Evans sounds great!, my Evans stays at home

Sorry for going through all this again but I know a lot of you guys play twins, I just want to keep reminding you that these things can be turned into little steel guitar monsters with very little effort

PMS

Hamilton Barnard · From: Oro Valley, Arizona (deceased)

Because of this 'modern' era, how is it possible for a tube amp to sound good for anything...

*LOL*

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My Marshalls.

Patrick Smith · From: Shreveport, LA, USA

It's not!....tube amps sound terrible!....NOTHING can quiet capture the warmth of solid state.....there are very few things as comforting as that warm soft glow of a transistor.....

PMS
tube boy

Chris DeBarge · From: Boston, Mass

Oh yes, I agree. So all of you guys get with the times, buy new amps and send your old tube amps to me. I'll make sure that the parts get recycled properly.

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

I came up through the tube age (and did amp repair back then). I've been through Silvertone amps, Gibson amps, Gretsch amps, Ampeg amps, Fender amps including a 59 Bassman, a pre master gain Twin, and several other Fender amps. I do not own or even want a tube amp today. I'm perfectly happy with solid state.

I played through a silverface and a blackface twin two weeks ago, neither one made we want to go back to tubes.

Bobby Lee · From: Cloverdale, California, USA

My "big rig" these days is a Mesa V-Twin preamp (tubes), a Lexicon MPX-100 (digital effects) and a Mesa 50/50 power amp (tubes). None of this was designed for steel, but it sounds great to my ears.

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Bobby Lee - email: quasar@b0b.com - gigs - CDs
Sierra Session 12 (E9), Williams 400X (E7, D6), Sierra Olympic 12 (F Diatonic)
Sierra Laptop 8 (D13), Fender Stringmaster (E13, A6)

Rob van Duuren · From: The Netherlands

i am quite happy running my 710 through
two Blues juniors. For a little 'air' sometimes apply a little of Line6 delay.
Although better sounding, a twin or vibrosonic is too heavy to carry up and down these stairs.

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