Session 400 sound?

Richard Mitcham · Post by **Richard Mitcham** » 24 Mar 2006 10:11 am

OK, this is for the guys like me, that liked the sound of the old Session 400. What newer Peavey amp with the affects loop built in it would you say sounds most like the old Session 400 with the spider web speaker? Thank You.

Mike Kowalik · Post by **Mike Kowalik** » 24 Mar 2006 11:05 am

To me none....ain't nothin' as good as the real thing!!

Tony Prior · Post by **Tony Prior** » 24 Mar 2006 2:44 pm

Well for me , I have never owned a Session 500 so I can't speak for that one.

But I do have a Nashville 400..Nice amp, but not like the Session 400..and I did have a Nashville 1000..also a nice amp, but to my ears it was not the same as my Nashville 400..which isn't like my Session 400.

Does all this make any sense..?

The Session 400 is the primary amp for me..
I use both the Session 400 and the Nashville 400 on gigs..both fed from a Peavey Profex Stereo out...

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TPrior
TPrior Steel Guitar Homesite

David Higginbotham · Post by **David Higginbotham** » 24 Mar 2006 7:25 pm

I agree with the others. I have a Session 400 with the original JBL and it sounds like no other Peavey amp I have had. It is my favorite though!
Dave

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GFI D-10 8&7, MSA D-10 8&4, Roland GP-100, Peavey Session 400

Michael Hartz · Post by **Michael Hartz** » 27 Mar 2006 8:32 am

I agree, the old 400's with the JBL are STILL the best. I've had a Vegas 400, Nashville 400, Session 400 limited wedge(worst sounding piece of junk I've EVER played through) and they still could'nt hold a candle to my old 400's.

Marlin Smoot · Post by **Marlin Smoot** » 27 Mar 2006 8:48 am

I've had the Session 500 with a JBL, I've had 3 Nashville 400's, I've had the smaller version of the Session 500 but currently I have a vintage Session 400 with factory JBL.
This amp sounds more natural than any of the other amps...but I would own a Session 500 with a JBL again. I loved the sound but not the weight.

I haven't tried other steel amps, I've always stayed with Peavey mainly because I know when I turn it on, its going to work and the price was always in reach.

Currently on most jobs I've been taking my S-10 Emmons hooked up to Brads Steel Guitar Black Box, VP, and into the Session 400. Nothing is getting in the way of the pure steel tone. For me...this is a great combination.

Of course, I'm always interested in the quest for tone and trying new things, that's how I got the black box.

I vote Session 400/JBL.

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » 27 Mar 2006 9:00 am

Thanks for using Peavey gear. Have you tried the Nashville 112 yet?

Mike Brown
Peavey Electronics Corporation

Jerry Roller · Post by **Jerry Roller** » 27 Mar 2006 9:38 am

I have a two Session 400's, two Vegas 400's, a Rhythm Master which I believe is like a four channel Vegas 400 and a Nashville 112. I can't decide between the 112 and the 81 Session which I am currently putting a Brad Sarno mod in but I really think I like the '74 Session with JBL maybe the best, perhaps 'cause it is so battle scarred. Ugly and beautiful at the same time. The '81 is much improved with just the change in the big filter caps and I have not yet put in any more of the mod. I think it is really going to be nice when it is done. I have a kit for the '74 but it sounds so good already I hate to mess with it.
Jerry

Mike Gorsch · Post by **Mike Gorsch** » 27 Mar 2006 12:43 pm

Would you Session 400 users mind sharing some of your tone settings and the steels that you play? I have a 400 and a NV1000 and the 1000 seems to sound better with a SuperPro w/710 pickups.

Richard Mitcham · Post by **Richard Mitcham** » 27 Mar 2006 12:44 pm

Yes Mike, I've been useing a Nashville 112 on the job for awhile now. I play almost every weekend. When the band starts chanking it up, usually about the 3rd & 4th set. It has the power to get up and go, no problem but To me it's like I'm missing the fullness and richness that the bigger amps have. It is a great little amp, no question about it. However, I agree with most all these post, there is a richer sound these older Session 400's have I wish I could find with the newer Peavey amps. That way I could have my affects loop. Sorry, I don't mean to offend anybody. Just a bubba opinion from PA. Still looking, still trying em out. Peavey all the way.

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Steve Dodson · Post by **Steve Dodson** » 27 Mar 2006 2:06 pm

Reissue the Old Session 400.

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 27 Mar 2006 2:14 pm

I have a '76 Session 400, and while I like the big fat sound, I can't get it to sound as warm as my Fender SF Twin. It's harsh. I too would like a few settings suggestions to correct this.

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 27 Mar 2006 5:50 pm

Chris, tubes.

Brad

David Higginbotham · Post by **David Higginbotham** » 27 Mar 2006 8:28 pm

Here are my settings on my 76 Session with the original JBL.

Presence 7, treble 2.5, mids 2.5, shift 7, bass 10, reverb 5, sensitivity 7..no tremolo

I have actually found that I really like the amp without any delay. Only the reverb on the amp. This is the first amp I have done this with and been happy with the sound.
Dave

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GFI D-10 8&7, MSA D-10 8&4, Roland GP-100, Peavey Session 400

[This message was edited by David Higginbotham on 27 March 2006 at 08:28 PM.]

Frank Parish · Post by **Frank Parish** » 28 Mar 2006 5:14 am

I've owned a couple of the vintage Session 400's for the last 20 years and if it's that sound you want then get that kind of amp. I tried the Session Limited amp and it was kind of like it but not really. It's the only one I know that has the effects loops. You might but the Sarno mod in it and get what you want. That's the closest thing I could think of. I went the loop route for a while playing through two amps with one being the Limited with all the effect in that amp only. It wasn't bad at all if you like that sound. Having said all that I filled in for Ron Elliott a while back and used his NV 112 and set it once and never gave it another thought. If I were to buy a new amp it would be a pair of these little amps. Even one is enough for most every room I think but if you want a little more fat in your sound, I'd get two. You get all of the best stuff Peavey is making these days in this little powerhouse.

Richard Mitcham · Post by **Richard Mitcham** » 28 Mar 2006 6:28 am

OK, A little history here. Some years ago when I was on the road for some 9 years I ended up with Chris LeDoux as his lead & steel player. All those years I had the session 400 and a LDG and I was happy. Burned out the wife and I decided to quit and come home, the guitar, steel & amp and me was in storage for almost 19 years. I got back into playing again a couple years ago thinking man this stuff is old I better start replacing it "big mistake" sold the LDG for a new GFI, sold the session 400 for a limited & also a 112. Maybe it's these 65 year old ears that's hearing things I use to do and can't anymore. What I've learned here on the forum now, however. I coulda, shoulda keep it all. OK, I know, you didn't need to hear all that. But I still want to sound good to me.

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Richard Mitcham · Post by **Richard Mitcham** » 28 Mar 2006 6:39 am

Oh, and one more thing. I want to thank all you guys for your help. I think I know what this old fart needs to do now. aah, is that word allowed?

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Marlin Smoot · Post by **Marlin Smoot** » 28 Mar 2006 6:55 am

Chris,
Please let me suggest Brad's Steel Guitar Black Box for any solid state amp. Especially a nice Peavey solid state amp such as the Session, Nashville, 112 etc...

Even as good as these amps sound from the factory, it will make it sound even better mainly because of the tube in the Black Box.
And it's not like other tube pre-amps, this one is voiced for pedal steel.
Just my 2cents.

Chris LeDrew · Post by **Chris LeDrew** » 30 Mar 2006 8:42 pm

Great suggestion, Marlin......just in the nick of time. I was about to take my 12-month old son's advice to just crank the sensitivity.....