The Steel Guitar Forum

Mike - why not just lose that 'cutaway' at the top/front of the 112's cabinet?

Wouldn't that go a long way in protecting those rather vulnerable knobs?

I, too, tend to carry the amp with the front against my leg so I don't catch the knobs on a door-frame - but then they hurt my leg!

RR

Wheels and an extendable handle are nice, but they don't make the weight issue go away. I know things are flatter out West. But in the East there are long stairs everywhere - out of my basement, down the front steps, and maybe long stairs to get over the high ceilings on the first floor at some venues. Even with wheals, long stairs are a nightmare with a heavy amp. Unless the wheels are huge, they don't work well on steps with a big lip. Then there's hefting the thing into and out of the equipment van. Any combo over about 40 lbs. is a no-go for many of us. A head doesn't bang against your lower leg, and it is easier to lift it high enough to clear the bottom to set it in a van. And I like to set the head next to my steel, for tweaking, but want my speaker some distance behind me to balance my volume with the rest of the stage volume. There is simply no substitute for the ease of handling and versatility of an amp head. I had much rather make an extra trip for a light amp head or speaker cab, than to lug an anvil of a combo in and out of vehicles and up and down steps and stairs. Lloyd Green and Ricky Davis have the right idea.

Gordy, those Tone-Tubby speakers may sound good, but they're expensive (the AlNiCos, anyway) and I don't think any of them will handle more than about 50 watts. Not near enough for most of us with our 200 watt amps!

I like David D's idea on the hybrid....A tube pre, and a S.S. pwer amp should keep the price and the weight down ...By all means make a seperate head and speaker setup ...This would keep the cost down if someone just wanted a head, and it would keep the weight issue down if someone wanted both ....Think about it, how many guys carry and amp in one hand , and something else in the other ?..A head and a speaker cab would help you balance when you walk if you want to carry both together ...Most of the modellers today offer very few clean channels, and quite a few distortion channels....Do the opposite ....Have more clean channels that mimic the great sounding clean amps , and then add some distortion channels....You could set up the volume and gain stage like a tube amp....Have a volume control , and a Gain control so you could dial in clean or dirty tones .....A full EQ setup with graphic EQ would be great ...If cost prevents you from adding effects , put in a very usefull effects loop !!...Make it rack mountable so it can be put in any standard 19" rack mount case for protection ... Mike, remember the speaker cab's that were built like flight cases that had covers for them ? .....Build this ....They will come !!.. Jim

A Peavey 112 with 200 watts of power,a good quality delay and reverb and weighing in at less than 50 lbs,with a headphone jack on the front, and recessed knobs. Now that would be something!!!!!

Mike Brown,
Maybe this is the time for a more expensive steel amp with a neodymium speaker.

<SMALL>The louder I played the better the amp sounded.</SMALL>

The amp sounds very nice soft, but play it louder and it really just sounds fantastic. A lot of people, like myself, use a pair of them. Just stack 'em and slave one to the other, and they kick a**, with a HUGE sound, bottom end to top end, and absolutely never shrill nor harsh. And so light and compact, you can carry one in each hand and run with them. My only minor suggestion, as some others have pointed out, is to protect the knobs better. But the great thing with the Peavey service is that you can send it to Mike B., and have it back in no time in perfect condition. So basically, improving something this perfect will be hard to do.

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Jeff's Jazz
<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Jeff Lampert on 22 March 2006 at 11:54 AM.]</p></FONT>

Mike:I would like to see an amp similar to my session 400 wedge,with a digital reverb that has a remote that would clip on the leg of my steel guitar.I would also like it to have a 15"black widow speaker and about 300 watts ,like the old session 500 and a sweepable mid range control.I would also like it to have the handle and wheels built into it like the way they do it on luggage.I really like the wedge because I don't kill people in the audience,and the rest of the band isn't bothered with my volume,it also helps my pitch when the amp is shooting right at me,It's the closest thing to recording with studio monitors.I don't see the need for a tuner built into the amp because you have to be in the perfect position to see it,and in brght sunlight it might be hard to see.I am also not a fan of the "Pod"I would rather hook up my own pedals,I do think that reverb is the most inmportant effect.Thanks,Stu

Thanks.

All of your suggestions have been good, but some will not be considered simply because of cost and/or subjectivity. Others will be considered for future projects.

If you have other thoughts, please send me an e-mail. One other thing.....................the logo will remain the same.

How about using a common, off-the-shelf flash drive instead of cards and a PC interface to share settings on-line.

Mike, Thanks so much for your help with the 112. I went up unplugged every thing replugged every thing and every thing was back to square #1. Damn those electronic Gremlins. Thanks again !!!!!! Ray

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Sho-Bud S-12 and a brand new N112

We are reviewing every aspect of all of the ideas that are coming in. Keep them coming.............and thanks.

This elaborates on Jim Whitaker's suggestion for a 2 channal 112. These channals should have distinctly different preamps, since one amp rarely sound good for both steel and guitar. It would understandably be somewhat more expensive, but now I have to bring two amps to a gig and only one is a Peavey. Separate Reverb, Tone Centers, and Tube-Like Warmth for the Guitar channal. If anybody can do it Peavey can.
Another idea- Single 15'-BW with power amp. No knobs, no reverb, just a simple clean power amp(I like my POD XT.)

Have a competition for a new logo. The winner gets the first one his choice of design.

I like that old pointy logo. It's the look of Peavey. I also happen to like the silver strips down each side of the grill. That always catches my eye from a distance. I say go for the classic Peavey look like an old Mace or Session 400.

Hey Mike. I noticed Stewart has these little power amps that are normal Class AB type amps, but they use a transformerless switching power supply. That is where they save weight. Maybe you guys could up the power of the 112 but not put on any weight by using this lightweight power supply. I imagine something that looks like a Session 400 but scaled down to match a 12" speaker. You could call it the "Session 112".

Brad
<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Brad Sarno on 31 March 2006 at 03:07 PM.]</p></FONT>

Hi Mike.

You have been fantastic not just on this post, but in all the interactions I have had with Peavey over the years.

New suggestions:
<ol>[*]Include an analog compressor after the first stage pre-amp, and before any effects, where the noise problems can be somewhat mitigated.

[*]Consider having a remote device for the guitar that lowers the output impedance and carries the signal over balanced line using TRS or A3F connectors. You can supply phantom power over this set and the cost is only a couple of bucks. This would be a good place for a tuner...

[*]Include a DC-controlled volume control using either MIDI or an analog system. I have designed one that works very well <em>[here]</em>.. The system on the NV112 (among others) is kludgy and carries the signal across two additional cables, with the expected high frequency rolloff, added noise and reduced reliability.

[*]Place this volume control after all pre-amp effects but <em>before</em> the reverb for the most natural sound.

[*]I am experimenting with lightweight laminates of 3/16" ply, a felt layer, then another 3/16" ply. This is a very good sound transmission attenuator with a would sound and less than 1/2" total thickness. Reinforce with aluminum (or G10 fiberglass) L stock for a very strong and lightweight amp.

[*]IMHO modeling obivates the need for tubes and all of their inherent hassle. I defy anyone to tell the difference between excellent modeling and tube amps in a real music application (e.g., with others playing).

[*]I like the idea of a separate powered speaker - as you made for the Session 2000 - It obviously only adds cost for the people who choose that option.

[*]USB flash memory for the settings is a terrific idea

[*]I have really enjoyed the switchable presets for the Session 2000. As there are few effects on this amp, it is less relevant, but my reading of this thread is that you have a group of people who really want a basic set of digital effects.

[*]Contrary to the notes I have seen, modeling is not inherently expensive, especially if you were to be adding a digital effects section.

[*]Has anyone tried the Jensen Neo series speakers? These neodynium drives weigh only four pounds and are inexpensive but I, for one, haven't had a chance to see if they sound good. I love my Black Widows.
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I have not tried the NV112, so I can't comment realistically on the tone and volume, etc...

Thanks again, Mike.<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Mark Cohen on 04 April 2006 at 10:53 AM.]</p></FONT><font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Mark Cohen on 22 April 2006 at 06:11 PM.]</p></FONT>

Well I have the name for a new amp NashVegas

<SMALL>Has anyone tried the Jensen Neo series speakers? </SMALL>

From the specs, they might handle enough power for our use, but both of the 15" speakers are classified as "bass speakers". Though the curves don't look all that bad, I'd have to try them to see if they have what most of us are looking for in a steel speaker.

I do like the idea of N-D speakers with a cheap stamped-steel frame.

Hi all:

I am developing an amp for multiple uses - steel being crucial. The projected configuration will include two 12" neodymium speakers (Eminence) and two horn tweeters (Eminence), in full stereo with 500W/channel. The enclosure is a tuned and ported design to give extended bass down to about 45 Hz. The amplifier uses a novel switching design that is incredibly lightweight. A 19" 2 space rack is included to place the preamp of your choice. My own preamp is to be a Digitech 2120, but the Rocktron Chameleon 2000 is an excellent and available alternative. Using special wood composites and aluminum reinforcements, the amp will be less than 30 pounds (not including the preamp - a Rocktron, for example, adds another 5 lbs). The output can be directed either to the internal speakers in stereo, to the internal speakers in left channel only, with the right channel sent to an external cabinet, or to two external cabinets to run in parallel with each of the internal speakers. This flexibility is essential for an amp with such high power output.

This will be a specialty hand-crafted item in limited quantity (no worries Mike...) under the name of Clear View Designs that will be available only if I see enough interest. Target pricing is in the $1100 range.

So, who might be interested?

Hey Mark. Why tweeters????


Brad

Mike...why don't those 112 amps have those"mudflap girls"on them?Your"rock"amps do...

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http://home.comcast.net/~steves_garage

My wish list would be for a small Profex II type effects processor built into the NV400 with a tuner, and remote controller which displays the effects and the tuner, which could be attached to the leg of the steel!! If this is not possible then a single rack space on top so that the Profex (or etc) can be mounted to the amp. A ground reverse switch would also be a great addition.

Oh and Mike, thanks for the opportunity to provide some input - - Chuck


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Chuck
Country Fever Band

<font size="1" color="#8e236b"><p align="center">[This message was edited by Chuck Hall on 19 April 2006 at 01:24 PM.]</p></FONT>

Brad:

This is a concept amp design. The system will have a nearly flat response from 45 Hz up. An active circuit prior to the power amp stage will provide response tuning (speaker simulation) if needed (that is, if it is not included in the racked preamp). The amp is intended not just for steel, but for keyboards.

The neodymium drivers that are presently avalable on their own have little output above about 3500 Hz, which would yield a somewhat dull steel sound and a very nasal violin response. Even if you prefer a less zingy steel tone, certain kinds of reverb are much more natural sounding if they contains the high end.

I should have my first prototypes completed by the end of May. Stay tuned.

Steve, it's a different series of amp.