The Steel Guitar Forum

Hey guys! My dad and I are brand new to pedal steel. I have a quick amplifier question. I've been playing the electric 6 string for a while and am wondering if we could use my Fender Blues Deluxe tube amp for our new pedal steel. Would this work/sound good?

Thanks! Doug

Sure.

but then again, not really!

I agree with Chris. Get a steel amp.

It is Mullen, by the way. I have a Hot Rod Deluxe amp (40 watts 1-12) and it is my favourite amp for at home. I haven't tried it at a gig yet. Nashville 112 seems to be the most commonly used amp, but the main appeal to you is that your Deluxe amp is already paid for.
-Jim

Greg, the problem with a 40 watt tube amp for steel is that most of them will distort at too low a volume to be used for anything but a home practice amp. ...unless you're after a distorted steel sound of course. I had a Traynor YCV40 and my steel sounded really sweet through it turned down low. When cranked up at all it starting breaking up and just didn't have enough bass to offset the treble, regardless of the settings. Onstage I guess you could mic it but it still wouldn't be my first choice for a steel amp.

I have found it's really hard to tell until your on stage playing with the band. As others have said here - many amps can sound really good for recording. I bet that blues Deluxe sounds really nice.
I used to sit in with a Grateful Dead tribute band from time to time. I'd use one of those 135 watt Ultralinear Twins. One time I noticed where the volume knob ended up at the end of the night. It was at 7. That is pretty loud. I'm not proud of this. It was in self defense (your honor). I wouldn't have been able to hear myself with a smaller amp.

So what Im gathering is that my amp will distort too much for my pedal steel, though I do love that sweet break up for blues on my G&L. What amps are good for a pedal steel then? should I go tube or SS, and which models stick out to be really good. By the way I'm going for a George Strait kinda sound.

Hey Greg

I just recorded using a Hot rod Deluxe, It sounded warm and sweet at low volume.

I had to set the eq around 1 for everything and then the presence around 3, I don't see why you couldn't use it as a practice amp.

My guess would be that the Peavey Nashville 112 is the biggest selling amp for steel right now...but I could be wrong. I think it's the only steel amp Peavey is currently producing but they've made several models over the years so you could find a used Session 400, Nashville 400, Session 400 Limited or Nashville 1000 to name a few. They're all solid state amps. Fender makes the Steel King which a lot of people like. Other names you see a lot are Webb and Evans. There are tube amps that are popular among some steel players like the Fender Twin Reverb and some of the Mesa Boogie amps which have enough wattage to give lots of clean headroom. They're on the heavy side though and generally speaking solid state amps seem to outnumber tube amps among steel players. Other options are hybrid amps with a tube preamp section coupled with a solid state power amp, ( Evans makes one) or rack mounted tube preamps driving powered cabs which is what I use.

Unless Greg is a prodigy, it's going to be sometime before he's out gigging or even jamming.

So for now, the Blues Deluxe is fine. When you get to the point that you're playing at band type volume levels (i.e. out of the bedroom) and the amp "break-up" is bothering you......than consider buying a steel amp.

(Also, Mullen is spelled with two L's)

What Tony said!

Thanks guys! Yes, it will be a while before I'm gigging and jamming, I just wanted to know for future reference. Thanks for all your responses everyone!

By the time you are ready to seriously play with other musicians you will most likely have a clearer idea of what type of tone you are seeking and what available amps (and in what price range) will help you accomplish this best.... FWIW, You mentioned the "George Strait sound" but keep in mind most if not all of his recorded steel work was done by Paul Franklin who achieves a tone in the studio that is extremely difficult to duplicate live. (I am speaking in general terms here as there may be a select few players who could accomplish this or at least come reasonably close.)...Best of luck with your new venture and please keep us posted on your progress.

greg..just keep your eyes open for cheap deals ($300) on nash 400, session 400, ltd 400...peavey..the working steel players amp!

solid state 200+ watts 15 in. spkr.

A Peavey Bandit will work fine for jamming around the house. Turn off the 'Saturation' control. Set Bass control on max and Reverb on max. Experiment with the treble and bright switches. I used old on my Emmons when we rehearsed a band in a small room - sounded great.

These old amps can be had for $100 or less.

Thanx,
Jim