The Steel Guitar Forum

I just acquired a FET500. I like the amp, but I'm gonna have to tweak the knobs after I got my Izzy. I love the greater definition/string separation, but the highs are intense. I haven't had much time for futzing with it, but I notice a difference with those two switches, but can't quite quantify it. What do they accomplish?

Well Lane, when I had my Evans preamp, if I activated the Depth switch, it made my personality a little deeper. And expand made me fatter.


Sorry, bad night's sleep and still working on a cup of coffee.

I also don't know how to explain it, but it does add quite a bit to the sound. I would also be curious.

Lane, Go to Evans website and click on the PDF user manual and it will tell ya about the settings and where to start. Once you get it set I think you will like it, I never put the highs past 2.

I like it already, I'm just trying to readjust after the Izzy. I bought Roger's.

OOPS, Marty. That pdf is for the new ones. Knobs and switches ain't the same on the FET500. I'll see if I can Google something.

I've found recommended settings, but no real description of what the switches do.
But it does look like they don't need much treble.

I had the same evans amp Larry, just could not dial out the treble, just too much high end, so I'm back to my N112

The thing to do that will solve the problem with the treble is to change out the speaker.

FET 500 amps (both small and large cabinets)sound fantastic when a BW 1502-4 is installed.

No gots. My LTD has a kappalite; how does the FET500 play with them?
And I'm still curious what goes on behind them switches

I have the original owners manual scanned and saved as a zip file that i did for another forum member if you want it.

Sure. I just downloaded an unzip app for android.
kcsteelplayer@AOL.com
and thank you

I have a copy of an old op instructions for Evans Amp which reads: Expand boosts lows and highs. Depth--Boosts lows and low mids; cuts some of the highs. Note: When using this control, you may need to turn BODY down to 4-6 and boost treble.

One suggested Settings for steel: Depth-off. Expand-On. Bass-8. Rev-3.
Body-9. Treble-1.5. Master-2, Volume-7

Flat response: Master-2. Reverb-2. Expand/Depth-both off.Bass-8. Body-9. Treble-1. Volume-8.

Hope this helps.

Email with attachment sent

Lane, IMO, first of all get rid of the Izzy. I don't think there is good reason for it. IMO only. Use the switches until you find what you like along with the tone knobs. It's a personal thing. I have have an E-200 in a large cab. I like alittle more bottom in my tone and Evans are known for their highs. I know this may not help since it is really just my opinions. Good luck and enjoy your Evans

The Izzy is there because I fins that cables and pedals sap definition as well as highs. If they only lost highs, I'd be cool with it.
I was reading those scans that Dennis sent.
Very interesting.
I'll give it a whack Sunday

I have an Evans FET 500, eary 80's built by Derrell Stephens. It has a Black Widow speaker, I believe a 1502. It is a very bright sounding amp. To tame the treble, I have to use the tone control on my guitar and turn the treble completely off on the amp. I get a great sound with my Izzy, but without the guitar tone control, I could not use the amp or the Izzy. I use it on about half my gigs and my 112 on the other half. Sometimes, I think one sounds better, then the next time, I think the other one sounds better. Both amps sound great, for sure, but different.

Lane, I understand what you are saying about the Izzy. Iguess I just had a bad experience with mine. Way to many highs put back in for me. My Evans has plenty of cleanliness (sp). Highs are great even through my VP and Lexicon MPX1. I have used a Hilton Sustain and for several years now a Sarno Black Box. Either one is great for putting inpedence back in or adjusting your tone or however one wants to put it. So many good things out there to play with, it is a personal choice. I truly hope I didn't make you mad with my Izzy opinion. It just didn't work for me . So please forgive me if in any way I made you mad . I love this Forum and the members on it. SOOOOOOO much info on here.

Nothin' really gets me mad. A Black Box would certainly render an Izzy silly and redundant.

I have two Evans, an FET500 1983 I bought new and a SE200 1999 I bought new. They are both great amps but I still prefer the older model built by Stephens. The depth switch will increase your base intonation and the expand has not really ever showed me much difference. I run my master gain on two and volume on about 4. Base around 7, treble between 2 and 3 depending on the room and the mid range just shy of 5. Evans are gret amps.