Best Lap Steel Guitar Amp

Stefan Robertson · Post by **Stefan Robertson** » 28 Apr 2016 8:33 am

I recently played a Vox Pathfinder 10 and despite its cheap price it had all I needed but I am interested in some feedback on a great practice and live amp to use.

Consider the Vox pathfinder has a line out so Volume doesn't need to be that much to monitor as I was thinking about using the line out straight to the PA.

Also I have amp modelling already in built in my multi-effects pedal. So All I really need is a slightly warm amp with a line out and enough volume to hear for small to mid sized events.

What are your thoughts?

Scott Duckworth · Post by **Scott Duckworth** » 28 Apr 2016 9:15 am

I use a Behringer mixer and a Harbinger V2112 powered speaker. Gives me plenty of flexibility, and a great sound.

Mark Kocon · Post by **Mark Kocon** » 28 Apr 2016 9:29 am

Milkman 40 watt with 15" speaker

Stefan Robertson · Post by **Stefan Robertson** » 28 Apr 2016 10:34 am

Mark Kocon wrote:Milkman 40 watt with 15" speaker

Wow. that Milkman is super pricey. Even for their practice amp. Holy crap batman.

Way out my price range for now. I definitely need to up my earnings for that.

Stephen Abruzzo · Post by **Stephen Abruzzo** » 28 Apr 2016 11:05 am

Stefan, since you are in the UK, you might want to check out the Blackstar HT (valve) and/or Blackstar ID (SS) series of amps.

Both have excellent reviews. The ID series, in particular, have American/British voicings and can emulate the peculiarities of 6 different types of valves.

Most likely, these are closer to your price range.

Dennis Coelho · Post by **Dennis Coelho** » 28 Apr 2016 11:56 am

Here is an idea that I got from the SGF several years back that has worked well for me. I use a Gallian-Krueger MS200 200 watt bass amp. This is the smaller one, and weighs about 2 pounds (a kilo). I run it into one of two bass cabinets. One has an enclosed 10" speaker and a tweeter, while the other is an enclosed 15" speaker. I use the smaller one mostly to carry out because of weight. Between the guitar and the amp I use a Line 6 Sonic Port effects software that I run through an iPad or sometimes the iPhone. The software has a huge number (over 800) different emulations and digitized settings. I usually use the Fender Blackface amp emulation with delay and some compression into an emulated 2 x 12 cabinet. This gives me all the options I'll ever need.

One of my steels is an MSA Superslide 12 string, which has a pretty wide dynamic range but the system handles it just fine with no loss of clarity.

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 28 Apr 2016 1:26 pm

Lots of previous discussions in the Electronics section, where this topic belongs.

1) What's your budget?

2) How loud do you need to be?

3) What type of tone are you seeking?

Tom Wolverton · Post by **Tom Wolverton** » 28 Apr 2016 3:07 pm

For me, the lap steel "gold standard" of tone is Fish's playing on Radney Foster's "Del Rio, Texas" CD. I think I recall it was a Ricky bakelite into a 5E3 Tweed Deluxe. It is heavenly. In particular "Went for a Ride" track.

https://youtu.be/FqChDjTofjQ

Walter Glockler · Post by **Walter Glockler** » 28 Apr 2016 3:24 pm

A Fromel modified Fender Blues Junior with a Cannabis Rex speaker.

Matthew Dawson · Post by **Matthew Dawson** » 28 Apr 2016 7:18 pm

If you're handy with a soldering iron I'd build an Allen Sweet Spot or Accomplice Jr kit.

Stefan Robertson · Post by **Stefan Robertson** » 29 Apr 2016 1:32 am

I am looking for an amp as simple as possible no modelling etc. As I have an Multieffects pedal that has an unlimited amount of sounds and tones that can be created.

So just a simple amp under Â£100 with 20 - 40w with enough juice I guess. Maybe the 10 is too little for a band situation. Plus I just got a new gig with a loud band - ooh my poor eardrums.

So if you guys had Â£100 to spend what would you go for that is just pure amp goodness.

Mike Neer · Post by **Mike Neer** » 29 Apr 2016 4:04 am

Truthfully, at that price range I'd probably be looking for a Peavey, like a Special 130 or a Bandit. I think you can get a consistently decent tone from them for many years, and if you upgrade the speaker, you will get yourself a pretty nice tone for higher volume situations. I did easily over 1000 gigs with a Special 130 that I paid $175 for.

Len Amaral · Post by **Len Amaral** » 29 Apr 2016 6:15 am

What Mike said! Also, if you can find a Peavey Encore 65 watts with two 6L6 power tubes and 12AX7 preamp tubes. This amp is a hidden gem and lots of tone variation. I use a Mesa Boogie Subway Rocket 20 watts with an inefficient speaker. Yes, inefficient speaker to get a Lo-fi sound with a bit of hair when pushed.

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 29 Apr 2016 6:45 am

Looking at the options on Amazon.co.uk and Thomann UK, there aren't a lot of amps that have the power you require and are under Â£100.

I'd recommend either a solid state Fender Champion 40 or the Fender Mustang II. Both are in the 40 watt range with a 12 inch speaker. You may be able to find one used for under that price. They're both good sounding amps, although I'd prefer the Champion 40. Don't be afraid to look at bass or keyboard amps in that same price range.

Your options are definitely limited compared to what you'd get in the US for the same price.

Erv Niehaus · Post by **Erv Niehaus** » 29 Apr 2016 7:06 am

How about something like this?

Mike Brown · Post by **Mike Brown** » 29 Apr 2016 9:19 am

There is a BOOST control and an enable/disable switch for this control that sounds really good for this style. I sat with Jay Jackson with Jason Aldean's band and he inquired about this function. When I told him what it's capabilities were, he played lap style on his steel guitar and I was very impressed with the sound as it did sound very good.

Post by **Brad Bechtel** » 29 Apr 2016 9:39 am

Mike Brown wrote:There is a BOOST control and an enable/disable switch for this control that sounds really good for this style. I sat with Jay Jackson with Jason Aldean's band and he inquired about this function. When I told him what it's capabilities were, he played lap style on his steel guitar and I was very impressed with the sound as it did sound very good.

The new Peavey Session 115 is far more expensive than Â£100 (about $150 USD). Keep his budget in mind before recommending an amp like that.

I agree it would be a great choice if he was looking for an amp in that price range.

Doug Beaumier · Post by **Doug Beaumier** » 29 Apr 2016 10:38 am

Yes, if the budget is $150 I'd look for a used Peavey Bandit, Encore, or one of the other small Peavey amps. They're cheap, reliable, and they sound better than most amps in that price range.

Paul Arntson · Post by **Paul Arntson** » 29 Apr 2016 12:21 pm

Roland Microcube?

Robert Shafer · Post by **Robert Shafer** » 29 Apr 2016 5:51 pm

Stefan. Does this help? Due to serious health issues I am having to downsize my home and have some interesting items for disposal.
Among these is a Peavey Nashville 112 in good condition.
This particular model is 'voiced' for steel playing. There's a mass of information on the forum about it.
If you could get yourself down to South Wales with Â£200 in your pocket it could be yours. What d'ye think?

Jim Sliff · Post by **Jim Sliff** » 1 May 2016 1:50 pm

So if you guys had Â£100 to spend what would you go for that is just pure amp goodness.

Not a single thing.

For lap steel I recommend small tube amps. Mic it and forget a direct out - your tone suffered with a direct out, especially with a cheapo amp.

A Vox AC4 with a 12" speaker or a Fender Ramparte or Excelsior are about the only relatively inexpensive, simple amps with good tone and decent build quality I'd recommend. And a mic like an SM57 will be much warmer sounding than a direct out, which proves no speaker speaker emulation on lower priced models (plus a mic sound is harder to screw up at the sound board than a direct-inject signal for amateur sound guys).

Dan Fullmer · Post by **Dan Fullmer** » 10 May 2016 8:49 am

I love this little baby.

http://www.ztamplifiers.com/products/club.html

Steve Ahola · Post by **Steve Ahola** » 31 May 2016 2:59 pm

Dan Fullmer wrote:I love this little baby.

http://www.ztamplifiers.com/products/club.html

I love ZT amps but the Club model has been discontinued so look for it used. The original Lunchboxes sound good through an external speaker. Built in China, designed in Berkeley by Ken Kantor (I think I got his name right.)

Steve Ahola

Steve Ahola · Post by **Steve Ahola** » 31 May 2016 3:07 pm

Although outside the OP's price range I have to give a big two thumbs up to the Bugera V22 Infinium. The clean channel gets really loud and stays clean while the OD channel goes from low gain overdrive to Robben Ford/Dumble tones. Street price for the combo is $400 new with the head around $330 although deals are to be had.

I am rarely impressed with new production amps but this one delivers the goods! Built well in China (they got their act together after releasing poorly designed amps 10 years ago.)

Steve Ahola

Mike Perlowin · Post by **Mike Perlowin** » 31 May 2016 6:49 pm

Steve Ahola wrote: http://www.ztamplifiers.com/products/club.html
I love ZT amps but the Club model has been discontinued so look for it used.

There are 5 of then currently for sale at Reverb.com.

https://reverb.com/marketplace?query=zt+club

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