Peavey Session 400 head(?)

Jack Hanson · Post by **Jack Hanson** » 14 Mar 2020 6:22 pm

Did any Session 400s emigrate from Meridian in a head-only format, or were they all built as combos?

Doug Earnest · Post by **Doug Earnest** » 14 Mar 2020 6:43 pm

I have seen some Session 400 heads that sure appeared to be factory.
They made some in a 212 version also. All I have seen were loaded with EV speakers.

Jack Hanson · Post by **Jack Hanson** » 14 Mar 2020 7:23 pm

Thanks, Doug. I was unaware of that, as I'd never seen a head before. This one sure looks factory-issue. If not, somebody did a very nice conversion.

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 14 Mar 2020 7:24 pm

Bobbe Seymour had one for sale several years ago that had belonged to Chet Atkins.

Paul Sutherland · Post by **Paul Sutherland** » 15 Mar 2020 6:16 am

I had a factory built Session 400 head back in the 70s when I was playing in Reno. It is long gone. They definitely made at least a few. Jack; your pictures are just what I remember it looking like.

Doug Earnest · Post by **Doug Earnest** » 15 Mar 2020 9:33 am

Jack -

Yes, I agree that is the genuine article and looks like a well kept example. It would be a very very handy piece of equipment to own!

Would you be willing to let us know the price and location if you are not interested in purchasing it ?

Jack Hanson · Post by **Jack Hanson** » 15 Mar 2020 10:33 am

Doug Earnest wrote:Jack -

Yes, I agree that is the genuine article and looks like a well kept example. It would be a very very handy piece of equipment to own!

That was my thinking exactly.

Doug Earnest wrote:
Would you be willing to let us know the price and location if you are not interested in purchasing it ?

Actually, at the advertised price of $120.00, I felt it was too good a deal to pass on, so I purchased the amp this morning. It was at a music store in Denver.

Paul Sutherland · Post by **Paul Sutherland** » 15 Mar 2020 10:34 am

That was a steal!!

Dave Ristrim · Post by **Dave Ristrim** » 15 Mar 2020 11:42 am

I have one of the head versions of the 400.I'd happily sell it along with 2 other combo Session 400's. I haven't been using them for awhile. I did go through them awhile back and upgrade the caps etc. using Ken Fox' plans.

Alan Cannell · Post by **Alan Cannell** » 16 Mar 2020 1:29 am

I have one and the serial number is underneath.....here she is.

Alan Cannell · Post by **Alan Cannell** » 16 Mar 2020 1:36 am

I didnâ€™t know Chet had one , wonder what speaker he used with it. Maybe Iâ€™ll keep mine after all , I just loved Chet.
I also wonder when mine was made , hereâ€™s the label.....whoops itâ€™s upside down...

Richard Sinkler · Post by **Richard Sinkler** » 16 Mar 2020 4:13 am

I wish they would have produced a Session 500 head.

Tommy Mc · Post by **Tommy Mc** » 16 Mar 2020 5:00 am

In following this thread, my first thought was that I want one. Then I realized that I'd probably end up schlepping the head in one hand and the speaker in the other. No real weight advantage that way, just better balance I guess.

Jerry Overstreet · Post by **Jerry Overstreet** » 16 Mar 2020 6:31 am

Should be able to date it using the info below:

Jerry Overstreet wrote:

...Here's some info from the Peavey forum re: serial #'s.
https://peavey.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=7761

Alan Cannell · Post by **Alan Cannell** » 16 Mar 2020 8:49 am

Thanks Jerry , guess I have a 1970s model.

Jack Hanson · Post by **Jack Hanson** » 16 Mar 2020 9:48 am

Thanks to everyone for sharing information. Since I'm so fond of my old '77 LTD 400, I couldn't resist pulling the trigger on virtually the same amp in a much smaller package, especially for the price. It should be a good match for my TT-12/Greg's Pro Audio cabinet.

Jim Pitman · Post by **Jim Pitman** » 23 Mar 2020 5:30 pm

Assuming the Session 400 head traded the power transformer used in the combo for something appropriately smaller with less power, you could pair it with a class D powered speaker and have a relatively lite weight rig.
I estimate the power transformer alone in my 70's Sesion 400 weighs ~ 20lbs.

Robert Crenwelge · Post by **Robert Crenwelge** » 29 Mar 2020 4:16 pm

I have a session 400 head, serial number suggest it was built April 1979.

Rex Wiseman · Post by **Rex Wiseman** » 29 Mar 2020 5:23 pm

Peavey did make a Session 400 (head only). I've got one and it sounds great. I don't think they made a lot of them.

Clyde Mattocks · Post by **Clyde Mattocks** » 29 Mar 2020 8:24 pm

I have one. s/n 6A-66277.

Jack Hanson · Post by **Jack Hanson** » 30 Mar 2020 8:08 am

Wow, there's seemingly more of 'em out there than I had realized. But I've lived a sheltered life, and don't get around much anymore. Thanks for the info, folks.

Jack Hanson · Post by **Jack Hanson** » 2 May 2020 10:29 am

Weekend update: Since the state of Colo shifted from "stay-at-home" to "safer-at-home" yesterday, I took the opportunity to buzz up to Denver to pick up my Session 400 head and this oddball Ovation piggyback:

https://bb.steelguitarforum.com/viewtop ... vation+amp

I just plugged the 400 into my GPA/TT-12 cabinet, and am mildly ecstatic to report it sounds just wonderful. The reverb even works! Think I got my 120 bucks worth on this one.

Dale Foreman · Post by **Dale Foreman** » 2 May 2020 11:11 am

Hereâ€™s mine!

The Steel Guitar Forum

Peavey Session 400 head(?)

Peavey Session 400 head(?)

Peavey Session 400 Head

Chet?

Serial number

Session 400 head