Session 500 volume problems

tim duvall · From: greensburg,pa,usa

I have a session 500 and I don't think that the volume is where it should be. I hooked just the guitar up to it with the gain and preamp maxed and it was loud, but not that loud. I just think that it should be blowing the windows out of the little room that I was in.
This all started by playing in church Sunday night during singing.I couldn't hear myself play. So on a suggestion from a friend, I bypassed the profex and the pedal and just hooked right into the amp and I was surprised at the lower level of volume even at max power. I noticed that when I hooked into the Profex, the volume went down even more but I just adjust the output knob on the back to get volume.
I just had the pots cleaned, but would there be pot problem? Does anyone have any suggestions? Oh yeah, I didn't have the wires that hooked the speaker to the amp, So I kinda compromised by getting a cord and cutting it to separate the wires and hooked it that way. The other end I have in the input speaker jack.
Maybe i don't have the amp hooked up right so if anyone would like to tell me how their amps are hooked up, I'd appreciate it. Thanks

Danny Hullihen · From: Harrison, Michigan

Tim, make sure the speaker wire you're using isn't shielded cable. The Session 500 IS cabable of rattling windows! If you're not getting the volume you want, and everything is hooked up correctly, then you might want to consider sending your amp chassis out to Peavey to be checked out.

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

Along with correct speaker wires, the Session 500 effects loop (jacks on rear panel) is a "line" level loop. If you are using that effects loop with a device that does not produce line level it could lower the volume level considerably.

Here's something to try, since you have a Profex II. Run the Session 500 by it'self - no effects, etc just the guitar and volume pedal to the input jack on the front and then run from the guitar/volume pedal to the Profex II and then connect the Profex II to the POWER AMP IN on the rear of the amp. Set the Profex II to max power out and then compare. If you get the same low power output either way then you will have isolated it down to either the power amp or power supply. With the age of the Session 500, if the filter capacitors have never been changed this is a logical first step. If you do not have the proper voltage the power amp section cannont reach full output level. It only takes being a couple of volts low to significantly affect the output power.

I'd suggest sending the amp (amp chassis only) back to Peavey if it does need repair.

Fred Murphy · From: Indianapolis, In. USA

Make sure the (Edge)knob is turned off. It is a switch, and turn it until it clicks off. If it is just turned down you will not have enough volume. It may have been inadvertantly turned on in transit. I got frantic while playing out one time with this happening. I thought my amp had went bad. You will have a small amount of volume and not be able to hear the string effect. The amp volume would be determined by the volume setting of the string effect.

[This message was edited by Fred Murphy on 28 February 2001 at 06:52 AM.]

Glenn Austin · From: Montreal, Canada

I had a similar problem on my session 500. One of the jacks for the pedal input on the front of the amp has a normally closed contact in it.This contact was remaining open all the time due to wear n tear.It caused a major loss of volume and tone.Try also going from the Profex right into power amp in on the back to narrow down where the problem could be.It sounds to me that you don't use the pedal input on the amp.This problem only happens when nothing is plugged into the pedal input

[This message was edited by Glenn Austin on 28 February 2001 at 09:08 AM.]

tim duvall · From: greensburg,pa,usa

Jack,
I did your suggestion, and sure enough, when I hooked the guitar-volume pedal-profex-input jack in back of amp, the volume didn't change. It's still to low I think for the size of the session 500. I mean, I have this thing maxed out and in a small room, but it's not that loud. So, I'm going to get it reserviced to factory specs. I have a Peavey dealer in my area so I'm going to see if they can help me. Thanks all of you for the help.

Rick Johnson · From: Wheelwright, Ky USA

Tim,
I've had the same problem with my Session 500 too.
Over the years I've sent the amp chassis straight to Peavey. Bypass the dealers. Contact Mike
Brown at Peavey. He will give you the info
to send it.
mikebrown@peavey.com or 1-877-732-8391
If I remember correctly. It was less than
a 100.00 both times.
Turnaround time was about 4 weeks.

Rick

------------------
Rick Johnson

Mike Brown · From: Meridian, Mississippi USA

Before you consider having a technician check your amp for you or before you spend the money to send it to the factory, I suggest that you obtain 3 shielded guitar cables(in addition to the instrument cable that you are presently using). First, plug your guitar into one of the two instrument input jacks. Adjust your PRE GAIN and POST GAIN controls to reasonable levels. Make sure that the STRING EFFECT "EDGE" control is off. Next, take one of your instrument cables and connect it between the TO and FROM jacks on the front panel. If the signal does not return to a normal volume, continue by connecting your second cable from the PRE AMP OUT to the POWER AMP IN on the rear panel. Again, if the signal does not return to normal volume, connect the third cable from the PREAMP SEND to the RETURN jacks on the back panel of the amp.

Hopefully this procedure will help in locating the problem that you are having. If the level returns to normal after one of these connections, then the problem is either the "FROM" jack, the POWER AMP IN jack or the RETURN jack, which are all switching jacks. If this is the case, these need replacing. I suggest that you allow a technician to test the amp if it is beyond these simple patch procedures.

If you wish to return your amp to us at the factory, our is shipping address is;
Peavey Service Center
Hwy. 80 East
Meridian, MS 39301

I can be reached toll free at 1-877-732-8391 if you have further questions.

Mike Brown
Peavey Electronics Corporation

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