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Topic: fairly light affordable Steel amp ? |
Harold Jack Baker
From:
Ladora, Iowa, USA
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Posted 15 May 2002 11:49 am |
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Is there an affordable steel amp that can be carried without developing a hernia? I'd sure like to know.
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Texas Jack |
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Jim Smith
From:
Midlothian, TX, USA
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Posted 15 May 2002 12:04 pm
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I really like my Stereo Steel rig.  The amp is 13 lbs and delivers 300 watts per side into 4 ohm speakers; 200 watts per side into 8 ohm speakers. The speaker cabinets weigh 31 lbs each whether loaded with JBL or Black Widow speakers. Check it out at: http://www.stereosteel.com
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Erv Niehaus
From:
Litchfield, MN, USA
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Posted 15 May 2002 12:45 pm
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A few years ago Jeff Newman was promoting the ProFex and DP 750 amp combination in conjunction with a couple of extension speakers. This is a nice combination in that you can divide up the load a bit.
Uff-Da! |
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Tony Orth
From:
Evansville, Indiana, USA
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Posted 15 May 2002 12:51 pm
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While I personally don't own one, my mentor plays the Stereo Steel package that Jim Smith mentioned. If you like the component configuration, rather than a combo, it's the highest of quality and sounds just wonderful.
Tony |
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Roger Shackelton
From:
MINNESOTA (deceased)
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Posted 15 May 2002 1:16 pm
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Harold did say "AFFORDABLE". ???
Harold perhaps you should tell us what price range you have in mind. The Stereo Steel rig is a bit pricy for most of us.
Roger |
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Eric Jaeger
From:
Oakland, California, USA
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Posted 15 May 2002 1:46 pm
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Hmmm, as noted, depends on the definition of "affordable". I've been using a little Evans that has shockingly good tone and volume for its size amd weight. |
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 15 May 2002 4:03 pm
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I use a Fender Stage 112SE for small gigs. It has good power and surprising bass for a small amp (118 watts, one 12" speaker). Reverb wasn't the best, so I sometimes used a stomp-box delay. With the addition of a better reverb tank (about $20), it now does a decent job. It weighs in at about 41 lbs, but I'm swapping out the speaker soon for a new 100-watt job that weighs only 3 lbs.! This will bring the amp weight down to about 35 lbs.. It should be a very interesting experiment!
(This amp usually sells for $200-$300, used)[This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 15 May 2002 at 05:08 PM.] |
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Jim Smith
From:
Midlothian, TX, USA
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Posted 15 May 2002 4:35 pm
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| Quote: |
| I'm swapping out the speaker soon for a new 100-watt job that weighs only 3 lbs.! |
Donny, please tell us about this speaker.  |
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Al Marcus
From:
Cedar Springs,MI USA (deceased)
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Posted 15 May 2002 4:36 pm
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Hey Donny- What speaker is that ?
100 watts and weighs only 3 lbs. Right up my alley.....al [This message was edited by Al Marcus on 15 May 2002 at 05:38 PM.] |
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Steven Knapper
From:
Temecula Ca USA
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Posted 15 May 2002 6:51 pm
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| Yeah, the Evans SE150, 42lbs, but it ain't cheap. I have one now and plan on having it til I die cuz weight is an issue with me and my shoulders. |
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John Russell
From:
Austin, Texas
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Posted 16 May 2002 10:17 am
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I've raved about this on other posts but I'll repeat. I just discovered how nice my Fender Hot Rod Deluxe sounds for steel. It's 40 watts into a 12" speaker, all tube. Weighs about 45 lbs. I use an analog delay and a 7 band EQ, both stomp boxes. The EQ boosts the output and the bass response. It works well in small venues. Might not be enough power for large rowdy bands. Cost was about $550. The tone is superb.
--JR |
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Brad Sarno
From:
St. Louis, MO USA
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Posted 16 May 2002 10:36 am
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What about a '60s Fender Twin with JBL's in it? Oh wait, you said light and cheap...
Brad Sarno
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Roger Crawford
From:
Griffin, GA USA
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Posted 16 May 2002 2:11 pm
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| How 'bout the Peavey TransTube 112 EFX ? 32 #'s I think. Web site show $420.00, but your dealer will probably do you a little better. I'm looking at one this weekend. [This message was edited by Roger Crawford on 16 May 2002 at 03:12 PM.] |
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Ann Fabian
From:
Mesquite, Texas, USA
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Posted 16 May 2002 2:43 pm
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Here it is! It's lightweight, at 18 pounds, but it ain't cheap
AER Compact 60
See the features and specs below the special 3D model, (which John Fabian has created for your viewing pleasure).
It costs as much as a Nashville 1000. The AER Compact 60 and the Nashville 1000 both list for $1,000.
We have these in stock. Just received our first shipment.
Ann Fabian 
Carter Steel Guitars
617 West Kearney Street
Suite 101
Mesquite, Texas 75149 USA {next to DALLAS}
1-800-969-7332 orders (accessories and steels)
1-972-475-2324 international orders
1-972-288-9100 technical info
1-972-288-9169 FAX
www.steelguitar.com
The Steel Guitar Information Resource
www.steelguitarINFO.com
OnLine Steel Guitarists Directory
www.OnLineSteelers.com
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Donny Hinson
From:
Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.
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Posted 16 May 2002 5:15 pm
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Well...I don't think that 8" speaker in the AER Compact would cut it for anything but practicing. (But that's just my 2cents.)
Also, the new speaker I have is the Celestion "G12-Century". I plan on trying it in a couple different amps, and I'll let you know the results in a week or two. According to specs, it's the lightest, most sensitive (efficient), and fastest reacting speaker ever made. (Quite expensive, though.) [This message was edited by Donny Hinson on 16 May 2002 at 06:23 PM.] |
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Ann Fabian
From:
Mesquite, Texas, USA
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Joey Ace
From:
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Posted 17 May 2002 7:31 am
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The "AER Compact 60" would be a milestone if it can deliver.
I've never seen one, but it's hard to believe a 60W amp with an 8" speaker could handle Steel, in even a small venue.
This is a German made amp, developed for acoustic guitar and vocals. Sure doesn't sound like a Steel Amp.
Again, I've never seen it. I trust the folks at Carter. Has this ever been field tested in a club situation ??
My back sure likes the 18.75 pounds feature. My brain says, "Nah, can't be...".
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Pete Burak
From:
Portland, OR USA
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Posted 17 May 2002 7:56 am
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FWIW, I've been using 8" speakers alot lately in a few amps I've tried, and I thought they "sounded" pretty good.
A very tight and punchy bottom end.
I think you would have to mic the amp though.
So my take is, if mic'ing the amp is the norm, and the amp sounds good, then it doesn't matter what physical size/weight the amp is.
I usually run them stereo with an RV3.
Right now I'm using a Silver Face Fender Champ (6.5 watt tube amp), in stereo with a Danelectro Nifty-Fifty (15W Solid State).
I also tried a Marshall AS50 (an acoustic guitar amp), which is 2-8" speakers in stereo (and 1 piezo), 50W solid state (they list at $379 but I got one at Guitar Center for $329,... you could buy 2!).
Channel 2 has stereo RCA in's, (so it was nice for playing along with rhythm tracks) as well as XLR in and 1/4" (I had Steel, Vocal, and Rhythm Tracks running through this thing and it was convenient and sounded pretty good).
I ended up returning it because I found a Walker Stereo Steel head locally, and am now getting used to using it.
If you are open to the "Crate" brand, they have a wide selection of what could be called "fairly light, affordable, Steel Amps".
They had a bunch of them on display at Guitar Center, fwiw.
[This message was edited by Pete Burak on 17 May 2002 at 08:58 AM.] |
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Steven Knapper
From:
Temecula Ca USA
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Posted 18 May 2002 12:43 am
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| I still think that you need at LEAST 100 watts and a 15" (or 2-12's) for steel guitar application. We shall have to wait and see about this. The 8" speaker is what has me bothered, I do also trust the Carter people. |
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Peter
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Posted 18 May 2002 2:10 am
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I bought a used Peavey Rage 158 for 85 bucks at Cash converters. It sounds better than my Musicman RP112. I took it to my friend who has a Nashville 400. He was very impressed. When we compared the two amps, there was obviously a big difference, but the Rage gives you a lot of bang for your bucks.
Ask Bobbe S. for price and opinion, or get a used one.
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Bob Hoffnar
From:
Austin, Tx
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Posted 18 May 2002 7:40 pm
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The new generation of amps is worth really checking out. I have been using a 30 watt amp( THD Bi-Valve) with a 2-12 cab for all my recordings and gigs. Its been plenty loud for everything I've used it for. I have even played some good sized rooms unmiked with no problems. Plus the thing sounds MUCH better than anything I've ever played through. I'm absolutly going to check into that AER amp first chance I get.
Bob |
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