The Steel Guitar Forum

I need some advice. What is the smallest amp you can resonably use for pedal steel? Due to physical limitaions, I need an amp that is as small and light as possible. My ability to accept potential future gigs depends on it. I've seen some pretty small amps, but I don't know if they would work for steel. Any help or advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

L.A.

Check out Evans Custom Amplifiers they are Super

Peavey Nashville 112 has been recognized here on the Steel Forum as one of the BEST SMALL amps with a BIG SOUND out on the market for Steel Guitar. It's hard to beat a PEAVEY!

I have an Evans AE100 with an 8" speaker that sounds surprising good with a steel. I have used it on a couple of different occasions with a fairly loud band and it performed great.

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Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording

I saw Eric W. the other night with just his NV112, it sounded really great and he was cutting through a failry loud band, too.

Have you looked at something like the POD device that would let you go direct into the PA without an amp? I don't have any firsthand experience with one, but could be an alternate answer to your question.

I have a Fender Delux 90 DSP (Digital sig. Proc.), 90 watts, and about 27 lbs, one 12" Celestion (Marshall amps)speaker. I bought it just for a practice, but now use it on all my small club gigs, and even some large venues as a monitor before being miced off. Lighter, smaller and cheaper than the PV 112, and a good sound. Can't say how they compare as I have never played though the PV 112 (my other car is a Session 500).




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Dave Wren
'95Carter S12-E9/B6,7X7; Session500; Hilton Pedal
www.ameechapman.com

Questions:

--ideally, what sort of sound are you looking for (classic country steel guitar? roots rock/country?)

--what sort of rooms are you playing (cafes? bars? VFW halls?)

--what sort of budget?

There are some good options including some outside-the-box solutions for lightweight rigs. But $$$ limits and wattage requirements will have a bearing on this.

Thanks for all your replies, a assure you they are appreciated.

John, in answer to your questions.
I am looking for a basic "country" sound, with a minimum of whine.
The venue would be the choir loft of a Catholic church.
Said loft it at the top of two flights of stairs, and I am a heart patient. So, while money is a consideration, the biggest consideration would be the weight.

I was wondering if any of the small amps that run on both battery & electric would be sufficient for such a use. Has anyone ever used such an amp? Do they work?

Again, I appreciate all your responses, and I'll check-out the amp sites you mentioned. If anyone can think of any other ideas, your suggestions will be welcome.

Thanks again,

L.A.

OK--this isn't cheap but it's a question of just what it's worth to you. You simply won't find a lighter weight solution than an Acoustic Image head:
http://www.acousticimg.com/products/prod_clarus.html

and a Marrs cab:
http://www.duanemarrs.com/Products.0.html

loaded with a Neo speaker from Celestion or Eminence.

Instead of the Acoustic Image and its price point, I just recently bought something that is WAY inferior but is surprisingly usable--a Crate Powerblock head:
http://www.samedaymusic.com/product--CRACPB150

Just add reverb--E-H Holy Grail or a Boss RV-3 and you are in business with stuff that you can carry in one hand.

OTOH, I will second the recommendation--a Nash 112 would be a good choice and it is one piece.

Another vote for the Nashville 112. I just picked up one used (4 motnhs old). IMHO very pewerful and easily portable with great tonal variety. What an amp!

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Gary Stiles

AER Compact 60 sounds good for E9, at low vol. and it weighs 13lbs. In a choir loft you won't need much vol. at all and prob. no reverb! You could prob. get by with a Roland MicroCube.

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Chris Kennison
Colorado