The Steel Guitar Forum

I played my first gig out Saturday with my new Remington 2x8, which has a great tone. My Fender Hot Rod DeVille sounded great on C6, but could not handle the low end of E13, the new tuning I’m learning, and the reason for buying the Remington in the first place. Particularly when you grab a handful of strings. It was OK for quieter backing chords, but solo stuff was out of the question. I have always had tube amps, and they are fine with lower volumes and mid-range notes, but I know many players use solid state Peaveys. We are doing honkey tonk, and the on stage level can be pretty loud in a large room. Any suggestions for amp choices? Additionally, I had back surgary three years ago, and weight is a concern, although I normally get a hand. Thanks, Tim.

Tim I too player a Remington steelmaster 2by8 I have tried several amps. I have The Peavy 1000 and it is the best. I have another Peavy of lesser quality. They are good but too heavy and cumbersome to be transported easily. I got a Marshall with reverb not their best but only weighs about 20 lbs. I wouldn't want to record with it but the sound is tolerable. I play mostly in church so dont need ear-shattering sound. Anyway U are not alone in the amp sound vs. weight. Lots of luck Jack

Tim, the standards for pedal steel amps are in the 100 to 300 watt output range. It just takes that to get the clean headroom you need. It seems a steel amp needs to be at least 4 times more powerful than a guitar amp for the same venue.

Solid state amps are lighter. The Nashville 112 puts out 80 watts (compared to your Devilles 60w) but is smaller and lighter. Even though it has only 20 watts more, it is designed to play clean with a strong low end, and so might be a considerable improvement. But, being solid state, it has a colder, more sterile sound. The 112 is designed to be a bedroom and practice amp. The real gig amps by Peavey start with the Nashville 400 (discontinued, but lots available on the used market), with 200 watts. Mine weighs 58 lbs. The Nashville 1000 is 300 watts, but is actually slightly lighter than the 400. These are all solid state.

If you want the tube sound (which I prefer), you are into even heavier amps. The classic steel standard is the Fender Twin Reverb with a 15" speaker, and 80-100 watts. These are 75-85 lbs., depending on the speaker. Other discontinued amps in this same family are the Vibrosonic, Vibrasonic, and a new reissue of the Twin with a 15" speaker.

If you really want to keep the weight down, go to an amp head and separate speaker. For the Fender tube sound, look for an old Dual Showman Reverb head (80-100w), 35 lbs. Check out the small light speaker cabinets Duane Marrs makes (he has a web site). Unfortunately, Peavey doesn't make head versions of its steel amps. You could have a head cabinet made for the amp chassis. Or just take the speaker out and put it in a separate cabinet. I think separate heads and speakers are the way to go for us older guys. Also, I wouldn't be without a hand truck of some kind.

<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by David Doggett on 19 January 2004 at 08:32 AM.]</p></FONT>

Thanks for the input. Any other suggestions out there? I don't want to buy a pig in a poke. Thanks, Tim.

You won't go wrong with the Tube Works stuff. I play through a rack setup with separate speakers. This helps lighten the load!
Erv

Tim, feel free to contact me toll free at 1-877-732-8391 if I can assist you with a Peavey amplifier.

Mike Brown
Peavey Electronics Corporation

Scott: I took your advise. Reading those posts will keep me busy. Thanks, Tim.

Last year (2003) the "Hawaiian Room" was sponsored at Scotty’s Steel Guitar Convention in St. Louis by Dewitt Scott and the Peavey corporation. Many members of the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association performed.

Here are some pix: http://www.hsga.org/events/Scottys2003.html

Peavey graciously loaned us a Nashville 112 for use on stage. All the steelers who used this amp loved it. I also used it for my fingerstyle guitar and was impressed.

For big rooms or outside gigs you may have to mic it.

The price and size are very attractive. Check one out at a local Peavey dealer.

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Gerald Ross
'Northwest Ann Arbor, Michigan's King Of The Hawaiian Steel Guitar'

Gerald's Fingerstyle Guitar Website

<FONT SIZE=1 COLOR="#8e236b"><p align=CENTER>[This message was edited by Gerald Ross on 24 January 2004 at 10:01 AM.]</p></FONT>