suggestions for a amp

[John Frankel]

Would like to get some suggestions regarding what amp would work for a Sho-Nuff SD10.

[Ricky Davis]

Peavey Nashville 112

[Gregg TeHennepe]

It would be helpful to know how you plan to use the amp, ie gigging with a full band, playing in a small group/small venues, playing at home, recording, etc. Also what's most important? Sound, price, weight, features (ie built-in effects, battery-powered), etc.

The Peavey Nashville 112 is the classic, but it's pretty heavy and no frills.
There are high-end amps like Quilter, Milkman, etc that are very nice at a price.
Then there are the newer modeling amps (software driven) that have decent sound and a lot of options at a reasonable price but can be complicated - you run your amp with your phone.

I have a Quilter Steelaire, and two smaller modeling amps (Vox Adio Air GT and a Positive Grid Spark 2). If I could only have one it would be the Spark.

[Ryan Bramlett]

Since the OP didn't respond, I think I'll pick up this thread since I basically have the same question.

Guitar is a BMI s10. I have a Peavey Session 400 that sounds great and I use it at home. But it's WAY too heavy and powerful for my weekly outing.

Gregg, since you made a good faith effort to help the OP, I'll answer his questions: the band is small. I do NOT need to be very loud. Priorities are light weight, onboard reverb, and not insanely expensive. Don't want battery powered. Don't use a rack or any effects pedals, I only have a Black Box.

I'm not sure the amp I want even exists for pedal steel. Should I just do some sort of 2-piece solution involving a Quilter head and a small speaker?

[Chris Brooks]

Buy a used Roland Cube 80.

[Ronald Sikes]

I agree with Ricky. Nashville 112. Great for home or stage. It’ll work on most stages , put on mic on it if it’s a larger stage.

[Ryan Bramlett]

I'm totally unfamiliar with the Cube 80. Does it sound decent with pedal steel, or are you essentially sacrificing sound for light weight? If I did use a cube, should I add any effects box to improve it or is that not necessary?

[Bob Jennings]

I get a nice tone out of a Fender Princeton Chorus--2 ten inch speakers 25 watts in each. Not a lot of power or volume but a nice mellow sound---I used the one I have at a jam several years ago and some Yo-Yo down front with a steel guitar and a big powerful amp, kept drowning me out every time I tried to do a break in a song--the third time he did it to me, I packed up and left, never returning---and, this character or "would be steel player" wasn't very good anyway. Just some advice using a 25 watt amp.

Bob Jennings

[Ryan Bramlett]

Thanks for the advice, Bob. Looks like the Fender Princeton is about 35 pounds. I'd still like to go lighter, but I think the Session 400 is about 65-70 pounds so I would already be half of that.

Still going to look into a cube, though...

[Chris Brooks]

Hi again Ryan. My first choice would be a 112. I have played mine for 20 years. Sounds great, lots of power. Only problem has been the power cord that went out!

You asked about Cubes.

Cube 80s are available used for plus or minus $300.
Cube 80 has 80 watts and a 12" speaker: just like the 112.
Mine sounds fine with my Carter SD 12.
Add effects boxes? I am not a great fan of racks of boxes for steel. Just plug in your guitar; set bass and treble at neutral to start with; dial down the midrange, give it a little (on-board) reverb, and play it.

[Kevin Raymer]

Hard to beat a Nashville 112.
Especially for the going prices..

If you’re young and sound of back, a Fender twin reverb is sweet !!!

Or….

Save your Pennies and get one of the new peavey amp coming out..

[Brooks Montgomery]

Or….
Save your Pennies and get one of the new peavey amp coming out..

130,000 pennies are heavy …..might as well get the Twin Reverb

[Ryan Bramlett]

I have heard a nashville 112 and agree that they sound sweet. But at 43 pounds (or so the internet tells me) these are still a bit too heavy for my liking for going out. I intend to keep my Session 400 for playing at home so I have the "heavy & powerful" part of my collection well taken care of.

Was really hoping to check in at 30 pounds on the top end, but still retain a quality clean steel sound. The Roland Cubes available in my area are the Street and the Street EX...the step down from those (called the Micro) looks a bit too wimpy and cheap.

Anyway thanks everyone for the suggestions and I am very open to more of them!