How to set the knobs on Peavey amps for pedal stee

Every few weeks either on the Forum or Facebook, someone asks "how do I set the knobs to get a good tone?"
Here's some settings, and instructions on how to find YOUR tone.

[@randybird9979]

today I played the new PSG, made from Oak, it is hard for me to believe that ply wood to oak can make that much difference, the new oak PSG could be played in a professional band, it sounds great, I still can't believe it, but here it is, its great, thanks for the replys

[@larrydering1598]

Thanks Lane. I use a similar process to find the best tone.

[@pedrodeus3298]

This old Peavey Session 400 sounds good with overdrive and delay pedals. Thanks

[@discharge666]

Love that sound.

[@deltaapanta805]

I do like the information you give. I play a GFI.

[@sonicmilk]

Great video. Do you gig out with the peaveys much?

[@SteelguitarLane]

The Session 500 is pretty much just at home. The 400 was tied with the Twins. But your amp is my main gigging and jamming amp. I plan on doing a video like this for the Twin and the Milkman. You make a DAMN good amplifier, but you already know that.

[@sammyblackchow9541]

Many years ago a noobie steel player asked me where he should set his volume control on a high powered amp. I suggested that turn the volume up until his ears started to bleed and then back off a couple of notches. I never heard from him again so I suppose it worked. ;-)

[@schipbreukeling3]

Hello SteelguitarLane great video, I have a question about steelguitar tone, besides the amp and volume pedal, what pedals do you use?

[@zumsteelguitar]

Only a good Delay and reverb pedal

[@randybird9979]

did you get a chance to hear the buzz I was talking about

[@davecurtis1468]

Thank you for this informative video

[@cadenceandnathan]

Thanks for the videos Lane!

[@randybird9979]

Hey SGLane, I hope you can help me, I built a steel guitar PSG it sound pretty good,, and plays easy, but it seems to have a buzz in some of the strings, and not hooked to an amp, I started removing parts, till I removed everything even the roller nut, to pedals, got down to the string that buzzed the most, removed the tuners, pedals, under carriage, the string just to one tuner to the changer fingers, even removed the pick up, still the buzz, the strings have a good seat on the changer fingers, and good and solid on the tuners. I have been told it could be the strings, every thing looks good it has got me buggie . have you ever seen one do this before?

[@SteelguitarLane]

Randy Bird try polishing the crowns of the fingers, and make sure that they're round, without flat spots.

[@randybird9979]

SteelguitarLane That's the crazy thing, I made them on a gig, they are all the same, and polished so they are smooth as a baby's behind, I have found on the steel guitar forum more people have the same problem, and they have store bought PSG's. but as of yet I have found no answer to it. I have it apart now putting a finish on the body, when I get it back together I will do a video so you can see it, I would think it's the amp but it does it with amp turned off, it want take me long when the finish is done

[@randybird9979]

I think I found what is causing the buzz, I believe the tuning keys are to high, they are not very much lower then the roller nut, that is why the third and fourth string has the most buzz I can push down on the string behind the roller nut, and just with my finger pushing down it seems to at least 90% of the buzz goes away, if you will can you measure how much lower your tuning keys are then the roller nut, it would help me greatly, if this is it, I will have to add height to the roller nut and the changer as well, ever thing is good and tight I made every thing close tolerance, the guitar is solid as a block wall. I may have to swap sides with the tuners left and right, and go under the tuner, that may work, I will try it and let you know what happens, as always thanks for your reply's RB

[@SteelguitarLane]

Randy Bird That will definitely cause it. I'm not near my guitar now, but I THINK it's about a 3/4" (19mm) drop from roller nut to keys. I'll measure later.

[@randybird9979]

just looking at the pic's on the net they look like a lot, but I knew it had to be some way to stop that, I raised it about 1/2 inch, it helped a lot, so I will raise it up to 3/4 inch, thanks for the reply RB

[@Junior-jw1bb]

Big help thanks for the video

[@randybird9979]

Hey SGLane: can you get a good sound from a P V viper 1? I have wore out the knobs trying to get it to sound right, some people told me it would play good on a pedal steel. well it will play but that is about it, question is this, can you make it work or do I need to junk it and start over with something else?

[@SteelguitarLane]

Randy Bird if you're a new steel player, start practicing without an amp to get used to the SHARP attack that makes for a better steel tone. I'll try to find a viper to try and get a good tone out of. I am guessing it'll be a challenge, because it's designed as a rock and roll guitar amp, so the midrange (where the 'flavor' is shaped) is a bit different than what we like. But when you're new, it's harder to get a good tone out of your hands; I started playing pedal steel in 1980, and wasn't happy with my tone until around 2008.

[@randybird9979]

thanks for the reply, I am new to the pedal steel, I built my own, every thing on it seems to be working ok, and it sounds kinda decent, but from what I hear in you tube, and have found out about amps, this little viper is only 10 or 20 watts, it has more settings then any thing I have ever seen and I have been on every one of them and it just want cut it, guess I will have to get down into my pockets and go with a real amp, the little viper and cord was just over 100 dollars, to cheap again thanks

[@randybird9979]

Hey SGLane, did you get to try the viper 1, I have gave up on getting it to sound like a pedal steel guitar

[@SteelguitarLane]

Randy Bird I am still trying to find one to try here in Topeka

[@SteelguitarLane]

Randy Bird try sending me an email, and I'll send you the procedure I use to dial in an amp. I'd choose one of the bass amp models, NOT either electric or acoustic models. If I can find one locally, I'll try it. Bias warning: I loathe multieffects units, and amps with multieffects units built in are equally frustrating. Turn all that crap off except for a touch of reverb.

[@randybird9979]

Hey SGLane: just for curiosity sake, what would happen if you put a 15 inch black widow speaker on a 20 watt amp? would it drive it? would it make a sound at all?

[@SteelguitarLane]

Randy Bird a BW is a highly efficient speaker. At 1W of a 1KHz signal, it produces 102dB. It's fine to use at low volume/low power. Most of the power rating is related to the ability of the voice coil to dissipate and/or tolerate the heat from the current passing through that skinny wire. At lower current levels, it'll be just fine (although SOME of the sound characteristics will be less evident, as the load of the air being moved does change the way it sounds), in fact, I use the BW at "bedroom level" quite often.

[@randybird9979]

my neighbor gave me an old 10 or 20 watt amp, not sure what it is it is an old one, I put an old car box speaker on it and ran my bass thru it and low and behold it sounded really good not any vibration at all, not enough volume to play in Carnegie hall, but plenty for the garage, so I may try a 15 inch BW, O by the way do they make smaller BW's I am going to make a case for it so any size will work, I will make it to fit thanks

[@SteelguitarLane]

Randy Bird there are 12" Black Widows, but they don't sound as rich on the bottom.

[@randybird9979]

if the amp want drive it, what will a bass sound like thru a 15 inch BW on a 20 watt amp

[@SteelguitarLane]

Randy Bird a 20W bass amp? It'll mostly sound quiet. I'm not sure I understand the question. A speaker rated at 500W will still react just fine to a three watt (or less) signal.

[@randybird9979]

I have done every thing possible to stop the buzz, changed strings, different gauge strings, raised the roller nut, raised the changer, took every thing off that wasn't needed to strike the string, the changer is polished to a spit shine, it surely must be a design flaw in the changer, every thing looks like it would work to the very best, every thing is tight, when you strike the string and it is buzzing you can hear it but it can't be found, only thing I have not tried yet is the wood the guitar is made of, and that would be a major undertaking to find out if it is that or not, I have ran out of options, about ready to trash can the idea

[@SteelguitarLane]

Randy Bird further diagnostic check: put bar at the 5th fret, block the space on the nut side of the bar, and strike a note with adequate bar pressure. Is it buzzing? Now put the bar around the 17th fret or so, and block the CHANGER side of the bar, and strike a note. Is it still buzzing? Also check every screw holding endplate to apron and endplate to deck, and every other screw. You might have parts of the guitar vibrating against each other

[@randybird9979]

rechecked every screw and bolt, all tight. most parts are removed, Checked at 5 fret and blocked on nut side, still buzzing. tone bar at 17 , blocked on changer side, the same string rattle, I made it from ply wood, it is either the ply wood or the design of the changer, I think I will make a body from oak or maple, its hard for me to believe that the wood could cause a buzzing or rattling sound, but something is going on that is beyond me.

[@randybird9979]

I will put it all back together and make a video and try to put it up today, If you have time to check it maybe you can tell me what you think about the sound, My wife don't even notice it, I have made this one for my sister and, I just can not let it out of here sounding like this, maybe with a good amp the sound want go thru. any way thinks for your reply's and your time

[@randybird9979]

SGL here is a video I made of my PSG I made, kzbin.info/www/bejne/hqvGamlqjqiSZ5Y I am thinking it must be the plywood, I am starting one next week and use oak, maple if I can get it, any thoughts would be help full and thinks for the reply's

[@schipbreukeling3]

@@SteelguitarLane wow

[@deltaapanta805]

Please add a number value to the settings, for reference. I use a Peavey Nashville 112 and a Bandit 112 for practice. Can you give which S.W. settings for Class, Vintage. or lead settings to use. There are steel players starting to use the New Bandit 112 for pedal steel in Texas.

[@SteelguitarLane]

Because some Peavey amps number 1 through 10 and some number -15 through +15 dB cut/gain, but they all tend to sound best with the knobs pointing the same directions, I deliberately chose "clockface" numbers, because they'll work the same regardless.

[@SteelguitarLane]

If I had a Bandit nearby, I could offer such guidance. I'd choose whichever channel is the cleanest.

[@randybird9979]

Hey SGLane I have located an Evans it has 500 watts, the guy wants 500 dollars for it, he says it looks like new, he has 4 or 6 pedal steel amps, he told me this Evans is really a good sounding amp, what do you know about an Evans with 500 watts, I don't know what model it is

[@SteelguitarLane]

Randy Bird it's a step up from the Peavey amps. Normal range is between 450-700, and It's a very desirable amp. If you can swing it, buy it.

[@randybird9979]

thanks, I guess I will pick it up this coming week

[@randybird9979]

its the ply wood, I made one from oak, I could not find maple, but the one made from oak dont do the buzzing

[@SteelguitarLane]

Ahh. Voids in the plywood will do that.

[@ronaldf.eppersonsr.4328]

You really need to lighten up on the amplifier put some more lights on it so you can see the knobs it's very dark

[@larryjones8928]

When you talk you hit a note and you can’t hear what you are saying

[@randybird9979]

O PS= it even sounds very good with my little toy amp

[@Midimaker01]

Thanks for the useful information. If you get a chance try the "Steel Guitar Network". We are having a good time out there with the steel guitars. Sharing music and a lot of information on there.

[@johnjp5883]

where are pre & post gain and reverb

[@SteelguitarLane]

Post gains ALWAYS dimed. Pre usually between 3 and 4. Reverb around 3 or 4 also. I guess I DO need to reshoot this.

[@johnjp5883]

+SteelguitarLane Thank you

[@SteelguitarLane]

Many people, from Jeff Newman to J. D. Maness, have said that to get the best tone and to have the most sustain available, turn the amp UP. The volume pedal can throttle even a dimed Peavey or my Milkman Half and Half down to a whisper. The Peavey will start getting dirty above preamp gain of 5 or 6, so I keep it in the clean range. I run the Milkman crazy hot,like 7 or 8.

[@satanertau2689]

deoxit!

[@SteelguitarLane]

Unfortunately, it's not in the jacks, but in the amp.

[@walterkersting9922]

It needs the pots cleaned

[@SteelguitarLane]

Needs more than that. I may try replacing the chips. It's got distortion

[@terminaltom1662]

crap video, no introduction to the controls, no close up of the amp. All I got was Peavey "session 500" I believe. Gimme some info I can use.

[@BlindTom61]

Please lose the "uhs" okay? Thanks...

[@SteelguitarLane]

Buy me a teleprompter. Sorry if it bugs you. I'm a trucker, not a professional speechifier. I'm slightly ADD, and I have to remember where I was going at the end of a phrase.

[@slawo2]

shut up your mouth okay?, watch Bieber or something on your level of perception, thanks ( forgive me, Lane)

[@HBSuccess]

BlindTom61 Uh, unbelievable douchebag comment so go F yourself . Nobody is holding a gun to your head to watch.

[@southernexposure123]

Maybe it's the way I listen, but I didn't hear anyone say Uh - Uhntil I read that cUhment.

[@SteelguitarLane]

Tioga Fretworks I'd say I disagree with your intensity, but I agree with your premise. I'm aware of my speech issues, and I'm working on them. Some people think the content is worth putting up with the hesitation.

[@thomaspick4123]

Shave your face and get a hair cut.

[@SteelguitarLane]

I'm usually clean-shaven. When my hair is short, it has a comically ungainly cowlick. Thanks for the input.