Looking for amplifier advice: Peavey Classic 50 vs Peavey Pedal Steel Guitar Amplifiers

[Liam Millett]

I would love some opinions here on how the Peavey Classic 50 compares to Peavey pedal steel guitar amps.

For some reason, in my area I see multiple Peavey Classic 50s for sale, and I also see multiple Peavey Session 400 Limiteds in the area. These are all the "Session 400 LIMITED" model, which I see has some mixed reviews on this forum. I know the Classic 50 is a 6 string guitar amplifier, but I've heard it can work well for pedal steel.

What is more important to you - the warmness of a tube amp (like the classic 50), or the power and tone of a larger PSG amplifier?

I am getting ready to play my first (small) gigs and want to upgrade from my Fender Blues Jr. I'm considering these options because they are more affordable than a Twin Reverb or other pricier options.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

[Donny Hinson]

For me, 50 tube watts might be a fine practice or studio amp, but there's not enough clean headroom in that amp for anything but the smallest gigs. It also lacks a mid-shift, which can be really useful for dialing in specific tones. Also, the fact there's a lot of them available is not really a good sign.

[Larry Dering]

I have a Classic 50 4x10, Nashville 400 and a Session Limited so I can give an honest opinion. The Classic 50 is a wicked guitar amp but not so much for steel. The Limited is unfavorable for a reason, I can't get a satisfying steel tone but it's still usable. Larry Sassar had good results with his. The Nashville 400 is by far the best choice out of the 3. I also have a Nashville 1000 I like better. Fender Tonemaster Twin is also ok but not great. The most popular at the steel shows I attend is the Nashville 112. Look up Paul King on YouTube and listen to the big full tone he gets with the 112.

[Dennis Detweiler]

Emmons used to carry an eq pedal with him on the road in case he couldn't get the tone he wanted on a loaner. Might be an option for the 50W tube amp? The MXR M80 pedal would be an ideal preamp for additional tone enhancing.

[Larry Dering]

Dennis, I did add a EQ pedal in the loop of my classic 50 and yes it improved the tone. Maybe the 4x10 speakers are not well suited too pedal steel. They do make these in a 2x12 that may be steel friendly. It's a heavy amp and if I want heavy I use my Nashville 400 or Fender Twin Reverb.

[Liam Millett]

Thank you all so much for the advice! I'll get an eq pedal for sure now.

Someone nearby is now offering a Music Man 210 65watt amp for $500. So I might go with that until I need a bigger amp. I hear Music Man amps are similar to a twin reverb so I think it might be a step up from the Classic 50. The classic 50 has to 12 inch speakers, but the Music Man has has two 10 inch speakers. DO you think that's a big problem? I'm thinking it will be better than the classic 50 for small gigs.

*edit: He is also selling a music man 212 for a little more money. I think that is the best option. Should be closer to a twin reverb

[Dennis Detweiler]

The 212 would probably be a better fit. You can always try different 12AX7 tubes in the V1 position to get a more agreeable tone for steel.