evans amps

tomsteel · Post by **tomsteel** » 24 Mar 2002 7:22 pm

I know everyone,well almost,likes peavey amps.What about the evans in comparison?The evans seems a bit pricey,compared to any of the peaveys.Do they have that much greater tone,or that much better sound wise,etc?Thank-you for your comments.Tomsteel

Steven Knapper · Post by **Steven Knapper** » 24 Mar 2002 7:29 pm

With out getting into a bunch of stuff, YES, and the price is worth it. Wait for the arguments to start.

Danny Hullihen · Post by **Danny Hullihen** » 24 Mar 2002 9:19 pm

Steven. Although you're probably right regarding "arguments" starting on subjects such as this, however, in reality, I believe that it is truly no more than an individuals personal opinion that arrives to the synopsis of what is "better" (i.e Peavey vs. Evans,) or what have you.

For example, one may have a scenerio where one amp is more popular than another, or brand X is the one being used more by the "Pros" in the industry. Although this certainly does have merit, (for obvious reasons,) however, that doesn't necessarilly mean it's the "best sounding" equipment for everyone.

There are many factors that come into play when deciding on a particular piece of sound gear, and certainly price is going to be one of the major concerns to most folks. I think length of warrenty would perhaps be another, and of course, reliability. Nonetheless, "paying more" for something doesn't necessarilly mean it's definately "better". If something is too cheap, that would raise a red flag with me for sure, but on the same token, too expensive would probably do the same.

It's good to share personal opinions about things, and hopefully, those opinions would be unbiased and based on the persons real-life experience with something. Unfortunately, as you might agree with, that isn't always the case, and even more so in this particular market.

Personally, I would hope that a person getting ready to make sizable investments such as in a steel amp, or steel guitar, would take the time to gather what information they could based not only on our opinions here, but also on personal research they've gathered from the manufacturer, and then buy that piece of equipment with a heavy emphasis on what sounds really good to "their ears" and not necessarilly on that of the masses. I think to do otherwise would truly result in being nothing more than a game of mental-gymnastics to buy something based on a plethoria of opinions, and then try to convince yourself later that you made "the right choice" while your own ears might be screaming ... guess again!

All too many times I see "good intentions" on threads here on the Forum turn into blistering arguments that result in being completely useless to anyone, (save for those who tend to enjoy that sort of thing.)

Personally, I'm hoping that this thread will produce some great conversation in amp vs amp comparisons, based on educated testimonies of factual and verifiable knowledge, rather than on arguments based on "mine is better than yours simply because I said so." I don't think that says much of anything about the equipment. Do you? With that being said, I would like to hear your opinion of why the Evans, in this case, is better than the Peavey, and what is it that makes it worth a lot more money.

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 24 Mar 2002 11:20 pm

I have a lot of amps; if I'm playing a swing set, I take the Standell; if I'm playing on a metal gig, I take the Ampeg VT-22; everything else I take the Evans 500 FET with a Black Widow 1501. The Evans is a little 'snappier' then the all tube amps and it delivers a nicely 'scooped' sound.

John Lacey · Post by **John Lacey** » 25 Mar 2002 5:18 am

Yea, you're right Chas about the "scooped" sound of the Evans. It's like the mids got scooped out and bottom was added. I had an FET 500 for about 15 years and it served me well with few problems. I had a weak money moment and sold it, but I'm not heart broken, the Nashville 400 is in the ballpark, especially if you get the mod.

Steven Knapper · Post by **Steven Knapper** » 25 Mar 2002 6:09 am

Danny, I have been playing 2 Nash. 400's for about a year now, they sound great on the band stand, but there is something about that Evans FET 150 that is in the ear, to me, different, better. Your are right, it a personal opinion thing, I am keeping one of my Nash's for a back up amp or if I need 200 more watts. like an out door venue. I stand by the Evans statemet, at least for me. My GFI guitars and the Evans amps are like cake and milk, can't have one with out the other. THAT is my opinion only. Maybe argument was a bad choice of words, how about discussion???
Steve[This message was edited by Steven Knapper on 25 March 2002 at 06:10 AM.]

Fred Murphy · Post by **Fred Murphy** » 25 Mar 2002 8:32 am

At the present, I own a Session 2000, a Nashville 1000, 2 Evans 500 Fets, 2 Nashville 400s, a Vegas 400,a Session 500, and a Session 400 Limited. When I go out to play a club I take a Nashville 400 w/Lemay mod kit, with a B/W 1501 speaker,with a Boss DM2 delay pedal. I like them all, but I could have saved a lot of money for all practical purposes.

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 25 Mar 2002 11:40 am

I have a number of amps for 'backup' or doubling occasions. If I don't want to take the Standell, I take a Fender Pro(tweed), or an Ampeg Super Echo Twin. If I don't take the Evans, I have a 'Blackface' Twin or an old MusicMan 115. (I'm currently having a couple of 'Christmas Trees' rebuilt). What really sounds good to me is the Evans in combination with a tube amp, like the Standell, they tend to support each other and I think it's the best of both worlds.

Steven Knapper · Post by **Steven Knapper** » 25 Mar 2002 5:10 pm

Chas, I wonder what an Evans and a Nash. 400 would sound like --- well, sooner or later I will find out. Steve

Sam Minnitti · Post by **Sam Minnitti** » 25 Mar 2002 5:24 pm

How much is the Evans SE150 going for?

Can they be ordered directly from Evans or
do you have to go through a dealer?

I'm in the market for an amp myself and have been looking at a used Nashville 400 or new Evans 150. Unfortunately I have not been able to find either locally to hear how they sound.

I am playing out of a Polytone Mini Brute II right now and it seems dull.

Thanks
[This message was edited by Sam Minnitti on 25 March 2002 at 06:26 PM.][This message was edited by Sam Minnitti on 25 March 2002 at 06:43 PM.]

George Kimery · Post by **George Kimery** » 25 Mar 2002 6:57 pm

When I was shopping for a new amp, I knew the sound I was looking for. I went to Bobbe Seymore's and took my guitar. I started plugging in different amps. The minute I tried the Evans, that was it. That was "THE" sound I was looking for. I have a Session 500 and a Session 400 and they both sound just fine. It depends on how particular you are about getting the sound that suits you as to whether you should get an Evans or a Peavey. I think Peavey is set-up to manufacture in a large quantity and can bring the cost down due to mass production, whereas an Evans is more or less "hand made". I think that is part of the price difference. As others have said, the best amp is what sounds best to you. I do think that the Evans is much easier to adjust the knobs for tone. Seems like it sounds good no matter where the knobs are set, whearas the Peavey's seem to only sound right with the knobs set just right, at least to my ears.

Rusty Hurse · Post by **Rusty Hurse** » 25 Mar 2002 9:08 pm

Hey Fred you should hook them all up together some nite!Give the neighbors a LITTLE TONE!

Fred Murphy · Post by **Fred Murphy** » 26 Mar 2002 6:40 am

All the neighbors are quite familiar with me. Guys come over about once or twice a week and we turn it up. In the summer we sometimes play on the patio. No complaints yet.

. It is nice to have an assortment to pick from. My back usually dictates what I play.

Steven Knapper · Post by **Steven Knapper** » 26 Mar 2002 5:23 pm

Sam, there is a big price difference between the Nash. 400 and a new Evans, about a Grand ($1,000.00) But then again, I feel it's worth it.

Don Benoit · Post by **Don Benoit** » 26 Mar 2002 6:38 pm

I have been using a Peavey DPC-750 with a ProfexII & two 15" cabinets for 10 years. Recently, I bought a second hand Nashville 400 and found that it was muddy when sliding up past the 13th fret using combinations of the 4th, 5th and 6th strings. Tried different settings including setting the mids down to 9 oclock which helped a bit. I am going to try another Nashville 400 this week but so far the 400 doesn't even come close to my other setup. Wish there was somone with an Evans nearby that I could try.

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dben@shaw.ca http://members.shaw.ca/dben/psg.htm

[This message was edited by Don Benoit on 26 March 2002 at 06:39 PM.]

Gary Walker · Post by **Gary Walker** » 26 Mar 2002 8:43 pm

I have owned 2 LTDs and now have a Session 500, Session 2000 and PX300. Two weeks ago I spent the day with the great Jay Dee Maness and his 68 P/P went into a Evans Custom (don't know which model) and his sound was nothing short of incredible. The trebles were super sharp and the bass strings were as they were solid gold. Jay Dee's tone has always been top drawer and it has me looking at an Evans now, thanks, Gary.

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 26 Mar 2002 8:45 pm

Evans are great sounding amps in my opinion. I had one. I'd still be playing it if I didn't have my Webb.

John Lacey · Post by **John Lacey** » 27 Mar 2002 6:56 am

I've heard J.D. on T.V. with both the Evans setup and Peavey's and there is a slight edge with the Evans over the Peavey's. I played Don Townsend's Nash 400 with the factory mod and it was real close to my Evans FET 500.

Jim Bob Sedgwick · Post by **Jim Bob Sedgwick** » 30 Mar 2002 3:08 pm

I've played an Evans FET 500 for over 10 years now. I love the amp. The only negative I have about the amp is the treble. This thing will shred lettuce, if you turn up the treble. But, it is one of the few transitor amps that to my ear sound like a tube amp. Pricey, yes, but well worth it. BTW I also have a Peavey amp and like it also. You know the old "apple vs. Oranges" postulate.

VERNON PRIDDY · Post by **VERNON PRIDDY** » 30 Mar 2002 5:03 pm

I Have Two Session 400 Peaveys And A Nashville 1000. What More Could One Ask? I Don't Think I Could Get A Better Sound. SONNY.

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SONNYPRIDDY

chas smith R.I.P. · Post by **chas smith R.I.P.** » 30 Mar 2002 6:28 pm

This thing will shred lettuce, if you turn up the treble.

Think of all the money you saved on lettuce shredders, personally, I use mine to polish my teeth. Also, my neighbor raises Dalmations and she has about 14 in her house; they really enjoy anything above the 17th fret.[This message was edited by chas smith on 30 March 2002 at 06:31 PM.]

Chuck Norris · Post by **Chuck Norris** » 31 Mar 2002 2:15 pm

Gentleman, let`s narrow that price gap a little. Of coarse the 400 is not made anymore so you can only compare a used Evan`s to a 400, and that price differance would be considerably narrower maybe 300 to 400 or compare a 1000 to a new Evan`s, $1,550.00 versus $999.00 retail, that`s only 550 differance. There both wonderful amp`s with two distinctively differant sound`s great player`s play them both nothing wrong with discussing the differance`s but let`s not over due the price differance, and as someone said, Peavey is a large production company and can afford to make them cheaper but then again Hartley could make this product sell for more, supply and demand and all, so hat`s off to Peavey for that.
But STEEL THEY ARE BOTH STATE OF THE ART IN THE STEEL GUITAR WORLD!
Happy Easter
Chuck Norris NFM

Steve Stallings · Post by **Steve Stallings** » 8 Apr 2002 6:19 pm

I have nine amps.
2 small cab Evans FET500
2 large cab Evans FET500
1 peavey classic 50212
1 peavey transtube 112
1 fender vibrolux custom
1 kendrick 118
1 sears tiny six watt tube amp.

I have three different rack systems
Profex II
Sansamp PSA1-Lexicon
Evans-Lexicon

I've played through several different Nash 400s and really like them. I can't fault them at all. I just happened to stumble into some good deals and I'm a gear addict!

I do prefer the Evans for steel, but this is not because they are so much better. I just happen to like them a tad better... It's really not that big of a deal. Tone is in the hands and heart. The stuff we are talking about is all pro quality and in the right persons hands, sounds it. Heck, Jeff or Bobbe could take my tiny sears amp and make me sound like a piker

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Steve Stallings
Bremond, Texas