Peavey Session 500

I own the session 500 MK IV. It was manufactured in 1983 (or so I assume from the serial number, which seems to have a date code of 1983), plus it has a sticker on it which dates it as being repaired in 1985. I use the amp mostly at home in my music room/ computer room. It can undoubtably overload any room in my house, and likely most of the buildings around me. It is equipped with a monstrous 15" black widow speaker (which could accoount for some of its weight). Features are aplenty (it is solid state and there is a tone enhancement kit available from Peavey if desired), and so far I am wanting for nothing. I play clean alot, although do sometimes like to monkey around with "noisy" playing. The inputs are in parallel, although one (#2) is low gain (-6db). It has an effects loop (to/from pedal) as well. There is a pre-gain which is defeated if the string effect is turned on (string effect is distrotion and its level controls input gain when on). There is active equalization with low (bass), paramid (mid), and high (treble) adjustments. As well the paramid frequency top can be adjusted from 150HZ to 1.5KHZ. Also a presence setting which seems to relate to string attack/edge. A post gain, which is mainly a master volume is also included. It has a phase effect (flanger?) with a rate setting and a color setting, interesting effect. There is a reverb tank (huge) I think it is a three spring unit.

I have two guitars currently, a Yamaha SE200 Strat copy, which is very quiet for a single coil pickup equipped machine. Plus I have an early 70's Aria Jaguar body style with two single coil pickups which are very noisy and microphonic, but I like its action and sound. As for high volumes, I have yet to reach anything above 3 in the post gain, with a setting of 5 on the pre gain, and at those settings it is still very clean with the guitar (either one) turned up to full. The reverb is a bit noisy when it is turned up past mid, but this could be due to the age of the unit (capacitors don't like time). I can achieve a flotilla of sounds with this amp, and am still experimenting. As for music style, I don't play any one particular style, for instance a friend of mine and I are playing some Pink Floyd tunes together (mostly from wish you were here), plus another friend of mine drops by to do some blues jamming. There is also the new Foo Fighters tunes I am playing around with, plus my oldest daughter recently started guitar lessons and we play folk songs right now. Plus left to my own devices I sometimes fall into more jazzy styles of playing. In short I do it because it puts a smile on my face when it sounds good, whatever it may be.

When I first got the amp it was suffering from neglect. It was "dirty" sounding. I quickly got out my trusty can of electronic cleaner and went to cleaning every pot and IC socket. When I was done it sounded great. Every time I turn it on it works, as for a gig... I don't gig so to speak... its more like a jam session.

Peavey has been most helpful. If you go to their web site, you can download the manual for the amp (in PDf format). There is a foot switch available, which is for the 400 series, but will work with a slight modification to it. I priced the footswitch through the local music store, and I believe the salesperson said it was $54.00 CANADIAN, which seems like a bargain to me.

I have been playing guitars for nearly thirty years (off and on). I have no other amp currently aside from an old Ross practice amp, which I have loaned to a friend. If I lost this amp or it were stolen, I would likely replace it with a Peavey product like say the Wiggy or a transtube type, unless of course I lucked out with the find of something vintage falling into my lap for an incredible price. I like its gobs of power, but hate its weight. I didn't compare it to any other amps since it only was put up for sale due to a marraige breakup of a friend of a friend.

I bought the amp used in 1991. It has two channels, 300 watt external speaker. It has a whole bunch of connectors for things such as headphones, line out, pedals, pre-post amp, and a bunch of other stuff I have no clue about. As far as I can tell it is a solid state amp. It has quite a few effects, including distortion, reverb, pyramid, color etc. I like them all but the distortion. The amp is intended primarily to be a steel guitar amp, but is also popular for jazz, country and rock. The amp is INCREDIBLY heavy, which is the only reason I give it a lower rating that I might have. However, it is also extremely loud and powerful, I have the pre and post gain at like 1 out of 10, and still regularly hurt my ears with it.

I play an Ibanez S540 and a Fender telecaster. I also often use a zoom 505 II multi-effects pedal. The amp is LOUD. Let me repeat, LOUD. I have seen a lot of amps, and played through a lot of amps, and very few can even get close to the power of this thing. It frightens me. My telecaster sounds very sweet and warm when playing clean. I don't think I have ever taken it above 50% volume, but even 50% is overpowering loud, even when performing with a large band. Aside from the noise all the nearby objects make due to shaking from the sheer power of the thing, the sound is extremely clear and crisp. I play clean a lot and really like the sounds.

I bought it used, but it has been a workhorse. I don't move it much anymore, and I don't play too loudly (it sits in my apartment), but it seems rock solid.

My jazz instructor recommended this amp, and was able to get it used for a pretty good deal. Aside from its extreme weight, I really like it. I can easily perform with it without any other amplification. I was advised not to run basses through it, as it will probably be damaged by extended play of bass notes. The thing is so overkill powerful and small (but heavy!), that it suits me just fine as my only amplification. All the effects from my effects box sound as intended (I compared to my friends amps), and the clean sound is extremely clear.

This is a steele guitar amp, But the sound this amp gives my guitar is unbelievable. Especially when clean. It has 280 watts with the internal speaker and 300 watts to an external speaker. The amp has about 15 knobs and I dont know what most of them do yet. It has it's own amp distortion (which isn't that bad), Four knobs to tone the sound, a built in controlable phaser, Reverb and a few other things. The amp is solid state but has a very warm sound. I think its one channel but has two inputs. I bought it used and I didn't get the footswitch with it so I'm not sure if the distortion phaser and reverb are controlled by it.

I use a PRS standard with two humbuckers. But with the pickups set on the single coil selection this amp melts. It isn't noisy and the variety is really anything you want it to be. the clean sounds are clean no noise at all.

It seems pretty reliable. I dont think that I would travel without a backup but for a gig here or there I would only take it. This amp is one of the heaviest amps I have ever seen or lifted for that matter. I weighs a ton and the Anvil road case doesnt make it any lighter.

not dealt with them. although I have tried to get a footswitch through the local music store and havent had any luck, But I dont know itf that is the stores fault or peavey's.

I have been playing a while and I like this amp alot. I dont know if I would buy another if it got stolen but I would be upset for some time. The amp is very versitile but I think the most use one could get from it is country. I dont play country music but With a little tweaking, a beautiful sound can be gotten from it