I might have done a bad amp swap but I don't care!

J. Hayes · December 4th, 2005, 08:39 PM

I saw an ad on the Steel Guitar Forum for a Randall "Steelman" Amp for $500. I contacted the guy and offered to trade him my Fender HotRod DeVille 2-12 amp for it and he agreed. I've been looking for one of these babies for a long time so I'm pretty happy about it. I do about half my gigs on pedal steel and I've been using a pair of Peavey Nashville 1-12's and getting a pretty fair sound but this Randall kicks some industrial stength butt in the sound department. it has a 15" JBL speaker and a remote reverb control which clips on the leg of the steel of a mike stand. I think these amps are about 300 watts or so and the thing is extremely loud with zero distortion. I wasn't using the DeVille much so I'm happy with the trade. Has anyone there ever used one of the Steeman or other Randall models with much luck? Thanks, JH in Va.

e-merlin · December 5th, 2005, 07:01 PM

Any time you can trade an unused piece for something you will use lots, that's a win!

I've got a trade story or two that would score me a beating here, but I wouldn't change a thing.

3StringGuitar · December 5th, 2005, 07:43 PM

Sounds like a great trade, what's important is you're happy with it :) So just out of curiousity what does the Steelman contain that makes it more suitable for lap steel?

David Barnett · December 6th, 2005, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3StringGuitar

Sounds like a great trade, what's important is you're happy with it :) So just out of curiousity what does the Steelman contain that makes it more suitable for lap steel?

A 15" speaker and lots of clean headroom.

3StringGuitar · December 6th, 2005, 01:52 AM

Ahh thanks, so the circut it self isn't specially designed or anything?

J. Hayes · December 7th, 2005, 12:42 AM

As I recall from the old ads for these amps, they were especially designed for the pedal steel hence the name "Steelman".... The only thing I can say is it really carries the low pitched strings with a lot of punch and clarity and no distortion whatsoever! The highs are also bright and cutting without being shrill. It also has a 5 band graphic equalizer on the front panel. The knobs are in this order: gain, treble, middle, bass, reverb, reverb Hi EQ, reverb Lo EQ. That's a little strange having 3 reverb knobs. I haven't messed with them much as I use an effects board but I'm going to try just going straight to the amp at my next gig......JH in Va.

3StringGuitar · December 7th, 2005, 01:02 AM

Sounds like a great amp. I was sort of curious how guitar would cut thru on it heh. Sounds like you're happy with it though.

Paul in Colorado · December 7th, 2005, 12:24 PM

Is that one of the old "Orange Front" Randalls? Don Randell was a former Fender guy as I remember.
I like some their old bass amps, too.

J. Hayes · December 7th, 2005, 03:15 PM

Where those old Randalls had the orange strip across the front, this one has a gray (or is it grey) strip with the silver letters of the Randall name. I just noticed it also says Randall Steelman 500 on the front......JH in Va.

December 4th, 2005, 08:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
J. Hayes Tele-Afflicted Join Date: May 2005 Location: Virginia Beach, Va. Posts: 1,044	I might have done a bad amp swap but I don't care! I saw an ad on the Steel Guitar Forum for a Randall "Steelman" Amp for $500. I contacted the guy and offered to trade him my Fender HotRod DeVille 2-12 amp for it and he agreed. I've been looking for one of these babies for a long time so I'm pretty happy about it. I do about half my gigs on pedal steel and I've been using a pair of Peavey Nashville 1-12's and getting a pretty fair sound but this Randall kicks some industrial stength butt in the sound department. it has a 15" JBL speaker and a remote reverb control which clips on the leg of the steel of a mike stand. I think these amps are about 300 watts or so and the thing is extremely loud with zero distortion. I wasn't using the DeVille much so I'm happy with the trade. Has anyone there ever used one of the Steeman or other Randall models with much luck? Thanks, JH in Va. __________________ Ralph Mooney rules!!

December 7th, 2005, 12:42 AM	#6 (permalink)
J. Hayes Tele-Afflicted Join Date: May 2005 Location: Virginia Beach, Va. Posts: 1,044	It's just the sound........... As I recall from the old ads for these amps, they were especially designed for the pedal steel hence the name "Steelman".... The only thing I can say is it really carries the low pitched strings with a lot of punch and clarity and no distortion whatsoever! The highs are also bright and cutting without being shrill. It also has a 5 band graphic equalizer on the front panel. The knobs are in this order: gain, treble, middle, bass, reverb, reverb Hi EQ, reverb Lo EQ. That's a little strange having 3 reverb knobs. I haven't messed with them much as I use an effects board but I'm going to try just going straight to the amp at my next gig......JH in Va. __________________ Ralph Mooney rules!!

December 7th, 2005, 03:15 PM	#9 (permalink)
J. Hayes Tele-Afflicted Join Date: May 2005 Location: Virginia Beach, Va. Posts: 1,044	It's grey on the front........... Where those old Randalls had the orange strip across the front, this one has a gray (or is it grey) strip with the silver letters of the Randall name. I just noticed it also says Randall Steelman 500 on the front......JH in Va. __________________ Ralph Mooney rules!!

December 5th, 2005, 07:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
3StringGuitar Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 623	Sounds like a great trade, what's important is you're happy with it :) So just out of curiousity what does the Steelman contain that makes it more suitable for lap steel?

December 6th, 2005, 01:52 AM	#5 (permalink)
3StringGuitar Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 623	Ahh thanks, so the circut it self isn't specially designed or anything?

December 7th, 2005, 01:02 AM	#7 (permalink)
3StringGuitar Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 623	Sounds like a great amp. I was sort of curious how guitar would cut thru on it heh. Sounds like you're happy with it though.

December 7th, 2005, 12:24 PM	#8 (permalink)
Paul in Colorado Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Fort Collins, CO Age: 56 Posts: 4,446 3 Photos	Is that one of the old "Orange Front" Randalls? Don Randell was a former Fender guy as I remember. I like some their old bass amps, too.