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Post subject: Any Guitarists Use a Fender PS-400 Head?
Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2012 6:44 pm
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Hey all, I'm looking to get that great clean, fat bottom' tone, similar to what Duane Allman had, but with a Fender PS-400. I have an opportunity to purchase one relatively cheaply. I've read that it's basically 3 amps in one, however you need to run 3 cabs to get it to work at full power. Is this true for a guitar player? What type of Cabs do you guys suggest? Also, how did you like the sound as a guitar player? Thanks, Mike


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Post subject: Re: Any Guitarists Use a Fender PS-400 Head?
Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2012 8:14 pm
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Wow! You can actually find a good working 400PS? But, if you are only going to use one output channel, why not just get a good working Twin Reverb? Will be a lot easier to maintain, as knowledgeable techs and GOOD 6550 (read: GE made 6550A) are near unobtanium these days.

http://www.webphix.com/schematic%20heav ... /400ps.pdf


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Post subject: Re: Any Guitarists Use a Fender PS-400 Head?
Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2012 8:24 pm
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With the designer-specified output tubes and a good set up by a tech who's familiar with the 400PS's layout, each of the amp's three separate outputs produces 145 watts regardless of the type of instrument used. Thus, you'll need something a bit more stout than a quartet of re-issue C10R's unless you enjoy watching loudspeakers burn. And don't expect a lot of natural amp overdrive, even with its goofy master-volume control -- it will stay clean well beyond the point that concert-goers in the first fifteen rows of the auditorium suffer irreparable internal organ failure.

:lol:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Any Guitarists Use a Fender PS-400 Head?
Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2012 8:50 pm
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Well I can pick up this decent one for $150, seems worth it...


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Post subject: Re: Any Guitarists Use a Fender PS-400 Head?
Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2012 10:07 pm
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"clean, fat bottom' tone, similar to what Duane Allman had"

Unless you're talking about some of his early Muscle Shoals session work (Strat through a Twin Reverb or Dual Showman) or you define "clean" in some unusual way, I'm very confused by that statement. Just about all his ABB stuff was a dimed 50 watt Plexi, Layla was a dimed Champ.

While the 400PS is a great amp (and a working one with healthy tubes for $150 is a steal), it's totally inappropriate for his ABB/Dominos tone.


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Post subject: Re: Any Guitarists Use a Fender PS-400 Head?
Posted: Mon Oct 08, 2012 10:34 pm
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Mike, Duane Allman is way cool !!! But the PS400 would not be my amp of choice. A 50 or 100 watt early '70's Marshall through a 4X12 with the British 12G-H speakers would be the one. But that would be quite an investment. The 400, while being a venerable amp, is way too much of an amp, IMHO, for a guitarist. The maintenance is not simple and a re-tube would be outrageous. But depending on the previous use, that amp may not need a re-tube untill 2030. At $150, what the heck ? But at 90lb's.....Art

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Post subject: Re: Any Guitarists Use a Fender PS-400 Head?
Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2012 7:15 pm
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Rich Koerner of Time Electronics is considered one of the experts on this amp. It is NOT an amp for people who don't know their way around it... I'd read about it and potentially contact him.

http://www.timeelect.com/400-PS-IDX.htm

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Post subject: Re: Any Guitarists Use a Fender PS-400 Head?
Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2012 8:57 pm
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Nedo that link is outstanding. Although I've read some info on the maintenance of this amp, I never got the real scoop!!! Thanks, Man!!! Art

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Post subject: Re: Any Guitarists Use a Fender PS-400 Head?
Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2012 10:12 pm
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Every "well-dressed" 400PS amp needs a speaker system such as this......

Image

:shock:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Any Guitarists Use a Fender PS-400 Head?
Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2012 10:32 pm
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Arjay... :lol:

And here we have the Dead's setup for sound check. All driven by one "hot-rodded" 400PS. :D

Image

BTW... These amps were designed around special selected TungSol 6550 and GE 6550A output tubes. You might want to checked the price of these puppies and maybe add it to the $150, initial price:

https://www.tubeworld.com/6550.htm


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Post subject: Re: Any Guitarists Use a Fender PS-400 Head?
Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2012 11:22 pm
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Ed Jahns was very specific about which brand and type of 6550 were necessary to ensure optimum performance from the 400PS. Anything less usually resulted in sonic meltdown, ultimately punctuated by "The China Syndrome". This chingalero grande relegated Ampeg's SVT to the status of a Pignose.

:lol:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Any Guitarists Use a Fender PS-400 Head?
Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2012 8:01 pm
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Whew, glad I'm not in need of those 6550's. Hey Beemer , what year was that Dead pic from? And I'm thinkin', if the amp didn't see heavy service, those OEM tubes are good for 50 years. JMHO , Art

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Post subject: Re: Any Guitarists Use a Fender PS-400 Head?
Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2012 11:22 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
Every "well-dressed" 400PS amp needs a speaker system such as this......

Image

:shock:

Arjay


I believe that's a shot from the JBL test facility, if I remember correctly...

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Post subject: Re: Any Guitarists Use a Fender PS-400 Head?
Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2012 1:49 am
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Could be. I light-fingered it from another forum.

That looks like bluesky636 there, with the meter and the tool set.

:mrgreen:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Any Guitarists Use a Fender PS-400 Head?
Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2012 7:07 am
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Art, Dead's Wall of Sound photo is from 1974.

http://www.wallofsound.ws/


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