Small-ish Valve Amp for PSteel AND Guitar?!

[Geefresh]

Howdy everyone! Longtime reader, first time poster!

Couldn't see a general gear section so I hope this is the right place to post this! Apologies if not.

Right, so I'm making my first serious foray into learning the pedal steel after mucking about on a VERY basic student model a few years back. Got a Stage One currently on order, waiting to take shape and wing it's way to here!

Anyhoo, once I've got somewhat to grips with it (no small feat, I understand) I plan to incorporate the instrument into my band's music. In said band I have a Fender Rhodes Suitcase 88, a couple of 70s analogue string synths, a rack of effects/drum machine/sampler, guitar and corresponding pedalboard chock full of effects to contend with. We're not yet playing out live but will be eventually and, as you can imagine, that's a hefty load to be lugging about...

Therefore, I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for a valve (for the benefit of my guitar sound) amp that would be suitable to take both my guitar and the ps. I have read that a Fender Twin Reverb would be the way to go for steel due to the max headroom and have owned one in the past for guitar and liked it very much. However, due to the above gear I'll be taking to shows, I'm reluctant to get such a weighty beast as that. So, anyone know of a lighter/single-speaker valve amp that suits the pedal steel?

As you may be able to tell from the gear list above, the music we make isn't country - it's more like chilled out, ambient, orchestrated stuff, adding a small drum kit, double/electric bass, cello, cornet (thru effects, naturellement!), male/female vox and a second guitar to the instruments I play in the group. However, I have always loved the sound of the steel and am looking to keep that sound intact (although perhaps with a touch more reverb/delay than a country picker might use...), so something that can help me get that 'classic' sound would be grand!

Any thoughts?

[Ruby Darnell]

I used to use a little Fender Blues Junior which was a little too quiet until we modded it and replaced the output transformer. This has literally transformed the sound and it's plenty loud enough in venues big and small. I use a Fender Frontman now but the Junior is a lot smaller and lighter and our guitarist sometimes uses it instead of his Deluxe if its a small do. It's valve so a lovely warm sound.
Band sounds lush by the way. What are you called? and whereabouts are you?

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

I have a1971 twin reverb fitted with neo speakers it is very light and it has been retro fitted to "Blackface " spec. It does not have the master vol pull out pot or the heavy great ltransformer of the Silver face and so is amazingly light but still Fender Twin through and through!! 750 quid..

[Geefresh]

Margate. No name yet. I used to do a solo ambient instrumental thing, looping myself on guitar with pedals and programmed beatz and that but got disillusioned and sold all my equipment. Getting back into it now tho! We kinda felt we were past the 'originals' thing altho didn't want to submit to doing the terrible pub rock band malarky that blokes tend to do at this age onwards but we started out doing covers; GREAT covers tho (started with Unravel by Bjork http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgBbJKiRxmc ) and not the usual Foo Fighters/Stereophonics/classic rock tosh you get down pubs. However, the desire to do original stuff is naturally coming back. Other influences I would say are Radiohead, canadian post-rock stuff like A SIlver Mount Zion and bits of jazz and ambient stuff.

Oh yeah... amps...

I just read about Neos for the first time last night. That's a good idea, should cut the weight down a fair bit. I'm only looking to spend about £500 tho so it would probably only end up being a late 70s 135w silverface that I could get, and they've got a bad rep. Plus there's still the size of the thing. Hmmmmmm.

I did start looking into other Fenders like the Blues Junior and Hot Rod Deluxe's etc and was concerned that they'd break up too easily but, again, modding one is a great idea. Was it easy enough to do yourself? I'm a heating engineer by day so can so basic electrical work.

I did read about the Laney VC30 that apparently has a very good clean channel and is only £360, but being based on the AC30 I'm concerned that it'd be too mid-y for the steel. One day I'll have an early 60's Vox AC30 (like I used to have!) for guitar and a separate amp for steel, but that's no time soon!

[JohnDavisStringsHere]

Was it easy enough to do yourself?

I would`ent dream of touching Fender electronics... But I have one of the best Fender Techies in the country just around the corner and he has the circuit of every one of`em and knows them inside out....
The transformer on the 135w. silverface would weigh almost as much as my twin and you cannot retro mod those models

[Donny Johnston]

This is a first but, I agree with John Davis. this is still part of my be nice to John month, what did he say again ? Anything to do with Fender's fine.

[Will C]

I can't contribute, although the Roland Cube 80XL John is using sounds great, and models most of the old tube favourites very well. I just wanted to say congratulations for wanting to take the PSG out there into other kinds of music. I get a lot of ribbing for wanting to do this. I know the steel sounds great in Country, defines it even, but it's not limited to that by a long chalk. Look at Mike Perlowin, rendering his own take on classical music with it. More power to your elbow/ hands/knees/feet!

Will C

[Geefresh]

I finally went for a Roland Cube 80X from eBay and recently got a Laney VC15 for guitar, so ditched the double duty idea. Although the Cube is a modelling amp and therefore something I wouldn't normally look at twice, it does seem to be the only real option for steel if you don't want a Twin or anything sizable/heavy nor can afford a Nashville 112, going by the forums. The only thing that's concerning me about it is the non-switch off-able noise gate but we'll see how it goes. £350 for 2 small but great amps, one for steel, one for guitar - lovely stuff! Thanks for your help!