Your Peavey Session 400 Preamp Pedal Review

[Dennis Detweiler]

I think the biggest mistake being made with the 400 pedal is using it like an effects pedal and connecting it into the input jack of another preamp (combo amp or any amp with tone controls). It creates a variety of noises when connected this way. The pedal is meant to be a preamp and not an effects pedal or eq for another amp. I use mine connected to the effects return on my Quilter 201 Tone Block. So, it bypasses the preamp section of the Tone Block. The 201 acts strictly as a power amp and the only control that works on it when connected to the effects return is the master volume control. I initially plugged the 400 pedal into the guitar input and got a lot of white noise.

[Wiz Feinberg]

I bought a Session 400 pedal direct from Peavey when it was first released. I put it on top of my Nashville 400 and plugged it into a 1-Spot power supply. I went from the guitar to the pedal, to the back input on the amp. I was able to get usable tone settings. Then, I noticed that my volume pedal was revealing a hum problem that wasn't there before. I have L-710 pickups which are humbuckers. After moving things around, I discovered that the Session 400 pedal was causing a power frequency leak into the top of the amp chassis. I moved it off the amp and the hum went away. The same problem occurred when I had my Tonex on top of the amp. I guess I will need to shield the top of the chassis if I want to have powered pedals on top of the cabinet.

[Jeffrey Shu]

Just got one – giving it a run this afternoon. The settings recommendations posted have been most helpful. Can somebody tell me whether I’d be better running into a DI before the going into the board or can I just go directl?