Poll - Best Version Of The 5150 Series Amps?

[skoora]

if you didn't like the +, I don't think you would like the original either. It had more of that sag, and a fatter bottom IMO. YMMV.

The original has a much better midrange response though (for my taste). The II has a much more cocked wah, peaky midrange I could never get into. When it first came out I liked the feature set but the tone wore on you.

 

[skoora]

I own:
5153 100w Stealth
5153 100w EL34
5153 50w 6L6
Peavey 5150

I’ve played but don’t own:
5153 50w EL34
5153 50w Stealth
5150 Iconic 6L6
Peavey 5150 II

I have two answers.

If you can only have one amp, no post processing, no boosts, just an amp for playing in a band setting, I’d pick the 5150 III 100w Stealth.

If you have all the pre and post EQ tools you want so you can shape both the character of the distortion and the overall EQ signature however you like, I’d pick the OG Peavey 5150.

The 5150 III 100w Stealth sounds like an OG 5150 but more modern with an internally hardwired low cut before gain for some extra tightness and in my opinion a much better tonestack than the OG. However, the less filtered nature of the OG 5150’s preamp means it has a guttural kind of low end thump and a fullness or richness I don’t really hear in any of the other amps in the series and prefer over the other versions. However, if you use your own pre-EQ, you can blend anywhere between that low end thump and the tighter, more “modern” sounding 5150’s with built in low cuts. As for the extra post-EQ either in the loop or actually in post, I just think the OG’s tonestack isn’t as good as the 5150 III tonestack, but the OG’s preamp is good enough that i think it’s worth messing with another extra EQ in the loop to compensate.

I’d definitely agree with that.

 

[thegame]

If only some amp-nerds down under would hurry up and release an amp with an onboard boost that let's the user tweak the HPF frequency and level...

Careful you don't get bit in the ass and figuratively punched in the face for that...

 

[skoora]

If you're talking about an actual HPF, It's just a whole lot easier to have fixed network than a variable one.

But many of these amps don't have a filter per se, instead they implement unusually small coupling caps around the 1st and 2nd gain stages. This is an easy way to effectively raises the frequency of the LF rolloff, but of course isn't at all adjustable.

If only some amp-nerds down under would hurry up and release an amp with an onboard boost that let's the user tweak the HPF frequency and level...

It’s OK, we know some of you have to get over the last run in with Koala Chlamydia.

 

[Erock]

The original has a much better midrange response though (for my taste). The II has a much more cocked wah, peaky midrange I could never get into. When it first came out I liked the feature set but the tone wore on you.

yeah, I actually like both, but I could see feeling that way about the midrange. I only said he probably wouldn't like the OG either, since he felt the + was "slow and dumpy". I'm not sure the OG would track faster or tighter for him, but maybe it's the mids he really didn't like?

 

[angelspade]

If you can only have one amp, no post processing, no boosts, just an amp for playing in a band setting, I’d pick the 5150 III 100w Stealth.

If you have all the pre and post EQ tools you want so you can shape both the character of the distortion and the overall EQ signature however you like, I’d pick the OG Peavey 5150.

The 5150 III 100w Stealth sounds like an OG 5150 but more modern with an internally hardwired low cut before gain for some extra tightness and in my opinion a much better tonestack than the OG. However, the less filtered nature of the OG 5150’s preamp means it has a guttural kind of low end thump and a fullness or richness I don’t really hear in any of the other amps in the series and prefer over the other versions. However, if you use your own pre-EQ, you can blend anywhere between that low end thump and the tighter, more “modern” sounding 5150’s with built in low cuts. As for the extra post-EQ either in the loop or actually in post, I just think the OG’s tonestack isn’t as good as the 5150 III tonestack, but the OG’s preamp is good enough that i think it’s worth messing with another extra EQ in the loop to compensate.

I have to agree here as well. The 5150III Stealth 6L6 that I owned had this kind of "produced" quality to it that reminded me of my Diezel Herbert MKI. Like 80% of the tricks used in post were already there.

 

[ZEN Amps]

It’s OK, we know some of you have to get over the last run in with Koala Chlamydia.

Double vaxxed, so no worries mate.

 

[Chronic Narnia]

I have a Block Letter with all original preamp and power tubes (Peavey Super 6 and 7 I think is what’s written on them). I’m the 3rd owner and I’m surprised they still work after all these years. I’ve tried tube rolling but always end up back with the originals. One of these days I should take it in to get a checkup but no issues so far knock on wood.

 

[MetalHeart]

I have the 5150 III el34 50 and I loved it at 1st. Red channel is too much. I now just use the UA Lion in 4 cable mode thru the amp.
I would to trade it for something like a Iconic or Marshall studio vintage plexi 20 watter.

 

[SgtThump]

First version Peavey 5150 block or sig for me FOR SURE. I didn’t like the 5150II as much and didn’t like the III 50 watter at all. Have never tried the III 100 watter.

 

[skoora]

Double vaxxed, so no worries mate.

It can’t cure the love for them though, can it.

 

[stephen sawall]

I played on most of them. Never owned one.

 

[Erock]

I gotta disagree here. I owned both at the same time and never bonded with the +. To me, there was something missing in fact my OG 5150 pretty much dethroned everything I would buy back at that time and for whatever reason, I just couldn't get on with the +. Even had a modded one and it was worse lol.

Been a minute since I owned both but the OG, just had more depth, easier for me to play and a wallop the + didn't have. And the kicker for some is I didn't use a boost with the OG, or any amp for that matter. The OG just had a bigger feel and "to me" more gain. The + always seemed a bit smoothed out and tamer. As I have said since Peavey released the reissue, if they had fixed the master volume I'd own one again. And really the whole reason I'm looking into the Synergy stuff is for the 6505 preamp.

I own the EVH Stealth and when I first fire it up, it brings me right back but after a bit of playing there is something there that lacks sweetness the OG had, as @TheGreatGreen said above, maybe it's the tone stack but there is something there from a lead playing perspective that I find missing, I can feel it in my finger tips for lack of a better explanation.

As always though to each their own.

I like the OG a lot, I just thought it was a bit wider in the lowend, and had more sag. I crave that though. He said the + felt "slow and dumpy", so I figured he wouldn't find the OG much better.

 

[Rex Rocker]

Of the Peavey versions, I actually preferred the 5150 II over the original. Because of the slight shift in voicing from low-mid centered to upper...It presented as slightly tighter (especially in lower tunings), slightly brighter and cut-through in the mix of my two guitar band noticeably better. That was just my experience.

Yeah, I like them all, honestly. I just feel the II is kind of an in-between the I and the II. Not quite as fat as the I, not quite as tight and aggressive as the II.

But they're all great to me.

 

[angelspade]

Yeah, I like them all, honestly. I just feel the II is kind of an in-between the I and the II. Not quite as fat as the I, not quite as tight and aggressive as the II.

But they're all great to me.

I have to play the Iconic...But yes, never really met a 5150 that I didn't at least like.

 

[ZEEGLER]

Block letter and signature are literally the same amp, and should be combined in the same poll option.

 

[simonfrewler]

 

[CrystalSky]

Curious if any boutique amps do the 5150thing- most seem to be based on Marshall, Mesa, soldano,bogner or diezel

SLO-100?

 

[SFW]

I've lost count of how many 5150 amps I've owned over the years. Love the OG 5150 and love my 5150 IIIS. Never was a fan of the 5150 II. The 50 watters don't sound as good to my ears. YMMV.

 

[napalmdeath]

Peavey 5150 2x12

Yep.

I would also add the 6534 Peavey made before moving to China. Had EL34's and was a killer amp. I'd have to say, (aside from the 2x12 combo), the 6534 was my favorite.