Should I Sell My 5150 III To Get a 6505(5150)?

[Kyle-Vick]

I love the 5150 sound and I really like the EVH 5150iii 50 watt (6L6) that I have, but am I missing out by not just getting the original 6505/5150? Would it sound better recorded or in a mix than my 5153? I don't really need cleans but the green channel is nice on it. I also have a MW dual Rec that has the lone star clean channel and a JCM2000 that sounds nice clean. I have a Kraken V4 that compliments the EVH well. Both channels are tighter and dryer than the EVH and will work well in a mix. Does anyone think the Kraken would be better yet with the original aggressive 6505/5150?

 

[Kyle-Vick]

Another question, could I throw an EQ at it to get it to sound/feel like the 6505?

 

[ATRguitar91]

Why not both? There's always going to be resale value if you get a used 5150/6505, if you don't like it you should be able to easily sell it for what you paid.

It's been a while since I've played through a 5153, but I think whether one is better or not is gonna depend on the individual. To me, a boosted 6505 is the sound I hear in my head, so I'm always going to gravitate towards that.

 

[budda]

You're gonna sound like you either way, so i wouldnt sweat it.

 

[Bearitone]

I wouldn’t sell the amp you love to experiment with something else. Save a bit, buy the 6505, A/B them for a full 4 weeks, then make decision on which one to keep. I personally prefer the 6505 but, i know lots of people prefer the EVH.

 

[KnightBrolaire]

no.
You're just splitting hairs in terms of tone tbh, the og 5150 would be a sidegrade at best (only if we're talking high gain tones) and a downgrade in terms of overall features. Personally I think the 5153 and its iterations are miles better than the old peavey stuff, barring maybe the XXX or Ultra.

 

[MaxOfMetal]

Nah.

 

[Kyle-Vick]

Good idea guys. I’ll just keep my 5153 and maybe pick up a 6505 down the road if one pops up for cheap.

 

[EdgeCrusher]

The EVH is a bit different than the Peavey. I've A/B'ed the 6505+ 112 to the 5150 III 50 watt, and I find the Peavey has more low mid thump, while the EVH has more high mid cut and presence. Both sound great, just depends on what you prefer.

 

[WarMachine]

No

 

[Deadpool_25]

I have a 5153 50w Stealth, a 5153 50w EL34, and a 6505. The 5153s definitely have the 5150/6505 flavor in general but you can tell the difference especially in the mids. They’re both awesome. Your idea to keep the EVH and pick up a 6505 sometime is exactly what I’d have suggested.

I also had the V4 Kraken. Great preamp. I thought it meshed best with a clean amp but I can see it being cool just adding different shades of dirt to a high gain amp.

6505 is going on the market btw

 

[The Thing Upstairs]

Rather than buy slight variations on amps, I'd suggest buying something completely different

I've got a 6l6 and el34 version of the 50w 5153. There's not a huge difference between the two so will prob sell one (6l6 most likely)

 

[KailM]

I have both a 6505 head and the first version of the 5153 6L6 50-watt. I’ve had a 6505+ in the past as well, so I know the 5150 family of amps pretty well.

IMO they all offer something a little different and special, while all still have the same signature DNA.

I play my EVH by far the most, because at the touch of a button I can instantly switch from the brutalz to crystalline cleans.

But every time I plug in to my 6505, it causes a grin from ear to ear. I run a Boss EQ in the loop with both amps, and pretty much don’t ever change the curve, just very small tweaks. The 6505 always has a little more grit as well as a deeper chug. I will never sell it.

 

[BadSeed]

I have both a 6505 head and the first version of the 5153 6L6 50-watt. I’ve had a 6505+ in the past as well, so I know the 5150 family of amps pretty well.

IMO they all offer something a little different and special, while all still have the same signature DNA.

I play my EVH by far the most, because at the touch of a button I can instantly switch from the brutalz to crystalline cleans.

But every time I plug in to my 6505, it causes a grin from ear to ear. I run a Boss EQ in the loop with both amps, and pretty much don’t ever change the curve, just very small tweaks. The 6505 always has a little more grit as well as a deeper chug. I will never sell it.

I second everything KailM says.

They're all just a little different. The EVH amps have more features and more refined tone, but plugging into the old Peavey's still produces gnarly tones that will make you happy if you're a fan of the 5150 family at all. It's worth owning one of each, IMO

 

[Bearitone]

I have both a 6505 head and the first version of the 5153 6L6 50-watt. I’ve had a 6505+ in the past as well, so I know the 5150 family of amps pretty well.

IMO they all offer something a little different and special, while all still have the same signature DNA.

I play my EVH by far the most, because at the touch of a button I can instantly switch from the brutalz to crystalline cleans.

But every time I plug in to my 6505, it causes a grin from ear to ear. I run a Boss EQ in the loop with both amps, and pretty much don’t ever change the curve, just very small tweaks. The 6505 always has a little more grit as well as a deeper chug. I will never sell it.

It’s that gritty gain structure that does it for me. The EVH was to “smooth” for my taste.

 

[Emperoff]

The Kraken ch2 is based off he 6505, so it's likely to make less of a difference than wih the 5150 III.

Stacking 5150 preamps: The ss.org way

 

[BadSeed]

H

The Kraken ch2 is based off he 6505, so it's likely to make less of a difference than wih the 5150 III.

Stacking 5150 preamps: The ss.org way

Having owned 2 of the Krakens and being a lover of all things 5150, I can say this with all honesty; I hated the Kraken. Whatever they did to the upper mid frequencies made it really harsh and ear fatiguing to my ears. It does ok in a mix, but on my own, I never even wanted to play it because of this.

 

[Mathemagician]

Sell a kidney to get both in limited edition tolex’s.

 

[Emperoff]

H

Having owned 2 of the Krakens and being a lover of all things 5150, I can say this with all honesty; I hated the Kraken. Whatever they did to the upper mid frequencies made it really harsh and ear fatiguing to my ears. It does ok in a mix, but on my own, I never even wanted to play it because of this.

FWIW, that's what I think of all 5150 variants.

 

[BadSeed]

FWIW, that's what I think of all 5150 variants.

But at least in the actual 5150 stuff, it can be dialed out. It was like, permanently baked into the Kraken.