Sound difference between 6505/5150 & 6505+/5150ii

[loktide]

after having tried out my bandmate's 5150ii extensively, i fell i love with the tone and decided to sell my fireball to fund either a 6505 or a 6505ii (or the 5150 counterparts, respectively), which i still can't decide...

I haven't got the chance to try a mki 5150 or 6505, so is there a noticeable sound difference?

from what i've read so far, the mki version is supposed to be more agressive, a bit less tight, and more raw. Has anybody compared both amps and can confirm this? Or is it maybe just a matter or biasing/retubing?

i'm really NOT interested in the extra features if the mkii (or 'plus') version, since i'll only be using the lead channel. The only reason i would prefer the mkii is that it already comes with adjustable bias.

 

[DSilence]

I love the tone of my 5150II so far, would be interesting to compared it to an original 5150, but I am not sure I will get the chance, they are meant to be really hard to find over here.

 

[ToTheCore92]

I have never found a differance between the 6505 and 5150, pretty much the same amp just differant names. hmm that funny, i found that the mki version took out some of the agressiveness of the 5150/6505. and i found that the 5150 was a little more agressive than the 5150 II, but they both sound amazing. very affordable also

 

[The Rhone]

I have 5150 mark one and tone wise it's my favorite of the lot. There's not a world of difference between them really, but recording I will always use the Mark 1, live any one will do, they're the daddy's of all high gain amps!

 

[S-O]

Unless the guiatr center near me has a bad 6505+, I know my 5150 fucking kills it. Or atleast in getting the tone I was going for.

In terms of gain, My 5 was that 6505+'s 7.5, not a deal breaking point, but I found it odd. Pluss, anything beyond that is just gain that you use to brag about.

 

[sami]

Basically the dirty channel sounds very similar. They both have more gain then anyone would ever need! It all boils down to this: If you want a 5150/6505 with a somewhat better clean channel, get the ii/+.

Oh yeah, the footpedals and knobs may make a difference:

5150/6505 = two button switch: channel and fx loop
ii/+ = 3 button switch. channel, fx loop, and the ability to switch the clean channel between clean-clean and overdrive-clean.

I've owned both (currently own the mk1). I wish the MK1 had a footswitch like the ii/+.

Also, you have separate EQ and Res/Pres knobs for each channel. The regular shares the eq knobs. But then again, if you want a better clean channel...

And don't forget that the combos have a reverb knob.

EDIT: the overdrive-clean sounded more "classic Marshally" than any current Marshall to my ears.

 

[MaxOfMetal]

The difference between them is negligible, especially when you factor in guitar, effects, cabs, and fingers. I've played the 6505+ and 5150II extensively, and the 5150 a little bit less, yet to play a 6505 though. From what I've seen they are just about the same once EQ'd properly. They aren't carbon copies but have the same "vibe" as far as base tone goes. I do have a personal preference for the 6505+, but that's just me.

 

[sami]

Now that I've owned both, I like the +/ii better. I've customized my mk1 too much to let go though.

 

[loktide]

thx for your help guys

it looks like i'll be getting whatever comes at a good price first

 

[manicsix]

Another vote for the 6505+/5150II.

I've played them side by side and found that I liked the lead tone of the mkII over the mkI, and having the two dedicated eqs and notable cleans put the icing on the cake.

I also feel (and so do some others) that the mkII has a better lead tone at low volumes.

Cranked up, I can appreciate that there would be minimal difference between the two, though.

 

[THM Bryce]

The original 5150's were definitely a lot "meaner" sounding than the 5150ii's which also tend to be quite a bit muddier. The 6505's are very cool and the clean channel is definitely improved, but when you are using it for high gain stuff the 5150 is still a little bit more aggressive.

 

[loktide]

The original 5150's were definitely a lot "meaner" sounding than the 5150ii's which also tend to be quite a bit muddier. The 6505's are very cool and the clean channel is definitely improved, but when you are using it for high gain stuff the 5150 is still a little bit more aggressive.

thanks man. i apprectiate your comment, but this thread is over one year old