5150 Rhythm channel sounds better than the Lead channel?

[Motorpud]

I just picked up a 5150 yesterday and I think I like the rhythm channel better than the lead channel For the record though I am boosting the rhythm channel with a Timmy clone for more gain. I think this is the first amp I've ever felt that way about out of god knows how many that I've owned. Seems like the lead channel is lacking bass, a little harsh on the top end, and kind if thin. The rhythm channel has more bass and sounds more full. I thought the lead channel was supposed to be this massive wall of crushing gain where you can never use it all or even go past 5, those are the claims I've heard anyway. Am I nuts?

 

[Tawlks]

The lead channel isn't as 'chunky' as the rhythm channel, it's got a bit of fizz to it.

And you're right about the bass, I haven't noticed it, though I just recalled that I do EQ my bass higher on the lead channel when I'm going for a similar sound.

For blues, classick rock and such, I use the rhythm channel of my Mk II. For metal though I like the lead channel.

What are you setting the gain to?

 

[tom_h]

I stumbled upon the same thing when I was using the 5150's.

 

[JakeAC5253]

This has been my experience with it as well (I've only used II/+ versions though) If you are planning on keeping the amp you could swap those preamp tubes for Tung Sols, my favorite preamp tube for high gain. It could be that one or more of the tubes has gone bad. The cab you are playing through dictates more than half of the overall sound, so something to keep in mind. Either way I did find the 6505+ to be very much lacking in the low end department. Buying into hype almost always leads to disappointment.

 

[Solid Snake]

My 5150 didn't sound thin on the lead channel, and had plenty of low end. I ran it boosted with a OCD with a JJ ECC88s in v1, through a mesa 412 loaded v30s. The crunch channel did sound a bit darker than the lead channel in my opinion.

 

[Mailman1971]

TO me the Lead channel just picks up where the Rhythm leaves off.
Gets more INTENSE.

 

[jlbaxe]

Flip the amp upside down then.

 

[Motorpud]

This has been my experience with it as well (I've only used II/+ versions though) If you are planning on keeping the amp you could swap those preamp tubes for Tung Sols, my favorite preamp tube for high gain. It could be that one or more of the tubes has gone bad. The cab you are playing through dictates more than half of the overall sound, so something to keep in mind. Either way I did find the 6505+ to be very much lacking in the low end department. Buying into hype almost always leads to disappointment.

Yeah, I've got a couple Tung Sols laying around I'm going to throw in, that was my first plan of attack as I've really come to like them The cab I'm using is a Splawn 4x12 with Big Block (supposedly modeled after heritage 30s), great cab for everything I've used it for so for, I am a V30 freak but with how harsh the Lead channel is already I'm pretty glad I'm not using them.

Cut the bright cap on the lead channel and it tames some of the high-end and noise (a little gain too), but makes it a lot closer to the rhythm channel... I do this so that there is only a small difference between channels making the amp more useful.

That 5150 you've got sounds pretty damn good so I might have to try this out when I do the bias mod, thanks

Flip the amp upside down then.

Then the rhythm channel would suck instead

 

[Vrad]

Yeah. The green channel on crunch with the gain on like 2:00. It sounds GREAT!!

 

[chumbucket]

I just picked up a 5150 yesterday and I think I like the rhythm channel better than the lead channel For the record though I am boosting the rhythm channel with a Timmy clone for more gain. I think this is the first amp I've ever felt that way about out of god knows how many that I've owned. Seems like the lead channel is lacking bass, a little harsh on the top end, and kind if thin. The rhythm channel has more bass and sounds more full. I thought the lead channel was supposed to be this massive wall of crushing gain where you can never use it all or even go past 5, those are the claims I've heard anyway. Am I nuts?

Is that the one from Canton that was on Craigslist? If so what did you get it for?

 

[RockNRun]

With my old 6505+ I realized pretty quickly that I was much preferring the crunch channel (with a boost for leads) over the lead.

 

[Motorpud]

Is that the one from Canton that was on Craigslist? If so what did you get it for?

Nope different one

With my old 6505+ I realized pretty quickly that I was much preferring the crunch channel (with a boost for leads) over the lead.

Cool man, I guess I'm in the majority then from the way it seems. Good amp (for the money) but not really all it's cracked up to be, might just not be the one for me. I'm going to do a little more homework on the amp and do some tube swaps and try out a couple different EQs on it and if I can't get it to sound the way I want then out the revolving door it goes Don't need it if I only like 1 channel

 

[droptrd]

my lead ch has tons of bottom end. but has more fizz and compression. I like the rhythm on crunch with an OD808. thats yummy its my favorite ton on that amp. less compression and fizz. and its more punchy and dynamic.

congrats on the amp

 

[Motorpud]

my lead ch has tons of bottom end. but has more fizz and compression. I like the rhythm on crunch with an OD808. thats yummy its my favorite ton on that amp. less compression and fizz. and its more punchy and dynamic.

congrats on the amp

Hmmm...Maybe I've got a tube issue then, the Mailman said the same thing about his lead channel. My lead channel is pretty clearly lacking lower end when compared to the rhythm channel though. It's a LOT brighter too On the bright side it is in fantastic condition though so at least I know it wasn't dropped down the stairs or anything

 

[droptrd]

As Im getting to know my 5150, Im learning it eats preamp tubes up fast. Or maybe its just very sensative to the performance of the preamp tubes

 

[Motorpud]

As Im getting to know my 5150, Im learning it eats preamp tubes up fast. Or maybe its just very sensative to the performance of the preamp tubes

I see. I'll have to keep on eye on that depending on how long I keep it. I'm going to replace the tubes tomorrow with other tubes I know are still good, just to make sure it's not a tube issue. The guy said it hadn't been used in a pretty long time (as evidenced by the condition) and he barely had any time on the tubes when he covered it up and stored it. Most people are full of shit anyway though, especially when they're trying to sell something

 

[droptrd]

As Im getting to know my 5150, Im learning it eats preamp tubes up fast. Or maybe its just very sensative to the performance of the preamp tubes

depending on how long I keep it.

Must be a Michigan thing

 

[Motorpud]

As Im getting to know my 5150, Im learning it eats preamp tubes up fast. Or maybe its just very sensative to the performance of the preamp tubes

depending on how long I keep it.

Must be a Michigan thing

Well, the difference here is I'm just not digging it so far, I'm not THAT big (Dan) of an amp whore

 

[Mailman1971]

As Im getting to know my 5150, Im learning it eats preamp tubes up fast. Or maybe its just very sensative to the performance of the preamp tubes

depending on how long I keep it.

Must be a Michigan thing

Its a GEAR WHORE thang!!!

 

[droptrd]

As Im getting to know my 5150, Im learning it eats preamp tubes up fast. Or maybe its just very sensative to the performance of the preamp tubes

depending on how long I keep it.

Must be a Michigan thing

Well, the difference here is I'm just not digging it so far, I'm not THAT big (Dan) of an amp whore

You no likey?