5150 -VS- 5150 III

[Mailman1971]

Just picked up a Block letter 5150.
Smoking hot amp!
Sounds really good. This is my 3rd 5150 I have owned.
One Signature and a 5150 II.
How does the 5150 III compare to this one?
More 'modern' sounding?
Really dont hear much about the 5150 III on hear.
This Block letter 5150 is really bad ass though......

Just want to hear some opinions.


Dan

 

[Motorpud]

Dibs

 

[Mailman1971]

Dibs

Dude....just asking a QUESTION!!!

You sound like I flip amps all the time......



Oh .........wait..........

 

[glip22]

viewtopic.php?f=3&t=68663

I knew the Herbert couldn't last. I was actually surprised at how long it did though.

 

[MYLILSS]

the 5150 III is a true 3 channel amp. the clean channel is far superior to any of the older 5150 series amps. it is very usable for most any type of music. the blue (crunch channel) is very marshall like ... this channel captures the brown sound almost perfectly. the red channel is insane amounts of gain, and it has more low end and is very tight. even with the gain dime'd it stays reallyclear. the lead channel reminds me of a bogner type gain, and is very modern sounding IMO. all the controls are a lot more usbable with nice gradual sweeps. there is also individual presence controls for each channel.

while the original is definately more raw sounding, i would say the III is way more versatile and can cover any style of music out there. the only issue i have noticed from the III is they seem to be hit or miss with quality control. i havent had any problems with mine though.

 

[Motorpud]

Dibs

Dude....just asking a QUESTION!!!

You sound like I flip amps all the time......



Oh .........wait..........

I was just busting your balls dude, as if everyone else hasn't battered them enough

 

[Bishop5150]

I own both. I have an original 5150 block letter I bought brand new back in 93' I think it was. And I bought the 5150 III a little over a year ago. I love my 5150 block letter. Never had a single problem with it in 17 years. Peavey built them like tanks. Only amp I used for recording and live from 93' to 09'. When the III's came out I tried one out and liked it but couldn't really afford one. About a year ago I ran into a hell of a deal on one in ivory that I could not pass up. That's basically the only reason I got it but I'm glad I did. I agree with everything MYLILSS already stated above. The original is a little more raw but I love the III. It just does so much more. We've all seen the comments about the 5150 as a one trick pony and I somewhat agree but the III does not fall into that category IMO. I pretty much only play hard rock type stuff so the original suited me just fine for a lot of years but the III is my main amp now. Even though I still pretty much only play hard rock stuff with my band I still like having the versatility of the III.

 

[tweed]

The 5153 paired with the matching cabinet is magic. They really sound GOOD with the matching cab, the speakers RULE!

 

[Motorpud]

The 5153 paired with the matching cabinet is magic. They really sound GOOD with the matching cab, the speakers RULE!

I've heard that the 5153 cabs sound awesome in general

 

[DEWD]

Congrats on the 5150.

If you need to cut peoples heads off the 5150 is the way to go. If you need versatility, 5150 III is it. They are both very cool amps. IMO the 5150 III is more polite sounding or smooth for metal tones.

 

[stephen sawall]

I like the III .... pretty cool amp.

 

[Mailman1971]

Just seems that the III is either loved or hated.
Sounds like a great all around amp.

 

[Bishop5150]

Enjoy your 5150. It kills. I actually like my 5150 cab with it the most. I used to play it with a Marshall 1960 slant cab but for some reason my 5150 top and bottom cab just had something that made it sound better. I know people hate on the 5150 cabs cause of the Sheffield's but I like the cabs matched with the head. Oh, and the 5150 III cab matched with the head is awesome. Thinking of buying two EVH speakers to put in my Marshall 2x12 cab that I use for smaller clubs.

 

[glassjaw7]

Dan, in my experience the 5150 III is sort of like a "poor man's bogner ecstasy" but with a chimier clean, and a more upper-mid focused crunch and lead channel. There are some similarities to the bogner tone in there, as it can get that sort of chewy grind similar to a cantrell tone. The lead channel can get pretty brutal and focused, but not in the same way that the original 5150's can. The III's sound more refined and not as raw, but they can still get chunky with tight response. Also, some people say that the 2nd channel doesn't have enough gain, but it was perfect for me. A great crunchy rock channel and very musical compared to the Peavey amp.

I really like the III's but the fact that they cost $2000 and are made overseas scares me. The 5150 is more of a one or two trick pony IMO as the clean channel isn't really clean and it really only excels at bringing the pain (metal) and some classic rock. Just my opinions on the matter.

Congrats on the NAD!

 

[Mailman1971]

Some clips of the III sound great.....others shitty.
But thats how it always seems.
I am digging the Block Letter 5150 thats for sure!!

 

[stephen sawall]

I thought they were made in Mexico ? Not overseas from here ....

 

[glassjaw7]

I thought they were made in Mexico ? Not overseas from here ....

Oh, my bad. I was thinking China. Has anyone heard of reliability issues with them? More than just tube changes that is?

 

[stephen sawall]

I thought they were made in Mexico ? Not overseas from here ....

Oh, my bad. I was thinking China. Has anyone heard of reliability issues with them? More than just tube changes that is?

I never have .... but I do not hear about these amps much at all ...

Mailman have you ever played / owned any Fryette ?

 

[MYLILSS]

I thought they were made in Mexico ? Not overseas from here ....

Oh, my bad. I was thinking China. Has anyone heard of reliability issues with them? More than just tube changes that is?

the first batch seemed to be the most prone to tube breakage .... mine seems rock solid. the only other complaint i have heard about besides the tubes is the 7 pin cable that connects the footswitch to the amp totally sucks ass. the cable issue is the only problem i have had with it. imma fixing to put some kt66's in mine to see what it does too the tone ... and imma hope i dont blow it up

 

[Mailman1971]

I thought they were made in Mexico ? Not overseas from here ....

Oh, my bad. I was thinking China. Has anyone heard of reliability issues with them? More than just tube changes that is?

I never have .... but I do not hear about these amps much at all ...

Mailman have you ever played / owned any Fryette ?

Never came across them.
What do they sound like?
Mesa ish??