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inhuman666
Member
Which is better for deathmetal?
And which Mark head?
And which Mark head?
godgrinder
Well-known member
Really depends on which kind of death metal you are thinking about. But judging from what you have, you'd probably like the 5150 more.
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Racerxrated
Well-known member
Mark IIC and later Marks with GEQ can get you there. Mark IIB Coli that I had wasn't tight enough, even with a boost. With the GEQ you can scoop the shit out of the eq and get some heavy sounds, and they take boosts well. Not that they need one..plenty of gain available. I'm sure a 5150 can get you there as well. But the Mark power sections are fantastic, plenty of low end thump to be had. Not sure if the 5150 has that crushing low end a Mark can give? If that's something you want.
takmagic
Member
I have both...EVH 5150 III 50w head and a Mesa Mark IV. I've had the Mark IV for 20 years, so I tend to use that more because I'm used to it, however, the EVH has less bells and whistles that aren't really needed and half the price (you can get a used EVH 5150 III 50w used for $600 - $675 range). Plus, I find the EVH dead quiet at high volumes. Can't go wrong with either one, but for the used price of an EVH, it's hard to beat. 
Emperor Guillotine
Active member
Both amps are classic, but it also depends on what specific Mark model that you want from Mesa. The Mesa is going to cost you more, and it can be a little trickier to dial in a good tone with them just due to (like what takmagic said above) all of the "bells and whistles".
Should you look into later models, I'd suggest the EVH 5150-III 50-watt head. In the past year alone, I've seen so many touring artists live (too many to count; all non-endorsed as far as I know) who have made the switch and are sporting the new 50-watt version head atop their cabs.
Could the 5150's power section match the Mark's power section? Not sure. Either way, you'll be getting a production model amp with one of the best power sections on the market. For some reason, I've had guys tell me that Mesa-branded 6L6 and 6V6 tubes just seem to sound better after they swapped them into their heads from other companies. Not sure if it is a misconception based on the name or brand loyalty or what. Might be worth looking into should you go the 5150 route.
I'll concur with this. Judging by the gear you have, you use a lot of straight-forward, cheaper gear. So I think you'll dig the 5150 more. You can't go wrong with it, and I've yet to hear a bad tone come from a 5150 (especially the older models like the first generation block letter ones).godgrinder":2ts7p2gi said:
Should you look into later models, I'd suggest the EVH 5150-III 50-watt head. In the past year alone, I've seen so many touring artists live (too many to count; all non-endorsed as far as I know) who have made the switch and are sporting the new 50-watt version head atop their cabs.
The 5150 is known for its power section in some gear communities. (Maybe worth mentioning: I've seen some artists live running digital modelers like the Axe-Fx through a 5150 head, but only using the head for its power section.) At one point, Peavey even released their Classic series power amps which were the power section of a 5150 but just in a power amp form for those who needed it.Racerxrated":2ts7p2gi said:
Could the 5150's power section match the Mark's power section? Not sure. Either way, you'll be getting a production model amp with one of the best power sections on the market. For some reason, I've had guys tell me that Mesa-branded 6L6 and 6V6 tubes just seem to sound better after they swapped them into their heads from other companies. Not sure if it is a misconception based on the name or brand loyalty or what. Might be worth looking into should you go the 5150 route.
Exo-metal
Well-known member
6505+ w/greenbacks is unmatched in its price range used, period.
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inhuman666
Member
I play brutal old school deathmetal...so no modern tones.
Require nothing less than the brutality and tightness of an Ampeg VH140C.
Btw EG, the exchange rate in my country is 6.7 to 1 U$, so gear isn't cheap for me! hahaha
Require nothing less than the brutality and tightness of an Ampeg VH140C.
Btw EG, the exchange rate in my country is 6.7 to 1 U$, so gear isn't cheap for me! hahaha
Exo-metal
Well-known member
I was commenting between the two in the post. I didn't realize the Ampeg was relevant...
godgrinder
Well-known member
inhuman666":24ao8t7d said:
The 5150 would be in a more familiar ballpark for you, but don't expect it to be as fast and dry as solid state amps.
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inhuman666
Member
is the Peavey 3120 any good?
Suffocation uses them
Suffocation uses them
Emperor Guillotine
Active member
It's got absolutely nothing on either the 5150 or any Mark series amp. If you're going to invest in an amp, get a good one. If you're going to consider shelling out for a used 3120, then just spend the same amount (or less) on securing a good, solid, classic 5150.inhuman666":38a00jcp said:
1meanplexi
Well-known member
I have a Mesa MKIV and the EVH 5150 Stealth. Man....it really is a toss up. Each has its own unique voicing but yet similar. The MK has that ballsy bad ass drive and hits hard. The 5150 seems to hold it together better than the MK when turned up, in contrast the MK what you have set for lower volumes is completely out the door when you start to raised the volume. Turn up the EVH and all stays intact. Cleans - give it to the MK. Channel 2 - Give it to the stealth. Channel 3 - A tie, I will say the gain that I desire on the MK's channel 3 is set to 8. To achieve that on the EVH I only need the gain at 10:00. The EVH also has a VERY low noise floor. The MK...well you know it is a mesa.
Terex
Member
I really like the tones Cannibal Corpse and Suicide Silence getting with their Mesa Mark V's.
Emperor Guillotine
Active member
I wasn't aware that Suicide Silence was using Mesa Mark V heads now. Interesting. I thought that they were still using Triple Rects. Typically the deathcore guys all use a 5150, a 6505 (one of the variations), or a Mesa Rect. (either Dual or Triple).Terex":vcac28pa said:
Petrucci's tone with his Mark V heads is good. Not a fan of Dream Theater and all the current hype that they get now; but still, solid tone.
NinjaRaf
Well-known member
Having owned 7 5150s, a Mark V 25, and a fullsize Mark V...yeah it really depends. To me, they both have a VERY different feel to them, plus there are so many different versions of each series that its hard to compare without knowing which ones you are looking at.
Also, if the 140C tone is what you want, none of these amps will be the right choice, IMO.
Personally, here is how I feel about the ones that I have experience with.
5150 BL (and signature, and 6505) heads are my least favorite of the 5150 series. The low end is MASSIVE. Almost out of control. Benefits greatly from a boost. Will do death metal without a problem.
5150II/6505+ heads are excellent. Tighter, cleaner sound overall than the originals. Sort of in between the 5150 and the 515III.
6505+ 112 combo...if you need a 112 combo that does this sound, its a great option. Sorta useless for me, though.
5150/6505 212 combos are my favorite of the Peavey 5150s by MILES. They have this sort of boosted tone happening naturally. Not full on boosted, but like almost boosted. I dunno, hard to describe, but it sounds the best to me out of the Peaveys by a lot, and is what I am currently rocking.
5150IIIs are awesome. No other way to say it, really. There is a reason they are so popular, however, I haven't bought one because they prices are significantly higher than the Peaveys, and I never felt the tone was THAT much of a change or improvement over the Peaveys, so I never spent the money on one. Might be reconsidering that soon, though...if I can decide what the hell I want haha.
Marks...I have owned a V25 and a V.
Marks are a very different beast. Overall, the low end, while not nearly as enormous as what a 5150 is capable of, is VERY tight and punches like nothing else I have experienced. This resulted, for me, in a seeming lack of low end. I ended up pairing my V25 with a Fryette Power Station, which REALLY fattened up the tone. Really, I think this was my perfect in my head tone, and I am considering repurchasing the same rig. Once I got back into a band, though, I wanted things to be easier than setting up 2 pieces of gear (had I known the Mark V 35 was coming out, and could be rack mounted, I never would have made this trade) and ended up trading both for a full size Mark V. This was a HUGE mistake. Again, the perceived lack of low end was apparent for me. I fought my Mark V CONSTANTLY trying to get what I wanted out of it, and just kept failing. I would get SO close, but I could never have the saturation I wanted without it being overly bright, and I could never get the low end where I wanted without killing the high end. I ended up jamming with a guy that had a XXX, and the XXX just sounded way more massive and heavy. That was my last straw with the Mark V.
So yeah, there is my take on these amps. As far as getting death metal tones, I really think they are all capable of it, its just a matter of whether or not you like the Mark V death metal tone or the 5150 death metal tone at all. They will do it, but they will do it very differently, with a different feel and response.
One thing I did REALLY love about the Marks is the low end response, just wish the low end was a little bigger than it is.
Also, if the 140C tone is what you want, none of these amps will be the right choice, IMO.
Personally, here is how I feel about the ones that I have experience with.
5150 BL (and signature, and 6505) heads are my least favorite of the 5150 series. The low end is MASSIVE. Almost out of control. Benefits greatly from a boost. Will do death metal without a problem.
5150II/6505+ heads are excellent. Tighter, cleaner sound overall than the originals. Sort of in between the 5150 and the 515III.
6505+ 112 combo...if you need a 112 combo that does this sound, its a great option. Sorta useless for me, though.
5150/6505 212 combos are my favorite of the Peavey 5150s by MILES. They have this sort of boosted tone happening naturally. Not full on boosted, but like almost boosted. I dunno, hard to describe, but it sounds the best to me out of the Peaveys by a lot, and is what I am currently rocking.
5150IIIs are awesome. No other way to say it, really. There is a reason they are so popular, however, I haven't bought one because they prices are significantly higher than the Peaveys, and I never felt the tone was THAT much of a change or improvement over the Peaveys, so I never spent the money on one. Might be reconsidering that soon, though...if I can decide what the hell I want haha.
Marks...I have owned a V25 and a V.
Marks are a very different beast. Overall, the low end, while not nearly as enormous as what a 5150 is capable of, is VERY tight and punches like nothing else I have experienced. This resulted, for me, in a seeming lack of low end. I ended up pairing my V25 with a Fryette Power Station, which REALLY fattened up the tone. Really, I think this was my perfect in my head tone, and I am considering repurchasing the same rig. Once I got back into a band, though, I wanted things to be easier than setting up 2 pieces of gear (had I known the Mark V 35 was coming out, and could be rack mounted, I never would have made this trade) and ended up trading both for a full size Mark V. This was a HUGE mistake. Again, the perceived lack of low end was apparent for me. I fought my Mark V CONSTANTLY trying to get what I wanted out of it, and just kept failing. I would get SO close, but I could never have the saturation I wanted without it being overly bright, and I could never get the low end where I wanted without killing the high end. I ended up jamming with a guy that had a XXX, and the XXX just sounded way more massive and heavy. That was my last straw with the Mark V.
So yeah, there is my take on these amps. As far as getting death metal tones, I really think they are all capable of it, its just a matter of whether or not you like the Mark V death metal tone or the 5150 death metal tone at all. They will do it, but they will do it very differently, with a different feel and response.
One thing I did REALLY love about the Marks is the low end response, just wish the low end was a little bigger than it is.
Rising Farce
Well-known member
I'm probably in the minority here, but I wouldn't count out the 3120 (or the identical-under-the-skin Triple XXX, for that matter) without trying it. It's a vicious-sounding amp with a preposterous amount of gain, an excellent heavy-rhythm channel, and very decent cleans.
In fact, assuming you don't mind their comparative lack of gearhead cachet, all of the Peavey Ultra Series amps (Ultra/Ultra Plus/Triple XXX/JSX/3120/Triple XXX II) are hard to beat for the money.
In fact, assuming you don't mind their comparative lack of gearhead cachet, all of the Peavey Ultra Series amps (Ultra/Ultra Plus/Triple XXX/JSX/3120/Triple XXX II) are hard to beat for the money.
NinjaRaf
Well-known member
I said all that stuff about the 5153 yesterday, then went to GC and they had a used 5153 Stealth for $1400. Mine now. Picking it up when their hold period is up. I was immediately floored by how incredible that amp sounded!
Also, I agree on the Ultra series. KILLER metal amps, if you like their tone. I've owned a JSX and XXXII, and both were really great. The clean channels are killer, too, as a bonus.
Also, I agree on the Ultra series. KILLER metal amps, if you like their tone. I've owned a JSX and XXXII, and both were really great. The clean channels are killer, too, as a bonus.
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Hung Huy Tran
New member
Emperor Guillotine":1iv3xx89 said:
I don't agree with your assessment of the 3120. The XXX/3120 is the culmination of the Peavey Ultra series. It is a good one.
Emperor Guillotine
Active member
Yes! 'Atta boy!rbasaria":s7gn4as7 said:
NinjaRaf
Well-known member
I was debating on grabbing a Mark IV, but this one was there, and it sounds incredible. I've yet to play a Mark IV through a 412. I spent about an hour with a combo about 3 years ago, but I didnt know what to do with a Mark series at that time. Definitely want to play one before buying one, since my Mark III and Mark V experiences were not the greatest.
