5153 50 watt versus 100 watt

[Marshallman]

Hey guys -

Well the Renegade died on me and is a pain to fix and the Laney Ironheart is giving me issues as well. I play in a rock cover band that plays primarily small clubs. Would love to have the cash to buy a great amp ie Friedman but with a third child on the way it's not gonna happen. I have not played either but would love to have your thoughts on the 5153 50 watts versus 100 watts and which one you would buy.

Thanks

 

[Lord Toneking]

I have the 100 and had the 50. FWIW, if you can get by with a shared eq for the clean/blue channels you'd be better off with the 50. I like the independent channels of the 100w and the red channel is better imo but the blue on the 100 needs more gain. The blue on the 50 is just right though. Also, the 100 is a ginormous head! A friggin monstrosity! The 50w however is VERY portable, and honestly theyre pretty darn close in tone with the 100 having a better 'feel' to it imo...that no one will notice that at a gig

another thing I would say is that I'd look for a Made in Mexico 50w if you go that route

 

[Marshallman]

Thanks... Anyone else have comments?

 

[gbsmusic]

Ive owned 2 100's and 2 50's. I love the 50 much better. The 3rd channel on the 100 was way to compressed to me. Squealed like a stuck pig too!! I now am playing through the 50 and love it.

 

[7 Stringer]

Best of both:

 

[gbsmusic]

Best of both:

 

[crwnedblasphemy]

I have the 2x12 combo(ivory)....It frickin rocks. Depending on your application, I don't know if I would like it live, cuz the blue channel is MONEY, and I like the Red....but If I had to go between Blue and Green live, it might be a pain. Not for any volume jump, cuz I don't get that, but for the gain. I like the green channel gain at no more that 9:00.

 

[Bishop5150]

I have the 50, (2) 100 watters and the Stealth all with matching cabs. I keep the 50watt at rehearsal and use the 100 watters for gigging. I prefer either of the 100 watters. They just have more balls to me. As mentioned above go with the Stealth if you need the blue channel to be higher gain if not go with the regular 100 watt and boost the blue channel if need more gain. Go with the 50 if the shared EQ on channels 1 and 2 is not an issue and you need a small portable amp.

 

[dethyr]

I am considering buying a 100watt at the moment. I tried the 50 watt and to be honest it just didn't have the balls I need. I also didn't like the shared EQ bit. The 100 watt is more versatile in my opinion.

 

[madrigal77]

100w all the way. The shared eq/volume jump on the 50w make it borderline unusable IMO. If you want pristine cleans, you have to sacrifice ch.2, and if you want lots of gain on ch.2, you have to have gritty cleans. Plus I don't know about you, but I eq my cleans and dirt totally differently. My buddy has the 50w and totally regrets it because of these issues.

As far as sound wise, I think the differences in ch.2 are way overblown. They're really not THAT different. If you want more gain than it offers, use ch.3 or a boost. And the 100w definitely has a lot more clarity/headroom at loud volumes. But that's not to say the 50w can't hold its own.

Also to the guy that said ch.3 squeals like a pig, it must have been a tube issue. I've owned two 100w and they are quieter than any of the Peaveys. I don't even need to use a noise suppressor with mine. A decimator was a must with the Peaveys IMO. Not the case with the EVH

 

[Viesczy]

I have the 50. It sounds great but if I was using it live and not just as another high gain head to keep @ my GFs I'd've gone with the 100 to have 3 true channels and not the shared controls on the green/blue that the 50 has.

On their own, each of the 50's channels are superb, but the sum of the parts is far less than the parts with the shared controls if you need 3 true channels.

Like I said though, she is just a fun amp to have my GF's and fun she is! The amp moreso than my GF... far easier to turn on!

Derek

 

[stompboxfreak72]

If you dont need clean....,50 watt. I have the 50 and the 100 watt and would never have bought the 100 watt except I needed a clean channel. I gigged my 50 watt thru an EVH 4x12 over the weekend and the blue channel just slays on the 50 watt. The cleans however blow major ass bc of the shared eq.

Im waiting for my Stealth to arrive today. I plan on selling the 100 watt later this week.

 

[7 Stringer]

If you dont need clean....,50 watt. I have the 50 and the 100 watt and would never have bought the 100 watt except I needed a clean channel. I gigged my 50 watt thru an EVH 4x12 over the weekend and the blue channel just slays on the 50 watt. The cleans however blow major ass bc of the shared eq.

Im waiting for my Stealth to arrive today. I plan on selling the 100 watt later this week.

Please tell your thoughts when you get it, mine is supposed to get here tomorrow but i might not be able to go and pick it up before Wednesday

 

[TX6Strings]

I own the 50 watt, but am not a gigging musician any more. If I was the 50 would not cut it. I don't mine the shared EQ on 1/2 but the shared gain control is a deal killer. As has been mentioned to get the gain where you'd probably want it on 2 you have to accept a gritty clean. I'd imagine in a cover band it'd be an even worse situation. Sense I only jam with friends or at home it's no big deal and is a great sounding amp

 

[stompboxfreak72]

Stealth arrived about 8pm tonight. Got a good hour with it. Its just as I expected. Blue channel has the 50 watt blue vibe for sure. The clean channel breaks up like crazy but if you keep the gain dialed low it is as clean as it gets. The red channel feels different to me on the stealth. I need way more time with it but at a glance I'd say the Stealth is an upgrade on the blue channel and a down grade on the clean. Im still torn on the red.

I'll gig it this weekend and follow up.