6534 and 6534+

[BeZo]

I had to make sure I wrote that title properly, or all the responses would be "13,068".

Anyone played the EL34 versions of the Peavey 5150 circuit? One popped up near me and I'm curious about it. Was there good reason they never caught on, or are they a hidden gem?

 

[Simon Dorn]

I had to make sure I wrote that title properly, or all the responses would be "13,068".

Anyone played the EL34 versions of the Peavey 5150 circuit? One popped up near me and I'm curious about it. Was there good reason they never caught on, or are they a hidden gem?

I did. They are nice. Here's a very old clip of me:

 

[PurityS.L.G]

There was only the + version made. It’s not worlds different from the 6L6 version. It has the same tight lows, a little more upper mid bite and the highs are sweeter and less harsh. They’ve held their value over the years that’s for sure. I personally don’t feel it’s worth the extra $ compared to a used 6L6 version.

 

[Mike Oxhuge]

I liked the 6534+ and did not like the 6505+. Owned both. Better cleans, better crunch better lead. I still prefer the OG 5150/6505 over all others Ive tried. I used mine with crunch, and boosted for heavier tones. 6534+ has a little more Marshally but still distinctively 5150 sound. Less of the upper mids I didn't like in the 6505+ and a little better feel.

 

[TheGreatGreen]

If the differences between the 6505+ and 6534+ are anything like the differences between the 5150 III Stealth 6L6 100w and EL34 100w, then the 6534+ is going to have slightly more prominent and wider mids relative to other frequencies, and will break up and round off very slightly earlier on the volume knob.

Typing that out makes it sound like the differences are bigger than they actually are. If I blend them together and phase reverse one, then with some diligent tweaking, I can dial them close enough to phase cancel down to like -18 db, which means they're pretty dang close.

 

[BeZo]

There was only the + version made.

Touché

 

[DanTravis62]

They sound pretty similar IMO gainwise, the biggest difference is in the midrange response.

If it's a decent deal, definitely worth picking one up.

 

[Beyond Black]

I did. They are nice. Here's a very old clip of me:

I’ve always pictured you sporting a Grim Reaper’s cloak or a leather bondage jumpsuit like in your sig.
Very disappointed SD, very disappointed….

 

[napalmdeath]

I had to make sure I wrote that title properly, or all the responses would be "13,068".

Anyone played the EL34 versions of the Peavey 5150 circuit? One popped up near me and I'm curious about it. Was there good reason they never caught on, or are they a hidden gem?

Oh yeah, they're killer amps. Very underrated and under the radar. Aggressive and nasty. I'd say they're a hidden gem for sure.

 

[BeZo]

They sound pretty similar IMO gainwise, the biggest difference is in the midrange response.

If it's a decent deal, definitely worth picking one up.

I already have a block letter 5150 in my stable. The price on the 6534+ isn't great, but I'm more shopping for someone else. Another block letter 5150 just popped up at a better price.

 

[napalmdeath]

I already have a block letter 5150 in my stable. The price on the 6534+ isn't great, but I'm more shopping for someone else. Another block letter 5150 just popped up at a better price.

How expensive? That's going to be USA made, I think they discontinued them before moving to China. I loved that amp with EL34's, it'll have that 5150 tone, but you get more high mids. I think they sound a little more pissed off than the 6L6 version. Can't say you'd be disappointed.