If I liked the block 5150, will I like the 5150 / 6505 + ?

[Phrygian]

Hey guys

I'm jonesing to recoup some amps back. I'd like to start with the affordable and trusty 5150. Had a block letter...loved it and gigged with it for years. The clean was no hell but the crunch and lead were just my thing! Would the later "plus" models please me? I would want the lead sound to be exact. Don't care if it's fizzy like the original, as long as it's not more fizzy. The original lead chan was punishing. I would want at least that, and seperate eq for crunch channel, hence why I'm considering the "plus" versions. Better clean would be nice, but not a deal breaker. Just gotta decide if I should stick with block letter or try a later model.

Thanks in advance.

Matt

 

[JakeAC5253]

No, I would try to find an old 5150 or buy a new 6505, but stay away from the II/+ if you liked the 5150 you owned. The II/+ versions were born from the desire for more convenience and versatility, not necessarily for better tone. What ended up happening is that they destroyed the Red channel tones in order to squeeze a better clean/rhythm tone out, and it lost the magic. The thing that really kills it is that the cleans still aren't great... rather lifeless really, and you also get the bum red channel too... The 5150 Red channel fizz is marvelous, but it's not for everyone. If you are like me and liked that tone, then stay away from the II/+ versions.

 

[bsp01]

The +/II are different sounding amps for sure. You don't *need* a block letter, but definitely 5150 sig or block, or a 6505.

 

[Phrygian]

No, I would try to find an old 5150 or buy a new 6505, but stay away from the II/+ if you liked the 5150 you owned. The II/+ versions were born from the desire for more convenience and versatility, not necessarily for better tone. What ended up happening is that they destroyed the Red channel tones in order to squeeze a better clean/rhythm tone out, and it lost the magic. The thing that really kills it is that the cleans still aren't great... rather lifeless really, and you also get the bum red channel too... The 5150 Red channel fizz is marvelous, but it's not for everyone. If you are like me and liked that tone, then stay away from the II/+ versions.

Thanks! That definitely answers my question. The original 5150 had this tone that was just chest-thumping. I loved it and shouldn't have sold it. It sat just fine with my Herbert and Ultra Lead, at a fraction of the cost.

 

[Phrygian]

The +/II are different sounding amps for sure. You don't *need* a block letter, but definitely 5150 sig or block, or a 6505.

Thanks! I'll definitely seek out one of the original ones or a 6505.

Mine sounded so good. It was a mistake selling it.

 

[Skrapmetal]

The 6505+ is good. Different, but good. If you want the 5150 you had, I wouldn't get the + unless you try it out first.

That said, I really like my 6505+.

 

[glpg80]

gotta disagree with Jake big time on this one. I owned both at the same time for a year, the 5150 block letter was the first i owned, then the 5150 II. which one stayed? the 5150 II. 5150's are so dependent upon preamp tones and preamp gain that a simple tube change changed the tone of the entire amplifier - it was always a pain to keep it where i liked. the 5150 II is much more stable in that area.

as far as tone is concerned i much prefer the lead channel of a 5150 II to the lead channel of a 5150. much more like a SLO and your clean tone is not going through 5 gain stages. I've also played a SLO and still prefer a 5150 II over it for that kind of tone. the 5150 II clean tones are great - i have no idea what Jake was talking about but they are miles and MILES ahead of the 5150 series, especially with the dedicated EQ which 5150 models of course do not have. They get even better when you can stick a dedicated 12AU7 in one of the stages and make it even better - you cant do that with a 5150.

If you liked and enjoyed a cranked 5150 then you will love the 5150 II at volume - a little less gain but much better cutting attitude and none of the other terrible dependencies.

 

[K-mark5]

No, I would try to find an old 5150 or buy a new 6505, but stay away from the II/+ if you liked the 5150 you owned. The II/+ versions were born from the desire for more convenience and versatility, not necessarily for better tone. What ended up happening is that they destroyed the Red channel tones in order to squeeze a better clean/rhythm tone out, and it lost the magic. The thing that really kills it is that the cleans still aren't great... rather lifeless really, and you also get the bum red channel too... The 5150 Red channel fizz is marvelous, but it's not for everyone. If you are like me and liked that tone, then stay away from the II/+ versions.

+ 1 on that.. I've had both the 5150 and the 6505+ (formerly 5150II).. the lead channel on 5150 is a lot rawer and growlier and in your face...the funny thing is that I liked it's clean channel even more than the one of 6505+.. i dunno why but i liked the 5150 a lot lot moar!

 

[scottcrud]

If I hated the original 5150 would I like the 6505+? I never could dial out the beeez fizz on the lead channel even with the gain at 5.

 

[Mudder]

Isn't the combo the one that really sounds the best?

 

[chunktone]

If I hated the original 5150 would I like the 6505+? I never could dial out the beeez fizz on the lead channel even with the gain at 5.

If you do the bias mod, and properly bias the tubes, alot of the "fizz" goes away.

 

[alxdgr8]

I liked my 5150II better than the 5150's I have played. And the clean is "useable" in most cases.

 

[Anonymous]

If I hated the original 5150 would I like the 6505+? I never could dial out the beeez fizz on the lead channel even with the gain at 5.

the fizz is what makes the 5150/6505 what it is.. when i first got mine i couldnt stand the fizz, so i used my peavey ultra plus more, but i stayed with it and keep messing with it and now i love it.. fizz and all, ive got it dialed so tight.. i couldnt imagine playing anything else..

 

[JakeAC5253]

If I hated the original 5150 would I like the 6505+? I never could dial out the beeez fizz on the lead channel even with the gain at 5.

the fizz is what makes the 5150/6505 what it is.. when i first got mine i couldnt stand the fizz, so i used my peavey ultra plus more, but i stayed with it and keep messing with it and now i love it.. fizz and all, ive got it dialed so tight.. i couldnt imagine playing anything else..

Fizz is a very overlooked aspect of professional tone. It may not sound the best in the room by yourself, but a good solid layer of fizz helps a guitar stick out in the mix in a pleasant way without being harsh or pointy.

 

[rottingcorpse]

It sat just fine with my Herbert and Ultra Lead, at a fraction of the cost.

funny you should say that!! my FJA modded 6505 sounds perfect with either my herbert or ultra leads too. i have never had the 5150 series heads.

 

[SFW]

I've own three 5150s, and will own another one eventually. I've played a few 5150 IIs and the 6505+. For my taste, the original 5150 design sounded miles better. It had a warmer and bigger lead channel. Yes, the cleans sucked, but you don't really buy a 5150 for the cleans...

 

[scottcrud]

If I hated the original 5150 would I like the 6505+? I never could dial out the beeez fizz on the lead channel even with the gain at 5.

If you do the bias mod, and properly bias the tubes, alot of the "fizz" goes away.

The newer 6505 plus's have adjustable bias right? I see the bias test points on the back. So I can adjust the bias myself.... hmmmm....

 

[Skrapmetal]

If I hated the original 5150 would I like the 6505+? I never could dial out the beeez fizz on the lead channel even with the gain at 5.

If you do the bias mod, and properly bias the tubes, alot of the "fizz" goes away.

The newer 6505 plus's have adjustable bias right? I see the bias test points on the back. So I can adjust the bias myself.... hmmmm....

They do and you can, but it doesn't have enough range to get this properly biased. My 6505+ is modded to allow the bias pot to reach the proper ranges.

I assume they keep things cold to try to extend tube life, but that's a relatively uneducated assumption.

 

[angelspade]

I've owned the "block letter" EVH 5150...The sig series 5150...The 5150 II...and the 6505. Both stock and modded. the original 5150s (6505) and the 5150 II (or 6505+) are both great...But they ARE different.

tighter, brighter, smoother and a bit more versatile: 6505+/5150II

Thicker, a bit looser, warmer and grainier: 6505/5150

 

[Phrygian]

Thanks for the replies guys! I think I'll seek out an original 5150. It was right up my alley, so why fight it.