NAD! Peavey 5150 block letter combo - great metal amp

[Axe-Man]

I just picked up a very original 5150 combo...I'm pretty sure it's a block letter vs a script as the 5150 is raised in a block...but I honestly have no idea what the difference between the two is. It was meant to be purchased not long after they were first released and I am now the third owner.

It's got the original Sherfield spearkers, JJ tubes, casters and a cover and it was a great price.

It's in rude health and it really sounds great on the rhythm channel. I was particularly interested in the combo for this channel as it sounds great and is more aggressive than the heads.

With low output pickups the cleans are actually quite solid.

Gain ch is really great too.

One surprise I found was my Ceriatone Yeti...man that thing is a fair monster and seriously stands toe to toe with the 5150 for brutality. It's got loads of gain and can hang with the Peavey but it is voiced (naturally) like a totally aggro Jose Plexi.

The Peavey doesn't have the tactile response or the feel of the Ceriatone nor the range of tones the Yeti can deliver but it does have two channels. The Yeti does really play 'great'. It has a perfect response and dynamic interaction for 'me' personally. I really gel with it and the 5150 was a bit sterile feeling at first but it's once I starting chugging away I really started enjoying it.

I'm really happy to have both amps and they both are killer units. The Peavey is a little more niche but man I'm a happy guy!!

 

[Stramm8]

The block logo refers to the "EVH" logo on the head as apposed to his signature. Block logos can only be found on the early versions of the head. The good news is there is absolutely no difference between the two but from what I understand the 60 watt combos are a little different...

 

[NinjaRaf]

My second favorite amp so far. I fucking miss mine!! HNAD!!

 

[The Hoff]

HNAD sir!

 

[Axe-Man]

Thanks guys!

I kinda thought it referred to the actual 5150 on the front but it's seems to be whether Eddie's sig is raised or just silk screened. Is this correct?

Oh well...script or block, it sounds great and they are the same amp anyway.

Really glad I got the combo as it really starts rocking around 3 1/2-4 and with wheels it's really easy to move around.

 

[moltisanti]

I had the original head in 96 and it sounded fantastic, loud as hell too!

 

[droptrd]

Missing my 5150 baddly.

Congrats on the NAD!

 

[reverymike]

Thanks guys!

I kinda thought it referred to the actual 5150 on the front but it's seems to be whether Eddie's sig is raised or just silk screened. Is this correct?

No. If it has a signature, it is not a block logo amp. The block logo refers to the "EVH" printed there (where your's has a signature." The early amps just had "EVH" in a simple block font -- no signature.

 

[Rayneman]

Years and years ago I traded my 5150 Combo + cash for a new 5150 II head. That was a mistake. There was something about the combo...in fact when the sales dude at Sam Ash was making sure it worked, some other guy listened, and ended up buying it from me for more than the store was willing to pay (the sales guy made us go into the parking lot to complete the deal, lol). I should have kept that amp...but it was a heavy sonofabitch.

 

[blackba]

Congrats on the New amp day. I don't see many posts on the 5150 combo, it seems to be the forgotten amp in the old 5150 line....

 

[NinjaRaf]

Years and years ago I traded my 5150 Combo + cash for a new 5150 II head. That was a mistake. There was something about the combo...in fact when the sales dude at Sam Ash was making sure it worked, some other guy listened, and ended up buying it from me for more than the store was willing to pay (the sales guy made us go into the parking lot to complete the deal, lol). I should have kept that amp...but it was a heavy sonofabitch.

I couldnt agree more. Theres something about the crunch channel with the gain cranked and the crunch button in that is just fucking special. I miss that amp.

 

[Axe-Man]

Congrats on the New amp day. I don't see many posts on the 5150 combo, it seems to be the forgotten amp in the old 5150 line....

Yeah, the heads were going (in Melbourne) for not much under what I could get a new one for and after research, I found the combo had reverb and a much better crunch ch...plus it was way cheaper too.

The crunch ch really does sounds great and has loads of gain. It's a great sound and possibly my favourite so far.

Whilst quite a large combo and fairly heavy, it actually is really easy to move with the casters. I just trundle it along and just have to lift it in/out of the car. It honestly is a cinch compared to moving even my 1x12 and Jet City head.

I have to say that the cleans actually were kinda surprising. Lots of post volume and dialing the pre gain down with low output pups (strat) and it actually sounds pretty good. I used an Eventide SPACE for verb and I actually thought...hey, this amp isn't actually meant to have cleans!!

Crunch ch dimed and a nice boost is killer.