Peavey 5150 Harsh High End?

[RuxinCaldwell]

I'm sure there are many threads about this across the internet, but I was looking to get some direct answers or information to my particular issue. So I recently went from a Framus Cobra to a Peavey 5150 mk1. My ears were getting exhausted to the overall dry voicing and honky midrange of the Cobra, along with the huge pain in the ass it's been with reliability. I can tell that the 5150 has a voicing that suits me, as I've always gone for a tighter, more mid-range based sound (A Rectifier being the opposite sound I'm after, I hate fizzy scooped tones). However, no matter what I have my treble/presence set to, there is always a harsh, high end sizzle that's really hindering me from achieving my ideal tone.

My gear is:

Peavey 5150
Mesa Traditional 4x12
Boss NS-2
Maxon OD808

Guitars are ESP/LTD guitars with EMG 81's in the bridge.

Could anyone steer me in a direction of killing this harsh high end? I have already done the bias mod to the amp, all though there is improvement, the harsh high end is still there. The tubes in it aren't the best, but I planned on a re-tube once I sold my Cobra. I also found tube swapping to be a very minor difference in tone.

Tone chasing is exhausting

So the harshness is there even when the treble knob and presence knobs are set very low or off?

Have you ever played a 5150 before this one?

I'm wondering if it is the crossover distortion your ears are not use to that is the offending factor and not the high end at all...

I have never played a 5150 before this. I have played a 5150 II and owned a 6505+ for a couple months. They all had a harsher high end. Which leads me to think its just the amps high frequencies. Then again all amps had an OD808 over them with an EMG 81...

 

[RuxinCaldwell]

I would turn off the 808 and lower the resonance knob on the amp to tighten up the bass response. Adding an EQ is just masking an issue. Find the source of your problem.

I much prefer the tonal characteristics with the OD808 on. More clarity and a tighter bass. I always run my resonance at 1-2 and thought that was surprisingly low seeing that everyone else is setting there's about 5 usually. Anything above 2 and the bass gets too woofy and lose.

 

[RuxinCaldwell]

BK=Bare Knuckle Pickups.

I checked their website today, there are so many to choose from, I'm not sure where to begin. What would be the tonal differences between the Bare buckles and the EMG 81, other than one being passive and the other active?

 

[madrigal77]

Ditch the 808. You don't need it with this amp. Have you tried it with the 808 off? Turn off the 808 for a bit and try dialing in the amp without it, then see how that helps. Start with the 6/6/6 setting and adjust from there. With your ears, not your eyes

 

[crankyrayhanky]

BK=Bare Knuckle Pickups.

I checked their website today, there are so many to choose from, I'm not sure where to begin. What would be the tonal differences between the Bare buckles and the EMG 81, other than one being passive and the other active?[/]

Give them an email with your guitar woods & amp info, as well as style you play
Great customer service!
There's lots of clips and eq charts on their site that can guide you
I'm a huge BK fanboi, it sounds great... my EMG guitars give me ear fatigue quickly & can actually fizz my ears out if too loud- that never happens no matter how loud my BK guitars are...I'm assuming its inthe hi eq

 

[slaktarn]

Before I bought a Diezel VH-4 I used to run a Boss GT-8 into the power amp of my 5150. I thought the amp models in the GT-8 sounded better than the 5150's preamp - less noise, less fizz and I got a decent clean channel...

 

[satannica]

I'm sure there are many threads about this across the internet, but I was looking to get some direct answers or information to my particular issue. So I recently went from a Framus Cobra to a Peavey 5150 mk1. My ears were getting exhausted to the overall dry voicing and honky midrange of the Cobra, along with the huge pain in the ass it's been with reliability. I can tell that the 5150 has a voicing that suits me, as I've always gone for a tighter, more mid-range based sound (A Rectifier being the opposite sound I'm after, I hate fizzy scooped tones). However, no matter what I have my treble/presence set to, there is always a harsh, high end sizzle that's really hindering me from achieving my ideal tone.

My gear is:

Peavey 5150
Mesa Traditional 4x12
Boss NS-2
Maxon OD808

Guitars are ESP/LTD guitars with EMG 81's in the bridge.

Could anyone steer me in a direction of killing this harsh high end? I have already done the bias mod to the amp, all though there is improvement, the harsh high end is still there. The tubes in it aren't the best, but I planned on a re-tube once I sold my Cobra. I also found tube swapping to be a very minor difference in tone.

Tone chasing is exhausting

We have striklngly similar gear.

I have a Mesa cabinet and a couple of Marshall 4x12s. I really don't like my 6505 or 6505+ on the Mesa cabinet. I guess what I don't like could be described as "harsh high-end" but whatever I didn't like it. However, on the Marshall cabinets, the Peaveys are just excellent. So I pretty much use the Marshalls exclusively on the Peavey. Conversely, I have a JVM410h which sounds ten times better on the Mesa cabinet than either of my Marshalls. It's an odd predicament, but one I've just found to be the case over time.

Hence, I would point the finger towards your cabinet. Maybe try swapping speakers out as someone else suggested?

I did try de-harshing the Peavey/Mesa setup with an EQ, I couldn't quite get it there. The Marshall cabinet was plug-in win for me, so I decided to stop messing with it.

 

[Mailman1971]

I think it was a very insightful post. Most of the 6505's fizz factor is 13-15khz which does disappear in a band mix due to the cymbals taking up so much of that space. That frequency range actually has zero benefit in a recording context as well, so you can just LP that area and end up with a beefy and bright tone.

Since its basically just a useless, harsh treble frequency, wouldn't an EQ pedal be a simple fix for this issue?

Shit, forgot to add I run a 10 band EQ in the loop. Helps a lot.

+1

+2.....thats the magic trick. really lets you make very minor tweaks and really enhances the amps tone for sure.

 

[RuxinCaldwell]

Bring-it to Jerry (FJA mods), let him do some magic on your 5150.
I got the Metal Mod on mine and no more harsh high end.

No offense to anyone else who has posted a reply.. all good opinions.. BUT.. I agree 100%... Jerry will get you there !!! Great talented guy !!

I have no doubt that it will, I'm just not crazy about paying more for mods then I did the actual amp. I've looked into it and would much rather buy a second guitar and take my chances with a cheaper fix to my treble issue. No offense on Jerry, his mods sound great!

 

[moltenmetalburn]

I'm sure there are many threads about this across the internet, but I was looking to get some direct answers or information to my particular issue. So I recently went from a Framus Cobra to a Peavey 5150 mk1. My ears were getting exhausted to the overall dry voicing and honky midrange of the Cobra, along with the huge pain in the ass it's been with reliability. I can tell that the 5150 has a voicing that suits me, as I've always gone for a tighter, more mid-range based sound (A Rectifier being the opposite sound I'm after, I hate fizzy scooped tones). However, no matter what I have my treble/presence set to, there is always a harsh, high end sizzle that's really hindering me from achieving my ideal tone.

My gear is:

Peavey 5150
Mesa Traditional 4x12
Boss NS-2
Maxon OD808

Guitars are ESP/LTD guitars with EMG 81's in the bridge.

Could anyone steer me in a direction of killing this harsh high end? I have already done the bias mod to the amp, all though there is improvement, the harsh high end is still there. The tubes in it aren't the best, but I planned on a re-tube once I sold my Cobra. I also found tube swapping to be a very minor difference in tone.

Tone chasing is exhausting

So the harshness is there even when the treble knob and presence knobs are set very low or off?

Have you ever played a 5150 before this one?

I'm wondering if it is the crossover distortion your ears are not use to that is the offending factor and not the high end at all...

I have never played a 5150 before this. I have played a 5150 II and owned a 6505+ for a couple months. They all had a harsher high end. Which leads me to think its just the amps high frequencies. Then again all amps had an OD808 over them with an EMG 81...

All the 5150 are biased cold Into to crossover distortion... Could still be that.

You also didn't answer the question I asked, if the treble and prescence are at zero can you still hear it?

 

[Metal1977]

At first he said he got the bias mod, i assumed that he got it to run a bit more hot so he got rid of the crossover distortion. Really good question, maybe it's just that.

 

[moltenmetalburn]

At first he said he got the bias mod, i assumed that he got it to run a bit more hot so he got rid of the crossover distortion. Really good question, maybe it's just that.

Oh damn I missed that , it was biased normally already?

Yeah I see it, if its truly biased normally then the crossover should be gone.

Hmmmm, maybe you just don't like the head. A mod or sell it I'd say.

 

[nevusofota]

I had the exact same issue. Couldn't stand the high end fizz of the 5150. Tried numerous guitars and pickups, but the unpleasant high end was always there. I had the combo and found that it sounded best when boosting the rhythm channel. Also sounded better when ran into my Marshall cab with CL80's. I really wanted to gel with this amp. I don't jump to different amps often. I find what I like and stick to it. For the past 6 years that amp has been the 5153. For me it's tone is much more pleasing than the Peavey. I've learned that it just wasn't for me. Now, if I was playing chugachuga thrash it would work great, but it wasn't my style. There is a core tone with every amp, mods and pedals will alter it but the core tone will most likely still be there in the end. I think it's time to move on.

 

[RuxinCaldwell]

I had the exact same issue. Couldn't stand the high end fizz of the 5150. Tried numerous guitars and pickups, but the unpleasant high end was always there. I had the combo and found that it sounded best when boosting the rhythm channel. Also sounded better when ran into my Marshall cab with CL80's. I really wanted to gel with this amp. I don't jump to different amps often. I find what I like and stick to it. For the past 6 years that amp has been the 5153. For me it's tone is much more pleasing than the Peavey. I've learned that it just wasn't for me. Now, if I was playing chugachuga thrash it would work great, but it wasn't my style. There is a core tone with every amp, mods and pedals will alter it but the core tone will most likely still be there in the end. I think it's time to move on.

I unfortunately think this more and more when I play it. I will have lost so much money if I give up on the 5150 and try to sell it. I've already been through hell and back with a Framus Cobra. I don't understand it, I have owned both of the heads I've creamed over on every one of my favorite cd's, and grown to dislike them both. This doesn't make any sense. I have to be doing something wrong, or just not understanding the frequencies right.

 

[mchn13]

I had the exact same issue. Couldn't stand the high end fizz of the 5150. Tried numerous guitars and pickups, but the unpleasant high end was always there. I had the combo and found that it sounded best when boosting the rhythm channel. Also sounded better when ran into my Marshall cab with CL80's. I really wanted to gel with this amp. I don't jump to different amps often. I find what I like and stick to it. For the past 6 years that amp has been the 5153. For me it's tone is much more pleasing than the Peavey. I've learned that it just wasn't for me. Now, if I was playing chugachuga thrash it would work great, but it wasn't my style. There is a core tone with every amp, mods and pedals will alter it but the core tone will most likely still be there in the end. I think it's time to move on.

I unfortunately think this more and more when I play it. I will have lost so much money if I give up on the 5150 and try to sell it. I've already been through hell and back with a Framus Cobra. I don't understand it, I have owned both of the heads I've creamed over on every one of my favorite cd's, and grown to dislike them both. This doesn't make any sense. I have to be doing something wrong, or just not understanding the frequencies right.

with the style you're playing, you really cant go wrong with your combo. something will fall into place, and you wont look back. i've had the 5150II, and two block letters, and the blockletters super hard to beat as a metal amp. i did find mine to be sensitive to pickup changes, and in the end the blackout was the combo i stuck with. it also really liked the duncan distortion. i went thru about 10-15 pickups with that amp lol.
i also didnt read your settings if you posted them, but if youre boosting it, keep the gain as low as possible to avoid it getting ratty. my pre gain was at 2.5, then boosted with the maxon, and it was plenty of gain and tight, but not sizzling.
good luck, you'll get it sorted.

 

[RuxinCaldwell]

I had the exact same issue. Couldn't stand the high end fizz of the 5150. Tried numerous guitars and pickups, but the unpleasant high end was always there. I had the combo and found that it sounded best when boosting the rhythm channel. Also sounded better when ran into my Marshall cab with CL80's. I really wanted to gel with this amp. I don't jump to different amps often. I find what I like and stick to it. For the past 6 years that amp has been the 5153. For me it's tone is much more pleasing than the Peavey. I've learned that it just wasn't for me. Now, if I was playing chugachuga thrash it would work great, but it wasn't my style. There is a core tone with every amp, mods and pedals will alter it but the core tone will most likely still be there in the end. I think it's time to move on.

I unfortunately think this more and more when I play it. I will have lost so much money if I give up on the 5150 and try to sell it. I've already been through hell and back with a Framus Cobra. I don't understand it, I have owned both of the heads I've creamed over on every one of my favorite cd's, and grown to dislike them both. This doesn't make any sense. I have to be doing something wrong, or just not understanding the frequencies right.

with the style you're playing, you really cant go wrong with your combo. something will fall into place, and you wont look back. i've had the 5150II, and two block letters, and the blockletters super hard to beat as a metal amp. i did find mine to be sensitive to pickup changes, and in the end the blackout was the combo i stuck with. it also really liked the duncan distortion. i went thru about 10-15 pickups with that amp lol.
i also didnt read your settings if you posted them, but if youre boosting it, keep the gain as low as possible to avoid it getting ratty. my pre gain was at 2.5, then boosted with the maxon, and it was plenty of gain and tight, but not sizzling.
good luck, you'll get it sorted.

Thanks for the encouraging words! I would like to think that as well, I don't even want to think about selling and buying a new amp and learning all of its tricks and secrets all over again. Jeez! That's tons of pickups! But yes, I keep my gain at 3.5 usually.

 

[mchn13]

I had the exact same issue. Couldn't stand the high end fizz of the 5150. Tried numerous guitars and pickups, but the unpleasant high end was always there. I had the combo and found that it sounded best when boosting the rhythm channel. Also sounded better when ran into my Marshall cab with CL80's. I really wanted to gel with this amp. I don't jump to different amps often. I find what I like and stick to it. For the past 6 years that amp has been the 5153. For me it's tone is much more pleasing than the Peavey. I've learned that it just wasn't for me. Now, if I was playing chugachuga thrash it would work great, but it wasn't my style. There is a core tone with every amp, mods and pedals will alter it but the core tone will most likely still be there in the end. I think it's time to move on.

I unfortunately think this more and more when I play it. I will have lost so much money if I give up on the 5150 and try to sell it. I've already been through hell and back with a Framus Cobra. I don't understand it, I have owned both of the heads I've creamed over on every one of my favorite cd's, and grown to dislike them both. This doesn't make any sense. I have to be doing something wrong, or just not understanding the frequencies right.

with the style you're playing, you really cant go wrong with your combo. something will fall into place, and you wont look back. i've had the 5150II, and two block letters, and the blockletters super hard to beat as a metal amp. i did find mine to be sensitive to pickup changes, and in the end the blackout was the combo i stuck with. it also really liked the duncan distortion. i went thru about 10-15 pickups with that amp lol.
i also didnt read your settings if you posted them, but if youre boosting it, keep the gain as low as possible to avoid it getting ratty. my pre gain was at 2.5, then boosted with the maxon, and it was plenty of gain and tight, but not sizzling.
good luck, you'll get it sorted.

Thanks for the encouraging words! I would like to think that as well, I don't even want to think about selling and buying a new amp and learning all of its tricks and secrets all over again. Jeez! That's tons of pickups! But yes, I keep my gain at 3.5 usually.

3.5 is about right. the blackouts have more output than the emg's..

 

[RuxinCaldwell]

This may sound like a complete noob question, but I can get tones out of my amp I enjoy if I set literally beside the cabinet and no where near the front of it. Anywhere near the front of the cabinet and all I hear is harsh midrange and fizz. This is where my approach to EQ'ing gets inconsistent. Do people who EQ for life performances stand directly in front of the amp and bare through all the harsh frequencies? All amps sound completely different just by where you're standing in the room. This is where my "not being able to understand the frequencies" comment came from.

 

[mchn13]

This may sound like a complete noob question, but I can get tones out of my amp I enjoy if I set literally beside the cabinet and no where near the front of it. Anywhere near the front of the cabinet and all I hear is harsh midrange and fizz. This is where my approach to EQ'ing gets inconsistent. Do people who EQ for life performances stand directly in front of the amp and bare through all the harsh frequencies? All amps sound completely different just by where you're standing in the room. This is where my "not being able to understand the frequencies" comment came from.

plug into another cab and see if your mesa is doing something funny.. i had blown a speaker in my old one and didnt even know it. im back to a couple marshall cabs these days. sometimes a cab is very directional, and you get that affect of liking one side or another.

 

[moltenmetalburn]

This may sound like a complete noob question, but I can get tones out of my amp I enjoy if I set literally beside the cabinet and no where near the front of it. Anywhere near the front of the cabinet and all I hear is harsh midrange and fizz. This is where my approach to EQ'ing gets inconsistent. Do people who EQ for life performances stand directly in front of the amp and bare through all the harsh frequencies? All amps sound completely different just by where you're standing in the room. This is where my "not being able to understand the frequencies" comment came from.

That's the directionality of the cabinet. Some call it beam. The on axis is what is important. Yes we tune live pro guitar rigs on axis, you have to hear what the mic hears and what the front row hears.

Try jay Mitchell's frequency directivity modifiers, cheap and very effective if you want to dial your sound off axis and still have it congruent on axis.

https://www.thegearpage.net/board/showth ... p?t=470956


You cannot compare recordings to live in the room amps sounds the guitar tones on records are severely bandpassed usually below 100hz or so and above 5-7k or so. Apples and oranges.