Peavey 6505 for rock & the green channel / 6505 vs Soldano SLO100

[Caca_Spaniel_123]

I know this comparison has been done to death on all forums, sorry for beating the dead horse. But most people seems to use these amps for metal and mostly that, I'm more of a rock guy with a hint of metal in my playing.

So I'm looking to buy a new amp on a budget. Has to be a 100w head capable of moderate high gain tones, somewhere around the "800 with a boost" ballpark. Initially I looked into the classic JCM800 (to the extent I bought a boost for it. Currently using it with my DSL) but there are no used 2203s near me and prices on new 800s are damn too high.

I got the Neural SLO100 plugin and while it didn't exactly suit my needs (for some reason plugin doesn't have enough gain and saturation, too loose. None of my guitars are like this with other plugins and especially with my DSL100) but it got me headed towards my desired tone. Later I learned the original 5150s and Dual Rectifiers were copies of/inspired by the SLO100 and that a new version of the 6505 was out. Prices were looking very good since they are made in China.. I've also heard they have QC issues atm but I'm sure by the time I'd actually be shopping for one they will have it sorted out.

I already kinda know how the Peavey would compare to the SLO100, more fizz and thinner mids. I just wanted to know how the 6505 (not the 6505ii / 6505+) would be for rock AND metal. Bands like TOOL, Mastodon, Ghost, Alice In Chains etc. It is moderately heavy though not typically the sort of music most people would grab a 5150 for.. I always thought these were the 90s metal and hardcore amps. I can't get the gear those guys are using because my budgets kinda tight.. definitely can't swing a Friedman!

That being said.. it is to my knowledge that even Eddie was using the red channel on the 5150 for his rhythm playing. I thought the green channel was for the clean (ofc Eddie woudn't need this) and rhythm guitar stuff and red channel for leads.

Anyways will the 6505 get me into that modded 800 ballpark? I'd probably get a marshall 1960b w/greenbacks and v30s.

 

[RaceU4her]

None of them are going to be much if any better than your DSL, crank the gain on the green channel and boost it with a sd1 and you have classic Marshall tones

 

[Caca_Spaniel_123]

None of them are going to be much if any better than your DSL, crank the gain on the green channel and boost it with a sd1 and you have classic Marshall tones

See thats why I said I wanna get in the JCM800 with a boost BALLPARK, not a Marshall sound. I only expect a Marshall to sound like a Marshall

Will it get me similar gain levels, feel and vibe was what I was asking. My DSL green channel spunds good with an od

 

[skoora]

If you don't want a marshall sound then actually one of those amps would work quite well. If you look up live Ted Nugent from the last 20 years he was pretty much using Peavey 5150s and 6500 series.

 

[Techdeth]

None of them are going to be much if any better than your DSL, crank the gain on the green channel and boost it with a sd1 and you have classic Marshall tones

Ya the DSL will get him there. Best choice

 

[jabps]

I know this comparison has been done to death on all forums, sorry for beating the dead horse. But most people seems to use these amps for metal and mostly that, I'm more of a rock guy with a hint of metal in my playing.

So I'm looking to buy a new amp on a budget. Has to be a 100w head capable of moderate high gain tones, somewhere around the "800 with a boost" ballpark. Initially I looked into the classic JCM800 (to the extent I bought a boost for it. Currently using it with my DSL) but there are no used 2203s near me and prices on new 800s are damn too high.

I got the Neural SLO100 plugin and while it didn't exactly suit my needs (for some reason plugin doesn't have enough gain and saturation, too loose. None of my guitars are like this with other plugins and especially with my DSL100) but it got me headed towards my desired tone. Later I learned the original 5150s and Dual Rectifiers were copies of/inspired by the SLO100 and that a new version of the 6505 was out. Prices were looking very good since they are made in China.. I've also heard they have QC issues atm but I'm sure by the time I'd actually be shopping for one they will have it sorted out.

I already kinda know how the Peavey would compare to the SLO100, more fizz and thinner mids. I just wanted to know how the 6505 (not the 6505ii / 6505+) would be for rock AND metal. Bands like TOOL, Mastodon, Ghost, Alice In Chains etc. It is moderately heavy though not typically the sort of music most people would grab a 5150 for.. I always thought these were the 90s metal and hardcore amps. I can't get the gear those guys are using because my budgets kinda tight.. definitely can't swing a Friedman!

That being said.. it is to my knowledge that even Eddie was using the red channel on the 5150 for his rhythm playing. I thought the green channel was for the clean (ofc Eddie woudn't need this) and rhythm guitar stuff and red channel for leads.

Anyways will the 6505 get me into that modded 800 ballpark? I'd probably get a marshall 1960b w/greenbacks and v30s.

Hmm, good replies in the thread already.

That said, I swore by my OG 5150 for years back in the 90's. And yes it's a great metal amp, hardcore etc... but it's not just a one trick pony, the bands I used it with weren't metal, we were more AIC meets STP and the 5150 sounded great. Work the gain, work you guitar volume knob. What I did and I bought and sold alot of high dollar boutique amps to take the OG's place during that era and they never did. Including an SLO100.

Now that said, it's not a Marshall and was the exact reason I loved it so much. I grew up with Marshalls 2203's and 4's with an OD in front and I wanted something different and the 5150 fit the bill. First time I heard the 5150 I immediately fell in love with it. In fact I ditched my Langner preamps at the time for it.

However eventually I wanted to get back to Marshalls (mid 2000's), and truly you gotta go Marshall IMO if that is what you are wanting. The DSL100 is a solid amp. And IMO, no the 6505 will not get in that modded 800 area, gain wise both are gonna have plenty but the tonality between the two, the feel, they're just different beasts.

But...this is just my opinion and how I have heard things through the years by owning them.

 

[Caca_Spaniel_123]

Hmm, good replies in the thread already.

That said, I swore by my OG 5150 for years back in the 90's. And yes it's a great metal amp, hardcore etc... but it's not just a one trick pony, the bands I used it with weren't metal, we were more AIC meets STP and the 5150 sounded great. Work the gain, work you guitar volume knob. What I did and I bought and sold alot of high dollar boutique amps to take the OG's place during that era and they never did. Including an SLO100.

Now that said, it's not a Marshall and was the exact reason I loved it so much. I grew up with Marshalls 2203's and 4's with an OD in front and I wanted something different and the 5150 fit the bill. First time I heard the 5150 I immediately fell in love with it. In fact I ditched my Langner preamps at the time for it.

However eventually I wanted to get back to Marshalls (mid 2000's), and truly you gotta go Marshall IMO if that is what you are wanting. The DSL100 is a solid amp. And IMO, no the 6505 will not get in that modded 800 area, gain wise both are gonna have plenty but the tonality between the two, the feel, they're just different beasts.

But...this is just my opinion and how I have heard things through the years by owning them.

If you don't want a marshall sound then actually one of those amps would work quite well. If you look up live Ted Nugent from the last 20 years he was pretty much using Peavey 5150s and 6500 series.

I should have put my question better. I didn't want a Marshall sound (well I don't hate it or need something better. Im open to differnet amps) what I meant by "jcm800 ballpark" is when you put one beside it and they will hang out.

The modded 800 and say, a Fender tweed deluxe (nice amp) wont hang out despite being classix amps. Neither would a Peavey Invectice despite both being high gain.. get it?

So far I'm pretth confident a 5150 wpuld work for me. Thanks!

 

[Bardagh]

I would not say a 5150/6505 has thinner mids than an SLO. If anything the 5150 is super middy and darker, if a bit honky. The Soldano has more upper mid bark and treble bite to it, pretty unrivaled clarity and detail, and a different gain character that doesn’t get as saturated and chunky out of the gate.

If you aren’t looking to spend a fortune and not sure about if you’ll end up liking the Soldano sound, you can keep an eye out for one of the 100 watt Jet City amps. “Close enough” to the Soldano Hot Rod to get a good idea of if its for you for the money and a good modding platform. Stay away from the 50watt IMO, they commonly had really bad heater hum that for me made them unusable.

 

[Caca_Spaniel_123]

I would not say a 5150/6505 has thinner mids than an SLO. If anything the 5150 is super middy and darker, if a bit honky. The Soldano has more upper mid bark and treble bite to it, pretty unrivaled clarity and detail, and a different gain character that doesn’t get as saturated and chunky out of the gate.

If you aren’t looking to spend a fortune and not sure about if you’ll end up liking the Soldano sound, you can keep an eye out for one of the 100 watt Jet City amps. “Close enough” to the Soldano Hot Rod to get a good idea of if its for you for the money and a good modding platform. Stay away from the 50watt IMO, they commonly had really bad heater hum that for me made them unusable.

Not as thick was whag I was tryong to gp for. My guitat speak needs improvement..

 

[glpg80]

5150’s sound better cranked - they have too much saturation at low volumes.

You can also put certain tubes in certain locations to tweak their sound - it’s a great ability to favor the green or red channels to your liking

The bias is cold on the originals from the factory. A bias mod will go a long way for a more responsive resonance and presence control

I know the 5150 series inside and out - came out with mods for them even before Cameron’s mods for it were popular. 2/3 of the ones he shared were identical to mine.

Other upgrades that make a big difference is installing a choke and upgrading the OT.

I’ve had my 5150 II for over 17 years, also had an original 5150 during my gigging days for a stereo rig. I like it more than a SLO, even the newer ones. They don’t replace Marshalls, they compliment them.

 

[jabps]

5150’s sound better cranked - they have too much saturation at low volumes.

You can also put certain tubes in certain locations to tweak their sound - it’s a great ability to favor the green or red channels to your liking

The bias is cold on the originals from the factory. A bias mod will go a long way for a more responsive resonance and presence control

I know the 5150 series inside and out - came out with mods for them even before Cameron’s mods for it were popular. 2/3 of the ones he shared were identical to mine.

Cranking them, absolutely 100% have to and why I've not ever gone back to them. And why I was interested in the new 6505 reissue but I don't think they addressed the master volume and why I'm really interested in the new Synergy module. Of course you can use the volume pedal trick in the loop, I've even used a Boss GE7's volume slider but I just don't want to mess with the tricks now.

Btw/ interesting note, Paul C who makes the Timmy did the bias mod on my OG Sig. I had the OG block which was bone stock until the Sylvanias finally wore out and I bought a Sig a year later as a backup and had Paul do the bias mod. Fun days.

Straight up if the reissue had a better master volume I'd own it right now for a walk down memory lane and probably jettison the Stealth.

Agree on them complimenting Marshalls, if I was still recording I'd go OG on one side and my JVM on the other. That's what Rabea Massad used to do and frankly those were his best tones.