Peavey 6505+ Questions

[Kordoba]

Over the years I had a XXX, Ultra Plus and/or JSX. My buddy had a 5150 and 6505+. All can get a similar high gain tone.

The 5150/5150II have more low mid grunt and sound more aggressive. At low volumes they sound like fizzy bees. If you can turn up the volume around 2 or more they sound so good.

The ultra series have active tone controls and far better cleans, therefore they can cover more ground and are more versatile. They sound great at any volume.

Well said.

 

[WizardSouth-JP]

The trick to the 6505 or 6505+ from what folks say is to boost the Crunch channel vs the lead channel. I've tried both and have to agree that the crunch channel boosted is more articulate and has more clarity. Boosting the Lead channel works for sure as well, but with the gain up past 2:00 it's freaking sizzly. I've been wanting to try the Invective as folks that have played it seem to say it's the best 6505 variant out there.

 

[TheWhiteShadow]

6505+ is a good amp, but I couldn't get around the fact it needed a boost pedal to get to my standards. Without a boost its a woolly, undefined mess.

I'm much happier with my JSX, XXX, and 5153.

What boost do you recommend and why? I ask because I always thought of the 6505 as already too powerful out of the box.

 

[Detroit1973]

6505+ is a good amp, but I couldn't get around the fact it needed a boost pedal to get to my standards. Without a boost its a woolly, undefined mess.

I'm much happier with my JSX, XXX, and 5153.

What boost do you recommend and why? I ask because I always thought of the 6505 as already too powerful out of the box.

Most people have used a TS9 or something Similar. When i had one (Block Letter 5150) i boosted the Rhythm chanel with a Maxon OD820.... Which i later sold both and now wish i had not.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

^^^
I use a TS9 because I got it cheap and it seems to do the trick.
For me it's not about adding power or gain when using an OD or boost with a high gain amp. Instead it's all about tightening or narrowing the frequency range of the lows and adding attack and cut in the mids. I've needed a TS type OD with every amp I've owned, including a Wizard. Only amp I've owned that I was satisfied with where no OD was required for my taste was the Savage 120.

 

[TheWhiteShadow]

^^^
I use a TS9 because I got it cheap and it seems to do the trick.
For me it's not about adding power or gain when using an OD or boost with a high gain amp. Instead it's all about tightening or narrowing the frequency range of the lows and adding attack and cut in the mids. I've needed a TS type OD with every amp I've owned, including a Wizard. Only amp I've owned that I was satisfied with where no OD was required for my taste was the Savage 120.

Because of its' EQ characteristics? Would an EQ suffice? I wonder what the difference would be.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

^^^
I use a TS9 because I got it cheap and it seems to do the trick.
For me it's not about adding power or gain when using an OD or boost with a high gain amp. Instead it's all about tightening or narrowing the frequency range of the lows and adding attack and cut in the mids. I've needed a TS type OD with every amp I've owned, including a Wizard. Only amp I've owned that I was satisfied with where no OD was required for my taste was the Savage 120.

Because of its' EQ characteristics? Would an EQ suffice? I wonder what the difference would be.

Not eq characteristics but because of the way it cuts/tightens the lows and adds in sharp attack. I personally don't get the same result using an eq pedal, at least not with the one I own (MXR 10 band), but the eq pedal is also something I could not do without. Use it in the loop of all my amps and without it I'd be utterly dissatisfied with any and all amps I've owned.

I've had guys on here tell me that by using an OD and an eq in an amp, especially a higher end amp, that I'm just degrading the natural tone of the amp. To each is own, because I feel the complete opposite in that my ears hear these tools as an absolute benefit to the tone/feel regardless whether it's a $500 amp or a $5000 amp.

 

[NinjaRaf]

Last weekend I saw Suffocation in Chicago, and their guitar tone has been haunting me ever since. They were using 6505+'s, boosted with an OD pedal through Vader cabs, and their tone was vicious. Krisiun also used Suffo's gear and his tone was equally wicked. Their tones had this juicy, "Balls to the Wall" like midrange that just wouldn't quit. I've never had a 6505+ and the GAS pains are calling. Are they really that good? I've got a 5153 50 watt and a XXX II (Thanks, Havok) already. How do they compare to the 6505+?

my Vader has a unique midrange that is there regardless of what amp im using, they are very distinct sounding cabs. im gonna guess the cab had more to do with what you liked hearing than the amp

The 6505+ is a really great high gain amp, I think, but I also agree with this...the cab probably has a LOT to do with what you are hearing. I have always loved 5150s through Legend V12s, which is what Vader is using in their newer cabs. I would say buy some of those speakers and see if that helps get your 5153 where you want it.

 

[Beyond Black]

Last weekend I saw Suffocation in Chicago, and their guitar tone has been haunting me ever since. They were using 6505+'s, boosted with an OD pedal through Vader cabs, and their tone was vicious. Krisiun also used Suffo's gear and his tone was equally wicked. Their tones had this juicy, "Balls to the Wall" like midrange that just wouldn't quit. I've never had a 6505+ and the GAS pains are calling. Are they really that good? I've got a 5153 50 watt and a XXX II (Thanks, Havok) already. How do they compare to the 6505+?

my Vader has a unique midrange that is there regardless of what amp im using, they are very distinct sounding cabs. im gonna guess the cab had more to do with what you liked hearing than the amp

The 6505+ is a really great high gain amp, I think, but I also agree with this...the cab probably has a LOT to do with what you are hearing. I have always loved 5150s through Legend V12s, which is what Vader is using in their newer cabs. I would say buy some of those speakers and see if that helps get your 5153 where you want it.

Very interesting. I may look into that. Suffo and Krisiun's tone was dark, fat yet tight, and juicy as fuck in the mids. Vader cabs both...A fellow RT'er who has both the 6505 and the EVH 50 watt told me that they are so close in tone, it would be redundant to have both ( I have the EVH 50 and love it). Maybe that was the V12's that I was digging so hard.

 

[Exo-metal]

I was just looking into boost pedals and came across the MK 4.23...and it looks legit.