So I Played a 5150 IIIS EL34....

[glpg80]

I got the chance to crank it up and see what it was all about. First impressions? I don't hear the cocked-wah sound at band volumes everyone is discussing

The mids seemed to sit exactly where they're supposed to even with the mids dialed in at 6 on the lead channel. The lead channel doesn't clean up quite as good as my 5150 II does, but it does get clean. You have to REALLY REALLY dial back the guitar volume to get there though.

There's enough gain on the crunch channel to just stay there and nowhere else. Seriously this amp has way more fucking gain than anyone really needs

This amp is also LOUD. It has headroom for MILES on any of the channels and could service band practices outdoors with ease. It's as loud as my 5150 II and louder than many of the 5150 block letters I've played on, and I even swapped transformers on mine to MM iron.

The resonance and presence controls on each channel is a welcome match, and something that really kept me from getting the 5150 III 6L6 series when they first came out.

I considered the thought of trading my 5150 II in on one, but I haven't given my amp a go with EL34's yet, and want to try that first. Even used though, the price is just stupid high on these. With as close as my 5150 II sounds overall, I'm not sure the tone is worth the extra price.

IF someone needed an end all, be all gigging amp to cover all platforms of rock to metal in one box, this would be it. Personally, I liked it a lot and see why the hype exists

 

[CP5150]

I want the 100 watt. I played the 50 watt and liked it. No cocked wah whatsoever. Good bass for a 50 watt. But I've learned I'm not satisfied with 50 watts or less as time goes by. 100 watts is the only way to go for me.

Interesting side note. I borrowed a JCM 2000 100 watts. Basically the DSL 100. Been wanting one. Was about to get one. Listening to recordings of it at full volume with a band...totally had that cocked wah sound. Maybe there's something wrong with this one as I couldn't get it to stop howling and feeding back. I used all my usual gear including same guitar as in other recordings of us. So it's definitely that JCM 2000. My old Peavey 5150 slays it in every way. In fact I'm dusting it off tonight to play.

 

[glpg80]

They also had the new DSL 100HR. From the youtube clips I've heard of the amp, I'm not too keen on them at the moment. They seem to fall apart at band volumes like the solid-state MG series of marshalls. Get some heat soaking in them, and the tone changes for the worst. I have not played one yet, but I'm holding my opinions until I do.

The more I look back on playing this amp, the more I seem to like it. It did remind me of the Fortin Bones that I played a long time ago. Similar feel and gain-level, just a more ratty style of gain structure, where the Fortin was more defined and clear. Both are in the same ballpark IMHO.

Between the two, I think I'm starting to lean more towards the 5150 III. I could see owning one for sure as well. The price point puts it well into boutique amp levels though - but still half the price of a new Fortin after taxes and shipping.

 

[Mailman1971]

I got the chance to crank it up and see what it was all about. First impressions? I don't hear the cocked-wah sound at band volumes everyone is discussing

The mids seemed to sit exactly where they're supposed to even with the mids dialed in at 6 on the lead channel. The lead channel doesn't clean up quite as good as my 5150 II does, but it does get clean. You have to REALLY REALLY dial back the guitar volume to get there though.

There's enough gain on the crunch channel to just stay there and nowhere else. Seriously this amp has way more fucking gain than anyone really needs

This amp is also LOUD. It has headroom for MILES on any of the channels and could service band practices outdoors with ease. It's as loud as my 5150 II and louder than many of the 5150 block letters I've played on, and I even swapped transformers on mine to MM iron.




The resonance and presence controls on each channel is a welcome match, and something that really kept me from getting the 5150 III 6L6 series when they first came out.

I considered the thought of trading my 5150 II in on one, but I haven't given my amp a go with EL34's yet, and want to try that first. Even used though, the price is just stupid high on these. With as close as my 5150 II sounds overall, I'm not sure the tone is worth the extra price.

IF someone needed an end all, be all gigging amp to cover all platforms of rock to metal in one box, this would be it. Personally, I liked it a lot and see why the hype exists

Spoken for the truth!!
Probably my all time favorite amp.
This things a MONSTER!!!

 

[glpg80]

You owned a Fortin Bones back in the day didn't you Danno? Do you also see some similarities in the voicing to the Fortin? I know I did at least. They seem pretty damn close.

 

[Mailman1971]

I did. But the EL34 stealth just steam rolling over every thing.

 

[peckhart]

I really like mine a lot. Mine is Kruse modded and I got it on trade already modded. I don't utilize all the mods, but do like setting the Supersonic control to about 9:00. It adds some nice clarity and opens it up a bit.
I pretty much live on the blue channel. I run a para EQ in the loop to boost volume for leads, but could easily use the red channel for that.
It's aggressive with a killer low end kick and of course boat loads of gain. Neither blue or red is ever above 12:00 on the gain.
Been gigging and enjoying mine for sure.

 

[Deleted member 22177]

Have you guys played the 6l6 Stealth? How does it compare to the EL34?

 

[D-Rock]

What happened to the 5150 badge on that one you demo'd! Lol!

 

[glpg80]

What happened to the 5150 badge on that one you demo'd! Lol!

Someone robbed it

I was going to ask them to take the price off of a new front cover since it's damaged.

 

[Mailman1971]

Dude that Amp is so bad ass!
Had the 6L6 model too.
This one has more bite!
But yes. The eq in the loop is the sealer.

 

[glpg80]

Have you guys played the 6l6 Stealth? How does it compare to the EL34?

I haven't played the stealth 6L6 version, but I have played the regular 6L6 version. IMHO the cocked wah mids thing did exist in the regular version, but seems to be fixed with the stealth series. The amp I played had epic shit loads of gain on tap - more than anyone should ever really need. I honestly think the amp has so much gain, that it takes away from the dynamics of the amplifier if turned up too much.

Like with any 5150 that has lots of gain, this amplifier needs to be cranked. I wouldn't spend the kind of coin this amp goes for with the intentions of not cranking it - save your money and go with a Helix if that's the intentions. I told the store point blank that their sound shield on the open floor wasn't going to cut it, and that for me to be interested, I was going to need to open it up either in a drum demo room or a lesson room. 5150's and bedroom volumes just don't mix (pun intended).

 

[glpg80]

Dude that Amp is so bad ass!
Had the 6L6 model too.
This one has more bite!
But yes. The eq in the loop is the sealer.

You think it has more bite? I think it has more growl. The EL34s really bring to light a welcomed mid-structure that the 6L6 version lacked at band volumes. It really made a big difference getting to open it up a bit - I really liked it

 

[Mailman1971]

We dubbed it ‘The monster ‘

 

[lowmantotempole]

You owned a Fortin Bones back in the day didn't you Danno? Do you also see some similarities in the voicing to the Fortin? I know I did at least. They seem pretty damn close.

 

[glpg80]

You owned a Fortin Bones back in the day didn't you Danno? Do you also see some similarities in the voicing to the Fortin? I know I did at least. They seem pretty damn close.

Hey I call it like I see it! I've played both and they're pretty damn close

 

[stephen sawall]

I was amazed at the amount of gain available. More than enough for anything I would ever do.

 

[Mailman1971]

Bones was good. But mike told me it wasn’t a metal amp.
More hard rock. Which it did awesome.
I guess I wanna drive a Ferrari in 1st gear going 60
With the option of WFO (wide fucking open!!) when I want.
Then a cobalt with turbo charged going 129 mph.
Seriously. Both are good. But the monster wins.

 

[tlingen]

My Bones head sounded great as a hard rock amp! I think Dan bought or traded for it...