Hi bud..Nice sound...I just bought same head..I can´t go with gain over 6 on lead channel..Crunch gain is usable till 6-7 then goes mudy .What preamp/power tubes are in?Cheers..Mary Xmass....
Just the video I've been looking for! I just wish you would've showed a comparison between attenuated and unattenuated.. I have a 6534+ and I'm really considering a HotPlate or Power Brake..
I would have loved to, LOL, but where I was living at the time was not conducive to playing that beast unattenuated. I would have pissed of a bunch of people. :-)
Great demo! but I can say from experiance of owning a MaRSHALL pb100, I wouldn't use that Power-brake...I owned one and used it on a plexi 100 watt and yes it attenuates the over all volume but with it comes a cost...Your amps tubes will burn out 10x faster or in my case a transformer burns out.
I no longer use any type of attenuator no matter what the brand...If the head is too loud to be played than it's time to sell it and get a lower wattage head...
From everything that I've read, they have identical circuit layouts. The 6505+ is allegedly the exact same amp with a different name because of the trademark that EVH had on the name "5150." Again, this is just from what I've read and heard during the past few years. I no longer have my 5150 II, but it was a great amp.
@ILikeToPlayGuitarToo from the reviews i've read go with the 6505. Or if your willing to spend the extra money why not go with the 5150 iii. It's a few hundred dollars more for one more channel. and usually 3 channel amps cost a fortune.
And your mom sounds like a swarm of whores. But seriously, your page shows that you have said the same thing on about a dozen or so 5150 videos on YouTube. I doubt you're even a guitarist, and if you are, you're probably not a very good one. Thanks, and goodbye. XD
They're cool amps. I retired mine about a year ago. I'm moving towards a rack system now. I've currently got a Mesa Mark IV, but I'm just not happy with it. It's ridiculous. I go through more amps in a year than any sane person should. I think I'm just too picky.
The head was a re ash of eddies soldano slo! i think the slo in a different league tho. good sound tho. i had a mk 1 sold it, got a mk 3 was shit! so i bought a slo, and its the last amp i will ever buy again for hard rock/metal.
It was based on the SLO, but I find them to be very different amps. I used this amp, along with a SLO, a Reverend Hellhound, Orange Rockerverb, and a Mesa DC-5 on the last album I worked on. I used the SLO for harmony parts, but I found that the 5150 II mixed a bit better. You can hear it at myspace.com/theredlistmusic.
I found that the attenuator had very little effect on the tone. The only real difference is that since the speakers aren't being pushed hard, you don't get the overdriven speaker sound, but that makes very little difference, even in a recording environment.
Great review. I have a 6505+ and unless I am playing metal or a few other things I keep it on the crunch channel. I can go from Bob Seger to AC/DC toVan Halen. I have found a lot of people on youtube putting this amp down for being a one trick pony, but I think they either A) don't know how the knobs work or B) have never been walked through what this amp can really do.
The Power Brake is a great tool and really easy to use. You simply run the speaker cable from your amp to the Power Brake, and then from the Power Brake to your cab. The knob on the front controls the power attenuation. It's made for 8 and 16 ohm. I would highly recommend getting one, if you can find one. They aren't made any more. The only thing close to it is the THD Hot Plate.
The first mistake people do is think about this monster as a metal head only...this amp, with a right setting lets you play from queen to ac dc to led zeppelin etc.
Ok you can't do funky or pink floyd stuff but remains a great amp.
It would work just as well. The SM58 is the exact same mic as the SM57 with the exception of the ball screen top vs the more cylindrical top. The internals are exactly the same. You can check out the specs on Shure's website. Thanks!
Yes. It does clean up pretty well. I like a slightly dirty clean channel, but that's just me. I'm using a Hughes & Kettner Switchblade 100 head now, and I still put a bit of gain on my clean channel.
@savannahalex iam guessing because its got two channels, your clean is both in your crunch and clean channell, and your lead is just the face melting gain that everyone knows? hence why you had a dirtier clean because it was set up for your gain as well? iam looking at these heads, just trying to get the ins and outs of em before i get one
That's exactly correct. I utilized it as a three-channel amp geared towards metal with the lead channel used specifically for solos, etc. A lot of people don't realize that the crunch channel with the gain dimed out is more than sufficient for playing metal rhythm while retaining note definition. The unfortunate caveat to that is that the EQ is shared for the clean and crunch. Luckily for me, I don't care for pristine clean tones.
@savannahalex a little bit of delay and chorus can sweeten up the clean a fair bit anyway. Have you played the 3120 by any chance. Just wondering how it would compare to the 5150ii/6505+
I have not played the 3120, but I've know a bit about it. It's basically the same circuitry as the Peavey XXX, but biased for EL34s instead of 6L6s. People used to take the XXX and mod them for EL34s, but it would often screw up the amp. Peavey saw the demand for it and created the 3120 as a response. That's about how it sounds.
@savannahalex yeah thats what i have been reading. All the sound clips give the impression that it is a nice amp. Most el34's sound really British, but most of the drive clips make it sounds very similar to the high gain accomplished by the 6l6's. Sound more engl than peavey, which isnt a bad thing. Cheers for answering my q's dude
The clean and rhythm channels were set at ~2.5, the lead was at ~2.2. The amp was running through the Powerbrake, which was set at near maximum attenuation.
My question is regarding the THD hot plate. Im totally new to tube amp, so my question is can i invest in a 50W krank or randall with 2 112 speakers cabs for jamming with my band and use the amp with the hot plate for bedroom practice without having to invest in a solid state which im not a big fan of. Will the THD bring the volume down to bedroom level without killing the tone. If not how about a 20W tube amp.
The THD Hot Plate functions in the same way that the Powerbrake does. You'll be able to take your high-wattage amp and run it through the Hot Plate for use at home. The effect it has on your tone will be minimal, if anything at all, and will mostly result from your speakers not being driven as hard as normal.
A 20W tube amp is another option, but believe me when I say that a 20W tube amp can still be brutally loud. I had Krank Rev Jr Pro once, and it was loud as hell.
I used Marshalls my whole life. Had a great deal fall in my lap on a 5150ii recently and had the same issues as you with finding a good example of what it could do. Your vid helped BIG TIME. I use EMG 81s as well, but thru Dean DIME models. Thanx bro...I own the head now and LOVE it. Now what to do with the 3 Marshall heads I have sitting in my room! lol
Oh no. It's definitely the amp. The clean channel breaks up easily. You'll always hear guys say that it's impossible to get a super-clean sound on the 5150 II, and that's a pretty accurate statement. The clean and crunch channel share an EQ, and the lead channel has its own EQ. If you like a sparkling clean tone, this amp really won't do it, but I like a bit of dirt in my clean channel, so I love the way the amp sounds.
I would like to ask about the Marshall Powerbrake you use. I recently got an Orange 5 watt class A valve amp, and have found that when cranked, it is much too loud for playing of an evening. Do you know if the Powerbrake would work with this amp? Sorry, if this sounds naive, but Im new to these types of products.
The Powerbrake can be used on any amp that has an output with either 8 or 16 ohm. If your amp fits that category, then you'll be good to go. You probably won't have to dime it out with your amp as I have to, and it will certainly quiet it down. The only catch is that you'll have to buy it second-hand, as they aren't made any more. I'd be happy to answer whatever I can about the Powerbrake.
Thank you, so far I've found nothing about whether it would be suitable for my amp, so you've helped me out a lot there! And yes, I've since discovered the powerbrakes have been discontinued. I dont suppose you would know of any similar products?
The closest thing to the Powerbrake that's made these days is the THD Hot Plate. The THD Hot Plates are all made with individual ohm settings, so you have to make sure that you get the one that will match the impedance levels are matched with your amp. I think they run around $350 US.
great demo man....i cant really tell from any videos and ive never really played with one enough to tell...but is the clean channel really as bad a people say it is?...i do love the crunch and lead on this sucker but i do like my cleans clean tho....would i be better off with a 6505+? absolutely fantastic playing btw
Thanks. The clean channel has some dirt in it, but I'm one of those weirdos that likes a slightly overdriven clean. The 6505+ is the exact same amplifier as the 5150 II. The reason the name is different is because EVH's endorsement contract was up, so the amp was renamed. As far as a metal amp with a clean clean sound, check out the Krank Rev, or any of the ENGL amps. Those sound pretty sweet.
get a fireball! they are $1400, and configured in the same vein as the original 5150. the distortion is fantastic and the clean channel is actually clean (and pretty good). unfortunately the clean channel, like the 5150, shares the EQ section with the distorted channel. at this point you just have to ask yourself if the extra $400 is worth the amps clean channel. chances are you will like it better than the 5150's. the engl's lead sound is pretty unique, too. keep that in mind. blah blah blah.
Thanks, man. I appreciate the comment. I had the Powerbrake on the quietest setting. It works great. I'm pretty sure you could use it in an apartment at 3am. That's the reason I got mine. The 5150 II is 120 watts of tube power, and I'm able to run it hot with the Powerbrake at all hours and it sounds killer.
Yea man, im thinking of getting either a ENGL SE or an ENGL Savage, but 90 percent of the time will be in my bedroom practicing, and I need it to be quiet! thanks for your reply!
Hey Alex, would you say that the power brake also helps with sustain at low volumes or just tone? Thanks!
Brandovibe 3 hours ago
anyone else jizz 2:23?
bballace122 1 month ago
Comment removed
bballace122 1 month ago
Hi bud..Nice sound...I just bought same head..I can´t go with gain over 6 on lead channel..Crunch gain is usable till 6-7 then goes mudy .What preamp/power tubes are in?Cheers..Mary Xmass....
wolfernus 2 months ago
@wolfernus Merry Xmas back at ya!
savannahalex 1 month ago
Just the video I've been looking for! I just wish you would've showed a comparison between attenuated and unattenuated.. I have a 6534+ and I'm really considering a HotPlate or Power Brake..
dbenc 3 months ago
@dbenc
I would have loved to, LOL, but where I was living at the time was not conducive to playing that beast unattenuated. I would have pissed of a bunch of people. :-)
savannahalex 3 months ago
@savannahalex nice bluesy stuff at the end man, Really great demo that showed of this things versatility, which has been lacking on youtube
Sean2592 2 months ago
@Sean2592
Thanks, man. I wish I'd done better recording this one, but it will suffice for now.
savannahalex 1 month ago
Great demo! but I can say from experiance of owning a MaRSHALL pb100, I wouldn't use that Power-brake...I owned one and used it on a plexi 100 watt and yes it attenuates the over all volume but with it comes a cost...Your amps tubes will burn out 10x faster or in my case a transformer burns out.
I no longer use any type of attenuator no matter what the brand...If the head is too loud to be played than it's time to sell it and get a lower wattage head...
Great playing in this demo!
JBL8863 4 months ago
which amp has better high gain sound? the 5150 II or the 6505+?
ILikeToPlayGuitarToo 7 months ago
@ILikeToPlayGuitarToo
From everything that I've read, they have identical circuit layouts. The 6505+ is allegedly the exact same amp with a different name because of the trademark that EVH had on the name "5150." Again, this is just from what I've read and heard during the past few years. I no longer have my 5150 II, but it was a great amp.
savannahalex 6 months ago
@savannahalex did you think the peavey 6505+ is best for playing metalcore?
ILikeToPlayGuitarToo 6 months ago
@ILikeToPlayGuitarToo
The 6505+ is a great all-around amp. It can handle metalcore without a problem.
savannahalex 6 months ago
@ILikeToPlayGuitarToo dude they are same both of the are same only the name is different...
padawan007 6 months ago
@ILikeToPlayGuitarToo both are the same... its only matter in eddie vs peavey contract they only changed the rights and the name of it.
padawan007 2 months ago
@ILikeToPlayGuitarToo from the reviews i've read go with the 6505. Or if your willing to spend the extra money why not go with the 5150 iii. It's a few hundred dollars more for one more channel. and usually 3 channel amps cost a fortune.
Sean2592 2 months ago
@rokinfknrol
And your mom sounds like a swarm of whores. But seriously, your page shows that you have said the same thing on about a dozen or so 5150 videos on YouTube. I doubt you're even a guitarist, and if you are, you're probably not a very good one. Thanks, and goodbye. XD
savannahalex 7 months ago
awsm
alexberdea 9 months ago
@alexberdea
Thanks, man. I wish I had my mic technique down back when I made this video. I may have to snag another 5150II to record.
savannahalex 7 months ago
@savannahalex
can'twait to hear it !
alexberdea 7 months ago
Whats your tuning?
TheFrequencyReport 10 months ago
@TheFrequencyReport
I want to say that I had that guitar tuned to drop C#. It's been a while since I did this video though.
savannahalex 10 months ago
my buds got one..best amp ive every played through..i want it so bad..no muddiness what so ever.
keidall 11 months ago
@keidall
They're cool amps. I retired mine about a year ago. I'm moving towards a rack system now. I've currently got a Mesa Mark IV, but I'm just not happy with it. It's ridiculous. I go through more amps in a year than any sane person should. I think I'm just too picky.
savannahalex 11 months ago
@savannahalex Probably the best 5150 demo EVER.
theallmightyham 11 months ago
are you running through anything else?? or is that straight guitar to amp...sounds amazing bro! great tones all around..
iminsan3 1 year ago
@iminsan3
That was my guitar straight into the amp. No pedals or anything. Thanks :)
savannahalex 1 year ago
ballsy :)
HorizonGeetar93 1 year ago
@HorizonGeetar93
Agreed.
savannahalex 1 year ago
The head was a re ash of eddies soldano slo! i think the slo in a different league tho. good sound tho. i had a mk 1 sold it, got a mk 3 was shit! so i bought a slo, and its the last amp i will ever buy again for hard rock/metal.
07989074102 1 year ago
@07989074102
It was based on the SLO, but I find them to be very different amps. I used this amp, along with a SLO, a Reverend Hellhound, Orange Rockerverb, and a Mesa DC-5 on the last album I worked on. I used the SLO for harmony parts, but I found that the 5150 II mixed a bit better. You can hear it at myspace.com/theredlistmusic.
savannahalex 1 year ago
does the attenuator take away any tone?
fenderstratjourney 1 year ago
@fenderstratjourney
I found that the attenuator had very little effect on the tone. The only real difference is that since the speakers aren't being pushed hard, you don't get the overdriven speaker sound, but that makes very little difference, even in a recording environment.
savannahalex 1 year ago
Great review. I have a 6505+ and unless I am playing metal or a few other things I keep it on the crunch channel. I can go from Bob Seger to AC/DC toVan Halen. I have found a lot of people on youtube putting this amp down for being a one trick pony, but I think they either A) don't know how the knobs work or B) have never been walked through what this amp can really do.
dlowrie290 1 year ago
How easy was it to use the Marshall power brake? I am thinking of getting one for my head...
I tried a volume box through the effects loop but I have been told I am only starving the pre-amp tubes using a volume box through the effects loop.
I have a 1960 Bugera 150 watt beast...It's modeled after Marshall's 1959 Plexi with a little more higher power.
I need to control the massive out put and still obtain the tube saturation. Is the Marshall Power brake worth getting?.
reditreefrogs 1 year ago
@reditreefrogs
The Power Brake is a great tool and really easy to use. You simply run the speaker cable from your amp to the Power Brake, and then from the Power Brake to your cab. The knob on the front controls the power attenuation. It's made for 8 and 16 ohm. I would highly recommend getting one, if you can find one. They aren't made any more. The only thing close to it is the THD Hot Plate.
savannahalex 1 year ago
The first mistake people do is think about this monster as a metal head only...this amp, with a right setting lets you play from queen to ac dc to led zeppelin etc.
Ok you can't do funky or pink floyd stuff but remains a great amp.
dado5150 1 year ago
definetly the Best 5150's review ever
giovanni65 1 year ago
@giovanni65
Thank you for the kind words. :-)
savannahalex 1 year ago
hey, you think the Mic Mate Pro could work well with a SM58? the SM57 sounded pretty nice in this....great tunes man btw cheers!
modelun12 1 year ago
@modelun12
It would work just as well. The SM58 is the exact same mic as the SM57 with the exception of the ball screen top vs the more cylindrical top. The internals are exactly the same. You can check out the specs on Shure's website. Thanks!
savannahalex 1 year ago
if you lowered your pre on your clean channel, would you have a less dirty clean?
flamey088 1 year ago
@flamey088
Yes. It does clean up pretty well. I like a slightly dirty clean channel, but that's just me. I'm using a Hughes & Kettner Switchblade 100 head now, and I still put a bit of gain on my clean channel.
savannahalex 1 year ago
@savannahalex iam guessing because its got two channels, your clean is both in your crunch and clean channell, and your lead is just the face melting gain that everyone knows? hence why you had a dirtier clean because it was set up for your gain as well? iam looking at these heads, just trying to get the ins and outs of em before i get one
flamey088 1 year ago
@flamey088
That's exactly correct. I utilized it as a three-channel amp geared towards metal with the lead channel used specifically for solos, etc. A lot of people don't realize that the crunch channel with the gain dimed out is more than sufficient for playing metal rhythm while retaining note definition. The unfortunate caveat to that is that the EQ is shared for the clean and crunch. Luckily for me, I don't care for pristine clean tones.
savannahalex 1 year ago
@savannahalex a little bit of delay and chorus can sweeten up the clean a fair bit anyway. Have you played the 3120 by any chance. Just wondering how it would compare to the 5150ii/6505+
flamey088 1 year ago
@flamey088
I have not played the 3120, but I've know a bit about it. It's basically the same circuitry as the Peavey XXX, but biased for EL34s instead of 6L6s. People used to take the XXX and mod them for EL34s, but it would often screw up the amp. Peavey saw the demand for it and created the 3120 as a response. That's about how it sounds.
savannahalex 1 year ago
@savannahalex yeah thats what i have been reading. All the sound clips give the impression that it is a nice amp. Most el34's sound really British, but most of the drive clips make it sounds very similar to the high gain accomplished by the 6l6's. Sound more engl than peavey, which isnt a bad thing. Cheers for answering my q's dude
flamey088 1 year ago
what was the volume at in this?
MarilynMansonsVagina 1 year ago
@MarilynMansonsVagina
The clean and rhythm channels were set at ~2.5, the lead was at ~2.2. The amp was running through the Powerbrake, which was set at near maximum attenuation.
savannahalex 1 year ago
My question is regarding the THD hot plate. Im totally new to tube amp, so my question is can i invest in a 50W krank or randall with 2 112 speakers cabs for jamming with my band and use the amp with the hot plate for bedroom practice without having to invest in a solid state which im not a big fan of. Will the THD bring the volume down to bedroom level without killing the tone. If not how about a 20W tube amp.
TerrorBlade84 1 year ago
@TerrorBlade84
The THD Hot Plate functions in the same way that the Powerbrake does. You'll be able to take your high-wattage amp and run it through the Hot Plate for use at home. The effect it has on your tone will be minimal, if anything at all, and will mostly result from your speakers not being driven as hard as normal.
A 20W tube amp is another option, but believe me when I say that a 20W tube amp can still be brutally loud. I had Krank Rev Jr Pro once, and it was loud as hell.
savannahalex 1 year ago
yes! the crunch is metal when cranked ,btw nice tone!
jo5377 2 years ago
Thanks, man. I blame it on the equipment.
savannahalex 2 years ago
I used Marshalls my whole life. Had a great deal fall in my lap on a 5150ii recently and had the same issues as you with finding a good example of what it could do. Your vid helped BIG TIME. I use EMG 81s as well, but thru Dean DIME models. Thanx bro...I own the head now and LOVE it. Now what to do with the 3 Marshall heads I have sitting in my room! lol
WILDCHILD518 2 years ago
I'm glad the demo helped. I dig those Dean guitars. The necks on them are pretty killer.
savannahalex 2 years ago
the riff in the crunch second remind me of ashes of the wake by lamb of god.
austin33309 2 years ago
Thanks, man. I'm a big fan of theirs. I guess their influence on my playing is obvious.
savannahalex 2 years ago
clean sounds kind of crunchy, could that just be the quality of the video? or is there some gain on it? other than that it sounds pretty brutal.
burnthehorizon 2 years ago
Oh no. It's definitely the amp. The clean channel breaks up easily. You'll always hear guys say that it's impossible to get a super-clean sound on the 5150 II, and that's a pretty accurate statement. The clean and crunch channel share an EQ, and the lead channel has its own EQ. If you like a sparkling clean tone, this amp really won't do it, but I like a bit of dirt in my clean channel, so I love the way the amp sounds.
savannahalex 2 years ago
This is a great, informative demo.
I would like to ask about the Marshall Powerbrake you use. I recently got an Orange 5 watt class A valve amp, and have found that when cranked, it is much too loud for playing of an evening. Do you know if the Powerbrake would work with this amp? Sorry, if this sounds naive, but Im new to these types of products.
RoarytheGuit88 2 years ago
The Powerbrake can be used on any amp that has an output with either 8 or 16 ohm. If your amp fits that category, then you'll be good to go. You probably won't have to dime it out with your amp as I have to, and it will certainly quiet it down. The only catch is that you'll have to buy it second-hand, as they aren't made any more. I'd be happy to answer whatever I can about the Powerbrake.
savannahalex 2 years ago
Thank you, so far I've found nothing about whether it would be suitable for my amp, so you've helped me out a lot there! And yes, I've since discovered the powerbrakes have been discontinued. I dont suppose you would know of any similar products?
Many thanks again
RoarytheGuit88 2 years ago
The closest thing to the Powerbrake that's made these days is the THD Hot Plate. The THD Hot Plates are all made with individual ohm settings, so you have to make sure that you get the one that will match the impedance levels are matched with your amp. I think they run around $350 US.
savannahalex 2 years ago
What's the music at the beginning of the video please ?
arpinz 2 years ago
Resurrection by Chimaira.
savannahalex 2 years ago
Thanks very much ! The quality sound is awesome
arpinz 2 years ago
great demo man....i cant really tell from any videos and ive never really played with one enough to tell...but is the clean channel really as bad a people say it is?...i do love the crunch and lead on this sucker but i do like my cleans clean tho....would i be better off with a 6505+? absolutely fantastic playing btw
Drumboy27 2 years ago
Thanks. The clean channel has some dirt in it, but I'm one of those weirdos that likes a slightly overdriven clean. The 6505+ is the exact same amplifier as the 5150 II. The reason the name is different is because EVH's endorsement contract was up, so the amp was renamed. As far as a metal amp with a clean clean sound, check out the Krank Rev, or any of the ENGL amps. Those sound pretty sweet.
savannahalex 2 years ago
yea gotta love engl but there pretty up there price wise...thanks for the help mang!
Drumboy27 2 years ago
get a fireball! they are $1400, and configured in the same vein as the original 5150. the distortion is fantastic and the clean channel is actually clean (and pretty good). unfortunately the clean channel, like the 5150, shares the EQ section with the distorted channel. at this point you just have to ask yourself if the extra $400 is worth the amps clean channel. chances are you will like it better than the 5150's. the engl's lead sound is pretty unique, too. keep that in mind. blah blah blah.
eclipseml 2 years ago
Hey best one i've herd!
Question: Are you using that power break?
and how well does it work? Can i use it at 3am in an apartment building?
ESPsandEmgs 2 years ago
Thanks, man. I appreciate the comment. I had the Powerbrake on the quietest setting. It works great. I'm pretty sure you could use it in an apartment at 3am. That's the reason I got mine. The 5150 II is 120 watts of tube power, and I'm able to run it hot with the Powerbrake at all hours and it sounds killer.
savannahalex 2 years ago
Yea man, im thinking of getting either a ENGL SE or an ENGL Savage, but 90 percent of the time will be in my bedroom practicing, and I need it to be quiet! thanks for your reply!
ESPsandEmgs 2 years ago
Is that little distort from your amp? :O
Juippiduippi 2 years ago
All of the distortion is coming from the amp. No pedals were used in the making of this video.
savannahalex 2 years ago
thanks dude nice demo
bailey12444 2 years ago
Thanks, man. I had fun making it.
savannahalex 2 years ago