5150 With Bias Mod.

[NathanCahill]

Is the end result of buying a 5150 having it biased hotter. (Maybe even a 5150EX) worth the cash and time. Should I go with something else like a riviera (spelling) , bogner, Dizel , etc?

I have had my eye on a 5150 or a marshall silver jubilee for a while.

Just can't decide. My current amp is a classic 30 and it is good for a lot of things but I wan't it to have a big, mean brother.

 

[mrid]

Re: 5150 With Bias Mod.

If you can afford a Rivera, Bogner, Diezel, or Marshall Jubilee, don't waste your time and money on the 5150.

 

[NathanCahill]

Re: 5150 With Bias Mod.

I can afford any of them, some may just take a little (or a lot) longer to get is all. The local music shop only has a 5150 I can play with and of course it is stock. I want to have the option of cleans better than the stock 5150. I have heard the Jubilee in action and am impressed. I would like to try some of the others listed but I may have to go to St. Louis to try them unless I can talk the shop into getting one to demo (quite possible but I would like to know which to try).

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: 5150 With Bias Mod.

Nathan, I can't stand the 5150, but that's a side-point.
My recommendation is that you save your cash and go exploring -- play whatever you can within a 150 mile radius of your house. If the 5150 is your favourite, then you've saved some $$.

 

[NathanCahill]

Re: 5150 With Bias Mod.

Just took a look the Herbert on the Diezel site. I'm intrigued but, 180 WATTS!!!

 

[mrid]

Re: 5150 With Bias Mod.

Just took a look the Herbert on the Diezel site. I'm intrigued but, 180 WATTS!!!

Diezel is coming out with a new model pretty soon. It'll be called "The Einstein" and the power rating is 100 watts. I've heard it's voiced similar to the Herbert/VH-4, but with a bit more of a vintage vibe to it.

http://www.diezelamplification.com/diezelhtml/d4.html

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: 5150 With Bias Mod.

I've only played the VH-4, and that's a great monster amp, very versatile.
I still like my Rivera Knucklehead/Engl/JCM800 combination tho.

 

[Fritz6]

Re: 5150 With Bias Mod.

Peavey biases them cold so the tubes wont blow during the warranty period. The combo's dont have that problem I've heard. Haven't biased my 5150 yet. Gonna do it when I get new JJ's.

The 5150 is NOT a low volume amp. The output tranny doesnt really kick in till around 6-7 so most people just crank the preamp and it sounds like crap. Presence at zero, pre around 4, volume around 6-7 with a low output bucker'll get you a nice big clear sound.

Course you'll be knockin squirrels outta trees at 100 yards at that volume.

 

[rspst14]

Re: 5150 With Bias Mod.

The combos are biased differently than the heads, which is why a lot of people prefer the warmer-biased combos. I like a lot of the tones that artists who use the 5150 get, but I don't think I'd want one myself. One thing you might want to consider is getting a 5150 II and modding the lead channel to 5150 specs. It only takes a few simple tweaks to do this, and you get the bonus of having a separate EQ for each channel, as well as a few other advantages I can't remember right now.

Have you tried the new JSX from Peavey? That's what I would go for if I were in the market for a new amp. Nice clean channel, overdrive channel that's voiced like a Classic 50, and a lead channel that is capable of heavy distortion.

Ryan

 

[NathanCahill]

Re: 5150 With Bias Mod.

I've not managed to play a JSX yet but have played a XXX. It just didn't "feel" quite right. I guess I need to go in with my Les and spend a little more time. I didn't have my guitar when I tried it, just one of the rack. :blackeye:

And that would deffintely be cheaper than the $4100 list price for the Herbert. No matter how good it looks thats just a lot.

 

[Majestic]

Re: 5150 With Bias Mod.

One problem with the combo, is that you're stuck with those speakers. Eddie *doesn't* use those stock cabs....his Peavey cabs are loaded with low-wattage Celestions.

You could always put Greenbacks or Vintage 30s in the combo, but it's heavy as hell at almost 80 lbs., and extremely awkward.

If you already have a great vintage cab, you may want to try the 5150 head on top of it. You might also try EL34s in the amp.