Bringing out the best in a 5150II

zippy

zippy

New member
So I've decided with my Avatar cab on its way that I owe my 5150 another chance to really wow me before I decide put it on the 'bay again. What really brings out the best in 5150II's? I've been thinking about bias modding it and/or perhaps throwing an EQ in the FX loop. Maybe some reverb for the cleans. I have heard warming up the bias really makes these amps have some mojo. What really brings out the 5150ii's potential?
 
Re: Bringing out the best in a 5150II

Wow, nice job fellas, I think you answered his question!
Try some Groove Tubes, they really brought a fuller tone to my 6505+ and maybe it might work for you. I like the 6L6GE power tubes and ECC83 for the pre amp section and a 12AX7C or 12AX7M for the driver tube and fx loop.
You can also find all kinds of mods on google and stuff. Good luck!
 
Re: Bringing out the best in a 5150II

What don't you like about it? What are you trying to get out of it?
 
Re: Bringing out the best in a 5150II

Well, the JJ tubes I just put in it sound great and are still practically new..lol, but I really appreciate the suggestion. The new tubes definately did make a big improvement. :) But what ELSE can I do? I hear they are biased extremely cold and a bias mod takes this amp from awesome to WOWWWWWW. And also I've seen a few people that like putting a Boss GE7 or similar in the loop to take out a bit of the fizz.
 
Re: Bringing out the best in a 5150II

TSE said:
What don't you like about it? What are you trying to get out of it?
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Well, don't get me wrong, I really like it. I just feel like I could get more out of it. It's a bit fizzy for one. And It's just that I've heard certain things can make it even BETTER.
 
Re: Bringing out the best in a 5150II

If it's a 5150ll you don't have to get a mod for biasing it, I think you can bias it yourself because the pot is next to the tubes. As for the fizz, you can find alot of crazy ways to mod it on the internet, you can use a rounder, fatter sounding tube like the 12AX7C or a lower gain tube like a 12AY, AU, or AT7. Also, when I started using less trebbly, smoother sounding pickups like the DMZ Air Zone it cut down on the fizz alot as well.
 
Re: Bringing out the best in a 5150II

Was having a bit of a rough patch with my 5150II as well...

Slapped in some JJ 6L6's and redid the pre's with high-gain graded JJ 12AX7's - it's perfect now!

Also, really look into putting an OD infront of the amp, to tighten things up and give it a bit more clarity/punch.
 
Re: Bringing out the best in a 5150II

Yea im getting really turned off of mine because of the fizz, and just not enough body. New tubes and hot bias helps the body to an extent, but there is still too much fizz. Im really considering selling it and going back to Laney, but I just need the motivation to do it all.
 
Re: Bringing out the best in a 5150II

Re: Fizz

Try some JJ 12ax7s. I personally haven't tried them in a 5150, but in numerous other amps I've found them to be the enemy of fizzy top-end every time.
 
Re: Bringing out the best in a 5150II

JJ's work for alot of people.......in my experience I've never found an amp I like JJ 12AX7's in......to me they're the epitome of "top end fizz" This is my own opinion. I really like the reissue Tung-Sol 12AX7's. They're my personal favorite. I don't have a 5150 so no experience there.....I have played a few and like them.
 
Re: Bringing out the best in a 5150II

Go amp shopping, and as soon as you hear something that excites you, list the 5150 for sale.

I could say to buy Svetlana 6L6's and Tungsol Pres, a 31 band EQ in the FX loop, 4 vintage 30's, etc, but you'll end up spending hundreds getting it to sound great. Instead, I'd probably look at ENGL, Bogner, Marshall JVM, Laney, or a Mesa Roadster.
 
Re: Bringing out the best in a 5150II

Gearjoneser said:
Go amp shopping, and as soon as you hear something that excites you, list the 5150 for sale.

I could say to buy Svetlana 6L6's and Tungsol Pres, a 31 band EQ in the FX loop, 4 vintage 30's, etc, but you'll end up spending hundreds getting it to sound great. Instead, I'd probably look at ENGL, Bogner, Marshall JVM, Laney, or a Mesa Roadster.
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Yeah, honestly that's what I was thinking. That's what got me thinking about selling the 5150 to begin with is I played through a Rectifier at GC and felt like I could be doing better. I just figured I'd give the 5150 the ole' college try before I got rid of it to make sure I was doing the right thing, know what I mean?
 
Re: Bringing out the best in a 5150II

zippy said:
Yeah, honestly that's what I was thinking. That's what got me thinking about selling the 5150 to begin with is I played through a Rectifier at GC and felt like I could be doing better. I just figured I'd give the 5150 the ole' college try before I got rid of it to make sure I was doing the right thing, know what I mean?
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I had a dual rec and sold it for the 6505. Good choice. Dual Rec is all punch, and absolutely no bite, no definition. It has tons of low end, but the low end is slop. Can't cut worth a **** live. Good luck with that one.
 
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Re: Bringing out the best in a 5150II

Gearjoneser said:
Go amp shopping, and as soon as you hear something that excites you, list the 5150 for sale.

I could say to buy Svetlana 6L6's and Tungsol Pres, a 31 band EQ in the FX loop, 4 vintage 30's, etc, but you'll end up spending hundreds getting it to sound great. Instead, I'd probably look at ENGL, Bogner, Marshall JVM, Laney, or a Mesa Roadster.
Click to expand...

Wow, after reading this post I looked up some ENGL's, and the Fireball looks to be almost EXACTLY what I've been looking for. Lower wattage, more versatile than a 5150 and without the fizz, but still with a** kicking high gain! Think the Fireball would be an upward movement? It doesn't seem to be too expensive either.
 
Re: Bringing out the best in a 5150II

I think the fireball would be a good amp for you. Powerball is too expensive I think.

sosomething- the 6505+ comes with all JJ pre tubes, I upgraded to JJ power tubes in mine and cranked the bias. Fizz fiiiiizz.
 
Re: Bringing out the best in a 5150II

It's probably your speakers, Suislide. I get nothing but useable frequency range out of mine.

What are your settings like, though?
 
Re: Bringing out the best in a 5150II

Typically my sound happens with bass 5, mids 6-7, treble ~2, presence 5 or lower. Gain 3-4 with the SD1 on it. Speakers are a governor and T75 (I know, but ive tried just the gov alone).
 
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