Bought the aforementioned amplifier a while back, was told the tubes had been replaced recently (ruby) and I've put maybe 5 hours into playing on it. It sounds like it has lost its punch, its cajones, if you will. It sounds thin like its lost its power, especially on the low end. I'm guessing based on those factors it would be a good idea to replace the power tubes?
Peavey 5150 212 combo question...
- Thread starter bjeans79
- Start date
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Funkfingers
Guest
Re: Peavey 5150 212 combo question...
How loudly are you running this amplifier? Trying to play at modest "bedroom" practice sound pressure levels is not in its vocabulary. Turning any valve amplifier down really low will prevent it from giving of its best, pretty much in exactly the ways that you describe.
How loudly are you running this amplifier? Trying to play at modest "bedroom" practice sound pressure levels is not in its vocabulary. Turning any valve amplifier down really low will prevent it from giving of its best, pretty much in exactly the ways that you describe.
Gone_Shootin
New member
Re: Peavey 5150 212 combo question...
I had one and you're exactly right. Mine only sounded good if it was turned up.
I had one and you're exactly right. Mine only sounded good if it was turned up.
Re: Peavey 5150 212 combo question...
There is only one way to make a tube amp perform at its best and that is to crank that mofo, i agree absolutely. Yes I bug the neighbor's in the next county with this thing.
There is only one way to make a tube amp perform at its best and that is to crank that mofo, i agree absolutely. Yes I bug the neighbor's in the next county with this thing.
guitfiddle
firstlessonologist
Re: Peavey 5150 212 combo question...
Could be that the previous owner replaced the tubes bit didn't have the new tubes biased.
Could be that the previous owner replaced the tubes bit didn't have the new tubes biased.
Gone_Shootin
New member
Re: Peavey 5150 212 combo question...
It depends on the circuit. Both my JVM (thanks to some mods) and my Splawn sound good without being cranked.
It depends on the circuit. Both my JVM (thanks to some mods) and my Splawn sound good without being cranked.
Gone_Shootin
New member
Re: Peavey 5150 212 combo question...
Peavey 5150s all came from the factory with a fixed bias. Either a variable bias mod has to be done of you want to bias, or you have to purchase tubes that are pre-selected for the proper bias range.
Peavey 5150s all came from the factory with a fixed bias. Either a variable bias mod has to be done of you want to bias, or you have to purchase tubes that are pre-selected for the proper bias range.
GilmourD
Burritotoneologist
Re: Peavey 5150 212 combo question...
Technically you can adjust the bias. It just involves replacing a resistor. At that point I would do the bias mod since there's already going to be soldering going on.
Or you could talk to EuroTubes, who knows these amps inside out and will sell you tubes for the stock bias range.
5150 MkI heads did not have an easily adjustable bias. I thought they fixed that with the combo but I looked it up before I posted and I was wrong. That didn't come until the MkII head and the MUCH LATER 6505 1x12 combo.
Technically you can adjust the bias. It just involves replacing a resistor. At that point I would do the bias mod since there's already going to be soldering going on.
Or you could talk to EuroTubes, who knows these amps inside out and will sell you tubes for the stock bias range.
Re: Peavey 5150 212 combo question...
It definitely had the awesome tone they are known for at first. I've been very delicate with it as far as moving, but I've moved like 3 times since I played it a lot and haven't played it much for over a year... just sounded terrible and not as punchy as it used to.
It definitely had the awesome tone they are known for at first. I've been very delicate with it as far as moving, but I've moved like 3 times since I played it a lot and haven't played it much for over a year... just sounded terrible and not as punchy as it used to.
Re: Peavey 5150 212 combo question...
I was making a generalization, there are some great amps like you described for sure.
I was making a generalization, there are some great amps like you described for sure.
GilmourD
Burritotoneologist
Re: Peavey 5150 212 combo question...
If you want to get the original Ruby Tubes head over to TheTubeStore.com and tell them you have a 5150 2x12 combo without adjustable bias. They'll have a matched tube set for ya.
If you want to experiment, I'd say try some EH 6L6GCs or some JJs. If you have big bucks get some NOS Winged C 6L6GCs.
Tubes are just worn out.
If you want to get the original Ruby Tubes head over to TheTubeStore.com and tell them you have a 5150 2x12 combo without adjustable bias. They'll have a matched tube set for ya.
If you want to experiment, I'd say try some EH 6L6GCs or some JJs. If you have big bucks get some NOS Winged C 6L6GCs.