Peavey 6505 or 6505 plus?

[alashredder]

I've been hearing mixed comments regarding the extra tube that the plus has. Is it for the clean channel to make it more versatile or is it used in the lead channel for better gain? One guy had contacted Peavey and they said that both amps have the same amount of gain and distortion, it's just that the plus has a better clean channel due to the extra tube and also I heard from a personal friend of mine that has both amps saying that the plus has an extra tube in the lead channel for better distortion. Which is it???

 

[SpaceShipOne]

Re: Peavey 6505 or 6505 plus?

I dont know but I own a 5150 and play constantly 5150 2's and the 2's suck hardcore. It's like they lack all punch and bottom end. Think twang in a high gain structure. I've played tons, they all sound the same. The 5150 however it a bone crusher.

 

[alashredder]

Re: Peavey 6505 or 6505 plus?

You know what, that's the opposite of what my friend has said. His II's sounded so much better and kicked more ass than his back 5150. I did own the II, and to be honest, it sounds exactly what you described and somehow the sustain wasn't there. I wasn't happy with it and fiddled around with it for over a year, before calling it quits and selling it. It did not sound like some of the nicer sound clips from other 5150's or 6505's. I guess every amp sounds different, but I'm willing to give it a shot again. The regular 6505 at guitar center sounded kick ass and much different than my II. I'm just going to get the regular 6505 instead.

 

[SpaceShipOne]

Re: Peavey 6505 or 6505 plus?

You know what, that's the opposite of what my friend has said. His II's sounded so much better and kicked more ass than his back 5150. I did own the II, and to be honest, it sounds exactly what you described and somehow the sustain wasn't there. I wasn't happy with it and fiddled around with it for over a year, before calling it quits and selling it. It did not sound like some of the nicer sound clips from other 5150's or 6505's. I guess every amp sounds different, but I'm willing to give it a shot again. The regular 6505 at guitar center sounded kick ass and much different than my II. I'm just going to get the regular 6505 instead.

I agree with you BUT that is before the 5150 has a proper bias. Biased right they are beasts. They usually are at 7 to 12 mA, I have mine set at 37 mA and it is a HUGE difference.

 

[Virtual Kevorkian]

Re: Peavey 6505 or 6505 plus?

The 5150II is more processed sounding and has more of a twang to it.

The 5150 has more of a brutal 'roar' to it, has a bigger low end, and has a smoother top end.

They're both great amps, and are both really, really similar; both still get that signature '5150' tone.

 

[rivera213]

Re: Peavey 6505 or 6505 plus?

Go for a 5150 over the 6505 & 6505+.

The 5150 is like a bastardised SLO-100 so a better lead amp. A friend of mine has a 5150 & get's an excellent lead tone from it- http://youtube.com/watch?v=ng4MCTLfJ7A

The 6505+ is apparently very fizzy in comparison.

I'd say look out for a used 5150 over a 6505.

 

[Rowan]

Re: Peavey 6505 or 6505 plus?

The 5150 II also fetches an excellent lead tone. I picked one up a couple of months ago and have had pretty good results. It came with JJ tubes so I'm not sure how big a difference that will make on the tone.

Granted, my music isn't drop tuned or completely metal so if the 5150 II doesn't have as much gain as the 5150 then I am not missing it. I keep my gain at around seven or so. I will say however that the main downside to these amps is that they are noisy. Even with the lead channel on and your guitar volume off there is white noise you will hear. But with a noisegate you will be fine. As for fizziness, it will only be there if you are a bedroom player. That is, if you don't put the volume above "1" I usually gig and practice at "3-4" on the volume. It is a very loud amp with a good amount of roar.

As for the tone it is a little more old school sounding than modern. But I would say it is also pretty organic and even. I don't really need to boost any of the frequencies on the EQ. Nothing is too far off from 12 o clock including the resonace and presence. Leads on this amp are excellent and palm mutes have a sound I can only describe as mean. The clean channel is okay. Nothing fantastic but you can pull some fairly decent tones out of the rhythm channel with the Pre setting on low. The clean channel is little too bright and quacky for my tastes though.

I suppose go with the 5150 if you need more brutal, go with the 5150 II if you want a similar amount of brutal with more versatility.

 

[rivera213]

Re: Peavey 6505 or 6505 plus?

A noise gate is essential for any tube amp, i wouldn't hold it against the 5150 that it's noisy sans-gate cos even the highest quality hand made high-wattage tube amps have noise.

A ISP Decimator will shut up any amp.

3-4 is supposedly the sweet spot on the 5150.

I wouldn't recommend an amp this powerful for just bedroom playing though. Get a much lower wattage one for bedroom playing.

 

[Virtual Kevorkian]

Re: Peavey 6505 or 6505 plus?

I keep my gain at around seven or so. I will say however that the main downside to these amps is that they are noisy. Even with the lead channel on and your guitar volume off there is white noise you will hear. But with a noisegate you will be fine.

Sweet Jesus! Gain at 7!? No WONDER you get excessive noise! I kept my 5150II's gain at 4, with a TS infront and active pickups... 5 without the TS, but man! That's a TON of gain!

 

[suislidE03]

Re: Peavey 6505 or 6505 plus?

Yea, I had the + for half a year, and 7 is a huge amount of gain. I would only go up that high if the volume was real low or you dont have very high output pickups.

I agree with all the statements though, the + lacks that huge bottom end and low mids, doesnt have much chunk. What it does well is rhythm. It is a bit fizzy, but that decrease in chunk gives you an increase in clarity and punch (dont take that word for word). I noticed that fast palm muted rhythm will come through extremely well, and it is a fairly compressed amp, so its not boomy or overly bright unless you dont know how to work the EQ.

 

[alashredder]

Re: Peavey 6505 or 6505 plus?

I'm a bit weary buying used amps and prefer to buy new. I know I could save a few hundred on a used amp..but a new one would be a peace of mind for me. In case stuff happens it's covered under warranty as I would be the original owner. I know Peavey's are built tough and I'm willing to have a go at it again, but this time with a 6505 as its preferable for me at the moment.

 

[alashredder]

Re: Peavey 6505 or 6505 plus?

Sweet Jesus! Gain at 7!? No WONDER you get excessive noise! I kept my 5150II's gain at 4, with a TS infront and active pickups... 5 without the TS, but man! That's a TON of gain!

I had mine at around 7 as well, but that's with the volume at 1. Volume higher, I'd set it at 5 to 6 tops. I was using passive medium/high output pickups at the time. I imagine actives would be nowhere past 5 on the gain..lol

 

[Rowan]

Re: Peavey 6505 or 6505 plus?

Sweet Jesus! Gain at 7!? No WONDER you get excessive noise! I kept my 5150II's gain at 4, with a TS infront and active pickups... 5 without the TS, but man! That's a TON of gain!

Hmmm perhaps I should get mine checked out? It honestly doesn't sound like overkill at 7. At around 4 or 5 I'm getting more of a rock vibe.

 

[Virtual Kevorkian]

Re: Peavey 6505 or 6505 plus?

Could be preamp tubes, especially if you got it used. If they aren't high-gain graded JJ's, they could lack gain/treble/presence. You might also have a 12AT7 instead of an AX7 - I'd pop that back panel and post your results!

 

[Rowan]

Re: Peavey 6505 or 6505 plus?

Could be preamp tubes, especially if you got it used. If they aren't high-gain graded JJ's, they could lack gain/treble/presence. You might also have a 12AT7 instead of an AX7 - I'd pop that back panel and post your results!

The power tubes are the JJ's, I'm not actually sure what the preamp ones are...I'm going to have to check that out. But everything sounds else sounds fine, treble, presence etc. If the tubes do turn out to be 12ax7s could it be a bias problem? The amp has enough gain for me, but it seems I'm not getting as much gain as the rest of you guys if your Pre settings are around 4-5.

 

[Virtual Kevorkian]

Re: Peavey 6505 or 6505 plus?

Bias won't affect the amount of gain - that's a preamp issue.

 

[Rowan]

Re: Peavey 6505 or 6505 plus?

Okay I finally got a chance to open up the back of my 5150 II and I found out that I have sovtek 12ax7s. Are these quality tubes?

I've also been playing with my settings and have found that 5-6 on the pre is working better with a little less noise. I expected a different, more modern/compressed tone when I first got this amp. Adding more gain didn't really change the voicing like I thought it would. The peavey has an open, brash sound about it. My ideal amp would be a little different sounding but the 5150 II is still pretty monsterous, and it is still a huge upgrade from what I used to play on. Also, after doing a few guitar tests, it looks like my all mahogany LP guitar (EC-400AT) matches best with the amp's tone.

 

[viewaskew2k5]

Re: Peavey 6505 or 6505 plus?

5150 Iii!!!