Peavey 6505 or XXX Head?

Re: Peavey 6505 or XXX Head?

there are a lot of great amps and these are two of them. Myself, I seem to like 6L6 amps more often right away and these two are no exception. There is a lot of XXX hating out there, so if that doesn't bother you....I will compare both in stock form.

Both have the tone stack after the preamp. But the XXX's tone stack has active filters and that throws a lot of people off this amp, assuming they weren't thrown off by the trucker mudflap chicks on the front, thinking the girls are cheesy. I think the girls add to the amp's charm, and I love all 66 1/2 of them. The EQ is to be used in a more mild-mannered fashion than, say, a Marshall. The XXX's EQ is for fine shaping the tone, not your core sound. You mainly shape your tone on the XXX with the channel volumes in conjunction with the master volume, which has its own tube driver. The 6505 has no master volume, so like with any non-master-volume head you have to turn it up more for overdrive. The XXX is more flexible in that it lets you choose how much you overdrive the preamp and how much you overdrive the power amp (trainwrecking flexibility). More preamp than power amp = ~Mesa; preamp volume down, with the master volume up more, ie less power braking on the power amp section = ~Marshall.

So, the XXX is very unique. From what I understand, most non-master-volume amps that have been modded with a master volume just had a knob and rheostat added. The XXX's master volume has a dedicated tube driver. Basically it's an extra preamp tube, or gain stage, before heading to the power tubes. Kind of an ingenious design because of all that added flexibility it allows, and combined with the active tone stack that comes after the preamp itself--well, this allows for an incredibly dynamic front-end. The XXX-haters I have talked to know nothing about the importance of a master volume, and no experience with active EQ on an amp (I cannot think of any other amp with these features), so they just dial in their favorite Marshall/Mesa settings, say "yuck," have a second glance at the "cheesy" trucker chicks, and move on to the next amp saying that the XXX is a piece of crap, or it sounds like arse. Not.

The 5150/6505 has more gain stages, however, and can thus simulate a master volume effect, but you have to turn it up more for this to happen.

I like both amps. Perhaps, just perhaps, the 6505 sounds a bit cleaner when cranked. But the XXX has 3 channels, and I believe the 6505 sounds are to be found inside the XXX anyway.

Have someone show you another 3-channel amp with a master volume for $900 brand new. There isn't one. Next up the dollar chain is the JSX, with a few more features. But at $900 for a 3-channel amp with a master volume and this much brutality? The XXX was a no brainer for me. Excellent FX loop with send and return levels. Decent clean channel that stays clean, I kinda like it actually, it's OK. The lead channel is great. But it's that amber rhythm channel that is glorious. Sounds just as good or better than every Soldano I've played, and of course those are great amps. To me, the 2nd channel on the XXX sounds like a Soldano Avenger, which only has one channel and costs at least twice as much. BTW, the 6505 also gives Soldanos a run for their money.

I will say the XXX is picky about cabinets. I actually didn't like it at first because of this. At 400 watts, the matching XXX cabinet sounds underdriven, certainly no speaker overdrive. It wasn't until I tried the XXX through a Genz-Benz cab that I actually pooped a little. I've also noticed that if you have two 8-ohm cabinets, which allows you to run the output transformer at 4 ohms (full power), the XXX simply owns. Your top string will snap at you like my early Bogner Ecstacy from 1993 did (probably in the first 5or so that Bogner made, serial # was -+^. Had to sell it a few years ago to make the mortgage and save my house and avoid foreclosure). The only thing that Bogner had on my Triple X was the super-controllable "angel feedback" it gave, truly beautiful and unearthly. I've not found any other amp that does it.

XXX, 6505. Both great amps for about the same price tag, but the XXX is more versatile with 3 channels, has a more dynamic front-end with that active tone stack, and is more flexible at all gain settings, and can suit the bedroom player or studio dude better due to the internal power-brake more commonly known as a master volume. Plus it has those sexy mudflap chicks.

I would trade it for a VHT in a heartbeat, though. But I would still cry. And I'd miss the girls.

Mine has a blue jewel power light.

Don't understand all the XXX-hate out there. If you get one, prepare to defend it if you care to, and to be laughed at, especially by metal-snobs if there any of those in your circle.
 
Re: Peavey 6505 or XXX Head?

I personally find the 5150 more dynamic and responsive to playing. It sounds less processed, way more organic, more of a raunchy, squishy tone.

The XXX is also insanely low-volume for it's wattage. The XXX with all volume controls on 9 is barely as loud as my 5150 at 4.

I personally found the XXX to be a bit too processed sounding for me, and it had this annoying high-midrange quality that none of the eq knobs could dial out.


Definitely a cool amp, though - I just think it's pointless to get one when the JSX is a very much improved version.
 
Re: Peavey 6505 or XXX Head?

on my XXX with the gains at 3 or 4, pre/post volumes matched, and EQ straight up for no cut or boost of anything I get an organic squish that responds to pick attack and goes from blues to Decapitated (very good Polish death metal) with the guitar volume knob. That sharp mid thing is mellowed by lowering the gain. The XXX sure is a *weird* amplifier, but it has taught me so much. I don't have to stand in front of it turning knobs like the 3 Marshalls I've had, but when I do I feel like I'm learning more than tweaking. I've heard others talk about its alleged low volume, but I do not experience it in my home. Louder than God. I did experience that low volume thing in one music store (next to a hospital) but not another music store through the same kind of cabs. My theory is the amp is so sensitive at every stage, and all stages affect the others so much that electrical power differences somehow show up more readily? Like if all your neighbors are running their dryers at the same time and their refrigerators on high, and your bass drops. Or maybe I'm a hallucinating idiot. I do know I am a long-winded post-er, that's for sure.

The JSX is great, too, but I don't think the tone stack is active. I missed that dynamic, jump-to-the-tone-you-want front end (especially extreme, experimental tones you may want to try, like lowering all EQ in the 2-4 range so yer cutting a lot, but cranking the preamp volume) once I discovered that capability in the XXX. And the JSX was $400 more. Didn't seem as unique, but more plain-jane Marshall-y, albeit very, very good Marshall-y.

All 3 are good amps, especially for the price. But low-volume for its wattage? Not for me, VK. On the mid or loose damping setting, as loud as any amp I've had. Maybe it's funny or maybe I was drunk but I think I had that low-volume experience with a 6505 last week when I was trying out a guitar at the store, and the guitar was even high-output. But it was Guitar Center, 50 amps and devices turned on and an aggravating sound system blasting obnoxious emo all sucking the power.

BB you just gotta try em all, give it a week or two, and try em all again, and maybe do that a few times cuz they all sound different from day to day for a dozen reasons, due to electrical stuff or our own head trips. I've certainly fooled myself. But I've had this amp for over a year and am still learning new things about it despite its simpler-than-most control layout.

Can't really go wrong with any of the 3. But the XXX is different from any, and there is a learning curve. It is weird, for adventurers. Sweet goodness I wrote 2 books tonight, time to practice my playing.
 
Re: Peavey 6505 or XXX Head?

The JSX has the active tone controls.

It's definitely not very loud for a 120 watt amp - just like all Peaveys. I've had my old XXX side by side with my current 5150, and the 5150 is definitely louder. Keeping it on the loose setting definitely helps with that, as well as sounding the best IMO, but it really isnt that loud. My old 50 watt Single Rectifier crushed both of them combined for sheer volume, actually.

I've had the XXX, two 5150's, a 5150 II, and the JSX... The XXX is definitely the most processed, least organic sounding of them all, and that's why I ended up selling it.
 
Re: Peavey 6505 or XXX Head?

forgot about the Carvin. gotta respect VK's thorough testing, sounds like I have more to learn. XXX works for me for now but if I know myself I'm pretty sure I will have an EVH 5153 at some point no matter how "good" it sounds. I wish I had them all.

VK, what about 6505 vs. JSX regarding loudness?

Hey BarbarianBrute? could you help me out in the Pickup Lounge in my PATBs thread? I saw somewhere you recommended a PATB-3 to somebody and I'm wondering about that vs. the PATB-1 in my alder/maple for metal. thanks
 
Re: Peavey 6505 or XXX Head?

I like the XXX a lot. I sold my 2x12 versionand plan on getting the head again at some point. I thoght it was plenty loud but I wasn't putting up head to head against anything else. I canned the 6L6's and popped in Svet EL34's, it gave it a bit of a Marshall-y sound but way more flexibilty. I like that the combo had reverb, I always dialed in a bit since I didn't use the insanely high gain the amp was capable of. I loved the Crunch channel on the X.
 
Re: Peavey 6505 or XXX Head?

I like all of the amps, but I have and love my 5150II. It is my amp period! It does exactly what I want. I had the Ultra Plus for a long time, and that was the XXXs beginnings. Cool amp but not unique for me. I wanted that raw chew your face off. The other ones are more modern and wet sounding. I like em all though.
 
Re: Peavey 6505 or XXX Head?

Depends on the application. I'd name the XXX as the more versatile of the two, although if what you're doing really demands the "ripping", hardcore type sound then the 6505 is the choice.
 
Re: Peavey 6505 or XXX Head?

Every time I see a XXX, I laugh and scoff and turn my nose up high in the air. When I hear them, I run away, because that buzzing high/mid thing it does hurts my ears.

When I see a 5150/6505, I say "Ooooh!" and when I hear them, I say "WHOA!!"
 
Re: Peavey 6505 or XXX Head?

:0)

I am really enjoying the SD forum. I wish I had known about it years ago. Woulda saved me some pickup/amp/guitar trouble.
 
Re: Peavey 6505 or XXX Head?

jsx ALL the way. 3 channels, tone for days, very affordable. The tone is amazing. gate built in, etc.

I have had every major amp made, and the JSX is my favorite by far. Try it out...
 
Re: Peavey 6505 or XXX Head?

Regarding the comment that the JSX is not very loud, the JSX is loud as HELL. The kicker is the active send/recieve effects loop. Most dont realize it also affects the volume. So if you crank the send/recieve on the back to say 2-3 oclock, then master to 8, then tinker with the channel volume.

My combo is painfully loud.
 
Re: Peavey 6505 or XXX Head?

Triple xxx not loud enough? Many users don't realize this but the effects loop is always on even if nothing is plugged into it. You can only turn it off with the foot switch. So if you have the send and return controls not on 10 you are effectively lowering the volume between the preamp and output stage. It can act like a powerbrake, but with a master volume why? So turn those effects loop controls to 11 kids and tell me its still not LOUD enough..........
 
Re: Peavey 6505 or XXX Head?

I never said it wasn't loud enough - it's just not as loud as other amps. In a band setting, I had to have the volume controls pretty **** high, and I hate poweramp distortion. To get the same volume between amps, I had to have the JSX with the master on 6-7 and the channel volume on 9, the XXX with the channel volume the same and master at 7-8, the 5150 at 4-5, and the Single Recto at about 3.
 
Re: Peavey 6505 or XXX Head?

I never said it wasn't loud enough - it's just not as loud as other amps. In a band setting, I had to have the volume controls pretty **** high, and I hate poweramp distortion. To get the same volume between amps, I had to have the JSX with the master on 6-7 and the channel volume on 9, the XXX with the channel volume the same and master at 7-8, the 5150 at 4-5, and the Single Recto at about 3.

...what cab or speakers?

I have a Triple X 212 (V30s in it) and it is every bit as loud my Mesas. I noticed quite a difference in volume when the Celestions went in it.
 
Re: Peavey 6505 or XXX Head?

I never said it wasn't loud enough - it's just not as loud as other amps. In a band setting, I had to have the volume controls pretty **** high, and I hate poweramp distortion. To get the same volume between amps, I had to have the JSX with the master on 6-7 and the channel volume on 9, the XXX with the channel volume the same and master at 7-8, the 5150 at 4-5, and the Single Recto at about 3.

But is your send/return cranked as well, with the effects loop enabled? If not, try it, even if you dont have anything in the loop. It doubles the volume.
 
Re: Peavey 6505 or XXX Head?

guys, I just got beat up pretty bad. Still have tears (sniff). I mean I haven't been this brutalized since my doctor told me I needed more ruffage and then the nurse came in and beat the crap outta me. I removed the FX from the loop on my Triple X, and cranked the return as well as the send, just to see. Strummed something.

my amp threw me against the wall, bloodied my nose, knocked the wind outta me. Asked me if I wanted some more. I sobbed, "o-o...oh...kay...." and I launched into one of my death metal riffs at the end of the neck. When I woke up on the floor to the roaring feedback, and I gathered my wits and courage, I turned the master down *from 4 to 1* so I could try and figure out the new tone accompanying this new volume blast. Because, yes, it was twice as loud. I just unplugged after a fearful hour of high-decibel devastation to type this. Still crying though.

I mean I played with the send and returns when I got the thing, and I new the loop could do a volume boost, but not like this! I don't know how I never realized this, and I've had the amp a while. But I've been running for quiet operation per the manual: send up, return down. And I've only been running at 4 ohms for only a few months, maybe that makes a difference with the loop boost nightmare I just barely lived through. That Genz-Benz G-Flex 412 conveyed the amp's forceful message quite persuasively (with the Mesa 212 just behind, yelling, "Yeah!!! Take that you little rock punk bee otch!!!").

I am still shaking. Holy Frijoles, Batman. I think this successfully nukes the "XXX ain't loud" theory right out of the water. Not loud, oh whatever. It's like another master volume I just opened up, that FX loop. Much more to XXXplore now. Kuh CHUNK.


Props and points to BFahz and MotorBoy (with his total of one post - but what a post) for the education.

peace. I'm exhausted and ready for sleep. And scared.
 
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