Peavey or Mesa?

Rowan

Rowan

New member
Okay I think narrowed down my amp choice to either a 5150 or a mesa single rectifier.

Whats a good used price for these amps? And......

Which would you guys choose and why? I need something that RIPS for metal, but I wouldn't mind some versatility to go with it. I like my distortion tones to be organic but also aggressive and high gain. My budget is $500-$700 so I'll have to find one used for sure. Or maybe there is something better in my price range?
 
Re: Peavey or Mesa?

Between those two it will really boil down to personal preference. The peavey has a more midrange oriented sound and a slight nasal quality that makes it record quite well. The gain is also smoother overall. The mesa will destroy it for versatility however- I went with mesa for that and the fact that I liked the voicing better overall. I know for a fact some people don't like the high end on mesa though so it boils down to preference. I wouldn't say they're apples and oranges... but apples and pears maybe? Bad analogy but you understand- they're similar but different enough that it'll be up to you.
 
Re: Peavey or Mesa?

AmirH said:
Between those two it will really boil down to personal preference. The peavey has a more midrange oriented sound and a slight nasal quality that makes it record quite well. The gain is also smoother overall. The mesa will destroy it for versatility however- I went with mesa for that and the fact that I liked the voicing better overall. I know for a fact some people don't like the high end on mesa though so it boils down to preference. I wouldn't say they're apples and oranges... but apples and pears maybe? Bad analogy but you understand- they're similar but different enough that it'll be up to you.
Click to expand...

+1 to the versatility... plus, if volume is an issue for you, a 50 watt single will kill a 120 watt peavey. mine does....and with 50 watts theres also the other side of using it at a lower volume and still getting a good sound. i think the main thing that sold me on the mesa, was the fact that i didnt have to crank it to get a good rippin sound. with the peavey, the gain level is controlled by the volume (pre, and post) so you have it get it fairly cranked to get it good and saturated... otherwise you could buy an attenuator, but thats another couple hundered bucks. my mesa can sound good at low levels and high. virtual kavorkian would be another good person to ask. he's had more experience with the 5150s, and some with the mesa too
 
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Re: Peavey or Mesa?

I played the Rectoverb for about 15-20 minutes one day and I loved that thing, just too much amp for me or else i would have bought it. I've heard plenty of 5150's but never had a chance to play one.
 
Re: Peavey or Mesa?

Mesa Single Recto. You can probably find one for about $800-$850 used.

They're great amps. Great sound and plenty of headroom.

If $700 is your max the Peavey XXL is a very good amp. I had one for a little while but just didn't use it because I always ended using my Dual Recto. But the rehearsal space we were in for a few months had one and I loved it.
 
Re: Peavey or Mesa?

No experience with the Peavy, but I have tried the rectoverb combo. Great amp, nice distortion, but not very versatile.

The cleans sounded like crap too, but that was after the salesguy demo'ed the Lone Star for me...
 
Re: Peavey or Mesa?

peavey for price and if you want a sound in the marshall style (albeit much stronger and woth more gain) Mesa for the newer metal tone and more versatility. the cleans on both arent all that great imo
 
Re: Peavey or Mesa?

I've just found a 5150 for $600. I never see single rectifiers for sale (always double or triple) but maybe I should hold out for one.....

Could you guys do me a favor and listen to a little of my music on my band's myspace, and tell me whether my tone is closer to peavey or mesa? Its a line6 spider 75watt amphead, I like the voicing but a 5150 or mesa would be a huge upgrade.


Virtual Kervokian what say you? I know you are familiar with the 5150 and play a heavier style.
 
Re: Peavey or Mesa?

The more I play the Stiletto Ace, the more I like it. The single rectifiers are solid amps as are the 5150s, but I have found the rectos to be more versatile (there are much better cleans). :)
 
Re: Peavey or Mesa?

anewdefguitarist said:
with the peavey, the gain level is controlled by the volume (pre, and post) so you have it get it fairly cranked to get it good and saturated...
Click to expand...

DEAD WRONG!

The pre control IS the gain control... post is just volume. pre = gain, post = volume. You can get it saturated as hell with the volume OFF!



I've got my 4th 5150 arriving next Monday... I've definitely got a bit of experience with these amps :-D.

Recto is way more versatile, has better cleans, is louder (both are plenty loud, don't worry about this), is a bit more 'brutal'/powerful sounding.

The 5150 is way smoother, doesn't feel as stiff, is more natural/organic/open sounding, has a much better lead tone, doesn't have a scratchy/grating a top end.

It all depends on your taste/playing style.

Also, are you in a band? One guitar or two?
 
Re: Peavey or Mesa?

Mesa?
Only the Mark IV..I think it fits your music well ,and it has only usable tones...The saturation is the best what Mesa made ,the cleans are great ,and the switchable EQ is a great thing!
 
Re: Peavey or Mesa?

Two guitar band. The music is in my sig.


And thats interesting about the volume. The 50 watt is louder than the 100w (or is it 120w?)

But Im not too concerned about volume, I'm sure both amps are louder than my line6 and I usually don't have to go past 5 or 6 on that amp.

I think I might buy the 5150 though...I've liked what I've heard/read about it. Is $600 a good deal for a 10yr old 5150?
 
Re: Peavey or Mesa?

$600 is a pretty good price on a 5150. I just paid 700 shipped for mine.

It's just that Mesa is SUPER conservative with their ratings, while Peavey tends to just look at it and count the power tubes, and apply the max wattage possible.


I think both would fit your music fine - try em both and keep whichever sings to you! I seriously haven't found an amp that sings to me like my 5150's do, and I've searched long and hard to try out just about everything I can.... nothing compares!

Listening further, the very 'organic'/open nature of your music would lead me to believe that the 5150 would suit you a bit better.
 
Re: Peavey or Mesa?

I have the XXL from Peavey. Its OK. You won't find many people playing them cause it's solid state. Its good enough and pretty versatile. Three channels, footswitch, seperate EQs for each channel, speaker dampening, effects loop, reverb, msater volume. Its cool. But I am sold on the Hughes and Kettner if you can find one.
 
Re: Peavey or Mesa?

Virtual Kevorkian said:
DEAD WRONG!
doesn't have a scratchy/grating a top end.
Click to expand...

Just for perspective here... I can dial in amazing lead tones on the mesa without the scratchy top end and wouldn't have bought it if I couldn't. However, that can be an issue when you dial it in for a tight rhythm cuz that scratchy top is what makes it so brutal and percussive. That said... his sound clips are voiced more 5150 style so I agree it's a better fit- at least for gain. Clean... well- we know the score on that I spose.
 
Re: Peavey or Mesa?

h8red442 said:
4th sir? Can I ask why? Do you keep blowing them up?
Click to expand...

1st I sold to get a Single Rectifier... ended up missing it, sold the Recto, bought another.

2nd I sold to buy a JSX... ended up missing it, sold the JSX, bought another.

I got it used from a Guitar Center in another state - I thought I was buying a 5150... they shipped me a 5150II. I don't like it as much as the original, so I ordered another 5150, and am selling the 5150II as soon as it gets in.

Also, this will be my first 'stock' 5150, and I honestly think they sound best stock.

The first was FJA Modded - didn't like it that much compared to the others.
The second had the bias mod done - was just a bit too different for me to work out long term.


I definitely will not ever sell this 5150. Got it for a solid price, and I've learned my lesson more than a few times.
 
Re: Peavey or Mesa?

What don't you like about the 5150 II Virtual K?

I've just found one for $450. Is a regular 5150 worth the extra?
 
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