Peavey or Mesa?

[AmirH]

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?

Dude... jump on it! Jeff likes the regular 5150 better cuz he has no use for a clean and it's slightly rawer/less processed sounding. The two are very similar but the normal 5150 has more grunt for straight on metal. For your style the 5150 II is actually a better fit cuz it has usable clean channel. And man for 450 you cant go wrong- you could turn it around and sell for a profit if you don't like it.

 

[Virtual Kevorkian]

Re: Peavey or Mesa?

Actually, I found the clean channel on the original pretty cool with my G-Major in the loop... I just don't use it that much, not to mention I usually kept the EQ's pretty similar.

I dunno why people say that the 5150II has such an advantage because of the clean channel... it's really not a big deal, that separate EQ, IMHO. The EQ on the 5150 is so limited anyways... it's like splitting hairs.

That said, the 5150II is 'twangier' and a bit less ballsy. It's voiced cleaner, overall, but doesn't have the same grind/chug to my ears. Still a way cool amp, better than most I've tried, and DEFINITELY worth $450! You can sell it for nearly twice that, if you want, later down the road!

 

[AmirH]

Re: Peavey or Mesa?

Right... but listening to his clips I think the II is a better fit for his particular style- it isn't balls to the wall metal like we play... it could benefit from that cleaner sound. In any case, we're in agreement that you need to buy it- that's just ridiculous cheap.

 

[alex1fly]

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...

You think the amp isn't very versatile after playing it in a guitar store? Not a good way to judge an amp's versatility IMO... especially with Mesas, most Mesa users admit that it takes MONTHS of tweaking and using the amp in many different situations to really get to know the amp and what it can do.

Single Rectifiers and the recently discontinued F-series would be a good purchase. I love the F-30. Its loud enough to blow away any small-medium venue, sounds amazing cranked and at low volumes, and it has that Mesa aggression and bite without being too typical Recto-sounding (though it can definitely keep up with the Rectos). Still in your price range too. It has EL-84 tubes, which add extra sparkle to the high end compared to the 6l6s in the Rectifiers, which in turn helps make the cleans VERY pristine. Check one out! Does the metal thing nicely, and on the plus side its a little easier to dial in than a Recto (in my opinion). But there are still a world of tones in it- a small knob tweak is all you need to get a completely different tone! Very honest amp.

When I get tired of lifting 100 pounds worth of head and cab, I'll be looking to find one of these used. They weren't discontinued because of quality reasons, so don't let that put you off.

 

[alex1fly]

Re: Peavey or Mesa?

http://forum.grailtone.com/viewtopic.php?t=18179

Here's a used 5150 II head that's being sold on the Boogie Board, I just came across it

 

[Rowan]

Re: Peavey or Mesa?

Actually, I found the clean channel on the original pretty cool with my G-Major in the loop... I just don't use it that much, not to mention I usually kept the EQ's pretty similar.

I dunno why people say that the 5150II has such an advantage because of the clean channel... it's really not a big deal, that separate EQ, IMHO. The EQ on the 5150 is so limited anyways... it's like splitting hairs.

That said, the 5150II is 'twangier' and a bit less ballsy. It's voiced cleaner, overall, but doesn't have the same grind/chug to my ears. Still a way cool amp, better than most I've tried, and DEFINITELY worth $450! You can sell it for nearly twice that, if you want, later down the road!

Hey I was searching old posts and found a clip of yours playing through your 5150 II. Great tone! I definately don't need anything ballsier than what I heard. I'm going to pull the trigger on this thing. However, the guy selling it doesn't have the footswitch and he took the nameplate off (why do people do that??).

Where could one get a footswitch?

 

[Virtual Kevorkian]

Re: Peavey or Mesa?

Directly from Peavey, on their online site.

If it falls through, I'm the dude selling that 5150II on the boogie board, actually. :laugh2: