Last week I bought a Peavey Penta w/matching 4x12, but lately I've been GASing for a 5150. I know I probably won't find a used 5150 any time soon, but a local shop has a 6505. Keep in mind that I play old style punk rock (see my sig) and my favorite tones are Marshall Plexi and JCM 800. Should I trade in the Penta for the 6505? Is the Penta closer to Marshall than the 6505?
What should I do?
- Thread starter iceman79
- Start date
GuitarStv
Sock Market Trader
Re: What should I do?
If you just bought your amp last week, the last thing that you need is a new amp. Spend a couple of years learning to tweak your amp and guitar until they're just right with each other . . . then think about looking at other amps. Otherwise you'll never be happy with how you sound, because you'll never know your amp. (Plus, that peavey penta is a pretty nice amp . . . you should be able to get some nice marshall sounds out of that without too much problem.)
If you just bought your amp last week, the last thing that you need is a new amp. Spend a couple of years learning to tweak your amp and guitar until they're just right with each other . . . then think about looking at other amps. Otherwise you'll never be happy with how you sound, because you'll never know your amp. (Plus, that peavey penta is a pretty nice amp . . . you should be able to get some nice marshall sounds out of that without too much problem.)
Re: What should I do?
Yeah, I think you're right. I've done some more research and it sounds like the Penta would suit me better than the 6505. I just got a little concerned when the sales guy at this one store told me they won't stock the Penta because "nobody wants one". Years ago I got rid of an amp that "nobody wanted" (Sovtek Mig 60) and now they have a cult following. Even though the Penta isn't popular now maybe the same thing might happen.
Yeah, I think you're right. I've done some more research and it sounds like the Penta would suit me better than the 6505. I just got a little concerned when the sales guy at this one store told me they won't stock the Penta because "nobody wants one". Years ago I got rid of an amp that "nobody wanted" (Sovtek Mig 60) and now they have a cult following. Even though the Penta isn't popular now maybe the same thing might happen.
Re: What should I do?
I've played the Penta
If you are into pseudo-Marshall sounds (meaning getting the Marshall tone W/O a real Marshall) then the Penta is actually pretty good
Gets good 800-esque tones all the way to a nice psuedo-Gibbons mojo. I rather liked the amp. Stay with it! The 5150 is a lot more saturated, and it reacts very different than an older Marshall.
I've played the Penta
If you are into pseudo-Marshall sounds (meaning getting the Marshall tone W/O a real Marshall) then the Penta is actually pretty good
Gets good 800-esque tones all the way to a nice psuedo-Gibbons mojo. I rather liked the amp. Stay with it! The 5150 is a lot more saturated, and it reacts very different than an older Marshall.
Gearjoneser
Gear Ho
Re: What should I do?
It's your money. Play your amp, and go play the 6505, and make a determination about which one is 'your sound.' Make the decision solely on what you want to sound like.
It's your money. Play your amp, and go play the 6505, and make a determination about which one is 'your sound.' Make the decision solely on what you want to sound like.
That90'sGuy
DyzaBoyzologist
Re: What should I do?
That's what it comes down to. I absolutely hated the Peavey Penta, but what I look for in an amp is probably completely different than you. I think you should seriously consider trying the 6505 and various Marshalls to see if it's anything that would come closer to what you're looking for.
Gearjoneser said:
That's what it comes down to. I absolutely hated the Peavey Penta, but what I look for in an amp is probably completely different than you. I think you should seriously consider trying the 6505 and various Marshalls to see if it's anything that would come closer to what you're looking for.
GuitarStv
Sock Market Trader
Re: What should I do?
Just 'cause it's not popular doesn't mean it's not good . . . remember that period in the 80s where you couldn't GIVE a Les Paul away? I think that if you like an amp enough to buy it, then you can probably dial in a sound that you'll grow into over time. The longer you take getting used to your amp, the better you can make it sound. (Besides, it's always cool to haul out some gear that nobody else plays at a jam session and sound different than everyone else.)
iceman79 said:
Just 'cause it's not popular doesn't mean it's not good . . . remember that period in the 80s where you couldn't GIVE a Les Paul away? I think that if you like an amp enough to buy it, then you can probably dial in a sound that you'll grow into over time. The longer you take getting used to your amp, the better you can make it sound. (Besides, it's always cool to haul out some gear that nobody else plays at a jam session and sound different than everyone else.)
Re: What should I do?
Thanks for the replies
Well, basically what I'm looking for is Plexi/JCM 800 2203 tone on a Peavey budget. About a year ago I bought a used JCM 800 2X12 combo and I completely hated it. This was before I knew about the differences between the various models, and it turned out to be a POS channel switching 4212 that uses the dreaded diode clipping. That thing sounded like a bunch of angry bees! So the 5150/6505 is closer to a Soldano? I don't use/need something that hi gain, I'm more into crunch (bordering on almost clean)as opposed to all out grind. Considering I only paid $999 for the Penta w/cab I'm going to hold onto it and see what it can do before making any hasty decisions.
Thanks for the replies
Well, basically what I'm looking for is Plexi/JCM 800 2203 tone on a Peavey budget. About a year ago I bought a used JCM 800 2X12 combo and I completely hated it. This was before I knew about the differences between the various models, and it turned out to be a POS channel switching 4212 that uses the dreaded diode clipping. That thing sounded like a bunch of angry bees! So the 5150/6505 is closer to a Soldano? I don't use/need something that hi gain, I'm more into crunch (bordering on almost clean)as opposed to all out grind. Considering I only paid $999 for the Penta w/cab I'm going to hold onto it and see what it can do before making any hasty decisions.
