Peavey 5150 212

Features are in the previous reviews.
TUBES TUBES TUBES.
MASSIVE SOUND.

My guitars:
Fender 57 Reissue Strat
Malmsteen Signature Strat
Gibson Les Paul standard
Effects:
Korg AX1500G, Boss DS1,NS2,GE7,Morley Bad horsie Wah,Fulltone FD2
Amps:
Fender Hotrod Deville,Line 6 Flextone 2
"NO MARSHALLS! Except for the JCM800, Marshall Amps sux bigtime!"
My playing style is diverse: blues, rock, heavy metal, some classical and some jazz.

I do not see the big fuzz about the clean/rhythm channel. It is good enough, you just need to take it easy on the "Pre" settings... The only complaint is the HISSing sound from the tubes. But nothing is perfect I guess. My dream amp would be: the power and distortion of the 5150, Clean channel of the Fender Deville and the weight of the Line 6.
I simply love this amp, that I am intending to sell my other 2 amps. I think my love affair with this amp will last for a long time!!

The amp looks indestructible...I might need to carry a screwdriver, extra fuses and a couple of tubes. But I aint carrying another AMP, as the 5150 alone is such a pain to move around.

The Peavey Forum is very helpful. Its really like a community where people help each other out.

Been playing guitars for almost 15 years now. Gigging half of that. Been around plenty of AMPs and I think the tone and sound really depends on the person. Reviews are helpful, but do not simply based your decision on what other people say. Sound,like beauty, is in the eye(EAR) of the beholder...But if you are looking for a MASSIVE sounding amp, GROUND-SHAKING distortion, then get this monster!!
Greatest advise of all is: DONT EVER GET A VALVESTATE/SOLIDSTATE MARSHALL!

60 watts all tube 6L6 powertubes, 12ax7 preamp.
effects loop, footswitchable channel and reverb.
presence and resonance controls.

I wouldn't say that this is a one trick pony, but it is definitely best suited for heavy metal...I was able to coax a bluesy tone out of it, but it took a while. This amp is CRAZY loud...i turn it up to 3 and the neighbors start getting pissed. The clean channel is only OK, it seems a bit brittle, but that may be the tubes. Also, the reverb is weak as hell. As others have described, the amp hisses like a snake. even the clean channel is pretty noisy. I've heard that changing tubes can help with the hissing, or a noise gate.

This amp is like an M1-A1 tank...it is indestructable. Consequently, it is heavy as hell. All you'd really need is some back up tubes to gig with...you never know when a tube will go.

N/A

I've been used to playing thru crappy modeling amps for a while, and to hear real tube distortion sure is nice. this amp is great for hard rock/metal sounds, but if you want crispy cleans, look somewhere else. I wish the effects loop were foot switchable. I would buy it again if i ever lost it...though i can't imagine how the hell one would lose this thing.

this amp is made only for hard rock and metal, nothing else. the amp has tons of power for only being sixty watts, i can shake my basement walls with this thing. i find the bright switch on the rythem channel to be useless, but i dont care i dosent even sound that good.

im using a gibson sg standard with the amp. i love swedish metal such as in flames, at the gates, arch enemy, ect.. so this amp is perfect. the amp is very noisy but you learn to controle it while playing, and you cant hear any hum or hiss while playing. the clean channel is alright, and the cruch channel does not sound good at low volumes because off all the cross over distortions. the lead channel sounds good at bedroom level, but once you get it pass four or so the sound will just punch you in the face and take your knee caps out with a crow bar.

i have only had the amp for a month, and it has not done anything funny yet. it took the company a month to ship the amp, so i was not happy about that.

good good

for the price/playability nothing else comes close. i personally think this amp could smoke a triple rect. in tone. dont let the sixty watts fool you this amp will make your ears ache.

It's a 60 watt 2x12 all tube combo with two footswitchable channels: rhythm and lead (see the Peavey site or some of the other reviews for full details). I mostly play hardcore/metal styles, though I occasionally like to play a little classic rock and blues too; and this amp handles practically all the tones you'd ever need for these styles and all the shades of grey in between. I get all my sounds out of the rhythm channel, the lead channel is just too high gain: great for solo playing and for thrash type sounds like early Metallica, but it lacks bottom end and definition. The rhythm channel won't do shimmering clean sounds, though I doubt this amp appeals to players who want that kind of sound. However, it will do is everything from a nice, mildly overdriven sound all the way up to that metallic 'chug' sound that so many players search high and low for, and this is where its resonance control really comes into it's own; crank that thing around two thirds of the way up and you'll have the heaviest sound in town, without sacraficing clarity. I was inspired to buy this amp when I read that Machine Head had used it for their first album, and that sound is precisely what I got. Very tight, clear distortion with loads of bottom end and power. I'm also a big Helmet fan, who're well known for playing some pretty big chords through lots of distortion. The 5150 handles it brilliantly, you get the benefit of all the harmonic richness you get when you distort complex chords, without losing definition and clarity and without having to crank the highs up to the point that it's taking your head off. I've used this amp at home, rehearsals, studio and live and it's never let me down. It IS a heavy bitch, and the carry handle is a joke - it's really a two man job to move the thing comfortably - but that's the only down side. It certainly isn't the most versatile amp ever made, but it isn't designed to be. If your main style falls into the metal/hardcore bracket, you'll love it and there's enough versatility in it to serve you well when you feel a bit more mellow - just learn to use your guitar's volume.

I use a late 90's Gibson Les Paul Studio straight into the amp. I keep the same settings all the time and get all the tonal variety I need by using my guitar's controls. As I said, I only ever use the rhythm channel, and that is very quiet. The lead channel seems much noisier but then the amount of gain on that is phenomenal, you can't have that without a bit of noise. It would be unfair to call this amp a one trick pony, because you can get a lot of quality overdriven and distorted sounds out of it. But, it lacks the versatility to switch between a lot of sounds. The lead channel is just that, it's not really up to playing rhythm parts for the styles I play. So, I have the rhythm channel cranked to almost full tilt and use the guitar's volume to back of the distortion a little. That's it. Again, it's all a matter of your own personal style, but if you play in a band that demands a lot of versatility - look elsewhere. For what I use it for, it's unbeatable and I would change anything about it.

Totally dependable. As with all tube amps though, have a few fuses in your kit bag and look after your valves. And don't switch in on and off all day, use the stand-by.

Never needed it, doubt I ever will.

I've been playing for 10 years and use a Gibson LP Studio and also a "frankenstein" Yamaha RGX (my first electric, now something of a mess but much loved). This amp is killer, there's no doubt. However, it is expensive if buying new and I've never seen one used as cheap as I got mine. I saw it, had the money and had to have it - it's that simple. If I lost it, I doubt I could afford to replace it at the moment but if money were no object - I wouldn't think twice. I give it an 8 overall simply because it isn't THAT versatile.

60 Watts RMS voiced to Edward Van Halen's specifications and identical to amps used by him for touring and recording
Five 12AX7 preamp tubes and two 6L6 power amp tubes
Footswitchable lead/rhythm channel select and reverb defeat
3-band EQ, resonance and presence controls
Rhythm channel: pre-/post-gain controls, bright/crunch switches
Lead channel: pre-/post-gain controls
Two Sheffield? 1200 12 inch speakers voiced to Edward Van Halen's specifications
Closed-back cabinet
Footswitch included

I have a highly modified strat, a USA Wolfgang, and a PRS santana se with seymour duncan 59s (have played Gibson Les Pauls and SGs and USA strats though this amp as well) and I play real music, unlike the no guitar solos, toneless, detuned, with dual rectified mesas with distortion pedals linkin biskit crap. I think this amp is perfect and obviously so does Ed. Eddie has TONE! I am putting in my two cents worth here because I want to explain some things here. I do not want ANYMORE reviewers here to say, This amp hisses too much, or don't say that it is too heavy, Please, if you have to have the music store guy take it out to your Subaru for you, go pick out a different amp, I would suggest maybe a Line 6 Spider or Tech 21 trademark 10. (Tech 21 rocks BTW) The sound this amp gets is because it is heavy and has big transfomers and big magnets on the speakers, you cannot make a lightweight amp sound like this does. It is the reason that a Lincoln Town Car rides alot better than a Toyota Corolla. They are both nice cars but fit different needs. When I played in bands I used to take my old Marshall half stack up and down stairs, back and forth to practice. I didn't grip. I had tone. Tone is heavy. It is part of the deal. Get a roadie. They will never figure away around this fact of physics. Big sound come from big speakers. Don't say this amp is too heavy. NO MORE!

My dear wife dropped one of her 7 pound workout dumbbells on top of it one day, after that the lead channel sounds very thin. I have taken it apart to look and can't see anything obvious wrong so I may get it fixed someday, but probably not because I never really used that channel much anyway.

No comment, no opinion.

I have played since 1975. I have had and still have too much gear really to list. I love this amp, did I mention that it is kind of heavy? This is the best kept secret in the guitar industry. Get one if you can carry it home!

we all know the features, and if you dont, look at the 80 other revuews

i use a Fernandes Vertigo Deluxe, with stock pickups, not the best pickups but still good, i play Death Metal like God dethroned, Arch Enemy, and Pantera. the reason i got the amp is cause it seems like every death metal show i go to, all the best bands use a 5150, and now i see why. For this kind of music the 5150 is the best amp, its unreal, my friend just spent $1500 on a Marshall half stack and some crappy marshal head, and my 2X12 blows it away, not just in sound, but also in volume, this thing is LOUD, i was thinking about getting a 4X10, and am i glad i didnt. i put some JJ's in it from EUROTUBES.COM (by the way, the nicest guy your ever gonna meet) the distortion is not compareable, its too good, all the gain your ever gonna need, now for the down sides, it is NOISY NOISY NOISY, anything over 3 on the master volume and there is major noise and feedback, and also of course the clean channel, it sounds pretty bad at high volumes, but im sure getting a little stomp box EQ can help that out, but who cares, no one is gonna get a 5150 for clean sounds, the amp is all metal, im COMPLETELY in love with it

i bought it used on Ebay, and wasnt in the best looking condition, so i was kind of freaked out that it might not work, works perfect, never given me any problems, and i would have no problem gigging with out a back up

never had to contact them

the best buy ive ever made, its the best amp i could have, sounds amazing, dont hesitate to buy this amp if your into serious metal, not some faggot limp bizkit or linkin park faggotry, again, 5150 is the best Death metal amp under $8000

There is only one thing that is perhaps not so good with this amp, and that would be that the closed 2-12 cabinet tends to compress the sound too much. In fact, the first time i played it with the band, I had to crank it up to 6 or 7 on the power amp, just to cut through. BUT I FOUND THE CURE, AND IT IS SIMPLY TO REMOVE THE BACK OF THE CABINET. IT REALLY OPENED UP THE SOUND, AND IT CUTS THROUGH EVEN AT A LOW MASTER VOLUME SETTING. THE CLEAN SOUND IS ALSO IMPROVED WHEN APPLYING THIS LITTLE TRICK. I CAN GET SPARKLING CLEAN SOUNDS FROM IT IN A MANNER THAT WAS IMPOSSIBLE BEFORE. TRY IT, YOU'LL LIKE IT

Unsure on the year, It has the cursive EVH writing on it. Tube amp, uses 12ax7 preamp tubes and 6L6 Power tubes. I've put JJ tubes in recently and it sounds great. Amp can be very versitile due to the Resonance, Presence and low gain, hi gain inputs. This amp doesn't clean up very well so I'm running it A/B with a Fender M-80. Low gain can pull off some blues, has built in reverb also. I mostly play rock and some metal (Collective Soul, Nickelback, Bush, Metallica, AC/DC, Zeppelin). Has two channels, Rhythm and Lead with the option for a footswitch although there is no headphone jack. You don't really need one, this amp sounds good loud!!!! I wish it had a good clean channel with gain so again I had to remedy by using an A/B switch and a fender amp.

I play a fender strat and a fender toronado w/ stock pickups. Amp sounds a little beefier with a humbucker than it does single coils but thats true for all amps. Distortion is the 1 reason you must own this amp. It gets dirtier than mary jane rottencrotch on a first date. Noise is a factor, w/ so much gain theres a nice steady hiss, i'm thinking about putting a hush pedal in the effects loop just to see if it makes a difference.

I bought it used and one of the tubes was already out so got some JJ's from Bob Plekta @ www.eurotubes.com. Amp is a fixed bias so you just pull the old tubes and plug the new ones and your ready to go, easy easy maintnance. Amp is built like a tank..It weighs 85 lbs!!I would go without a backup, maybe just bring a set of tubes b/c you never know when one of them can go..

Used, never dealt with Peavey

I've been playing for about 4 1/2 years now. Play fender strat/toronado >> Jim Dunlop Crybaby Wah >> Ibanez TS-7 Tubescreamer >> Ibanez SM-7 Smashbox >> Kork AX1000G >> A/B to Peavey 5150 and Fender M-80. Stolen i'd be mad b/c I would probably never find one used again for that cheap.

Same as below (other reviews) good selection of features

I just wanted to get my 2 cents in here.
I used to own a 5150 combo.
I was hoping this is it, my search is over, I always thought Eddie had the best rock tone ever.
I never felt like it was the amp I was looking for, and after having it and playing live with it for 6 months it was time to say goodbye.
It is a decent amp, and really distorts well, but mic's up horribly, and needs thickening over all, I like more mid's especially low mid's. I now own a Marshall 1971 Super Lead I'm in heaven now...sorry

This is a new amp, made in 2003. This amp has two channels, Rhythm and Lead. This is a 60 watt all tube combo, shared EQ, and footswitchable Channels/reverb. I play Current rock alternative to Classic rock and this amp does the trick. Since I play most songs with distortion, rhythm channel can be coaxed into playing clean, but breaks up nicely,

Some say its soo LOUD, I find it just right, with all the reviews I have read, I thought it'd be much louder in a live situation, I play the Pre- Lead on 4-5 the post Lead around 2-3, and thats enough to cut through the mix, it does start to feedback when you get louder than that.

I use a Fat Strat, straight in, lets say I just wanted tone, This amp is good for almost any type of harder rock situation, might not be suitable for Jazz or Country though.

I do find that the best gain settings are to the Pre-lead channel below five, otherwise is does get a little noisey, just hisses a little, nothing major in my opinion. But theres lots of gain on tap if you need it, I am happy to keep the gain around 4-5

The Rhythm channel sounds best to me when its set clean but with a nice break up, to try to get an awesome clean sound would be a chore, maybe just a bit stale, but thats ok with me, I wouldn't try to get a Fender Clean sound, out of a high gain amp like this.

I might get a compressor, that might help the clean channel stay clean, but for now I am having fun playing with what I have in front of me.

Its a PEAVEY, they build amps for the working musician. You can get Service anywhere, I have never had too many problems with my gear since I try to take care of everything I use, but the 5150's are rugged, I'd use it without a backup

I haven't had to do anything to the amp, don't expect that I'll need to.

I think when its time for a tube change, I might try the JJ's, most people think they might be the best for this amp.

I purchased this after seeking a good tube amp, the Fender Devilles would have been my second choice. The Devilles have a great clean channel and I figured I could put a good pedal in front of it, but then I thought...since 95% of the songs I play require distortion...why not get a great tube growl........I did consider Mesa f-100 2x12 combos, they are a bit pricey, and maybe a bit overrated. I have been playing a Fender Ultimate Chorus with a Zoom, and I could get some wicked sounds out of it, but I grew out of all the digital stuff and wanted a Great Plug in and Play amp, no tap dancing for me anymore.

I'd probably buy it again if it were stolen.

Its a Monster, looks kind of RETRO with the chicken head knobs, and the face plate being on top.... I Like that alot, but it is Heavy. I have seen these amps pictured with only one Handle on Top, mine has three (I think all newer ones do), so that makes it easier to carry alone or if you have a bandmate that can grab an end.

I did buy Earnie Ball Casters (pop ins) and installed them. Trust me, Don't leave the store with this amp without getting casters. Not sure why Peavey wouldn't include Casters, and a slip cover would be nice as well. I think the covers are cheap like $20, but they of couse didn't have them in stock when I bought the amp.

I do have to say that I am not terrible fond of the Plastic Footswitch, its functional allright, but to make something that I am going to stomp on allnight out of plastic is beyond me......but ...no problems yet.