New 5150 iconic 15w head

[metropolis_4]

What James say about it:


"Now that it's out....there's a few things that might not be talked about on the site. For example, some ask about the noise gate missing. It's actually in there, but I borrowed a trick from my Amptweaker pedal brand where I set up the noise gate to automatically adjust with the gain control, and increase with the Burn switch. So it's in there, and didn't cost as much as adding another control. Also this amp uses a mixture of self-bias and fixed bias class A design in the power amp. So it's a little fatter sounding than the bigger amps, but doesn't run quite as hot as a regular single ended tube amp like a Champ or something.

The reason for this choice of 1 EL34 rather than 2-EL84's is that EL84's cost almost as much as EL34's nowadays, so it's almost as expensive as making a 40-60W amp if you use 2-EL84's. Also, when Ed toured with the 5150 back in 91 on the F.U.C.K. tour, there was a time where he had a power tube go out, and he really liked the tone he got that night. They told me about it, and I said go for it, so they ran for a few months with 1 6L6 on one side and 2 on the other. The result is that the amp has more 2nd order harmonics, which are octaves and always harmonically correct. This amp sounds more like that tone.

One last detail....the Boost on the footswitch not only adds the Boost knob that is a volume boost(slightly tighter) for solos.....but it also adds about 8dB in the input circuit even with that Boost knob down. So you get more gain in both channels when you hit that.

Enjoy,
James B"

I wasn’t that interested until I read this. Sounds like it was very well thought out! There are some cool features in there.

I love the idea of a single ended amp with 1 el34. I used to use a THD Univalve with an el34 and I loved it

 

[FuzzyAce]

I hope they get this into the hands of demo people who specialize in more low to mid gain stuff, as I’d be interested to hear that. I’d be interested to see this compared to something like a Rocker 15 too.

Funny you mentioned the Rocker 15 too, I was just looking at one of those online. Solid amp from all I've seen.
I'm still interested in this new 5150 though. It would be an impulse buy right now, but the price is good.
Going to think on it some more... , I blame @Orvillain if I don't get one.

 

[synthpenguin]

Funny you mentioned the Rocker 15 too, I was just looking at one of those online. Solid amp from all I've seen.
I'm still interested in this new 5150 though. It would be an impulse buy right now, but the price is good.
Going to think on it some more... , I blame @Orvillain if I don't get one.

The Rocker 15 and, more recently, OR15 are ones I eye all the time… for what I like, I really prefer their low-end and character to the Marshall-esque stuff that tends to dominate heads in this price and wattage range. They definitely have some downsides when it comes to versatility (I really wish the Rocker 15 clean / “natural” channel at least had a treble or mid control…), but I think their cleans are actually pretty nice too, even if they don’t do the Fender mid scoop sparkle thing.

 

[FuzzyAce]

The Rocker 15 and, more recently, OR15 are ones I eye all the time… for what I like, I really prefer their low-end and character to the Marshall-esque stuff that tends to dominate heads in this price and wattage range. They definitely have some downsides when it comes to versatility (I really wish the Rocker 15 clean / “natural” channel at least had a treble or mid control…), but I think their cleans are actually pretty nice too, even if they don’t do the Fender mid scoop sparkle thing.

I've only ever owned a ss Orange amp, and I liked it for just low volume practice. I ended up giving it to my nephew though.
Their gain character has always intrigued me and I feel like I'd enjoy a tube version once having some time with one.

 

[wesmac33]

First time poster here. Cant find much at all on this amp as its still new. Torn between this head and the Peavey 6505mh. Anyone have any advice?

 

[Desertdweller]

First time poster here. Cant find much at all on this amp as it’s still new. Torn between this head and the Peavey 6505mh. Anyone have any advice?

For just a little bit more, you can get a used 5150 III 50w head. There is no question this is a better amp than either of those options.

 

[paisleywookiee]

For just a little bit more, you can get a used 5150 III 50w head. There is no question this is a better amp than either of those options.

I know you don't like EL84's, but even the little LBX's are better than this, used. The LBX II was a fun little amp.

 

[Blix]

I didn't like the LBX's at all. If this is in line with the larger Iconics in sound it will totally rock.

 

[[Nathan]]

What James say about it:


"Now that it's out....there's a few things that might not be talked about on the site. For example, some ask about the noise gate missing. It's actually in there, but I borrowed a trick from my Amptweaker pedal brand where I set up the noise gate to automatically adjust with the gain control, and increase with the Burn switch. So it's in there, and didn't cost as much as adding another control. Also this amp uses a mixture of self-bias and fixed bias class A design in the power amp. So it's a little fatter sounding than the bigger amps, but doesn't run quite as hot as a regular single ended tube amp like a Champ or something.

The reason for this choice of 1 EL34 rather than 2-EL84's is that EL84's cost almost as much as EL34's nowadays, so it's almost as expensive as making a 40-60W amp if you use 2-EL84's. Also, when Ed toured with the 5150 back in 91 on the F.U.C.K. tour, there was a time where he had a power tube go out, and he really liked the tone he got that night. They told me about it, and I said go for it, so they ran for a few months with 1 6L6 on one side and 2 on the other. The result is that the amp has more 2nd order harmonics, which are octaves and always harmonically correct. This amp sounds more like that tone.

One last detail....the Boost on the footswitch not only adds the Boost knob that is a volume boost(slightly tighter) for solos.....but it also adds about 8dB in the input circuit even with that Boost knob down. So you get more gain in both channels when you hit that.

Enjoy,
James B"

Was scouring for this kind of info, great pickup.
The auto noise gate is interesting and strange at the same time. Would have been infinitely cooler to have it configurable but its cool that theres some level of noise gate happening automatically.

You can blow this thing out like crazy, gain is off the charts. Channel 2 with Burn engaged I can get some Sega Afterburner type sounds with the amount of distortion/clipping going on when cranked. I think with burn engaged and MV around 1.5, I'm on about 2 gain. Burn disengaged around 4 maybe 5.

 

[[Nathan]]

Blix's screenshot straight to my vid, thanks m8

I've played a bunch of lunchbox amps and most of the time the tones can be hit and miss... they kind of get there but sometimes can also feel 5-10% lacklustre which makes all the difference when you're going any kind of amp route over digital. At least with the 15w EL34 Iconic when I did have everything dialled in with a tubescreamer + noise gate it felt like a tone from a full sized head.

I never found cranking the power tube over 2 to really be beneficial. I'd just reach for it if I needed volume (which you dont need in a studio environment). When I did crank it and offset in other ways it held up fine, not a crazy amount of extra low end/mud, just the typical stuff.

So many options out there new and secondhand and I'm never really one to say buy or pass on this piece of gear. But if you were sizing up the 15w EL34 and just wanted someone to tell you if its actually decent or not... then yeah I'd say it delivers.

 

[Tanax]

Blix's screenshot straight to my vid, thanks m8

I've played a bunch of lunchbox amps and most of the time the tones can be hit and miss... they kind of get there but sometimes can also feel 5-10% lacklustre which makes all the difference when you're going any kind of amp route over digital. At least with the 15w EL34 Iconic when I did have everything dialled in with a tubescreamer + noise gate it felt like a tone from a full sized head.

I never found cranking the power tube over 2 to really be beneficial. I'd just reach for it if I needed volume (which you dont need in a studio environment). When I did crank it and offset in other ways it held up fine, not a crazy amount of extra low end/mud, just the typical stuff.

So many options out there new and secondhand and I'm never really one to say buy or pass on this piece of gear. But if you were sizing up the 15w EL34 and just wanted someone to tell you if its actually decent or not... then yeah I'd say it delivers.

Have you also tried the 6505 MH? If so, how would you say they compare?

 

[[Nathan]]

Have you also tried the 6505 MH? If so, how would you say they compare?

I think the last time I tried one was 4 years ago, I’d really need to try it again. My memory tells me it felt like a smaller amp but I’d need to revisit it honestly. I really wanted the invective mh for ages but relistening to a bunch of samples recently I think I’d also skip it.

The clincher here in Australia is that used 6505s can go for $800-1000 and the 6505mh goes for around $500-$750 second hand, not heaps worth it unless you really wanted one.