FUQ (eff -yu - cue) - FAQ's with an EDGE

Tagged As: Peavey 5150 Ii

Question:
If anyone has every played the 5150 II, they will know exactly what I am about to say. In my eyes, the distortion is matched only by a mesa boogie, but the clean channel is horrible. I need suggestions on how to fix this. If I were to change the tubes, what should I change them to?

Answer:
I have found in the 5150s that I have worked on (both of them) that getting the bias set correctly helped the tone of the clean channel a LOT. Also, they pick the harshest 12AX7s they can find and ram them into Peavey 5150s. Try several kinds of 12AX7s/ECC83s. I would start with JJ/Teslas and replace the first two 12AX7s. You will have to adjust your tone controls also. These two things help the amp a lot. The 5150II is probably similar, but it already has an adjustable bias, so it is a matter of just getting it set right. I bet it isn't even close. Some also put in lower output tubes to clean things up a bit, but I have not tried that on a 5150 yet. It is still the same amp, and a fender will kil this amp for clean tone, but it is much improved by these steps. They are a god start.