EVH 5150 vs Peavey 6505+ | Which is better? 

🔥 Free 2 month Skillshare premium trial! :: skl.sh/sophieburrell08202 Which do you prefer, the EVH or the Peavey? 😁🎸

I have my 5150 block hooked up to a torpedo live in my "studio". I have my EVH 5150iii 50w 6L6 in my bedroom on an evh 1x12 for practice. I have my 50w Stealth variant in my living room on an evh 1x12 for practice. I love all 3. Different apples, but they're all apples. "I love apples, but I especially love 5150's" -- Forest Gump

I remember the first time I plugged into a 100 watt EVH in a guitar store. I had the biggest, dumbest grin on my face after just one open chord. Sounded MASSIVE.

I choose the one I have...6505+. I've been using it in the studio and live for over 10 years and I don't have any complaints. I do however like the EVH III EL34. Price is roughly double, so again I'm plenty happy with my 6505+.

The clean on the EVH is very pleasant with the slight roll-off in the top end. Nice crunch and hi-gain channels, too. They both retain that top end roll-off, which would help in a mix. The Peavey seemed to be a little bright and slightly brittle for extended play on the clean channel, and the brightness carries over to the other channels, which is again unpleasant. I love a warmer clean sound that doesn't rip off the listener's face, and the EVH delivers.

Thank you for the video. Great pIaying. I like the Peavey 6505+. I like it with the matching cabinet and a Tim Jauernig active loop box. The loop box lets you run effects in parallel and you can boost the signal. You can really drive the power section. It sounds amazing! Adding a small amount of chorus to the clean gives a nice deep rich sound. I always use a little reverb and delay in the loop whether it is clean or distorted. This opens things up and it sounds huge. One of the main things with the clean sound is using the matching cabinet with the Peavey made speakers. Speakers are big factor in the tone that you want. For more oomph and cut in the mix I use a Suhr Koko boost. It allows you to tailor the frequency that is boosted. It really works well in conjunction with the active loop box. I have never played the EVH gear so I cannot say one way or another but I am sure you can get good sounds.

Great video! I like the warmth of the clean sound on the EVH - I agree, I'm not a fan of too brighter tone. Same with the crunch, the Peavy sounded a bit too 'nasal' for me and you said, not as much definition as the EVH. The Hi-Gain though was a more difficult choice as they both sounded nice, but the EVH was still better, just! I prefer the EVH to the Peavy as a whole because of the overall sound, though I too am more of a Hi-Gain player.

Constructive criticism: I suggest you play similar if not the same riffs from each amp for comparisons.

Beautiful... both Sophie and the PRS... and Sophie‘s playing.

Video looking (and sounding) awesome Sophie!!

Personally I went with the 6505, I play death metal stuff and it works just fine for me, and it's loud as hell.

Good stuff! Both amps REALLY open up after about 2 on the post and become less fizzy. I have a 6505 but have fiddled with multiple evh's. That 50w stealth is in my sights!

Great video! Congrats Sophie; 🤘🏻❤️🖤

The 6505 is based on the original Peavey 5150. Before Eddie Van Halen got an endorsement deal with Fender for them to make his guitars and amps, he worked with Peavey first. After he jumped ship, they simply re-named the amp because it was too good a seller to just cancel.

The crunch on the peavey got me!

I just looove that sound too Soophie ! I've found a really nice 6505+ for sale at a bargain price and was looking for a review . You answered a lot of questions for me ! Thanks for the heads up ! You really Rock , I love watching you play ! 🔊🔥😘

Thanks for the generous SHARING of your gifts! :) -RCK Delavan, Wisconsin, USA. You remind me of my 1/2 French daughter, Claire - she's a keyboard player - an entertainer at the Cannes Film Festival - year after year! :)

Quick tip that I personaly use and works really well: if you think an amp is sounding fuzzy/muddy in its low end, try to place an EQ pedal right in front of the amp, and decrease the volume of the low end just a little bit (you can also increase the volume of the mids). This way, you're going to distort the mids more than you distort the low end, giving you a tight sounding low end, just like an ENGL amp would sound. You can also use an Ibanez Tube Screamer TS808. The 808's, specifically, have more mids than low end, so it can also do the job very well.

I go back and forth on PRS, but that thing looks/sounds amazing. Great demo of these two amps. I like how warm the EVH sounds in comparison, but I kinda wonder if the Peavey would cut a mix more.

I do like the Peavey, but I agree with you, I like the warmer sound of the EVH 5150, both on the clean & dirty channels! You did the best demo comparison I've seen!!! GREAT job, you ROCK!!! Stay safe, Rock On & God Bless!!!

I inherited a Peevee 120 ultra 12 tube. Right when I started playing so I've used that and my spark. So I have experience just with one of these. I will say my PV wails and I love it.

Love your videos. Thanks a lot.

Personally I like the EVH. The hi gain sounds more like the sound I go for, and I think the clean sound is is cleaner than the peavey. I think the EVH is a nicer looking amp too. Loved the video Sophie, and loved your playing as always.

Great video glad I came across your channel.

In my experience as a sound guy of many yrs matching a guitar with the pups and EQ'ing can make all the difference. Also so many of the talented players I have done use a ABY for cleans, slight break up and high gain. That can be a lot to haul for some but on the big stages 3 amps sure looks cool. All that being said so much of the tone changes depending on the venue and its reflective resonance surfaces. That's where people like me come into play. Now let's get this virus thing done so we can all go out and gig already.

Great review Sophie! Thanks for sharing your knowledge! Miguel 🇵🇷

Great jamming, thanks for a great vid! Big fan of 6505 here :).

Cool demo of the top 2 amps in current metal bands! I own the 50w EVH 5150iii and love it but I like the crunch of the original Peavey 6505. I feel it has a smoother breakup plugged into the low gain plug-in.

They both sounded great to me. I think I may have liked the PV a tad better, but both rock big time. I think the clarity of the PV is what makes me like it so well. Great playing too. Love the PRS. My brother has a 1990 Ten top he refuses to sell to me I want so bad.. 🤣 Great video.

Both are killer amps... The tones of each are very similar, (Marshall's"Plexi" and the Peavey "6505" were used to create the "5150") I prefer a mid-scooped sound so the 6505+ keeps it from becoming too muddy when you dial back the mids.

That chord progression at 5:16 ❤️❤️❤️❤️. Great vid, Sophie!

Sophie, Cool on Skill Shares never heard of them I will pass it onto family, friends with new kids playing guitar! LOL As old school headbanger guitarist myself the 5150! I have played with different Marshall amps for 20 years now! Thanks for the comparison!

Probably the best comparison I've seen of these amps!

its the 6505+ for me, i like a brighter clean tone, and im either clean or high gain so the clean and crunch eqs being mixed doesnt bother me, plus the sound of a 6505 with a ts9 in front of it just rubs me in all the right places...

Made you think twice about the 6505 right at 11:30 ish when you ended on the E. Sounded sooo good.

At 11:31 when you hit that E power chord the richness in harmonics and the bite is wonderful!!! I'm not sure which I prefer, both are awesome but this last tone got me!!

Obviously I’m not in the room, but coming through my TV, they sound almost identical. I have the 6505+ and I love it. Truth be told, I wanted an EVH 5150 III, but it doesn’t always work out the way we want. But, I am happy and my Eddie tone is satisfied!! Great demo Sophie 🤘

Subscribed! Cheers.

Cool Video! I’ve always found that the crunch channel with a TS or overdrive in front yielded better rhythm results than the high gain channel.

Those are both phenomenal amplifiers, Great choice Sophie!👍keep them both. White is such a classy color for an amplifier. It seems that the 5150 has a little more bottom end, but like you said, both these amps need to be cranked up to hear thier true voice. 👍

Both great amps. I may be getting a 6505 + 20 watt mini stack.

Peavey is made in the town I went to school. I love them, but I personally have the EVH. Great video. Thanks for sharing. If you don't mind I have some questions for you. I'm using a Line 6 cab, and mostly play Gibson guitars. Setting my high gain has been a problem. I like the sound you get. I also have a Jackson, and a few other axes, but the Gibsons (LP & SG)The tone seems flat what ever I do. As far as answering you question, when I got the head I had not been playing or involved much in years other than what I currently had. I'm probable your Fathers age. I have been using a Crate CR-280 (1980's) for years. My son is a drummer, and wanted it for his house. I wasn't using it much. After not having an amp I started looking. An American company Sweetwater is about 45 mins from my house. The guys recommended 1 of these 2 heads you review. The EVH was a floor model, and $100 off so I went with it. I can't complain. I started playing guitar in 1989. Anything now is much better than the options then. I also have a Fender frontman. Buying old stuff, and making it sound good is some what of a hobby. BTW- As far as sound I'm heavy. Slayer is my favorite but I love the sound of Dio/Rainbow. Zack Wylde. Thanks for any tips.

Thanks for sharing! =)

I ended up going with a 5150 III 50wt stealth.. i like the overall tighter gain structure.. plus the fact that it has midi.. also 50 watts is more than enough.. it gets insanely loud

My personal 2 cents, I own both heads and the EVH 4x12 actually my evh rig is also cream white lol. I prefer the evh to the 6505+ but they're really similar beast and you can't go wrong with any iteration of the 5150. They all sound great

Beauty mate! EVH!

NO FIZZ; Texas Heat speakers fixes fizzy high gain heads. I had Celestion V30 and 75 cabs, fizzy top end. With Texas Heats my 6505+ is the greatest sounding amp ever, speakers are really important for this model. I found out about these speakers by watching a Chris Poland gear video. Chris has a beautiful creamy metal tone that sings, similar to Allan Holdsworth.

I've had both. Currently have the EVH. I loved both. But I like the clean of the EVH better and feel it is a little more versatile overall than the Peavey. But they are both great amps... aggressive and punchy. They both punch through a band with ease. But I would be happy with either.

Sensational amps and playing. I've never owned one but I would love one!

I have the EVH 5150 50 watt head and the cabinet, I love them. Would love to have the Peavey head as well but feel I would have to have the Peavey cabinet as well. The EVH may have had a slight advantage also because the cabinet that was used was for that head. I loved your comparison, while I don't play in a band and I just love to jam I really appreciate your perspective on your live playing and differences that you have come across. I thought it was really useful in the comments, more so for those in a band. For me I believe the EVH amp sounds the best with the EVH speakers, which is why I made the comment about the Peavey head. Both sound great in the video and as you put it the Peavey sounds different but really nice as well. From the video the EVH is my favorite. But I will still get a Peavey head somewhere down the line.

I think it’s great how heads have a different tonal signature. I think with both it would cover a lot of ground.

Your assessment of both amps is very accurate. The 5150 has more clarity and the kind of versatility I and many other players like, especially if we want to shift from clean to two stages of gain, as I often do. The 6505 which was the successor to the Peavey 5150 when Eddie left Peavey went more for the Nu-Metal and thrash crowd. The EVH 5150 continues along the same path as the Peavey 5150 that made it such a classic amp. I go for more of an 80s Sunset Strip kind of tone with Duncan JBs and the works. What I like about the 20 watt 6505 is it has more clarity for what I need. I find the 100 watt version is just a bit too fuzzy at times for what I need, which is more of a George Lynch kind of tone.

Thanks for the video comparison. I have been debating on which of these amps to get and you helped make the decision. The evh hands down sounds so much better than the peavey! The peavey sounds to shrill on many of the frequencies. I was wondering what tubes are in each of the amplifiers? Maybe the peavey just has cheaper tubes in it and that's why the frequencies sound so harsh. Thanks again for the video and I'm off to look for the evh. Cheers!

I have both! But I do love the 50iii more

I'm saving for a 5150 III 50W Stealth. It just sounds more refined. The clean and crunch channels share EQ, but have individual volume and gain. The 6505+ is a beast, but every metal band in my area uses them, and they pretty much sound the same. 😂

I can't see my seft logging massive amp head to a gig being so mush amp modeling units that sound just as good .and not to mention Strang on the back. But never the less I will have to go with evh.

Great video! EVH is killer!

I had a 6505 that was modded to the gills with features and have spent alot of time with the 50 5150 iii Always prefered the green crunch and blue crunch respectively. But in the end never made the cut for me. I still have my mesa mk iii blu stripe. best tube amp for metal imho

Peavey 6505+ is the best one i own one and love it

Looked like one of the tubes on the 6505 was in the red... both amps sounded great, it all comes down to your personal taste

5150 III. All day. I had both the 100 watt regular version and now have the 100 watt stealth version. It’s extremely versatile.

Cool equipment 👍👍👍

I dont own either of these or have played them but from your comparison I would say i like the EVH 5150 more!

I have both plus a few other models of those amps. 50watt 5150iii models are my favorites.

Yaaas babe! Such spice 🖤

I can see how long the cut was by watching the daw jump after an edit. Or at least I could until the screen saver kicked in. Only a fellow content creator would notice minutiae like that lol. Great tones and playing!

I've owned both. I ended up liking the peavey 5150 212 combo the most. So...

I have the peavey ultra plus 120. Been Modified. I use a 1990 true 30 Watt celestion 4x12 cab. Works excellent for these high gain amps. The celestion SPK at 4-ohms clean up those Highs.

Lovely!

Discovered u on TikTok... keep it up

Sophie, I was curious if you roll back your volume knob on your guitar when you dial in your high gain settings on the EVH. Do you set your amp and guitar up for both rhythm and lead or do you switch channels for that. I much prefer the EVH also!

6:46 is pure Ted Nugent stranglehold tone

The EVH is tighter and more "refined" and articulate. Peavey is more agressive sounding and you can ear "more gain" but it's never muddy sounding like a Recto. They both have that "metallic zing" in the top end :P haha

Well done. I have an amazing old block letter Peavey 5150 and for just crushing Metal, I def prefer it to the EVH stuff, but the evh is the much more versatile amp.

this girl plays a lot like me. I am reminded that we all do our own thing playing the same chords. she sounds different from others. I like her style.

My guess is it depends on what you are shooting for, or if recording, which one sits in the mix best, and tonally gels with everything else that is going on...when playing live, which one fits the needs of the gig the best? Now if it is just a guitarist sitting in a room by herself or himself, then it would be all about the guitarist and what they prefer...my experience in doing covers with a modeling pedal, as an example, when shooting for certain tones in given songs, it helps to know what was used by the artist, and pick those models, but if you don't know what they used, then I would start going from amp to amp, and a lot of times, none of the others will do to get close enough except for one or two...that's why I say it all depends on what sound you are shooting for...having said that, clean in this demo goes to Eddie's amp, Crunch...there is this crackle sound that is in Eddie's that bugs me when you are doing those open chords with the trem...and I don't know if Peavey's amp does it because I don't think you did a similar passage when demoing the crunch capability....., high gain? Eddie's...you know what though, I had this great amp from Egnater...it was a Renegade combo with 4 tens...it had 3 channels (switchable with footswitch)...it was just way sweet...wish I still had it for playing at home...would like to see what you think of that thing..anyway, thanks for the demo and hope you are well!

Awesome video! I just got a marshall dsl40c and I really love it. I also really want to get a Gibson Les Paul Standard 50s goldtop, and while I can afford it, I don't know if I deserve it based on my progress. I've been playing guitar for a little over a year.

My only complaint about the 6505+ had only ever been that the electrical cord is attached rather than standard IEC C13 cable. Otherwise, I love it to death.

The new 15/3.75 Watt Fender EVH 5150 iii appears to be a desirable option for me. The Fender EVH 5150 iii Sim on my Fender LT-25 is egregiously phenomenal.

The 5150ll from Peavey that I have moves some serious air and melts tubes it has 4 pwr tubes and 6pre amp tubes and it's designed by EVH nuf said

6505+ with Maxon 0D808 is insane. I've never gone above 2.5 volume with my Marshall 1960A 4X12 cuz it's ear piercing. I really wan't to try a Mesa cabinet though.

Both are great amps. If you own the 6505+ and want to tame the highs for the more refined EVH 5150-III sound you can get quite close by adding an EQ pedal in the effects loop. The MXR 10-band EQ is a great option. Just cut some of the upper mids and you're there. Another option is to use warmer speakers like the WGS ET65 or Celestion Lynchback.

Ya boost pedals definitely are a must in my book they totally make your sound 1000000x better that a a noise gate is a must aswell but killer vid sophie ❤️

Finally. Someone who doesn't think ultra-bright, sharp, clean tones are the be all end all of clean playing. Thought I was the only one.

Excellent video! I have a EVH 5150 and a Peavey 5150. Both are great amps but the EVH wins all day

I'm so in love with Sophie and her great playing. As a drummer, if you need a John Bonhom/Ian Paice styled drummer, give me a call here in good old America. Chow!

Ilike you so much sophie

@ 6:12 that step down chord riff sounds dope I would try and cultivate that.

I only use amp sims of both (Overloud and Positive Grid Bias FX2), I like the 5150 more personally

Gosh the EvH s such a beautiful looking amp.

6534 with KT77 tubes best of the 5150 derivatives.

R U catching that natural compression from both Amps? 6L6 power tubes for some reason gives just a bit more compression and head room.unlike the EL 34 And the pre amp tubes make a lot of difference. Although I am not sure but I suspect the 12AX7’S OR ECC83. Are the same! Cheers Thank you for sharing a very tasteful video revue. Cheers!

That evh sounds absolutely godly tho

i can see why the evh might be a better amp for someone who plays a lot of varying styles all the time with emphasis on soloing but for high gain, it just has a kind of nasaliness to it. the high end is different. i noticed this with the stealth one too, yet thats why both the stealth and the ivory 6L6 models sit so well in a mix. but as a metalhead, peaveys (5150s and 6505s) just have that classic high-mid crunchy saturation thats on so many classic metal albums that the newer models dont have. the new amps sound great but the 5150 block letter and 6505 will always have a special place in my heart.

You should play the amps back to back. When you talk for 10 minutes in between you forgot what the amp sounded like exactly.

That lick 6:21-6:25 was actually so sick😂

I have an EVH 50 watt 6L6 and I love it. I need to put new preamp tubes in it though cause channels 1 and 2 aren't working which sucks cause I thought tubes lasted a lot longer than 2 years. I've only had it since March 2020. Both amps are great so then it becomes a matter of which ones are built better and which ones last longer with the tubes and whatnot. The EVH clean channel was warmer to my ears, and the Peavey sounded good but a little more thin sounding? The crunch channel sounded a little better than the EVH to my ears and it definitely has more high end on the peavey. The high gain on the peavey sounded a bit more bassy and the EVH sounded great with a bit more tightness. It sounds pretty close . Both amps are great. I also like how the Peavey has the bias thing on the back so you don't have to open it up and risk getting electrocuted and die. That would make things so much easier. I'd buy a Peavey 6505 if I ever came across one for the right price. But then again would I be wasting money cause both amps sound the same? I'd like to get an amp that sounds a lot different. But hands down i'd get the EVH cause it has three channels instead of 2 and it has a footswitch with 3 channels and an effects loop which Idk if the peavey has that or not.

Great comparison! Out of interest, what was the instrumental track playing while you were talking? It sounds properly good!

The 5150 high gain channel sounds killer 🤘🏻💀🤘🏻 Adding a tube screamer might make things interesting 🎸🔥🔥🔥 Great video 👍

Didn't expect these amps to have nice clean channels wow. 5150 definitely had nicer cleans, the 6505 seemed to have the Crunch EQ which is a little upper middy/nasally.