Here it is folks:
THE UNOFFICIAL 5150/5150 II/5150 III COMPARISON TONE TEST
Since I own all three amps, have a consistent set of DIs (thanks to good 'ol Jeff) and had some time off, I thought I would help you choose which 5150 is right for you! What it comes down to, is that I will be VERY surprised if anyone here can successfully get three out of three amps correct. As soon as I get enough votes about which amp is which, I will post the answers, as well as a track with just guitars.
The reason why these guitars are in the mix, is because it really DOESN'T matter what the solo'd sound is like as long as it rocks in a mix. We all know this by now, so I'll continue.
All amplifiers have the EXACT SAME TONESTACK SETTINGS.
All amplifiers were recorded at the SAME VOLUME (not numerically, but how it read in the mixer).
All amplifiers had the same boost in front with the same settings.
The mic position was the same, as well as the cabinet, for all clips.
The DIs were consistent (the same riff) for every test.
All of the amps have the same preamp tubes (Sovtek 5881WXT in the power amp and Electro Harmonix 12AX7EH in the preamp).
The riff IS quad tracked. There are two tracks 100% left and right, and two 90% left and right. The inner tracks are 1.75 quieter on the fader.
A highpass at 60hz and a lowpass at 12khz was performed. No other processing is on the guitars.
RME FF800 output->Ebtech Hum Eliminator->John Cuniberti Reamp V2->Maxon OD-820 Pro->5150 (insert revision here)->Mesa Recto 4x12->SM57->RME FF800 preamp
Every 30 seconds, the amplifier changes in the clip, so in the approximately 90 second long clip, each of the three 5150 models are performing. The riff and backing track are just repeating with a different amp selection.
The only thing that prevents this test from being as scientific as possible is that my 5150 II is modded to 5150 specs with upgraded transformers and a bias mod. Now, with that in mind, two of these amps may sound more similar than the odd man out.
Lasse and I had a modest conversation about how the 5150II will still sound much different than the 5150, even after the circuit board changes to match the original. I will let you forumites decide:
Here is the 16-bit 44.1khz wav:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1569935/5150-5150II-5150 COMPARISON.wav
ANSWERS:
CLIP 1: 5150
CLIP 2: 5150 II
CLIP 3: 5150 III
DISCUSS!
THE UNOFFICIAL 5150/5150 II/5150 III COMPARISON TONE TEST
Since I own all three amps, have a consistent set of DIs (thanks to good 'ol Jeff) and had some time off, I thought I would help you choose which 5150 is right for you! What it comes down to, is that I will be VERY surprised if anyone here can successfully get three out of three amps correct. As soon as I get enough votes about which amp is which, I will post the answers, as well as a track with just guitars.
The reason why these guitars are in the mix, is because it really DOESN'T matter what the solo'd sound is like as long as it rocks in a mix. We all know this by now, so I'll continue.
All amplifiers have the EXACT SAME TONESTACK SETTINGS.
All amplifiers were recorded at the SAME VOLUME (not numerically, but how it read in the mixer).
All amplifiers had the same boost in front with the same settings.
The mic position was the same, as well as the cabinet, for all clips.
The DIs were consistent (the same riff) for every test.
All of the amps have the same preamp tubes (Sovtek 5881WXT in the power amp and Electro Harmonix 12AX7EH in the preamp).
The riff IS quad tracked. There are two tracks 100% left and right, and two 90% left and right. The inner tracks are 1.75 quieter on the fader.
A highpass at 60hz and a lowpass at 12khz was performed. No other processing is on the guitars.
RME FF800 output->Ebtech Hum Eliminator->John Cuniberti Reamp V2->Maxon OD-820 Pro->5150 (insert revision here)->Mesa Recto 4x12->SM57->RME FF800 preamp
Every 30 seconds, the amplifier changes in the clip, so in the approximately 90 second long clip, each of the three 5150 models are performing. The riff and backing track are just repeating with a different amp selection.
The only thing that prevents this test from being as scientific as possible is that my 5150 II is modded to 5150 specs with upgraded transformers and a bias mod. Now, with that in mind, two of these amps may sound more similar than the odd man out.
Lasse and I had a modest conversation about how the 5150II will still sound much different than the 5150, even after the circuit board changes to match the original. I will let you forumites decide:
Here is the 16-bit 44.1khz wav:
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1569935/5150-5150II-5150 COMPARISON.wav
ANSWERS:
CLIP 1: 5150
CLIP 2: 5150 II
CLIP 3: 5150 III
DISCUSS!