Shootout! Peavey Ultra vs 6505+ vs 6534+ vs 6505+ 212

[Mattayus]

This weekend was the metalguitarist.org UK meet. It took place at the studio I use, and there was an enormous amount of gear on hand from everyone who attended.

I took my recording rig as well as my backline, so it was the perfect conditions for some shootouts!

We thought a Peavey shootout would be most interesting so here it is.

Peavey Ultra
Peavey 6505+
Peavey 6534+
Peavey 6505+ 112

All going through my Marshall 1960DM, into an SM57, using Jeff's good ol' Rose of Sharyn DI's. Only double-tracked, and just a snippet of the whole song.

http://soundcloud.com/numbskullaudio/sets/peavey-amp-shootout

Thoughts?

EDIT: It's the 112, not the 212. Not that it matters, because it was going through my Marshall anyway!

 

[ballstix]

The 6505+ head and 6534+ are easily the best for me. Does the 6505+ 112 normally sound that distant in comparison? The difference is huge.

 

[Clark Kent]

Ultra for me.

 

[HCL]

I like the Ultra and the 6534 the best!

 

[Clark Kent]

Took another listen and preferred the 6534. More bite.

 

[sprack]

I agree I like the Ultra and 6534 best. Would love to try a 6534 with 6ca7's.

 

[Mattayus]

Yeah the Ultra was surprisingly nice. All it needs is a TS and it's badassery all around!

 

[TaylorG]

Yeah the Ultra was surprisingly nice. All it needs is a TS and it's badassery all around!

I seem to think the Ultra evolved into the XXX, didn't it?

I remember watching Misery Signals a million years ago and Ryan had one.

 

[P-E]

6505+ and 6534+ win by far IMO!

 

[Trevoire520]

My favourite out of these clips is the Ultra, but I think it's just that amp not being as reliant on a boost as the others as it's naturally a bit tighter. 6505+ 112 is the worst by a long way. Think I prefer the 6534 over the 6505 as it sounds a bit bigger.

To be honest I think all of these could have benefited from having a boost in front though.

 

[Sloan]

On HS80M's here. I strongly preferred the 6505+ and 6534+. Between those two, the 34 definitely has more happening in the mids, i like that.

 

[nezvers]

6534+ for me

 

[Mattayus]

To be honest I think all of these could have benefited from having a boost in front though.

The +/II series 5150s have always sounded better without one to me. The TS just makes it lose all its balls and grit and puts a smoothness on it that takes some aggression away. With the standard 5150/6505 you definitely need one though IMO.

 

[Mattayus]

blend of 6534 & 6505 now added http://soundcloud.com/numbskullaudio/sets/peavey-amp-shootout

 

[decoy205]

The blend sounds really nice.

I def dig the 6534+ and 6505+ the best but the two together is great.

 

[Mattayus]

Yeah I wish I owned both, they work so well together it's unreal. Especially live. We jammed with them at the same time and they just fit like a glove.

 

[decoy205]

Yeah 34s and 6L6 compliment each other. My old band did the same with rectos I was running the 34s and the other guy 6L6 and it was heavy bu gelled well.

 

[AceFireForce117]

the blend is really cool, i'm having a hard time trying to hear the difference between the 6505+ and the 6534+ though... meh i must be too tired.

The difference between the head and the combo is HUGE !!

Thanks for the shootout

 

[lanky noob]

Holy shit, even going into the same cab the difference between the head and the combo is massive :|

The blend sounds awesome, sounds like the darker tone of the 6534 is filling out the holes in the 6505, major gas'ing for both now