My Peavey 5150 BLOCK LETTER | Modded vs Unmodded

[@bvanhoosen]

YES! That’s the TONE. I’m with you, stock all the way. EVH and James Brown put a lot of work into this thing. It sounds how it’s supposed to sound 💪

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Yeah! 💪👌

[@mrhyde2250]

Eddie had Friedman add a bias mod to his. 🤷‍♂️

[@davedobson9801]

The smile when playing the unmodded says it all!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

😁💪👌

[@powercourageandwisdom]

Your smile playing it returned to stock says it all.. I love the 5150. It's got the immediate tight attack of an old Marshall and the high gain of a Soldano.. Absolutely fantastic. Bone stock as designed by the King himself. Long live The King.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

😎👌💪

[@LeonTodd]

That old block letter is rude, exactly the way it should be. Great video!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

It is 😎💪. Thanks man!

[@TobyKBTY]

Euge everytime I plug into my 5150 I also have that same smile and chuckle. Stupid amounts of gain, stupid amount of CHUNK that hits you in the chest, stupid amounts of sizzle...it's just so much fun.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Yeah! 💪

[@jrtme]

This video makes it very clear why in my 29 years of owning my Block I have never modded it. 😀

[@EugeValovirta230V]

😎🤟

[@XCenturionX]

The 5150 is awesome, and that Bad Boy sounds amazing too. That's best JCM 800 sound I've ever heard. You sure know how to dial in high gain amps.

[@geraldrauch1701]

Euge!!! the sheer look of happiness on your face when started playing the stock amp made my day!!! sounds absolutely killer!!! the black telex looks badass!!! cheers brother!!!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Cool man! Thanks!

[@brpadington]

Those old block letters can hang with any modern amp. Some of the mods make them even more amazing. Great video.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Indeed 👌💪. Thanks!

[@RapttorX]

7:12 suddenly both you and the amp got new clothes ...that was a Superman moment

[@EugeValovirta230V]

😁😁😁👌

[@robertjose6086]

I picked up a 5150 block letter mint with peavey branded super 6er's in 2021 the guy who brought it purchased it brand new had a play with it and it sat cause he was a Eddie fan. I managed to get it from him when I got it home I had the same look on my face the excitement was over whelming a tone monster, great vid.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Cool man! Thanks!

[@gkswift1999]

A couple thoughts: you've always been my favorite KZbin player, because you and I played almost identical. You do tend to leave into the '80s a little bit more and I have been trying to lean more into the new era because I really really like the bullet for my Valentine and slip knot tones and type of playing like your exhibiting in this video. Okay next. That amp sounded incredible with the choke. But, as soon as you started playing it after you got it back from Eric, holy crap. It sounds like every 5150 did brand new right out of the box in 1992. That thing is a beast and I'm really glad you found it. You're 800 sounds terrific as well, but this thing is tits. Don't ever get rid of this one. Congrats

[@amidthefight6915]

Oooh! When you hit it with the Bonzai, that was it!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

🤟😎

[@davidmacleod9313]

How do you understand all this? Jesus! I have problems running effects thru the send & return with two heads (Marshall 2000DSL 100w) in stereo and (and the problem) shutting it down!!! I got the loudest pops…it scared the shit out of me! Lol Now I’m scared to play thru them. And I’ve been blow drying my hair for decades with Marshall…but not stereo. You not only play great but you understand all the tech stuff. (Wish I were young again! Lol) So much to know. Rock on, man!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Been a professional recording & touring artist for over 20 years so you’ll learn a little bit here and a little bit there 😎.

[@michaelkennedy2190]

Wow Euge that 5150 sounds amazing. New tolex looks amazing as well 😍 Thanks for sharing the love my brother!! Your KZbin channel is the best!!!🙏

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Yeah! Thanks man! 🙏

[@NGS2410]

your smile makes me smile

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Glad to hear 😊 🤟

[@Wasteoftime10]

What Output tubes are you using? Did you try different brands? Believe it or not, my original Block Letter, still has all the original tubes in it, and sounds killer!!! I know the day is coming when things might change, and I dread trying to hunt down new 6L6 tubes that will sound as good as what Ive had for the last 30 years! Great KZbin channel, and thanks for any info.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Can’t remember what’s in there ’cos they’ve been there for so long 😎. Svetlanas if I remember correct. Not in my studio atm so can’t check out 😊. Oh that’s cool man! Thanks!

[@FransvandenBergeMuziekschuur]

This is an amazing video. Your explanation together with the spot on playing to demonstrate why the amp was built the way it is. !!!!!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Oh thanks man! Really glad to hear this!

[@FransvandenBergeMuziekschuur]

@@EugeValovirta230V Eddie would be proud of you! A masterclass 5150! Thank you thank you.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

🙏☺️

[@FransvandenBergeMuziekschuur]

@@EugeValovirta230V now Eddie is gone I feel the EVH brand may need new product developers. I think it would be wize to send this video to EVH. And discuss any ideas you may have.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Oh that’d be really cool but I have no idea who to contact so any info would be helpful 🙏😎.

[@XChristianNoirX]

I really enjoy your channel and how you get excited about tone. :) The stock one is kicking the modded one's a$$! And btwx it does sound like you have the jcm800 slightly louder than the Block... But it could be frequency balance too, coming through my speakers differently. I like the VOP-9 with the block letter. It's kind of like an OD-820, smaller, more output, and instead of just 18v like the 820, there is a switch so that you can run it at 9v like an od808, and kind of get a cross between the 820 and 808 but with more output than either. At zero, it works like a very clean boost that gives huge low end when the output volume is cranked. Unlike the 808 and more like the 820 (and a Klon), the gain knob is kind of like a clean blend that blends in the overdrive... But what's really interesting is that, as you barely bring in the gain knob, it cuts low end, allowing you to control the tightness of you set it just right. By contrast, the 808 is like a legitimate gain knob, so the tightening effect isn't really there, and you alway have a bit of drive.. It's not totally clean at 0... But not really "distorted" either. You can make the VOP-9 sound very close to the 808 in 9v mode, but not the other way around. The 820 on the other hand sounds a bit too dad rock in a way, with a controlled, almost round attack to the notes (this is from memory since I haven't plugged it in in over 4 years 😂). It's still a great pedal, but it's big, clunky, and not as versatile as the VOP-9. The SD-1 to me is too aggressive and tight for an already super aggressive Amp.. But I haven't tried the MIJ one yet, which is a little thicker on the bottom than the other SD's I've had. I need to plug my block back in and mess with it.. I've been on my Stealth for the last 6 or 7 months (trying to break my security blanket which is the Block Letter) which is in my Mesa head switcher with the Dover DA-50. I need a KHE soon so I can hook all this stuff up instead of only 2 at a time!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks man! Glad to hear! And thanks for the detailed informative info 👌. Very cool!

[@PapaWheelie1]

Original for the win! If you put the logos behind the grill it would complete the unwind

[@EugeValovirta230V]

😎🤟💪

[@JonGUK]

Definitely sounds better stock. Sounds great. Excellent video by the way, especially that you take time to make an excellent production. I check-in every day to see what’s next.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Yeah! 💪. Thanks man! Glad to hear!

[@Moirchester]

It's a pleasure to see how much you like your job/art :)

[@EugeValovirta230V]

🙏😊

[@madddog692000]

That amp has some balls now that it's stock. It did before, but I think stock it just rips. The modded one sounded good on the recording though. Have a great day and thanks for the video 🤘 🤘

[@EugeValovirta230V]

It does indeed 💪😎. Thanks man!

[@ronvest1968]

Did you ever find out what tubes you were running? Killer content! You've become one of my favorites!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

I think the preamp tubes are what I have on most of my amps: JJ ECC83 / 12AX7. Can’t remember the power amp tubes’ brand. I’ve been on a road for over three weeks now and can’t check atm 🤟😎. Thanks! Glad to hear!

[@ronvest1968]

@@EugeValovirta230V Thanks for the response, brother. Post some videos from the road when you can. We'd all love to see them.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

There will be in a few weeks when I get back home and have time to edit them 😎🤟.

[@chronicnarnia]

@@EugeValovirta230V Do you know what Power Tubes you’re using now (after converting it back to stock)?

[@michaelmitchell5909]

Man, that looks absolutely amazing!....sounds brutal!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Indeed! 💪😎

[@TheCyberMantis]

Yeah, unmodded with the TS808 sounded the BEST. Nice job on that amp. The black tolex looks LEGIT! Looks great, sounds great. ( Of course, your playing makes everything sound great! ) I actually bought one of those block-letter 5150's back when they came out, from a local music store. I took it home, hooked it to my 4x12 cab, and played with it for awhile. I absolutely HATED it. I took it back to the music store the next day. I didn't have a reactive load-box, and the amp sounded bad at lower volumes. I didn't even know what a load-box was back then. I just knew there was no way I could play this thing in my house. It was WAY too LOUD. Stupid loud. And when I turned it down to where I could stand it, it sounded like CRAP. I was actually shocked at how bad it sounded. So it went back to the store. Fast-forward to today: I should have just stuck it in my closet, and kept it. Because TODAY.... I could actually do something with it. Back then.... I didn't know much about this stuff. Such is life, I guess.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Yeah! It’s like all tube amps: they don’t sound good without the master pushed but these actually does pretty ok ’cos they’re cold biased so it’s all preamp gain and the power tubes are there just basically for the volume and not for the power tube distortion & mojo. But these too sound even better when you turn them where it starts to happen a bit around noon but it’s not as big part of the sound than, for example, on old Marshalls 😎💪.

[@MrJam1001]

When I played low volumes I bump up the treble and bass just a little bit it kind of compensates.

[@Greg-rd8qr]

Awesome, I had a 5150 just like that one! Never should have traded it! Had the 5150 iii, both 6l6 & el34, didn't like them to much, definitely my bucket list amp!! Cheers from🇨🇦🤘

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Yeah! Cheers! 😎🤟

[@anthonymichael3029]

I was digging on the white 5150. Black is cool too, of course! Great vid

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Any color is cool as long as its black. And a Marshall black to be more specific 😎. Thanks!

[@sergejkrynycky728]

Euge I watched quite a bit of your vids lately and I gotta say. You sold me on SD-1. 😁 Selling my bluesy TS Mini and getting the Boss pedal.. Great video too. That 5150 sounds amazing.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Cool! I’d keep the TS also ’cos it’s a great pedal too 👌.

[@MrJam1001]

The SD1 is the king of overdrives in my opinion I believe it beats anything out there boutique or not Plus you can get one for 50 bucks brand new!

[@Dimillio7]

That's the sound! I had a bias mod in my 5150 and it took me about 10 seconds to realize I prefer the stock one way better. I always prefer stock As always good video! Keep up the good work. By the way what tubes you got in yours?

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Yeah! The power tubes are Svetlanas and the preamp tubes mostly JJ ECC83S if I remember correct 😎. Haven’t opened the preamp tube cavity in a while ’cos whatever they are they work like a charm 👌😊.

[@Endlessnameless803]

If you want a pedal that is an in between of the SD and TS, try a Precision Drive. Mainly a TS warm kind of sound but it has an additional knob that adjust the tightness of the amp to where you get that SD cut with the TS warmth. Was designed especially for use with 5150’s(as that is what Misha used/uses in the Fractal and what his invective amps are based off of, although they are basically modded to be a bit brighter and have more responsive Presence and Resonance controls). Seymour Duncan 805 is killer with 5150’s too

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Ah cool! Thanks for the tip!

[@andrewspade7969]

I would have kept it white, looks great and unique, stands out but now it blends in with other amps. I like the modded one better, it's a little warmer and smoother but I don't hear a big of difference. I'm all for small mods to amps to tweak it to ones taste, but I think if someone gets big mods done to an amp they are probably better off looking for a different amp.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

To me all colours are good as long as it’s black 😎. But can’t really argue with personal preferences 🤟.

[@madmikemike]

Ugh I miss my block letter 5150. It had a bias mod, set to 35-40 ma. Such a good and nasty heavy tone

[@EugeValovirta230V]

👌💪😎

[@QuerataX2]

Stock + TS exactly what I thought, a far more compatible combination.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

👌🤟

[@majorlee1]

Great vid! That 5150 is really nice! Great playing! 😎💪

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks! It is indeed 👌😎.

[@joshww2339]

Super over drive shirt is so cool! They should give you a golden one 🙌

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Yeah! 😊👌

[@LevRage]

Hi Euge, sounds killer! Do you know what tubes brand power tubes and what preamp tubes your tech installed in the 5150?

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Can’t remember but I changed all a while ago to JJs.

[@LevRage]

The reason I asked is I just bought a 1992 Block letter with the cabinet for 900 bucks on 9/28/23. Both in mint condition. The preamp tubes are still original Peavey but the guy I bought it from had new JJ' power tubes installed. Sounds fantastic on my oversize Marshall V-30 cabinets. It even sounds good with the Peavey Sheffield 1200 Cabinet. I might tinker with the preamp tubes at some point but for now "if in isn't broke don't try to fix it". This video helped me dial it in quickly. Thank you @@EugeValovirta230V

[@MoreMeRecording]

Dude, the difference now..Not going to lie, sometimes with a few comparisons you've done in the past I have to really listen hard to hear the intricacies (overall differences are usually only a few º) but going back to stock really punches you in the nutz. Oh and love the black jacket! I was never really a fan of the white wrap Ed wanted for these.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

It does indeed 😎👊. I prefer black and especially the Marshall black 👌😊.

[@ravenblackfeather4028]

Pretty sick sounding. Funny you say you got the Peavey from Toronto as I live close to Toronto. So makes it even more sick sounding haha.🤘💀🤘🎸💥

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Yeah! 😁👌

[@ArtbyPaulPetro]

Dude that look on your face says it all!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

😎🤟

[@mrabihnaboulsi79]

Euge, can you do a video on how to blend 2 or 3 amps at the same time? what is the secret of getting that perfect tone when blending? should every amp sound perfect by itself for the blending to be successful or do you focus on a certain frequency per amp?

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Yesh that’s on my to do list 👌. I usually use just one amp per side on rhythm gtrs but on some albums I’ve blended two per each side. Focus on certain frequencies per amp. For example JCM800 to get that Marshall upper mid bite and the ’silvery’ presence and 5150 for that deep low end thump 👌.

[@mrabihnaboulsi79]

@@EugeValovirta230V great! Looking forward to see the upcoming video. Do you use an extra eq to get the frequencies per amp or you just depend on the amp eq knobs? I guess the sound per amp should sound crappy but opens up once mixed/blended with the other amp?

[@EugeValovirta230V]

I always dial the sound with the amps so it’s THE sound from the get go what I’m looking for. But when mixing and all instruments are there usually a little bit eq here & there is needed. Mainly cut the low end to make room for bass and those extra high highs so they won’t clash with cymbals etc.

[@mrabihnaboulsi79]

@@EugeValovirta230V perfect. Thanks 🤘

[@01left]

Hi Euge What tubes do you use in the stock 5150 ? Pre-Amp and Power Tubes :-) Thx

[@EugeValovirta230V]

All JJs 👌.

[@artosirkia2121]

SISO - the best!! Good video!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Näin on! Vanha kunnon SISO ei petä 😎💪. Thanks!

[@SaberToothGary]

Yeah, man... fuck yeah! TONEHENGE!! Haha, En Guete!!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

😎💪🤟

[@picksalot1]

The modded version was too indistinct sounding for my taste. The stock 5150 sounds great, maybe a little less noise than the Bad Boy? Thanks

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Yeah The Bad Boy is noisy as F but it’s part of the charm 😎.

[@shaunsmith8108]

If you could have only one amp which would you ditch though.. I. Guessing you'd keep the plexi... all so hard as all your to es sound awesome..

[@EugeValovirta230V]

The Bad Boy JCM800 2203 from 1984 👌💪

[@Sticky_Tea]

You made me feel less bad about selling my 5150 with choke mod, mercury magnetics transformer and bias mod years and years ago Thank you for that 😉 I can still kick myself though

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Glad to hear that! 😎 Thanks!

[@jasonlewis5350]

That sounds great.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

It does 😎.

[@stethegreat8321]

On kyllä tykki saundi ! Itellä on Peavey 6505 Electro Harmonixin putkilla ja SD-1 OD, pidän kovasti. Oletko itse huomannut isoja eroja eri putkien välillä ? Teet tosi hyvää matskua, ilo aina katella näitä. Hyvin informatiivisia, mistä saa hyvää kipinää.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Näin on! Pääteputkissa SISO:lla ei mun mielestä niin suurta merkitystä, koska ne ’cold biased’. Etuasteputkina mulla taitaa olla kaikissa styrkkareissa JJ:n ECC83:t. Tässä taitaa tosin olla aika sekalainen sakki, mutta koska toimii, niin en ole viittinyt alkaa vaihtamaan / tsekkaamaan, että mitä siellä on 😎. Kiitos! Tosi nasta kuulla!

[@MrJam1001]

Seriously thinking about selling my 5153 50 watt and getting a 6505 I just love that tone.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

😎🤟

[@ConradMH]

Great bro!!!!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks C!

[@ConradMH]

You are wellcome E!!!!

[@JesterDyne]

The Clean never was bad on 5150 like everybody is saying. It's the combination with the EMG81 that sounds like the cheap kitchen Radio of your Grandma. Everybody played the 5150 with the 81 20 Years ago... that is why we all think that. The 81 is still a great Pickup but it just sucks on cleans....

[@EugeValovirta230V]

😁👌. I wouldn’t call it very good either especially when compared to some of my other amps (especially Boogie Mark V & JCM2000 TSL100) but it has a really good mildly overdriven tone which cleans nicely when rolling down the guitars’s volume. To me that’s actually a clean tone and really clean is ”crystal clean” to me 😎. I mean it says ”rhythm” and not ”clean” on the panel anyways (but who cares)😁🤟.

[@JesterDyne]

​@@EugeValovirta230V But the 5150/6505 has this dirt i kinda like. Even with Single Coils it is something.. well unique. Its just manly, bearded and unshaven :D Some Orange have that too in a similar Direction. Yes crystal cleans are nice like in Mesas but sometimes we want that dirt... Machine Head's Burning Red Record is a good example for that.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Indeed 🤟

[@johnsguitarmusicanddemos]

Definitely a cool comparison video. But it’s going to be difficult to record the same thing twice, right?

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks! It’s not difficult to play & record it (especially ’cos the song is really simple) but with re-amping I get the exact same performance with both ”versions” of the amp 👌.

[@rift81]

Nice! Sounds amazing without mods. Are you planing to test small Peavey 6505MH?

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks! In due time yes 👌

[@bubbahotep5439]

Hey! Euge! You should see if they will loan your a NEW Marshall reissue JCM800 2203 and compare with your Bad Boy. I'm sure which will win, but by how much??

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Hey man! Yeah we’ve talking about it and as soon as they have them in stock 😎👌.

[@jeffreyschned4200]

I agree stock …!🤘☘️

[@EugeValovirta230V]

👌💪

[@zakkcovers18]

Yeah 🤘

[@EugeValovirta230V]

🤟😎

[@tonehammer7276]

Nice shirt! 😄👍

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks! 😎👌

[@Moirchester]

Pepita wants to improve his knowledge, so he is extra attentive :)

[@TheCyberMantis]

He is sharp. He always pays attention to what Euge is doing.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Yes 😁

[@rtaylor1105]

great amps

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Indeed.

[@littlechrisvanhalen8783]

Hi Euge ..great sound it's EVH TIME! PLEASE EUGE IS IT POSSIBLE... CAN A MAKE A VIDEO ... HOW I GET THE VAN HALEN BALANCE TONE PLEASE🤟🤟🤟🤟👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 THAT WOULD BE GREAT!!! THANKS SO MUCH 😎💪😎💪⚡⚡⚡ CHRIS FROM AUSTRIA!!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks man! Will add to my to do - list 😎👌

[@littlechrisvanhalen8783]

@@EugeValovirta230V THANKS soooooo much Euge!!!♥️🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@amirbazegar8916]

Nice video.whats up about shining?

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks! I haven’t played in the band since 2017 so I have no idea 😎.

[@510eagles5]

I bought a Marshall head. Yes, your video inspired me. So… my next tube amp would be 5150…????

[@EugeValovirta230V]

😁🤟

[@matthewlewis281]

How much do you think the sound would change with a actual cab?

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Depending on the cab. Oversized Mesa w/ V30 mic’d with SM57 and a few other standard mics into high quality mic pre it wouldn’t change at all ’cos that’s what was used on the IR. I mean the mic positions what was used obviously would need to be matched equally but anyways 😎👌. With my Fryette FatBottom cab mic’d with the same mics etc. there would probably be a bit more low end and the speakers are different so the sound wouldn’t be the same but really good anyway. Just different.

[@matthewlewis281]

@@EugeValovirta230V thank you sir for the reply. I have always stayed away from Peaveys, however they peak my interest but I’m more of hard rock, modern hard rock… hair metal, classic metal put it this way my favorite bands of all time are Kiss, Motley, Pantera, Metallica, Type O Negative along with Ozzy/Solo and with Sabbath. Volbeat, Van Halen.. a lot of new shit they play on octane. So I’m all over the place… so far I always go back to Marshalls.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Can’t go wrong with a Les Paul & a Marshall 👌💪😎.

[@vicentcarro]

Friend, are you a Russian? (the accent, just curious )

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Finnish 👌😎.

[@MrMariodraiby1]

What do you mean by modded ?

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Please watch the video 😁.

[@Im2Old4ThisShite]

Brother, if you could box up and sell the feelings behind that shit eatin' grin, I'd sell everything I own and buy the entire lot. 🙏 \m/ 🖖🤘

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Have to keep that in mind 😁🤟.

[@stephenchow5161]

unmodded for me. tighter and more detailed with more clarity……

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Yeah! 💪

[@Worlds_Worst_Guitarist]

Stock is way better! More "Evil" or "dark".

[@EugeValovirta230V]

👌🤟