unusual mod for 5150 head

screamndemon69 · #1 04-30-2004, 12:28 AM

i'm wanting to get blue, transparent plexi-glass and putting the original logos (Peavey, 5150, enigineered by...) back on it for the face of the amp just above the pre-amp tone controls. i pulled the faceplate off to see if it is possible and it was not only possible but really easy to remove. the tubes would make the face of the head look similar to the cool blue glow of the new Genz Benz el Diablo head.
where do i get the blue plexiglass? last resort will be clear plexi with blue window tinting. help?!

Petie · #2 04-30-2004, 01:03 AM

Oh I thought you were about to say you'd found a mod that could actually make a 5150 sound good. *LOL*

I kid, I kid.

JerryP · #3 04-30-2004, 01:14 AM

I have mods that make 5150's sound good.
Jerry

screamndemon69 · #4 04-30-2004, 07:57 AM

i'm always interested in that! what are your mods?

JerryP · #5 04-30-2004, 09:06 AM

There's a bunch of info and clips on my page. I have several different things I can do. The most common thing I do is modifiy the bias circuit so the amp can be biased hotter and lower the gain a little to get rid of the saturated buzz and tighten the amp up. This makes the clean much more useable and lowers the lead channel hisssss a little too.
Jerry

screamndemon69 · #6 05-01-2004, 09:47 AM

what's the address of your page?
i found a place to get my blue plexiglass and hopefully, i'll have a cooler looking version of my 5150

- and if i get the bias mod done, i might have a cleaner sounding amp as well.

JerryP · #7 05-01-2004, 10:44 AM

My Site
Jerry

screamndemon69 · #8 05-02-2004, 01:22 PM

cool

i would love to have the clean- cleaned. i am not even using the gain (lead) channel with my current band but i use the clean channel with a Tube Screamer and Tech 21 Tri OD pedal for my gain needs. i can't use the lead channel as i have to run my DD20 (Boss) and my Phase 90 thru the effects loop (sounds pretty cool!) and it is just a pain to run the extra cables the 20ft or so from my board.
i'll have to seriously consider the mods you do. do you have to bias to get the clean sound cleaned up or can you just lower the preamp gain to fix it?

JerryP · #9 05-02-2004, 02:22 PM

You really need the bias mod too to get it as clean as possible. Even with these mods it's not Fender clean, but it is much more useable. Why are you running the cables for your effects? Leave the stuff in the loop back by the amp and use the loop switching to turn the loop on and off. I built switch boxes that might help too if you need to switch the effects separately.
Jerry

screamndemon69 · #10 05-02-2004, 03:53 PM

if i was only running the Phase 90 in the loop, that would work great, but i use the presets in the DD20 so i still need to access those directly via the pedalboard. the main difference in having to run the DD20 this way is tha i'm using the Tube Screamer and the Tri OD for my gain needs instead of the 5150 gain. the delay sounds like CRAP if it is in front of the dist or gain so i have the gain pedals instead of the lead channel of the 5150 driving for me.
the lead channel is WAY too hot for the stuff i'm playing right now and i like the smoothness of the TS9. I use the TS9 to boost my leads when i'm using the Tri OD and i wouldn't be able to do that with the lead channel of the 5150.
if you have any suggestions other than getting the bias done and the gain reduced for an overall better clean sound- i'm all ears. thanks!