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ok, so i did a little amp shootout thingy, mainly at moderate volumes and not in a band context (which i probably won't be able to play in anytime soon), though.
in short words, the cobra SLAYS the 5150. remember, the 5150 used to be THE metal amp for me, it's the best amp i've owned so far. it's tweaked exactly the way i like it, with exactly the brand/type of tubes i like best etc.
still, the cobra kills the 5150 in every respect.
remember how i was not exactly blown away when i first got the cobra? using the notch switch is the key imho. with the notch disengaged (=normal, midrangey mode) it sounds cold, sterile, lifeless...but very tight and super honky. i always thought the notch (=scooped mids and revoiced for a more mesaish feel but way tighter) went too far as far as the scoopage goes, but i found that setting the mids and channel volume way high cures that problem (as i said, i haven't played that sound in a band context yet).
i'll do it sound by sound:
clean:
anyone familiar with the 5150 knows the clean channel blows donkeys, so the cobra wins, no contest. having that said, the cobra clean is pretty good even when put up against e.g. laney or mesa.
crunch/metal rhythm:
the 5150 sounds very very very very very very very very fizzy and muddy when put up against a cobra. all kidding aside, it's no friggin contest. almost unfair. the cobra is the clearest, tightest amp i've EVERY played. totally unforgiving short of a VHT. seriously, i did not notice how fuzzy the 5150 really is until i've heared a really defined amp like the framus.
on the other hand, the 5150 has more midrange, at least when compared to the notched cobra. unnotched cobra is honk city, though.....
lead:
the 5150 lead sounds are fine imho...somewhat uninspiring, but decent. add some delay and wah a la amott and you're set.
the cobra lead channel has way more (usable and actual) gain than the 5150 lead channel, stays tight all the way up, with lots of definition and clarity when playing fast runs...which also means that any sloppy playing will stand out for anyone to be heared.
both amps are somewhat dark....but i've grown to like sharp sounding amps. not harsh, but bright and cutting.
ah yeah, one last thing...the cobra bottom end is unreal. the 5150 resonance and bass on the lead channel both set to noon is compareable to the cobra crunch channel with the bass set to noon and the deep pretty much off. go figure.
as far as reliability goes, i've got no clue. teh 5150 is a real workhorse, and the cobra hasn't failed on me either....feels solid, too (although not even close to the 5150 in terms of weight). i'm kinda worried about overheating, though....the back is pretty much closed, and there are no venting slots above the powertubes - however, the front is open, so it's similar in design to engl amps. we'll see....
ok, long post....
in short words, the cobra SLAYS the 5150. remember, the 5150 used to be THE metal amp for me, it's the best amp i've owned so far. it's tweaked exactly the way i like it, with exactly the brand/type of tubes i like best etc.
still, the cobra kills the 5150 in every respect.
remember how i was not exactly blown away when i first got the cobra? using the notch switch is the key imho. with the notch disengaged (=normal, midrangey mode) it sounds cold, sterile, lifeless...but very tight and super honky. i always thought the notch (=scooped mids and revoiced for a more mesaish feel but way tighter) went too far as far as the scoopage goes, but i found that setting the mids and channel volume way high cures that problem (as i said, i haven't played that sound in a band context yet).
i'll do it sound by sound:
clean:
anyone familiar with the 5150 knows the clean channel blows donkeys, so the cobra wins, no contest. having that said, the cobra clean is pretty good even when put up against e.g. laney or mesa.
crunch/metal rhythm:
the 5150 sounds very very very very very very very very fizzy and muddy when put up against a cobra. all kidding aside, it's no friggin contest. almost unfair. the cobra is the clearest, tightest amp i've EVERY played. totally unforgiving short of a VHT. seriously, i did not notice how fuzzy the 5150 really is until i've heared a really defined amp like the framus.
on the other hand, the 5150 has more midrange, at least when compared to the notched cobra. unnotched cobra is honk city, though.....
lead:
the 5150 lead sounds are fine imho...somewhat uninspiring, but decent. add some delay and wah a la amott and you're set.
the cobra lead channel has way more (usable and actual) gain than the 5150 lead channel, stays tight all the way up, with lots of definition and clarity when playing fast runs...which also means that any sloppy playing will stand out for anyone to be heared.
both amps are somewhat dark....but i've grown to like sharp sounding amps. not harsh, but bright and cutting.
ah yeah, one last thing...the cobra bottom end is unreal. the 5150 resonance and bass on the lead channel both set to noon is compareable to the cobra crunch channel with the bass set to noon and the deep pretty much off. go figure.
as far as reliability goes, i've got no clue. teh 5150 is a real workhorse, and the cobra hasn't failed on me either....feels solid, too (although not even close to the 5150 in terms of weight). i'm kinda worried about overheating, though....the back is pretty much closed, and there are no venting slots above the powertubes - however, the front is open, so it's similar in design to engl amps. we'll see....
ok, long post....
it's amazing how the sheer clarity of the cobra highlighted the fizziness of the peavey
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