Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 4 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
5.0 (5)
$1,699.99
Guitar Center
5.0 (1)
$1,699.99
Reverb
4.0 (15)
$1,675.10 10 available Used
Musician's Friend
$1,699.99

Average Price: $1,695

High-end/Boutique

$300

$801+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 3 merchants for "Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Unleash the power of your guitar with the Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head, a sonic powerhouse that's designed to deliver an array of tonal options. Originally branded as the EVH 5150, this high-performance amp head offers two inputs, enabling versatility for various playing styles and setups. It also boasts a "bright" and a "crunch" channel, offering distinct sonic landscapes perfect for those seeking to create a rich and immersive sound palette. Whether you're chasing clean, transparent tones or craving for a more gritty, aggressive sound, this iconic amplifier head is your reliable partner on stage and in the studio.

Key Features:

  • Dual inputs for versatile playability
  • "Bright" and "crunch" channels for diverse tonal options
  • A 120-watt power rating for robust sound projection
  • Originally produced between 1995 and 2004, offering a vintage appeal
  • Suited for both stage and studio use
  • Highly responsive to different guitar pickups and playing techniques

Product specs

Brand Peavey
Model 5150 "Block Logo" 120-Watt Guitar Head
Finish Black
Year 1990s
Made In United States
Categories Guitar Heads
Color Family Black
Electronics Tube
Impedance 16 ohms, 4 ohms, 8 ohms
Number of Channels 2 Channels
Number of Inputs 2 Inputs
Output Power (Watts) 120
Power Tube Type 6L6
Powered Unpowered
Reverb None

FAQs

What kind of music is the Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head best suited for?

The Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head is renowned for its high-gain capabilities, making it ideal for rock, metal, and hard rock genres. Its powerful tone is favored by guitarists seeking aggressive and dynamic sound.

Does the Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head handle pedals well?

Yes, the Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head is known to take pedals well, particularly overdrive and distortion pedals, enhancing its versatility and tonal range for various playing styles.

What is the core tonal characteristic of the Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head?

The Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head is characterized by its high-gain, aggressive tone with tight lows and cutting highs, perfect for achieving powerful and articulate distorted sounds.

How many channels does the Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head have?

The Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head features two channels, allowing players to switch between clean and lead tones for versatile performance options.

What type of power tubes does the Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head use?

The Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head uses 6L6 power tubes, which contribute to its robust, high-gain sound and overall tonal character.

Riffs, Beards & Gear

Riffs, Beards & Gear

THE TRINITY! 5150 Amp Shootout! (2021)

Video thumbnail for THE TRINITY! 5150 Amp Shootout! (2021) by Riffs, Beards & Gear

THE TRINITY! 5150 Amp Shootout! (2021)

Riffs, Beards & Gear

Riffs, Beards & Gear

Video thumbnail for HEAD TO HEAD - Peavey 5150 vs 6505 - Are They Really The Same?! by Kyle Bull

HEAD TO HEAD - Peavey 5150 vs 6505 - Are They Really The Same?!

Kyle Bull

Kyle Bull

Reviews

PROS

  • Iconic for 90s melodic metal sound

  • Original Block Letter model highly praised

  • Rare Sylvania tubes enhance performance

  • Replicates desired metalcore and heavy metal tones precisely

  • Good distortion quality

  • Some find the clean channel satisfactory

  • Seen as a collector's item

  • Inspired by Eddie Van Halen's preferences

CONS

  • Perceived as a "one trick pony" by some

  • Expensive on the used market

  • Requires additional cab for full setup

  • Not as versatile for genres beyond metal

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head.

Comparisons

  • The 5150 is frequently used with a Mesa OS cab and SM57 microphone for metal recordings, indicating a common professional setup.

    Source
  • The 2x12 combos with Vintage 30s are noted to perform better than 1x12 versions by some owners, potentially due to build origin differences (USA vs. China).

    Source
  • The 60W 2x12 combo is criticized for sounding "flabby" at volume, lacking the tightness and depth of the 120W head.

    Source
  • The Peavey 5150 is often compared to the Mesa/Boogie Dual Rectifier for heavy sound, with some users preferring 5150 for its distinct tone.

    Source

User experience

  • Some users find the Chinese-made 1x12 combos suffer from build quality issues, such as poor soldering, although this is disputed by others.

    Source
  • Owners of the 60W combo report a thin sound unless the gain is cranked, limiting versatility for cleaner tones.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The 60W combo is often modded to enhance its usability, converting it into a more effective 3-channel amp.

    Source
  • Owners note that the 5150 is ideal for metal and heavy genres but not suited for clean tones; alternative amps or channels are recommended for cleaner sounds.

    Source
  • This amp excels in producing tones suitable for both classic Van Halen and modern metal bands like Killswitch Engage and Arch Enemy.

    Source

Build quality

  • The 60W combo's design is criticized for using chipboard cabinets and cheap components, affecting its perceived durability.

    Source
  • The script logo on the 5150 is often considered more desirable than the block logo, suggesting a preference for these early production models.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Running a volume control in the effects loop is suggested for achieving good tones at lower volumes.

    Source
  • Some owners suggest enhancing this amp's performance by running a boost pedal in front, especially when paired with a cab featuring V30 speakers.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The amp's volume control can be sensitive, jumping from 0 to high levels quickly, which can require careful handling during use.

    Source
  • The amp is described as "LOUD and HEAVY," containing nine tubes, making it suitable for powerful live performances.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • A power attenuator is highly recommended for bedroom playing to manage the amp's high volume levels effectively.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • A 1992 Peavey 5150 head and cabinet priced at $1100 is considered a great deal, with potential resale value up to $2200.

    Source
  • Owners note that the script 5150 heads are often valued over $1,000, making a $550 purchase a significant deal.

    Source
Add

5.0 out of 5

Based on 6 Reviews and 44 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
concubine

Perfect

You know what it is. Everyone knows what it is. You see one, you get one. The king of metalcore. Surprisingly great clean tones too

From Gear Setup
jude_diaz

The best tube amp I have ever heard

The best tube amp I have ever heard,great metal amp, great clean channel,just great,I have only played for like 3 years but just great amp, the tone i want i just get, the 6505 is the exact same thing, if you can't find this,get a 6506,also have the cabinet with some speakers better than vintage 30s I forgot what the speakers in my 5150 cab are called but just great.

tgifribae

metal amp

used this amp mostly for metalcore stuff when I was in Mailman

mogwai73

Soldano sound...

In the early 90's, when Eddie Van Halen was playing Ernie Ball/Music Man guitars, he was into Soldano amps; this is Hartley Peavey's effort to replicate what Eddie wanted.

jimmarchi1

yeah, the 1st version is really close to a SLO100 circuit with ingerior PCB material, more readily available comonents, off the shelf transformers and a slight voicing tweak to up gain and smooth the high end to be less razor-like... yet somehow those changes add up to make it very little like the SLO

tuckerofthorraxe

Yes.

If you've heard of this amp, you know what it does. There isn't an amp in the world that does it better.

jimmarchi1

except the soldano SLO100 that its knocked off of with a few voicing mdos to suit EVH

martin_boesvang

Really nice

Good all round amp. Okay clean and really good distortion

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Claudio Sanchez uses Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head

Claudio Sanchez

Singer, Guitarist

Coheed and Cambria

...
Verified via YouTube

at 40 seconds you can see a Peavey 5150 head.

See how Kirk Windstein uses Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head

Kirk Windstein

Guitarist

Down

...
Verified via YouTube

In the live performance of Crowbar at Resurrection Fest 2014, Kirk Windstein can be seen using the Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head.

See how Ian D'Sa uses Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head

Ian D'Sa

Guitarist, Music Producer

Billy Talent

...
Verified via Photo

"'And before you came to Stevenson's amps, what did you run through?''Before that I was using a (Peavey) 5150 head, I think it was a '91. And I really liked those tones, too, like they were really clean. I'm a big fan of the bright guitar amps. I was using a 5150 through a Vox cabinet at the time and it was super bright but at the same time with the 5150 every time you turned the gain up it would just get a little too saturated for me. I couldn't find that clean and heavy balance whereas with the Stevenson I found that balance pretty easy,'" says Ian D'Sa, in this interview.

See how Robb Flynn uses Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head

Robb Flynn

Singer, Guitarist

Machine Head

...
Verified via Guitar World

He says what he used on the Unto The Locusts record in one of the questions and it was a 5150 amp head. You can also see this set up on the making of dvd.

See how Adam Dutkiewicz uses Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head

Adam Dutkiewicz

Guitarist, Drummer

Killswitch Engage

...
Verified via MusicRadar

In this interview, Adam talks about using his "old 5150" to record the majority of Times of Grace's "The Hymn of a Broken Man."

"I used my old 5150 a lot though – it's one of the first series ones. They sound the best. It gurgles and sounds a little more focused than most 5150s. It's my go-to head and I believe they modelled after the old Soldanos so it's kind of the same sound – lots and lots of gain, very hot rodded gain."

See how Corey Beaulieu uses Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head

Corey Beaulieu

Guitarist

Trivium

...
Verified via Twitch.tv

In his stream Matt Heafy said he borrowed 5150 from Corey

See how Bill Steer uses Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head

Bill Steer

Guitarist

Carcass

...
Verified via Goddamnbastard

GW: What gear and settings do you guys use to get your tone? Steer: Just for simplicity, I only use one amp live--a Peavy 5150 with a Marshall Guv'nor pedal in front of it to beef up the overdrive just that little bit extra. In the studio, though, it's a different matter; I use several different amps--a selection of Marshalls and the 5150.

See how Tom Searle uses Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head

Tom Searle

Guitarist

The Architects

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video, Tom Searle uses a 5150. He used the 5150/6505/6505+ almost interchangeably live. Rest easy Tom.

See how Erik Rutan uses Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head

Erik Rutan

Singer, Guitarist

Cannibal Corpse

...
Verified via YouTube

In a studio tour video by GodlykeInc, Erik Rutan is shown using the Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head at Mana Recording Studios.

See how Josh Middleton uses Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head

Josh Middleton

Singer, Guitarist

The Architects

...
Verified via Total Guitar Magazine

At home I have a handful of heads - a 6505, 6505+ and a block letter 5150 - and they do sound different enough. I switch between them a lot but it will always be one of those amps. I make Kemper profiles of everything I do and use that live for both bands. That combination of heads, cabs and speakers always brings a clear mid-range no matter what you dial on the amp.

See how Dweezil Zappa uses Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head

Dweezil Zappa

Guitarist

Spinal Tap

...
Verified via Dweezilzappa

"Around that time my rig changed a lot. I started using Peavey 5150s and Classic 100s. At one stage the rig consisted of three 4X12s powered by 3 different amps, creating a stereo outside, dry center array. I even had Fender Bassman as a center channel at one point."

See how Dino Cazares uses Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head

Dino Cazares

Guitarist

Fear Factory

...
Verified via guitarworld

According to this interview, he used this amp on "some Divine Heresy stuff".

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Peavey 5150 120-Watt Head, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

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concubine

concubine

Gear IQ 328

concubine

concubine

Gear IQ 328

tylerrosier

tylerrosier

Gear IQ 322

concubine

concubine

Gear IQ 328

sidwalter

sidwalter

Gear IQ 223

marouanechakib

marouanechakib

Gear IQ 275

thesonictitan

thesonictitan

Gear IQ 137

joaoribeiro

joaoribeiro

Gear IQ 573

official_chris_allen

official_chris_allen

Gear IQ 89

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