Gear Review: August Burns Red guitarist Brent Rambler on his Peavey 5150 Amp Head

August Burns Red are getting ready to release their fourth studio album Leveler on SolidState Records. Having such great music and a steller live performance, guitarist Brent Rambler needs an amp head that can deliver the right sound and not break down during an intense performance. Read on as to why the Peavey 5150 Amp Head is the right piece of equipment for Brent and his killer riffs and breakdowns.

What one piece of equipment do you use to obtain your signature sound?
Brent: The biggest part of my sound is probably my amp. I use a modded Peavey 5150 and it’s sick!

What about it makes it so important to you?
Brent: It’s possibly the best 5150 out there in the world. [laughs] It just has a really mean sounding growl to it. Plus I put a plaid face plate on it about 6 years ago, and I still love it.

What are the major pros and cons?
Brent: The major pro is how consistent the amp is. I’ve been playing it for 8 years, and I’ve had it repaired once. The sound never changes and settings are super easy to dial in. The major con is the clean channel. You can’t EQ it, and for the most part it needs to be drowned in effects.

How long have you used this piece of equipment and would you ever change it?
Brent: I’ve been using this amp for eight years. It was the first head I ever bought, and I hope to hold onto it for a very long time. The only reason I would ever change it is if it just up and died on me. It has the perfect sound for the style of music we play, and all other amps I’ve tried have paled in comparison.

Any final thoughts or comments on the gear?
Brent: If you are in a metal band, buy a 5150 or a 6505. You won’t regret it.

Check out the song: “Divisions”