animInsaneAmp

Insane vs Insane 6508

Note: This article has been updated with lastest available information on January 13th, 2022 at 04:41 pm

Since last #sparkgeardrop we now have 2 available amps called Insane:

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Insane (EVH 5150 III)

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Insane 6508 (Peavey 6505)

The Insane amp was initially called 5153 when the Spark was released in early 2020. Then it has been renamed Insane, most probably due to some copyright issues. This model is inspired by the EVH 5150 III. Now we also have the Insane 6508, which is modelled after the Peavey 6505.

The Peavey 6505 is the same amp as the Peavey 5150 which was initially created as a signature model for Eddie Van Halen. After Van Halen and Peavey parted ways in 2004, the name was changed to Peavey 6505. The 5150 name was used again by Van Halen in partnership with Fender under the EVH brand. Peavey’s amplifier was renamed to 6505 in celebration of Peavey’s 40th anniversary (1965–2005).

So what’s the difference between the Insane and the Insane 6508 (EVH 5150 III and 5150) ? On the paper, the EVH is 100W RMS vs 120Watts for the Peavey. EVH amp gets 8 pre-amp tubes (12AX7) while the Peavey only gets 5. Both amps have 4 6L6 Power tubes. EVH amp also get an extra channel (3) when the 6505 gets 2.

Now, for the little story, you might wonder about that 5150 number. It has been used several times by Van Halen. It is the name of their 7th album, in reference to Eddie Van Halen’s home studio, which is in turn named after a California law enforcement term for a mentally disturbed person (a reference to Section 5150 of the California Welfare and Institutions Code). This is also a police code used by police in California when dealing with crazy people… Hence the Insane name given by Positive Grid to both amps!

More info on amp models available with the Spark

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