Amp opinions needed - Mesa vs EVH

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krb813 said:
Sorry for all the questions. I play a lot of different stuff. I’ve been playing for about 8 years. I have a budget of around $1600 and am looking for something aggressive sounding. I have the clean stuff taken care of with my Deluxe Reverb. I have watched a video on YouTube where Kyle Bull compares the TC50 with the EVH Stealth. He was saying the TC was more mud-focused and the EVH with more low end. I’m just trying to spend my money wisely.
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There's no need to be sorry. I don't think Kyle's video really does the difference between the two justice. Channel 2 on the TC may be closer since it's less compressed and you can roll off the mids a bit, but once you get to channel 3 it's not even close. The TC is very compressed and mid-focused with a weak low end. It's not for everyone. If it was my only high gain amp, I don't think I would have been happy with it. If you like heavy palm mutes and massive sounding chugs, you will find yourself unhappy with it pretty quickly.
 
I see the MT15 was mentioned earlier. What do you all think about it? It would save me money.
 
krb813 said:
I see the MT15 was mentioned earlier. What do you all think about it? It would save me money.
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The only way I would buy one would be a good deal on a used one. Seems like the kind of amp that is worth half as much the day you buy it.;
 
Devin said:
If you're just playing at home and want to play Tremonti stuff, why not take a look at the PRS MT15? It's Tremonti's signature amp
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Thanks for your input. I may go see if I can find one and try it out. Maybe put the money I save towards a used Gibson Les Paul or something.
 
krb813 said:
I have access to a used Mesa Triple Crown 50 vs. a new EVH 50w Stealth. What are your guys opinions? I can try out the TC50 but I have been looking at the Stealth as well. I would have to buy the EVH online without playing it.

Thanks in advance.
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What did you end up going with?

FWIW, I have and love the EVH Stealth 50. I'd grab that or the regular EVH 50 for about $200 less. They go on sale at GC quite often.
 
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The OP mentions bands that all used Marshalls…so clearly the EVH blue channel is the one he wants, easily over the Mesa stuff. Regarding Tremonti; the red channel on the EVH can be set darker to more resemble the mix of amps Tremonti uses, and has all the gain one could want.
EVH is the choice here.
 
I own a TC50, owned a 50w 6l6 2x12combo 5153 and a 100 watt 6l6100watt head stealth briefly on both..played a 50el34 stealth at GC for 20 minutes or so. 1st thing that jumped out on the 5153 el34 was the red channel was more usuable and the blue channel was not as impressive. which is odd I know. I've owned and giged the TC50 for a couple years now. It's supposed to be British voiced compared to other Mesa's, so I read. I use it with el34s, it's a great amp but doesn't jump.out at me that it's more marshall or British voiced. I got in a trade for a Helios as at the time had a BE100 and the Helios , so it was a good bit of crossover.
Something to consider in the TC50, all the options you wont get with the stealth. Can run it without a cab, has built in speaker emulation and can use 6l6 el34 or 6v6 power tubes, built in DI/xlr. independent reverb for each of the 3 channels MV for each channel as well as gain and a MV for the power section. Voice toggles for each channel, footswitchable reverb , effects channel and solo boost. IMO it has more options. Does it sound better? I wouldn't even begin to voice that opinion as that's up to who's playing it and what they hear when playing either. Either is a kick ass amp. For metal and more gain we all know the 5153 has more gain than about any amp off the shelf. Some would maybe disagree. It's a crazy amount, more than the TC , the clean channel of the TC is more versatile as well with the voicing options/toggle. Hope this helps. You wouldn't be unhappy with either. Great choices!!!
 
For the record I really like the Triple Crown , I like the fact that it is not a 100% Marshall derivative or that it is 100% a Us hi gain Recto
It’s a mix of the 2 voices and for sure there are going to be some compromises but it super versatile
You can play country Blues classic rock and then edge into metal
I will agree that it does not have a ton of low end ( which to me is a good thing as it gets buried anyway under bass or low cut on a recording )
The Crowns Hi gain characteristics are lean lows that are very tight focused and percussive
A punchy forward mid
Tons of harmonic content as other posters mentioned it has a very complex top end and squeal and tapped harmonics , sustain are effortless
Finally it has a ton of clarity and articulation under high gain
It’s my fav MESA
I don’t like it without the tight switch on as much , the tight is basically like a tube screamer boosting the front end and adds to the harmonics and clarity
 
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Between the two, Mesa for versatility and sound quality or EVH for rythm metal sounds that you'll find boring after a while, in a nutshell.

Maybe sell everything and get the Marshall JVM? That will do it for you as you can have anything you desire and never get bored.
 
GJgo said:
The new EVH actually sound pretty good in the band, I was impressed. Regardless of how they sound the feel of the build quality, especially against a Mesa, is cheap.

Keep in mind with the TC, it's similar to the Badlander in that it has no bottom end compared to what we're used to with Mesas.

I put these together recently FWIW.



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Both Mesa's sound better to my ears, just better clarity and better sounding mids, although the EVH may be a bit tighter sounding than even the Mark. Tightness ain't everything though... it's just kinda boring sounding, like it has no character.
 
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anomaly said:
Well then better get yourself a solid state Randall or Ampeg, and throw a boost in front. Nothing is tighter than that.
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You didn't get it, did you? It was a joke ;)
As far as sound goes, I agree, tightness becomes uninspiring pretty quick.
That's not the case with other things in life though :cool:
 
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