5150 III mini - Is it living up to the hype??

[Lucius]

I miss my 5150 III. Cheers, Lucius

 

[sandman]

I miss my 5153 50 watt. I sold mine to Lord Toneking. I didn't experience the flub on channel 2 like he did. Weird.

 

[Kevin11]

Yep...that flub drove me freakin nuts! Thing is I LOVED the amp. I loved channel 2 but I just wanted a little more gain and it wasnt happening without the flub. Almost sounded 'octave-ish' it had so much flub. Channel 1 and 3 were perfect though

Wierd since I sent it back and Howard Kaplan hand picked and tested another head and sent it to me and I experieced the same problem. I thought it was my guitar after that haoppened

That's exactly it! With all the comments I've heard here and on other boards, I'm thinking it's more the player and what each of us likes. I prefer a clean, punchy overdrive. Back in Black, High 'N Dry, Bogner XTC blue channel if that makes sense. You can crank the gain on the XTC AND kick in the boost and still not even be close to fizz/flub territory.

I was hoping the mini's blue would get me something like that at with a little more "mean". The few 100s I've tried do. Instead, it's kind of haze that gets worse as you kick up the gain. No punch, no definition, no clarity. Just hoping I can remedy it with a tube swap or simple mod. If not, I'll keep it for the red channel and grab a Friedman BE to gig with!

 

[blackba]

You guys with the massive volume drop between channels? What volume are you playing at? And have any of you tried setting the blue channel with the gain at about 11 o'clock (very Eddie type level of gain) and then backed off the volume knob on the blue channel? Killer clean tone with a little bit of grit on it. I never eeven switch to the green channel. And I run the red channel with the gain at about 9 o'clock.

That doesn't work if you want pristine cleans though, which is one of the big advantages the EVH has over the Peaveys.

I am waiting form someone to start modding the amps to add an extra volume control so you can fix the channel volume issue.

 

[squank]

You guys with the massive volume drop between channels? What volume are you playing at? And have any of you tried setting the blue channel with the gain at about 11 o'clock (very Eddie type level of gain) and then backed off the volume knob on the blue channel? Killer clean tone with a little bit of grit on it. I never eeven switch to the green channel. And I run the red channel with the gain at about 9 o'clock.

That doesn't work if you want pristine cleans though, which is one of the big advantages the EVH has over the Peaveys.

I am waiting form someone to start modding the amps to add an extra volume control so you can fix the channel volume issue.

Yea, that's a pretty big problem.


My RM 100 and modded modules actually sound better than the 5153 50w head I had. Not the stock modules, but some of the newer high gain modded modules sound incredible.

The 5153 is definitely a good amp for the money, but I don't think it stands up to other amps in its class.

 

[lettmusic]

My RM 100 and modded modules actually sound better than the 5153 50w head I had. Not the stock modules, but some of the newer high gain modded modules sound incredible.

The 5153 is definitely a good amp for the money, but I don't think it stands up to other amps in its class.

My RM100 sounds pretty hot with modded modules too, my favorite being an Egnater EG5 modded by Trace Davis at Voodoo Amps, he definitely turned that module into a tone monster.
But for my taste, the 5150 III has that tone in the gain that is very distinctive, very rich harmonics especially when the mids are dialed in right.

 

[Robotechnology]

I was never a fan of the original 5150. I liked the 5150 III 100 watters but found them very sensitive to whatever tubes and bias it was set at (not necessarily a bad thing) and as a result some sounded great and some sounded blah. The 5150 50 watters I've found I like slighter more than the 100 watter in term of tone. I have my gain set at 10 o'clock so the volume drop between the green and blue isn't so different and the clean is pretty clean. I LOVE and I mean LOVE the blue channel. I have the red set at 10 o'clock as well and it is too much gain! I'm gigging with it on Mon so Ill see if there is a volume difference at stage volume between the clean and the dirty. I don't mind using an fx box to switch my channels for me via midi so that would be the worst case.

 

[lettmusic]

I was never a fan of the original 5150. I liked the 5150 III 100 watters but found them very sensitive to whatever tubes and bias it was set at (not necessarily a bad thing) and as a result some sounded great and some sounded blah. .

They are very sensitive to bias and tubes. My tech boosted my bias by 10ma and automatically heard the difference and got him to bring it back down.
BTW great sound and playing on your band's video, Flames Of Fury. Top notch production.

 

[madrigal77]

I miss my 5150 III. Cheers, Lucius

You should never have sold that thing . What are you using now? Did get a snax yet!??!

 

[nevusofota]

If size isn't a big deal I would consider the 100w over the 50w for the following reasons:

-separate controls for ch1 and ch2 (I do miss this when I play the 50w, especially the separate volume)

-Ch2 tone is better on the 100w IMO. The volume jump from ch1 to ch2 exist because more gain was given to ch2 in the 50w.

-100w's ch1 is cleaner and has more headroom, creating a larger sonic difference between each channel. 100w is a true 3 channel amp.

-I prefer the fx loop in the 100w, maybe because its tube and the 50w's loop is solid state.

-I don't hear a benefit of the 50w at low volume. The 100w sounds just as good at bedroom levels and seems to have a bit more headroom when cranked.

 

[7 Stringer]

If size isn't a big deal I would consider the 100w over the 50w for the following reasons:

-separate controls for ch1 and ch2 (I do miss this when I play the 50w, especially the separate volume)

-Ch2 tone is better on the 100w IMO. The volume jump from ch1 to ch2 exist because more gain was given to ch2 in the 50w.

-100w's ch1 is cleaner and has more headroom, creating a larger sonic difference between each channel. 100w is a true 3 channel amp.

-I prefer the fx loop in the 100w, maybe because its tube and the 50w's loop is solid state.

-I don't hear a benefit of the 50w at low volume. The 100w sounds just as good at bedroom levels and seems to have a bit more headroom when cranked.

All of the above=

That`s why i traded mine in for a BE-100!!!!!!!!!!!

Chris

 

[zewango]

Blue channel on the 50 is way better to me. Not even close.
I prefer the 50 to the 100.

 

[Stramm8]

Yep...that flub drove me freakin nuts! Thing is I LOVED the amp. I loved channel 2 but I just wanted a little more gain and it wasnt happening without the flub. Almost sounded 'octave-ish' it had so much flub. Channel 1 and 3 were perfect though

Wierd since I sent it back and Howard Kaplan hand picked and tested another head and sent it to me and I experieced the same problem. I thought it was my guitar after that haoppened

That's exactly it! With all the comments I've heard here and on other boards, I'm thinking it's more the player and what each of us likes. I prefer a clean, punchy overdrive. Back in Black, High 'N Dry, Bogner XTC blue channel if that makes sense. You can crank the gain on the XTC AND kick in the boost and still not even be close to fizz/flub territory.

I was hoping the mini's blue would get me something like that at with a little more "mean". The few 100s I've tried do. Instead, it's kind of haze that gets worse as you kick up the gain. No punch, no definition, no clarity. Just hoping I can remedy it with a tube swap or simple mod. If not, I'll keep it for the red channel and grab a Friedman BE to gig with!

I get these tones all day long on mine That said, it won't do it in your bedroom or office that well. I have found that this amp comes to life when you have the master past 9 o'clock. So turn it up If it still sounds bad, there has to be something going on, maybe a bad tube or cord??

 

[Lord Toneking]

Yep...that flub drove me freakin nuts! Thing is I LOVED the amp. I loved channel 2 but I just wanted a little more gain and it wasnt happening without the flub. Almost sounded 'octave-ish' it had so much flub. Channel 1 and 3 were perfect though

Wierd since I sent it back and Howard Kaplan hand picked and tested another head and sent it to me and I experieced the same problem. I thought it was my guitar after that haoppened

That's exactly it! With all the comments I've heard here and on other boards, I'm thinking it's more the player and what each of us likes. I prefer a clean, punchy overdrive. Back in Black, High 'N Dry, Bogner XTC blue channel if that makes sense. You can crank the gain on the XTC AND kick in the boost and still not even be close to fizz/flub territory.

I was hoping the mini's blue would get me something like that at with a little more "mean". The few 100s I've tried do. Instead, it's kind of haze that gets worse as you kick up the gain. No punch, no definition, no clarity. Just hoping I can remedy it with a tube swap or simple mod. If not, I'll keep it for the red channel and grab a Friedman BE to gig with!

I get these tones all day long on mine That said, it won't do it in your bedroom or office that well. I have found that this amp comes to life when you have the master past 9 o'clock. So turn it up If it still sounds bad, there has to be something going on, maybe a bad tube or cord??

I am not a bedroom player. Mine sounded great at low volumes...and I tried swapping ALL the tubes. Not exactly sure what the deal was. The first night at rehearsal the whole band loved it...but then the flub came.

Long story but after many conversations with Howard Kaplan and getting a new amp sent to me that did the same thing I sold it and moved on. I wasn't gonna bother him anymore. Great customer service I will say though!

 

[sandman]

Yep...that flub drove me freakin nuts! Thing is I LOVED the amp. I loved channel 2 but I just wanted a little more gain and it wasnt happening without the flub. Almost sounded 'octave-ish' it had so much flub. Channel 1 and 3 were perfect though

Wierd since I sent it back and Howard Kaplan hand picked and tested another head and sent it to me and I experieced the same problem. I thought it was my guitar after that haoppened

That's exactly it! With all the comments I've heard here and on other boards, I'm thinking it's more the player and what each of us likes. I prefer a clean, punchy overdrive. Back in Black, High 'N Dry, Bogner XTC blue channel if that makes sense. You can crank the gain on the XTC AND kick in the boost and still not even be close to fizz/flub territory.

I was hoping the mini's blue would get me something like that at with a little more "mean". The few 100s I've tried do. Instead, it's kind of haze that gets worse as you kick up the gain. No punch, no definition, no clarity. Just hoping I can remedy it with a tube swap or simple mod. If not, I'll keep it for the red channel and grab a Friedman BE to gig with!

I get these tones all day long on mine That said, it won't do it in your bedroom or office that well. I have found that this amp comes to life when you have the master past 9 o'clock. So turn it up If it still sounds bad, there has to be something going on, maybe a bad tube or cord??

I am not a bedroom player. Mine sounded great at low volumes...and I tried swapping ALL the tubes. Not exactly sure what the deal was. The first night at rehearsal the whole band loved it...but then the flub came.

Long story but after many conversations with Howard Kaplan and getting a new amp sent to me that did the same thing I sold it and moved on. I wasn't gonna bother him anymore. Great customer service I will say though!

I had the very amp Lord Toneking had...I loved the amp...no flub at all...lol....is the amp maybe very picky with certain guitars/pickups? speakers/cabs?

 

[Stramm8]

Yep...that flub drove me freakin nuts! Thing is I LOVED the amp. I loved channel 2 but I just wanted a little more gain and it wasnt happening without the flub. Almost sounded 'octave-ish' it had so much flub. Channel 1 and 3 were perfect though

Wierd since I sent it back and Howard Kaplan hand picked and tested another head and sent it to me and I experieced the same problem. I thought it was my guitar after that haoppened

That's exactly it! With all the comments I've heard here and on other boards, I'm thinking it's more the player and what each of us likes. I prefer a clean, punchy overdrive. Back in Black, High 'N Dry, Bogner XTC blue channel if that makes sense. You can crank the gain on the XTC AND kick in the boost and still not even be close to fizz/flub territory.

I was hoping the mini's blue would get me something like that at with a little more "mean". The few 100s I've tried do. Instead, it's kind of haze that gets worse as you kick up the gain. No punch, no definition, no clarity. Just hoping I can remedy it with a tube swap or simple mod. If not, I'll keep it for the red channel and grab a Friedman BE to gig with!

I get these tones all day long on mine That said, it won't do it in your bedroom or office that well. I have found that this amp comes to life when you have the master past 9 o'clock. So turn it up If it still sounds bad, there has to be something going on, maybe a bad tube or cord??

I am not a bedroom player. Mine sounded great at low volumes...and I tried swapping ALL the tubes. Not exactly sure what the deal was. The first night at rehearsal the whole band loved it...but then the flub came.

Long story but after many conversations with Howard Kaplan and getting a new amp sent to me that did the same thing I sold it and moved on. I wasn't gonna bother him anymore. Great customer service I will say though!

I had the very amp Lord Toneking had...I loved the amp...no flub at all...lol....is the amp maybe very picky with certain guitars/pickups? speakers/cabs?

I think there are a lot of variables involved with any amp. I find that any amp besides my little practice amp sounds like doo doo in my office/jam room. Play it at practice; sounds great. Play it at a show; sounds like crap on stage but coming out of the front of house; sounds fantastic...

 

[EyesOfTheSouth]

Honestly one of my favorite amps ever. Spent 4 hours at the rehearsal space with one today. Had it cranked (master at 1 o'clock) through 5 different cabs. Used the GB 4x12 and Lynchback loaded 2x12 in my sig.........as well as an old Jackson 4x12, a Carvin V30 4x12, and a GB Reissue Marshall 4x12. Sounds great through all of them with some EQ tweaking.

Regarding the blue channel "flub" issue. It is non-existent on mine. Today, I had the Resonance maxed out, bass at noon, gain at noon on blue channel. Tighter than a nun's butt with the volume at 1 o'clock through the LB loaded 2x12.

The green/blue volume discrepancy lowers at gigging volumes. But no need anyway since the blue channel cleans up so well on the guitar volume. Personally, I have no use for the Red channel. It doesn't have the balls of the Blue IMO.

Even though the amp is passable for noodling at low volume, it really comes alive at 10-11 o'clock on the volume. Even my Top 40 loving fiancé made a comment when I reduced the master below 11:00......she said it sounded like "static".

As far as speakers, I'm liking it best with Lynchbacks. Even over the EVH and H30 speakers.

 

[spaced_ghost]

played one at GC and really liked it. would love to take one home and really work it out.

 

[Mizati20]

Here's a demo I did of the amp, using all 3 channels, clean was the green channel, blue for rhythm, and red was lead, never had any problems with flub on channel 2 at ALL either... hope this helps a bit, I don't play EVH stuff though, so it was set up more for clean and high gain... it's much easier setting the green and blue channel up for slightly lower gain styles...

 

[zewango]

Honestly one of my favorite amps ever. Spent 4 hours at the rehearsal space with one today. Had it cranked (master at 1 o'clock) through 5 different cabs. Used the GB 4x12 and Lynchback loaded 2x12 in my sig.........as well as an old Jackson 4x12, a Carvin V30 4x12, and a GB Reissue Marshall 4x12. Sounds great through all of them with some EQ tweaking.

Regarding the blue channel "flub" issue. It is non-existent on mine. Today, I had the Resonance maxed out, bass at noon, gain at noon on blue channel. Tighter than a nun's butt with the volume at 1 o'clock through the LB loaded 2x12.

The green/blue volume discrepancy lowers at gigging volumes. But no need anyway since the blue channel cleans up so well on the guitar volume. Personally, I have no use for the Red channel. It doesn't have the balls of the Blue IMO.

Even though the amp is passable for noodling at low volume, it really comes alive at 10-11 o'clock on the volume. Even my Top 40 loving fiancé made a comment when I reduced the master below 11:00......she said it sounded like "static".

As far as speakers, I'm liking it best with Lynchbacks. Even over the EVH and H30 speakers.

Using Lynchbacks as well