Blue channel on the LBX II = blue channel on the Stealth?

[Rex Rocker]

I have an EVH LBX II which I really like at moderate volumes. I remember playing a 50W, and I don't remember the blue channel on it have as much gain as the blue channel on the LBX II. So is the Stealth's blue channel more akin to the tone on the LBX II? I'd find it a lot more useful having two differently voiced high-gain channels rather than having one of them having a mid-gain channel. So should I be looking at the Stealth if I want the tone from my LBX II just bigger and louder plus the added option of going red channel?

 

[skullfxr]

You could pull up a schematic and look at the tonestack, but the output section of the LBX and the 50watt head are so radically different, that overshadows the difference IMHO.

 

[Bloodrock]

I’m not sure about the stealth, but I know the lbx II gain on the blue channel is in between the blue and red of the lbx 1. That’s why I chose the lbx 1 over the 2, just for the original blue. If you’re wanting a bigger version I’d play both the original and stealth to see which you prefer.

 

[Rex Rocker]

Thanks for the replies. I emailed Fender, and they replied that the Stealth has indeed the closest blue channel to the LBX II. They also mentioned the power tubes being different will affect the sound, which I'm aware of, and that the circuit is somewhat different.

I like what I hear from the blue channel here. This is what made me think the Stealth probably has the closest blue channel to the LBX II:

Can the blue channels on the Mini and standard 100W get there without a boost?

 

[skullfxr]

They are very different on paper now that I have looked and the output tubes are probably the biggest factor in a different sound... Especially when you turn it up.

 

[Bloodrock]

If you’re looking for a heavy metal chug you’re not going to get it from any EVH without a boost. Not what it was designed for. As with most tube amps. SS amps are tight and chuggy, tube amps are not for the most part.

 

[Rex Rocker]

They are very different on paper now that I have looked and the output tubes are probably the biggest factor in a different sound... Especially when you turn it up.

How are they different?

 

[skullfxr]

Tone stack values. I just pulled it up a bit ago just took a quick glance. I saw that the values of the components are different. I didn't take the time to do the math as far as the circuits go. Lol. I could if you REALLY want just give me a few days to get around to it.

The output section makes a huge difference. Mainly transformers and tubes, etc. You will (obviously) have a lot less headroom and low end at high volume. In cliff notes style, The lower the frequency of the pitch the more power that it requires to produce that note at the same volume. That is why small amps have less bottom end. cet. p.

 

[Rex Rocker]

Tone stack values. I just pulled it up a bit ago just took a quick glance. I saw that the values of the components are different. I didn't take the time to do the math as far as the circuits go. Lol. I could if you REALLY want just give me a few days to get around to it.

Nah, don't sweat it. Thank you. I mean, if it sounds good, it sounds good, regardless if its blue or red. I'm leaning towards just picking up a 50 watter just for size and price, but It'd be nice to hear your thoughts on wether the blue channel on the LBX II resembles the blue channel or the red channel on the rest of the EVH lineup more, though. Granted, I am using a boost and hot pickups, but I run my gain just a little past 9 o'clock, and I get a full-on modern metal level of saturation, which I don't think is something you can say about the blue channels on the rest of the EVH's.

I understand power tubes and big transformers would make MASSIVE difference as far as heft, tightness and openness, but I'm mainly interested in levels of gain and core voicing of the gain.

 

[skullfxr]

I am capable, but just to be honest when going across a lineup, the guys at fender could do it better and much more efficiently.

I think somebody summed it up best, if it sounds good, it sounds good.

 

[MetalHeadMike]

If you’re looking for a heavy metal chug you’re not going to get it from any EVH without a boost. Not what it was designed for. As with most tube amps. SS amps are tight and chuggy, tube amps are not for the most part.

Respectfully disagree. I've had plenty of tube amps that were/are tight and chuggy. I have an Ampeg Vh140c that absolutely needs a boot to tighten it up. I have a Marshall 8100 VS that doesn't "need" a boost to metal chug, but sure sounds better with one. That said, I still boost my tube amps for the most part.

 

[skullfxr]

If you’re looking for a heavy metal chug you’re not going to get it from any EVH without a boost. Not what it was designed for. As with most tube amps. SS amps are tight and chuggy, tube amps are not for the most part.

Respectfully disagree. I've had plenty of tube amps that were/are tight and chuggy. I have an Ampeg Vh140c that absolutely needs a boot to tighten it up. I have a Marshall 8100 VS that doesn't "need" a boost to metal chug, but sure sounds better with one. That said, I still boost my tube amps for the most part.

Concur. I don't think that using a boost is a negative. A lot of amps need/play better with a boost. It's not a big deal to me. It's not always the clipping it needs anyways.

Also high gain amp with a boost has pretty much been a standard since the 1980's, it was used then, and a lot of the tones today are built up on the history of people boosting amps. It's became a degree of a standard in the industry.

I had a vh140c I needed to tighten up with a boost. I have a krank rev + that really doesn't. Along another dozen on each side that I currently own.

There are a ton of variables.

 

[Bishop5150]

My favorite EVH sound is the original 100 watt blue channel with a boost in front. Gold. That was my main rig, two of them in stereo, for 7 years. I’ve gone the Fractal route now but I still use the 100 watt blue EVH in the Fractal with a Tube Screamer in the drive block before the amp block.

 

[riffermadness]

If you’re looking for a heavy metal chug you’re not going to get it from any EVH without a boost. Not what it was designed for. As with most tube amps. SS amps are tight and chuggy, tube amps are not for the most part.

Yep,when I boost my 50 watt 5153 head it makes a huge difference.
I had the original LBX and for what it was it was a good amp,I think the EL-84's just weren't enough for it with it having 5 preamp tubes..still a good amp.

 

[japetus]

If you’re looking for a heavy metal chug you’re not going to get it from any EVH without a boost. Not what it was designed for. As with most tube amps. SS amps are tight and chuggy, tube amps are not for the most part.

Respectfully disagree. I've had plenty of tube amps that were/are tight and chuggy. I have an Ampeg Vh140c that absolutely needs a boot to tighten it up. I have a Marshall 8100 VS that doesn't "need" a boost to metal chug, but sure sounds better with one. That said, I still boost my tube amps for the most part.

Concur. I don't think that using a boost is a negative. A lot of amps need/play better with a boost. It's not a big deal to me. It's not always the clipping it needs anyways.

Also high gain amp with a boost has pretty much been a standard since the 1980's, it was used then, and a lot of the tones today are built up on the history of people boosting amps. It's became a degree of a standard in the industry.

I had a vh140c I needed to tighten up with a boost. I have a krank rev + that really doesn't. Along another dozen on each side that I currently own.

There are a ton of variables.

Man, tighten up a vh140c? You must like things SUPER tight. That is one of the tightest amps I have ever played.

 

[JMP2203]

i have a LBX 2 here, to me the blue channel sounds definetely more like the stealth blue channel than the original ones - more gain, compression and noise

at first i didnt like it because i used like i used to use the original, but now im using less gain(10` clock) some boost and its cool