EVH 5150 III 50 Watt & Digitech GSP1101-match made in heaven

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TirenJhames

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Hey, all. Just thought i'd throw this out for anyone who's got or getting the new EVH 50 watt amp. As most of us know...it's INCREDIBLE. However....the whole volume jump from clean to crunch can be mucky morass to sludge through.

That said, after trying three other units i have settled on the GSP1101. it works EXCELLENT with the amp. Doesn't tone suck; channel switches via MIDI perfectly; easy to program; hooks up with the 4 cable method well; provides just enough effects to not drown out the fire of Eddie's latest....in a word, it is "perfect'. I can get the old VH sound by using very little FX, or his newer sound by engaging more, like the harmonizer effect.

I also got the Control 2 foot controller to go with it and, dudes....(or you occasional guitar lasses)...i wouldn't have it any other way. These were truly made for each other and makes live switching a "bring-it-on" breeze.

Anyway, food for thought. I'm just glad i got rid of that @#$%# volume jump. It was drivin' me crazy!
 
This is exactly the rig I'm in the process of putting together, so thanks for sharing this! Just picked up the EVH 50W and a couple of the 2x12 cabs from our own Mr. King (who was fantastic to deal with by-the-way). :rock:

I normally run a Bogner XTC / pedalboard rig, but need something a little more portable for some of the gigs I do. I'm going to borrow a buddy's GSP1101 & controller to use with the EVH. Was hoping the two would work well together, so this is great info.

Care to elaborate on how you dealt with the volume jump issue?
 
KIller rig ! I just put this rig together with the 100 watt last night, And love it. Sucks though I have to buy an amp Gizmo for the 100 watt to use midi ! :doh:
 
Yea, that dies bite it. The 50 watt is a lot lighter to lug around too. You should consider its li'l brother!! ;-)
 
You bastard!! That does it, my XXX is going on the block to start a fund for the 50w and a GSP1101. I'll keep my Fortin DSL as a backup, or sell it off later to by another 5150 50 w.

*driven over the edge* :doh: :doh: :doh:
 
Has anybody used the 50w with a GCX or other MIDI switcher? I'm wanting to go that direction. I don't really get work done scrolling through menus in processors, and use effects sparingly. I've never done the whole MIDI thing before, besides with processors.
 
Gainzilla":5sbm9tk5 said:
The GSP1101 goes well with anything IMHO...
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+1 .. mine lives in a rack with my triaxis but also works well with my mark III or any other amp I've tried it with. The control2 floorboard is a must-have also.
 
YES - how DID you deal with the channel 2 volume issue???? I just got my 5153 50watter yesterday and am really liking it so far. I tried it out for about 10 minutes in the store and that was it - ordered it the next day. Sounds amazing, but that volume jump is a bit annoying. I can live with it, but would much rather have a solution if one exists. I imagine a tube swap is in order? I wish they would have just added a second Gain control for Channel 2 - then have the shared EQ for 1&2. Mabye ditch the Resonance pot instead. But then again, I could have just bought the 100 watter and had 3 complete channels - but then no Midi. Man, talk about decisions, decisions. :lol: :LOL: All in all, though, this is going to be a geat head for me. :rock:
 
IceMan":2pjl1lxx said:
YES - how DID you deal with the channel 2 volume issue???? I just got my 5153 50watter yesterday and am really liking it so far. I tried it out for about 10 minutes in the store and that was it - ordered it the next day. Sounds amazing, but that volume jump is a bit annoying. I can live with it, but would much rather have a solution if one exists. I imagine a tube swap is in order? I wish they would have just added a second Gain control for Channel 2 - then have the shared EQ for 1&2. Mabye ditch the Resonance pot instead. But then again, I could have just bought the 100 watter and had 3 complete channels - but then no Midi. Man, talk about decisions, decisions. :lol: :LOL: All in all, though, this is going to be a geat head for me. :rock:
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If you are using or planing to use some kind of MIDI F/X box with it you could always make up the volume difference by boosting the patch you make for Ch. 1 with a EQ or something.....Im guessing this will work, its what I plan on doing when I get mine.

I think I seen where some guys are using a EQ stomp box that is MIDI controllable(dont remember the name) to make up for the volume difference also if you dont plan on using rack gear
 
How noisey is your 1101 ? I bought mine used am wondering if its normal. Seems like a ground loop hum.
If i just put the 1101 in the loop of my amp it is dead quite but when i Plug my guitar into the input of the 1101 and use it in the loop I get a high gain amp hiss.

I have had rack rigs in the past that were this loud, its livable but when I plug straight into my amp it's quite.

Just wondering if anyone else noticed the same ?

Thanks
 
screamindemon, i don't find the 1101 noisy at all. It must be your unit. The reason i really LIKE the 1101 is because it's quiet and doesn't tone suck.

Repair maybe? Or find one off Ebay like i did for @ $300.
 
IceMan, the volume issue is NO ISSUE with the GSP1101. I now play with levels exact;y where i want them. Just use the MIDI "Learning Mode" on the amp to change channels PER PATCH on the 1101. It was incredibly easy to program too. Takes under ten seconds to program a channel.
 
mindseye":2ev3jsy9 said:
IceMan":2ev3jsy9 said:
YES - how DID you deal with the channel 2 volume issue???? I just got my 5153 50watter yesterday and am really liking it so far. I tried it out for about 10 minutes in the store and that was it - ordered it the next day. Sounds amazing, but that volume jump is a bit annoying. I can live with it, but would much rather have a solution if one exists. I imagine a tube swap is in order? I wish they would have just added a second Gain control for Channel 2 - then have the shared EQ for 1&2. Mabye ditch the Resonance pot instead. But then again, I could have just bought the 100 watter and had 3 complete channels - but then no Midi. Man, talk about decisions, decisions. :lol: :LOL: All in all, though, this is going to be a geat head for me. :rock:
Click to expand...


If you are using or planing to use some kind of MIDI F/X box with it you could always make up the volume difference by boosting the patch you make for Ch. 1 with a EQ or something.....Im guessing this will work, its what I plan on doing when I get mine.

I think I seen where some guys are using a EQ stomp box that is MIDI controllable(dont remember the name) to make up for the volume difference also if you dont plan on using rack gear
Click to expand...

Thanks!! Those are both good suggestions. I'm sure I'll use it in either scenerio. I may also play with the tubes a bit. I'm sure it won't make a huge difference, but sometimes a lower-gain tube can help tame an unruly channel. If anyone else has ideas - feel free to share!
 
TirenJhames":1t48fvn3 said:
IceMan, the volume issue is NO ISSUE with the GSP1101. I now play with levels exact;y where i want them. Just use the MIDI "Learning Mode" on the amp to change channels PER PATCH on the 1101. It was incredibly easy to program too. Takes under ten seconds to program a channel.
Click to expand...

I really should try out one of those 1101's. I must admit, I've never been a big fan of most Digitech stuff, but that processor did piche my interest when it came out. Opted for a Roctron Voodu Valve instead. Now the Voodu just sits in a rack - I never really gelled with it. I'm going to take a stab at using my Ax-Fx Ultra with the EVH for basic effects and see what kind of results I get.
 
I've never been a big fan of most Digitech stuff... me neither.
 
I use a Line 6 M13 with mine for FX and MIDI switching. I also put a clean boost (the Tube Comp model) in the loop when I'm on the green channel to balance out the volume discrepancy. At gig volumes, it's barely noticeable anyway, even more so if you run the gain around noon. I don't, I run it at 3.5-4/10 for a sick crunch tone.

Wicked rig.
 
Random Hero":el4swrqh said:
I use a Line 6 M13 with mine for FX and MIDI switching. I also put a clean boost (the Tube Comp model) in the loop when I'm on the green channel to balance out the volume discrepancy. At gig volumes, it's barely noticeable anyway, even more so if you run the gain around noon. I don't, I run it at 3.5-4/10 for a sick crunch tone.

Wicked rig.
Click to expand...
Is it possible to switch the channels directly with the M13? I read something about it awhile back and got the impression it wouldn't work. I passed on a cheap M9 because of it actually.
 
I tried the M13 before the 1101. The only way to switch the amp channels on the M13 is to actually change SCENES. You can't send a MIDI request to the amp by only changing one of the nine "stompboxes". And changing scenes takes TWO stomps of the foot. When i'm playin' live i want the least tap-dancing possible so that sealed it for me.
 
To Kevin11:

How to eliminate the volume jump?

1) Get an FX processor that can send a MIDI command (like the GSP1101)
2) Put the EVH 5150 III 50 watt into "learning mode" by pushing both small channel buttons on the front.
3) Switch to a certain patch on your processor.
4) Switch to your desired 5150 channel using a front channel button.
5) Push both small channel buttons on the front again to exit "learning mode".

Now every time you stomp that particular patch on your processor the 5150 will jump to the channel you set.

Like i mentioned earlier up, this takes (once you have it down) less than 10 seconds. I've even done it on the fly in concerts. The 5150 "learning mode" makes it easy indeed....
 
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