EVH 5150 III 50 Watts or Mesa Mark III green stripe?

[Nachorc90]

Hey guys, me again, and again lookin for some opinion.

I have a Mesa Mark III long head (Green Stripe, Reverb, Graphic EQ, Simul-class) which I like, but lately, I´m having some cravings for the EVH 5150 III mini (or the 100 watts version, depends on the price and avaiability of my used market), I should clarify that in my country, there isn´t many possibilities on trying an amp before buying, so, in order to get the EVH, I should sell the MESA.

I couldn´t use the Mark for much time, because I don´t have a cab at the moment, I´m buying one next month.

I´m looking for:

- GREAT cleans.
- Good crunch/metal rythm.
- Excellent leads.
- Functional FX Loop.
- Reliability.
- Bedroom volumes.

Which one would you choose based on your experience? I know, I know, that´s my decision, and it will be MY decision, but I´m really open to suggestions and I think this is a great place to get some nice opinions.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Nachorc90]

Also, please justify your votes with arguments, if possible.

 

[Crunchtime]

Mark III. Sounds better, IMO. Made in USA and they don't make them anymore. Easy choice for me and my needs.

 

[V-Type]

The 5150 III is a cool amp but a Mark III is my choice as well.
It has stood the test of time tone and feature wise and has more than enough gain too hang with anything today.
However the midi switching on the Evh is a very nice feature as well.

 

[RJF]

Easy

Mark 3 green stripe.

 

[mr11]

I have a Mark IV. Recently picked up a 5150III and couldn't flip it fast enough. The blue channel was nice, but I preferred the mesa on every channel, just really didn't like the gain structure of that EVH. Also I really don't like shared EQ on channels like on the 50 watt which obviously wouldn't be a problem on the 100 watt.

Just my opinion of course, a lot of people love the 5150.

 

[Tone Zone]

- Bedroom volumes.

Which one would you choose based on your experience?

Okay, I guess I'll be in the minority here....but, based on this one need alone, I'd go with the EVH 5150 III. I've had both myself, and i enjoy the EVH at bedroom volumes a lot more. Both are great amps, but i just prefer the EVH overall. And, I really prefer the more refined sounding Mark IV & V to the rawer sounding Mark III anyway. But, straight up between the Mark III and EVH 50.....I'd take the EVH every time for my tastes.

 

[Nachorc90]

The Mark III also has 3 shared channels, but isn´t exactly channels, it´s more like a single channel with three modes.

 

[Nachorc90]

Also, people who owned the two amps, like Tone Zone (already stated will be greatly greatly appreciated!

 

[Code001]

I'll chime in since I've owned a Mark III Blue Stripe and a 5153 100w, as well as having experience with the 5153 50w.

- Cleans are meh for both. Cleans can get nicer with the Mark III, but you're going to be sacrificing the rhythm/lead channel EQ to do so.
- Mark III's R2 sucks. The blue channel on the 100w is better, and the 50w's blue channel is even better than the 100w's.
- Both are great at leads.
- Both are basically equal in terms of serial FX loops go.
- I'd say the Mesa is a bit more reliable. It's stood the test of time, and there have been some issues with the 5153 amps.
- Both are about the same at bedroom volumes if you know how to dial the things in, but I'd say the 5153 wins this by a little.

My gripe with the Mesa was the shared EQ. I could never get a solid tone dialed in for both rhythms and leads. Even with the R2 volume mod, the channel really sucked for metal rhythms. I could get a good metal rhythm tone on the Lead channel, but then my lead tone would be too bright and tight. It didn't have the sag I wanted for the leads. I tried using R2 with a boost, and it just never worked out for me. That's why I flipped it and went with my 5153 that I currently own. I can get the rhythm and lead tones I'm looking for (I use Red for rhythm and Blue for leads), as well as a useable clean channel. Everyone's tastes are different, obviously, but that's been my adventure with the two amps.

 

[Nachorc90]

I'll chime in since I've owned a Mark III Blue Stripe and a 5153 100w, as well as having experience with the 5153 50w.

- Cleans are meh for both. Cleans can get nicer with the Mark III, but you're going to be sacrificing the rhythm/lead channel EQ to do so.
- Mark III's R2 sucks. The blue channel on the 100w is better, and the 50w's blue channel is even better than the 100w's.
- Both are great at leads.
- Both are basically equal in terms of serial FX loops go.
- I'd say the Mesa is a bit more reliable. It's stood the test of time, and there have been some issues with the 5153 amps.
- Both are about the same at bedroom volumes if you know how to dial the things in, but I'd say the 5153 wins this by a little.

My gripe with the Mesa was the shared EQ. I could never get a solid tone dialed in for both rhythms and leads. Even with the R2 volume mod, the channel really sucked for metal rhythms. I could get a good metal rhythm tone on the Lead channel, but then my lead tone would be too bright and tight. It didn't have the sag I wanted for the leads. I tried using R2 with a boost, and it just never worked out for me. That's why I flipped it and went with my 5153 that I currently own. I can get the rhythm and lead tones I'm looking for (I use Red for rhythm and Blue for leads), as well as a useable clean channel. Everyone's tastes are different, obviously, but that's been my adventure with the two amps.

Dude, I listened all your clips on your soundclick, every piece of gear you touch sound fantastic. And you play very nice, I really like how you dialed the Mark III in all your soundclips.

In terms of gain, how would you compare the two amps?

 

[Code001]

Both have enough gain, but I always preferred my 5153 boosted at all times. I never really liked boosts on my Mark III because it didn't change the tone much and mostly just added noise. If you're not a fan of boosting but still want something super tight, look into the Mesa.

Edit: And one more thing. I could never really get a tone I loved with the Mesa under the mic. I could always just throw a mic in front of my cab and get a good recorded tone with the 5153, however. Dunno why, but I had a much easier time recording with the EVH. Not sure if that matters, but I just thought I'd mention it.

 

[Nachorc90]

Thanks for your input Code, really really appreciated!

 

[Nachorc90]

It seems like a draw for now!

 

[johnpace2]

- Bedroom volumes.

Which one would you choose based on your experience?

Okay, I guess I'll be in the minority here....but, based on this one need alone, I'd go with the EVH 5150 III. I've had both myself, and i enjoy the EVH at bedroom volumes a lot more. Both are great amps, but i just prefer the EVH overall. And, I really prefer the more refined sounding Mark IV & V to the rawer sounding Mark III anyway. But, straight up between the Mark III and EVH 50.....I'd take the EVH every time for my tastes.

+1 on the bedroom volume issue.

 

[jsp]

I'll chime in since I've owned a Mark III Blue Stripe and a 5153 100w, as well as having experience with the 5153 50w.

- Cleans are meh for both. Cleans can get nicer with the Mark III, but you're going to be sacrificing the rhythm/lead channel EQ to do so.
- Mark III's R2 sucks. The blue channel on the 100w is better, and the 50w's blue channel is even better than the 100w's.
- Both are great at leads.
- Both are basically equal in terms of serial FX loops go.
- I'd say the Mesa is a bit more reliable. It's stood the test of time, and there have been some issues with the 5153 amps.
- Both are about the same at bedroom volumes if you know how to dial the things in, but I'd say the 5153 wins this by a little.

My gripe with the Mesa was the shared EQ. I could never get a solid tone dialed in for both rhythms and leads. Even with the R2 volume mod, the channel really sucked for metal rhythms. I could get a good metal rhythm tone on the Lead channel, but then my lead tone would be too bright and tight. It didn't have the sag I wanted for the leads. I tried using R2 with a boost, and it just never worked out for me. That's why I flipped it and went with my 5153 that I currently own. I can get the rhythm and lead tones I'm looking for (I use Red for rhythm and Blue for leads), as well as a useable clean channel. Everyone's tastes are different, obviously, but that's been my adventure with the two amps.

About the leads, that's essentially why I mainly use the neck pickup for leads.

 

[4406cuda]

I had a Mark III, Mark IV, and I still have a Mark V. I love the versatility and the tone of the Mark V, that is why I kept it. I definitely had to roll tubes and do a lot of tweaking to get sound I wanted in the Mark V, but is worth it.

I am very happy with the 5150 III 50 watt, I like it more than the Blue Stripe fully loaded Mark III I had. The Mark III was the most brutal rawest sounding amp I have ever had or heard, but that is not the tone I want. It is also not as versatile as my EVH or Mark V, without having to change settings on the fly.

I also use a Line 6 POD HD500X with my EVH for MIDI channel switching. I use the 4 cable method in order to have multi-effects for channel 2 and channel 3. I also use the fender amp sims in the Line 6 POD for my clean and slight break up tones.

 

[Nachorc90]

People who choose the Mark III, could justify why, please?

 

[siggy14]

If you can have both I would, if you think you will miss the mark then dont sell it, but if you think you can live without it then I would say the 5153 is your amp and better for your needs.

 

[Nachorc90]

Thanks for your reply! having both would be impossible for me, not having the founds right now