EVH 5150iii EL34

[jape23]

As far as the overdriven tones go, I didn't like this EVH amp nearly as much as other amps that I already own. Still a decent amp though, with a lot of different tones available.

If you don't mind me asking, what other amps do you own just to get a frame of reference?

Morris GCM 008, Diezel Paul, and a Bad Cat Hot Cat30. And, like most here, I've owned a bunch of others -- Bogners, Friedmans, Suhr, Soldano, Marshall etc. etc.

The EVHIII EL34 sounds good and you can cover a lot of ground with it, but once I got it home and ran a bunch of different guitars through it, I just didn't experience that WOW moment that would make me want to own it.

 

[riffermadness]

Sounds amazing,your playing too! I am an 80's guitar player and I know the sounds from Lynch,DeMartini etc,and you nailed it,.the early 80's to around 87'are my favorite players and tones.

 

[JsJacobs111]

awesome sounding amp

 

[guitarnate2000]

OK I gotta ask..how does this compare to some of your rigs?

I have like 20 amps so not sure where to start

All kidding aside, the amp definitely has less warmth and "grease" as I like to refer to it. The Friedmans/Camerons/Bogners have more bounce if that makes any sense....

If the 5150, cleaned up a like a BE100, it would probably be the best amp ever. It could also benefit from a "variac" mode like the Helios and the SL68.

This amp has a snap and sharpness that I really like....I think Fender made a fantastic amp.

I like this version better than the 6L6 Stealth. It has that glassiness that I love about my boutique amps.

In the end, if an amp inspires you to play (and clearly it did for me) then it's a keeper.

I have all versions of the EVH line and I agree with you that the amp sounds better than the 6l6 stealth. I think your pretty spot on with you review of the head although I do think the amp has a lot of bounce. I a/b'd it against my Uberschall and came to that opinion at least. I honestly LOVE this amp. I'm running a stereo setup right now. I run each head into an EVH 2x12 and a Splawn 4x12 with cream backs and v30's and get the best tone I've eve had. I've also heard that they will be in ailing a 50 watt version at NAMM but who knows.

All in all, the amp kills. Awesome clean, blue channel is killer but the red is where it's at this time with the gain on 6 - 7...

 

[gregmusi]

I did a post-breakfast clip of the 5150 with H9 Micropitch

Sounds great. Care to post your signal chain here and settings?

 

[tpruitt]

Wish granted!

Hoping they'll release a 50 watt EL34 version as well.

 

[ElMuchoDingo]

do tell ..........

Wish granted!

Hoping they'll release a 50 watt EL34 version as well.

 

[tpruitt]

I was just told by a manager at local store (a close friend) the fender rep brought in a 5153 50w el34.
He ordered two head. There $1000 street price. I believe he said they'll be out on the street by end of October. dont quote me on release date. But it within the next two months.

 

[technomancer]

I've been hearing in the next two months for the last six months... hopefully they actually show up and sound like the 100w as that amp is a beast

 

[tpruitt]

I do know he had one at the store to let guys hear it. So it's close. And the release date is end of October.