EVH 5153 Stealth's (34 & 6L6) - What's the Story?

[Junk Yard Dog]

What's the go on these amps? I hear they are great bang for the bug. I used to have the 50w 5153 and it was a good and fun amp, but my Splawn was more organic and 3D compared to it.

But I hear good things about these 100w Stealth versions. Why don't these get more notoriety compared to other amps like the Soldano's, Mesas, Friedmans, etc., etc.

I'm talking about tone, not where it's made and what not. Are these amps in the same league or get 80% the way there compared to amps almost twice their price?

 

[the4thlast1]

IMO , the 100w EVH original (not stealth) sounds and feels as good as any "boutique" amp such as a bogner. In fact they sound very similar to the 101b . I've had them side by side , I also compared a 20th XTC side by side with the EVH and it is not a compromise , just preference. I prefer the EVH.

Now if we are talking about the Stealth I owned the 6L6 100w version, which is a lot like the original but had a bit too much gain and compression for me , a little too over the top but also a great sounding amp just a preference thing . I prefer to dial in a tone with a little less gain and then hit it with a boost and the 100w original does that tone great , the blue channel on that amp is unique.....I also had the 50w version which was good but when I used it live with a full band it didn't have the balls and headroom of the 100w which is understandable

 

[WizardSouth-JP]

I had the 6L6 blackout Stealth for a little bit, had boatloads of gain - really it was too much. I currently have the original 100w version and like it a lot more than the stealth. Blue channel has plenty of gain and channel 3 can do full on metal. it's fun to play and as you said is a great bang for the buck amp regardless of country of origin.

 

[johnpace2]

Agreed on the Stealth.... Too much gain and compression and simply turning the gain down doesn't make it sound better. I vastly prefer the original. I also dig the 50 watt.

 

[tlingen]

I had a Stealth and it was too compressed sounding. Maybe it would be more open sounding if I ran it louder with the EVH speakers. I never had the 100w original, only a 50w which was just ok. Has anyone tried the EVH EL34 amps?

 

[WizardSouth-JP]

I had a Stealth and it was too compressed sounding. Maybe it would be more open sounding if I ran it louder with the EVH speakers. I never had the 100w original, only a 50w which was just ok. Has anyone tried the EVH EL34 amps?

got to play a 50w at guitar center for a bit, sounded pretty good actually, blue and red channels both sounded great - had heard the blue channel on the EL34 sucked.

 

[peckhart]

I really like my EL34 Stealth, but it is Kruse modded. It has the Supersonic mod, Marshall modes and Variac Power scaling. Each is switchable so you have the option for stock tone or utilizing any or all of the mods. I really only crack the Supersonic control on it a bit to open the amp up some and bring on some clarity and brightness. I haven't had a use for the other mods.
I think its a pretty rockin amp on its own, but that Supersonic control is definitely clutch as just adding Presence or Treble on the stock circuit isn't quite the same.
If I had to choose one I'd pick my Bogner Helios, but my Stealth can hang right with it and I do enjoy using it. Aggressive and sits in the mix well.

 

[Junk Yard Dog]

I really like my EL34 Stealth, but it is Kruse modded. It has the Supersonic mod, Marshall modes and Variac Power scaling. Each is switchable so you have the option for stock tone or utilizing any or all of the mods. I really only crack the Supersonic control on it a bit to open the amp up some and bring on some clarity and brightness. I haven't had a use for the other mods.
I think its a pretty rockin amp on its own, but that Supersonic control is definitely clutch as just adding Presence or Treble on the stock circuit isn't quite the same.
If I had to choose one I'd pick my Bogner Helios, but my Stealth can hang right with it and I do enjoy using it. Aggressive and sits in the mix well.

Funny. I was just looking at one on Reverb that's Kruse modded. I don't like overly compressed amps, so I think the Supersonic addresses that, right? I played the 50w EL34 and agree with above, the blue channel sucked, but I hear good things about the 100wS El34.

Curious what the Marshall modes do? And why would you pick the Helios (I had the 100w Helios) over your Kruse modded 5153? Cheers.

 

[Rick Lee]

I A/B'ed a 6L6 Stealth with the non-Stealth for weeks. All my band and guitar buddies said the Stealth won. I tamed the gain on green by using a 12AU7 in V1. Later I had it modded by its designer at Fender to make green a little less gainy. It was a killer amp and looked so cool. But I ended up selling it and going to old Marshalls. I like less and less gain every day now. In fact, when dialing in an amp for band stuff, I get to where I think it sounds perfect and then dial gain back just a little bit more. But, if you're into metal, I can't think of a better amp than the EVH 6L6 100w's, Stealth or non-Stealth.

 

[angelspade]

Tried them all...6L6 Stealth is my favorite. Something very special about the blue chan on that amp.

 

[peckhart]

I really like my EL34 Stealth, but it is Kruse modded. It has the Supersonic mod, Marshall modes and Variac Power scaling. Each is switchable so you have the option for stock tone or utilizing any or all of the mods. I really only crack the Supersonic control on it a bit to open the amp up some and bring on some clarity and brightness. I haven't had a use for the other mods.
I think its a pretty rockin amp on its own, but that Supersonic control is definitely clutch as just adding Presence or Treble on the stock circuit isn't quite the same.
If I had to choose one I'd pick my Bogner Helios, but my Stealth can hang right with it and I do enjoy using it. Aggressive and sits in the mix well.

Funny. I was just looking at one on Reverb that's Kruse modded. I don't like overly compressed amps, so I think the Supersonic addresses that, right? I played the 50w EL34 and agree with above, the blue channel sucked, but I hear good things about the 100wS El34.

Curious what the Marshall modes do? And why would you pick the Helios (I had the 100w Helios) over your Kruse modded 5153? Cheers.

Yes, the Supersonice reduces compression and increases clarity. Marshall modes reduce gain and maybe shift the mid emphasis up a bit. I've never seen the use for it, but some may for better mid gain tones. It was modded before I got it.

The Stealth is way more verstaile with having a dedicated clean and the two gain channels and the Helios essentially being a single channel for live use any way. That said I am good with a single channel right now in my band so that is not a factor.
To some extent it is probably splitting hairs. I can dial them in to be quite similar really. The Stealth has a much bigger low end on board, but I can add some low end to the Helios with my Empress ParaEQ to even that out. I think the Helios is just a tad more natural sounding and harmonically complex. It is lighter too so lately I have been grabbing that one for my gigs.
I have one sound guy we work with frequently that likes the Helios better and another one that likes the Stealth better. They both rip and do the pissed off hot rodded Marshall thing I am after.