EVH Stealth Vs 5150IIIs

[SavageRiffer]

For those of you who've played both, which do you prefer? At first, I found the EL34 version more appealing, but I'm kind of back to the Stealth now. Both great amps. Which one do you prefer and why?

 

[Mailman1971]

Owned both. They seem to be voiced damn near the same. But the EL34 is just more CUTTING? Ripping? Where the 6L6 is just this freaking sledgehammer in the tone. But I honestly love them both. Really digging the EL34.........ALOT though! !

 

[SavageRiffer]

Owned both. They seem to be voiced damn near the same. But the EL34 is just more CUTTING? Ripping? Where the 6L6 is just this freaking sledgehammer in the tone. But I honestly love them both. Really digging the EL34.........ALOT though! !

You lucky bastard! Your thread has gotten me all stirred up on the idea. I gotta say though, I REALLY have been enjoying the one at my local shop. They keep asking me when I'm going to buy it, and I say "As soon as you take $300 off the price."

 

[Marshallman1]

El34

 

[SavageRiffer]

El34

Why, because you prefer EL34 or you like the sound of the 5153s more?

 

[napalmdeath]

I seem to hear more sizzle in the EL34, and I'm more of an EL34 guy anyway. I've wanted the 50 watt EL34 version, but now that it's come to fruition, I'm on the fence.

I've never played a 100 watt EVH, which is probably a different animal. I've owned the 50 watt multiple times, and each time, I asked myself what the fuss was. It just sounds stiff on the blue channel, no character, and red is too compressed for my tastes. I did get great tones last go around with some NOS tubes, but, they just don't inspire me.

 

[bhuard75]

I own the 100s el34 ver as well as owned the 100s 6L6ver. Both share similar characteristics across the blue and the red channels in the respect that channels are tight and require no OD to tighten the low end. The blue channel can be pushed into red channel territory with a clean boost or overdrive. The blue and red channels definitely have a liquid/glassy/greasey feel where the amp is fun and very easy to play.

The el34 definitely has the el34/marshall sound profile. Im planning on picking back up a 100s 6L6 version as my fav channel between the two is the 6L6 blue ch with a clean boost to put some sizzle/character on the tone. I dont prefer one over the other, its more of what im in the mood for. Both versions are good rock/metal amps, its going to come down to you wanting a little marshall flavor on your 5153 stealth.

 

[Mailman1971]

Yes. Once again this EL34 version of stealth just fucking rips.
Not much more to say?

 

[SavageRiffer]

Yes. Once again this EL34 version of stealth just fucking rips.
Not much more to say?

Yes it does. I would certainly never try to argue that point. I just prefer the Stealth a tiny bit more.

 

[Flavatrocious]

EL34 version but replace with KT77’s

 

[errrrrl]

I seem to hear more sizzle in the EL34, and I'm more of an EL34 guy anyway. I've wanted the 50 watt EL34 version, but now that it's come to fruition, I'm on the fence.

I've never played a 100 watt EVH, which is probably a different animal. I've owned the 50 watt multiple times, and each time, I asked myself what the fuss was. It just sounds stiff on the blue channel, no character, and red is too compressed for my tastes. I did get great tones last go around with some NOS tubes, but, they just don't inspire me.

I have 50 watter and pretty much agree with you. Not sure why I am holding on to it now that you mentioned it... am curious on the EL34 version though.

 

[Mailman1971]

Yes. Once again this EL34 version of stealth just fucking rips.
Not much more to say?

Yes it does. I would certainly never try to argue that point. I just prefer the Stealth a tiny bit more.

The EL34 is a Stealth.
Just not the 6L6 tubes.
Thus the name 5150IIIS EL34.

 

[Oblivion DC]

I seem to hear more sizzle in the EL34, and I'm more of an EL34 guy anyway. I've wanted the 50 watt EL34 version, but now that it's come to fruition, I'm on the fence.

I've never played a 100 watt EVH, which is probably a different animal. I've owned the 50 watt multiple times, and each time, I asked myself what the fuss was. It just sounds stiff on the blue channel, no character, and red is too compressed for my tastes. I did get great tones last go around with some NOS tubes, but, they just don't inspire me.

I have 50 watter and pretty much agree with you. Not sure why I am holding on to it now that you mentioned it... am curious on the EL34 version though.

Are either of you boosting the blue channel? I found, when I boosted my old one, that a good boost added just enough compression to take away the stiffness but not so much that it sounded congested and spongy.

 

[crankyrayhanky]

Boosted EVH Blue is awesome & near perfect