Help me replace my EVH 5150 III

[the rossness]

For the last year I've had a love/ hate it relationship with my EVH 5153. I keep going back and fourth, first I want to sell it, then don't, then I do. I find channels 1 & 3 to be nice, but I can't stand channel 2 which is meant to be my main channel. I've tried countless EQ settings, but channel 2 sounds like rubbish to my ears. I like channel 1. With a turn of the gain knob I can go from fender cleans to Marshall-ish AC/DC tones. I also like the liquid solo tone on channel 3. I play on this channel the most. When I use my VS Jekyll & Hyde (OD) on channel 3, things get crazy.

That being said, I want to be totally happy with my main amp, I need to replace it with something different. I've also demoed it back to back with my Randall RM100 and want to keep the HI-FI found my EVH has. (the MTS sounds good, but back to back, the EVH sounds more hi-fi).

I was hoping some of you amp guru's can help me find a new amp. Here are the sounds I'd like the amp to have-

Channel 1) I want an acoustic tone- something like what you would find a a song by The Police. At the same time, I might like a switch that would allow me to fatten up the tone.

Channel 2) I want two distinct tones. 2A) An alt rock/ classic rock tone. Think Wolfmother. I was thinking of something that was voiced like an overdriven, gained out Orange. 2B) The other tone I"d like is a Soldano SLO 100, which is the best amp I've ever played through and would help a lot more with the Lynch and Ratt tones I keep seeking.

Channel 3) Gain + Gain + More gain. Maybe something similar to my 5153's channel 3. Lots of mids, not looking for a rectifier tone.

As far as what I don't want- Marshall JVM, Mesa Mark V.

My budget is somewhat tight at $1500. I'm trying to save for a new car and can't budget out much more. I could care less if the amp is new or used.

I'd appreciate some help. Thanks in advance

 

[glassjaw7]

H&K Trilogy perhaps?

 

[lolzgreg]

Keep your amp and get channel two modded by someone, duh!

 

[glpg80]

the reason the 5150 III's 2nd channel sounds wierd, is because they did a one off design i have never seen before in any other amplifier.

for one, its extremely complicated to design in general, the math behind it makes my head spin.

what is is, is a direct DC biased grid leak stage before the tonestack and cathode follower.

if that made absolutely no sense to you, then know thay you just have a really good sense of hearing for channel 2.

i also like the 5150 III third channel. im in the process of changing a few things, and upgrading what i think it lacks. then putting that into my 5150 II's lead channel

i do agree with what greg said, have the second channel modified by mike fortin. mike will take good care of you

 

[the rossness]

the reason the 5150 III's 2nd channel sounds wierd, is because they did a one off design i have never seen before in any other amplifier.

for one, its extremely complicated to design in general, the math behind it makes my head spin.

what is is, is a direct DC biased grid leak stage before the tonestack and cathode follower.

if that made absolutely no sense to you, then know thay you just have a really good sense of hearing for channel 2.

i also like the 5150 III third channel. im in the process of changing a few things, and upgrading what i think it lacks. then putting that into my 5150 II's lead channel

i do agree with what greg said, have the second channel modified by mike fortin. mike will take good care of you

Noob question- Who's mike Fortin? Is there anywhere I can hear sound clips of 5153's he's modded or contact him?

 

[glpg80]

mike fortin owns fortin amplification who he runs and operates himself out of his home.

hes talented, ive spoken to mike 1 on 1, and there are many fanbois of his work here

mike is a very talented individual. he probably has not touched a 5150 III, but i know he could easily work his magic on one. he is a member here on the forum, find him, and send him a PM.

tell him i recommended you to do the modifications

mike is a very busy guy. there is a long waiting list for his amplifiers, but im sure he could work something out with you.

 

[hunter]

Fortin Meathead

A Steavens amp surely but they're rare.

H&K Triamp would fit the bill.

VH4?

 

[the rossness]

Fortin Meathead

A Steavens amp surely but they're rare.

H&K Triamp would fit the bill.

VH4?

I could never get a VH4 for anywhere close to my budget.

 

[Shiny_Surface]

Fortin Meathead

VH4?

His $ 1500 budget might get one of the Meathead's channels, maybe 2.5 channels of a VH4?

 

[D-Rock]

Have you considered a Peavey JSX or 3120 ?
They fit your budget and IMO meet the tone requirements you mentioned.

 

[Dallas Marlow]

Honestly your asking for an awful lot out of $1500, there is next to nothing that I know of with ALL those options and in that price range. Most of the 3+ channel amps are VERY expensive and especially with all the options you want.

The closest Diezel is a used Einstein, if your lucky at $2000 but it's really only two switchable channels unless you do the CH1 mod to it, and then you kind of have 4 but 3 of them share a single EQ and are voiced considerably differently imho.

I think maybe hot rodding your MTS with MM Trannys and choke and having 3 modules modded by someone big might be your best bet for the money your looking to spend. I know Friedman mods those that stuff.

Dallas

 

[reverymike]

I'd suggest sending it to Dave Friedman and just telling him what you're after. I'm sure he can make it happen, and for half of what you want to spend.

 

[glip22]

Send it to Jerry of FJA. He will do exactly what you ask for and nothing more. Meaning he will not change what you like about the amp but will change what you don't like. His prices are super fair and you can't go wrong with his servce. Why lose on the resale and then be sorry after you sell it. You could spend a fortune trying to find something better. I would definitley mod it first.

 

[Anonymous]

?????

channel 2 on the 5150 III is GOLD

I think most users that bought one are ecstatic with nthis channel

but I'll admit the 5153 is a terrible home jammer...live it sounds amazing though!

a big part of getting channel 2 to sound awesome is cranking the gain and mids

I like them both at around 8

Pete Thorn shared his settings for channel 2 a while back and that is where I got the idea to crank the mids big time

or maybe try a mesa dual rec or roadster?

 

[the rossness]

?????

channel 2 on the 5150 III is GOLD

I think most users that bought one are ecstatic with nthis channel

but I'll admit the 5153 is a terrible home jammer...live it sounds amazing though!

No, no, no, Channel 2 is far from gold. Maybe you're thinking of the steel trophy covered in dog doodie and rust?

BTW, I've tried the peavey stuff, and its not the tone I'm looking for. I called all the H&K dealers in my area and they're all sold out.

I played some mesa stuff the other day- a stiletto, Electra Dyne and mark v. The V wasn't much of my tone. The other two were ok. I liked all the switches on the stiletto for tone shaping and sounded good but the Electra Dyne sounded beefier. The ED needs an extra gain stage for metal though. If price wasn't as much of a concern , I'd be considering Bogner, Sig X, SLO, Rockerverb 100, Splawn QR, OD100, VH4, ect...

 

[D-Rock]

Does the quality of CH2 change with different guitars and pickups? Have you done any preamp tube experimenting?

I honestly don't see the need for dumping an 3 channel amp because you simply don't jive with one channel. You have two channels that you love, clean and high gain. You can solve your problem by using CH3 for rhythm and then boost it with an od pedal for leads. Hell, I mainly only use one channel on my three channel amp and I don't have an issue with it. But, different players have different wants and desires. However IMHO, you will not find a comparable 3 channel head in that price point.

 

[prsdiezel]

Splawn nitro or Quickrod used for under $1500

Also I know I might get bashed for this but Genz benz El Diablo amp used $800 to $500. I've never played one but they sound pretty good for the price.

 

[the rossness]

?????
Pete Thorn shared his settings for channel 2 a while back and that is where I got the idea to crank the mids big time

You might be onto something there, I tried that, It does sound a bit better. However, I'd like to crank my mids even more. Is there a pedal for that? Something to give me super-mids? I also dialed the presence way down to in between 9 and 10 o'clock.

Does the quality of CH2 change with different guitars and pickups? Have you done any preamp tube experimenting?

I honestly don't see the need for dumping an 3 channel amp because you simply don't jive with one channel. You have two channels that you love, clean and high gain. You can solve your problem by using CH3 for rhythm and then boost it with an od pedal for leads. Hell, I mainly only use one channel on my three channel amp and I don't have an issue with it. But, different players have different wants and desires. However IMHO, you will not find a comparable 3 channel head in that price point.

I haven't tried switching preamp tubes yet. Truthfully, I don't know much about preamp tubes and what ones would give me a better/ different sound.

I've got a bunch of different pickups in my 9 guitars- Duncan JB/59, Duncan Distortion/59, Duncan CS EVH, Gibson Burstbucker 2 & 3, Carvin's, GFS, Suhr Aldrich (sounded like dreck throught he 5150 III) Dimarzio Super 3/ PAF Pro, Dimarzio TZ/ Evo, EMG 81

That's what I've been doing most of the time. I play on channel 1 and kick some fuzz in instead of using channel 2, and then I've been using channel 3 for leads and smooth sounding stuff.

 

[moltenmetalburn]

I'd like to crank my mids even more. Is there a pedal for that? Something to give me super-mids?

TS9 mid hump applies here or empress para EQ for boosting. sculpting.

 

[Buckeyedog]

If you can wait a few months...........

viewtopic.php?f=26&t=61038

There are some vids in the Eggie forum as well under the NAMM 10 thread I think.