I'm going to say it the 5153 is awesome!

[Jeff Hilligan]

Is this some kind of sales ploy Mr. Hilligan?

Nope gonna keep this one at the price I have into it!

 

[the4thlast1]

Yeah its a great amp......I cant decide if I like channel 2 or 3 more for rhythm.... I boost both channels. I like how channel 2 is more open than channel 3 but 3 has a bigger overall sound...Mine came with JJ's in the power section biased pretty cold... I still liked it but I recently changed the power tubes and raised the bias. Its even better now.

I find that the presence does not get nasty even when set high but I like to keep the treble below 1 oclock on channel 2 and 3..... Its a pretty easy amp to dial in but if anyone sets theres in a somewhat out of the ordinary way I loved to hear your settings.

 

[metalsoup]

What cab/speakers do you 5150III owners find goes best with this head? Does it prefer greenbacks to V30s?

 

[Jeff Hilligan]

What cab/speakers do you 5150III owners find goes best with this head? Does it prefer greenbacks to V30s?

I'm using a mix of Cl-80's and Emmy Governers with tone Bras

 

[nevusofota]

This amp kills. Work on modding amps all you want this amp out of the box does what we all are trying to have other amps do. The price is really great, I don't have to spend 3K to get 3 channels. This amp really really sounds polished and final!

The blue channel is pure VH and does a rhythm tone that is cutting and with just the right amount of gain to give you the confidence you need but not compressed. Wide open and cuts!

The red channel is really thick, big and alive! It's very gainy and yet stays articulate. If you don't push the gain knob past 1, the compression stays away! Drop d really sounds thick, middy and just fun to play!

I don't care if its made in Mexico, I will take it over china! I would also take it if it was made in the US but the only way that will happen is at $3500! No thanks I will keep this one!

I've been saying this for years now

Channel 2 is my fave with a boost (OD9) because of the punch it has. I like adding the boost with amp gain @ noon to increase sustain and still keep the articulation. I only use Ch 3 for high gain leads. The clean channel is very good. I added the mini amp gizmo for midi switching making it a perfect amp for gigging. We played a gig last Friday and recorded it to 16 tracks. From the sample I heard the amp sounds sick in the mix. I'll post once mixed.

 

[nevusofota]

What cab/speakers do you 5150III owners find goes best with this head? Does it prefer greenbacks to V30s?

I use either mesa or marshall cabs w/ Vintage 30's. Though I am going to give CL-80's a try soon.

 

[Gsxrbusa]

Is this some kind of sales ploy Mr. Hilligan?

Nope gonna keep this one at the price I have into it!

Well cool. Glad you are diggin it.

 

[Ola Englund]

5153 rules!

 

[skoora]

I believe it was Eric Peterson's amp of choice for Testament's Formation of Damnation.

 

[Tone Merchant]

I played eddie's 5153 a few months ago when we built a rig for him. I was really surprised at how good it sounded. Channel 2 is where it at

 

[Jeff Hilligan]

I played eddie's 5153 a few months ago when we built a rig for him. I was really surprised at how good it sounded. Channel 2 is where it at

So it begs the question.....do we really need anything more than channel 2? Oh yes hit channel 3!

 

[Les Zombie]

Ive been saying these things for years, definately a awsome amp. I owned one for a year and really liked it, ch2 boosted was my fav. I also played it at a outdoor mini fest and in a band situation it was cutting and sat nicely in the mix.

 

[chobley]

Zombie,
Does the 5153 ch3 have more gain than your QR gear 3 OD2 ?
Thanks

Ive been saying these things for years, definately a awsome amp. I owned one for a year and really liked it, ch2 boosted was my fav. I also played it at a outdoor mini fest and in a band situation it was cutting and sat nicely in the mix.

 

[hthomas]

what settings you guys using for the channels?

 

[tfridgen]

I remember you saying it was loud as shit with the masters just. Have you since learned to tame this, or is this just the nature of the beast? Can it do mid-bedroom levels?

 

[Les Zombie]

Zombie,
Does the 5153 ch3 have more gain than your QR gear 3 OD2 ?
Thanks

Ive been saying these things for years, definately a awsome amp. I owned one for a year and really liked it, ch2 boosted was my fav. I also played it at a outdoor mini fest and in a band situation it was cutting and sat nicely in the mix.

I havent owned a 5153 in 3 yrs, they are about the same from what i can remember.
I had a splawn at the same time but its so long ago its hard to say, i think it was pretty close but i kept the splawn and sold the 5153 at the time.

 

[aftec]

I tried different cabs but the EVH 5153 cab is as sick as the amp itself.
My usual settings

Green
1-2 o'clock Bass and Treble
10-11 o'clock Middle

Blue
10 o'clock Bass
3-4 o'clock Middle
12-1 o'clock Treble

Red (leads only)
2 o'clock Bass
3-4 o'clock Middle
12-1 o clock Treble

Gain and presence to tastes. Make sure it's biased above 120. Can handle 160.
This one is a keeper. Red can deliver insane metal tones with the mids scooped, bass, treble and presence boosted. It's just huge. My fav is the Blue channel, I only use Green when crystal cleans needed. Any other time, channel blue and rolling the volume of the guitar back.

 

[tweed]

I have wanted one of these Heads with the matching 4x12 since they hit the market, just haven't been able to pull it off as of yet. Maybe it's time the XXX get's sold and replaced...

 

[Bishop5150]

Love the matching cab with the amp.

 

[nevusofota]

what settings you guys using for the channels?

Here are my settings. Take into account I boost Ch. 2 and 3 with a Maxon OD9 and BB preamp respectively:

Here are my settings, give or take an hour or two (all settings are in clock hours
Channel 1: Gain 8 Low 11 Mid 12 High 12
Channel 2: Gain 12 Low 11 Mid 10 High 9
Channel 3: Gain 12 Low 11 Mid 3 High 9