Reasonable amp to do VH?

[ledvedder]

David Bray amps...he builds amps for the VH sound. Vic from Sammy Hagar's band uses one.

Chupacabra (Chupa) is an amp made in Mylasia by Ceriatone.

I'm going to assume none of these can be had for under $1k.

 

[Anonymous]

Or "riffguy" straight into a stock JCM800... it is Canadian though so maybe we just do it better?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-V9Z5Bs2Ps

QR does sound great though!

I've been watching riffguys vids for a few years now.
Great player yes, stock NO. He mods all his Marshalls himself. He does have vids with stock amps, then mods them to show comparison.

 

[billboogie]

https://youtu.be/kgDBmUSRJl4

 

[Crunchity]

I'm going to assume none of these can be had for under $1k.

I got my Chupacabra for right at 1k, built by nik at Ceriatone, and that build quality is great fwiw, uses great components too.

This is my stab at the VH thing with the Chupa (keep in mind though I love VH, I'm not a huge tone chasing/cover player, I'm more into making my own jams, etc...but fwiw

 

[Anonymous]

Bray.

Bray what? I'm not familiar with these.

http://www.davidbrayamps.com

$2500 for the VH sound 50 watt...

Steve

 

[Anonymous]

Another nod for the 5150 III being mighty close...cab/spkr choice important, but it covers the ground nicely.

I get some really legit VH tones with the Chupa as well.

What is a Chupa?

http://www.ceriatone.com/productSubPages/HRPChupacabra50/ChupaYeti50_Complete.htm

$1085

As I said, if you can play the stuff accurately and with the right technique, 5153 50 watt is cheaper and it will sound as close as anyone would ever need...

Steve

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

Or "riffguy" straight into a stock JCM800... it is Canadian though so maybe we just do it better?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-V9Z5Bs2Ps

QR does sound great though!

I've been watching riffguys vids for a few years now.
Great player yes, stock NO. He mods all his Marshalls himself. He does have vids with stock amps, then mods them to show comparison.

Agreed and he is a great player but this vid I referenced because he did mention in the comments that it was STOCK. He is getting similar levels here out of his stock amp before he compares it to the modded amp (before/after) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6bdGGo9JB7Y . The after sounds bitchin too though!

The trick is cranking the $hit out of it with everything virtually on ten and hot enough buckers.

As for the 5153, to my ear, sounds a little too refined and detailed for the old school tone but does sound wicked on the blue channel don't get me wrong. When I think old VH, I think of that splatty ratty on verge of explosion amp. (which i love o fcourse)

 

[ledvedder]

Another nod for the 5150 III being mighty close...cab/spkr choice important, but it covers the ground nicely.

I get some really legit VH tones with the Chupa as well.

What is a Chupa?

http://www.ceriatone.com/productSubPages/HRPChupacabra50/ChupaYeti50_Complete.htm

$1085

As I said, if you can play the stuff accurately and with the right technique, 5153 50 watt is cheaper and it will sound as close as anyone would ever need...

Steve

Do you know of any sound demos of the 5153 getting the old VH tones? Everything I've been able to find is way to high gain for what I'm thinking. Even Ed himself has too gains of a tone with it, in my opinion.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

Another nod for the 5150 III being mighty close...cab/spkr choice important, but it covers the ground nicely.

I get some really legit VH tones with the Chupa as well.

What is a Chupa?

http://www.ceriatone.com/productSubPages/HRPChupacabra50/ChupaYeti50_Complete.htm

$1085

As I said, if you can play the stuff accurately and with the right technique, 5153 50 watt is cheaper and it will sound as close as anyone would ever need...

Steve

Do you know of any sound demos of the 5153 getting the old VH tones? Everything I've been able to find is way to high gain for what I'm thinking. Even Ed himself has too gains of a tone with it, in my opinion.

Exactly, that's why you want a JCM800 opened up with almost all knobs on 10 and presence, bass to taste. 800-950$ you should find a good 800 or JMP and you know they will keep their value.

 

[MrDowntown]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uerlqcAYMSo

Pete Thorn doing Eruption through a 100w 5150III.

 

[Kevin11]

It might be a little too tight in the power amp section, but you might want to look into a used VHT/Fryette CL50 or 100. I have the 50 with graphic EQ and I can get a great approximation of EVH's earlier tones. Can switch from SS to tube rectifier to add a little bounce to the tone as well.

A used VHT/Fryette Deliverance might get you in the ballpark too. Not sure what those go for used, but I tried a 60 a few years ago and thought it was incredible.

Had the EVH 5153 50w and mine at least wasn't close at all. Way too modern and saturated, even on the blue channel. Sounds like others are having different (better) results with theirs though. My 5153 Stealth is a different story. Blue channel low gain on that thing does a great classic EVH.

 

[ledvedder]

I'm reading that it may be a speaker issue also for me. I have a DSL40, so people are saying I have the amp that can do it, I just don't have Greenbacks. I'm running a 212 with a Vet30 and an ET65.

 

[Kapo_Polenton]

I think Thorn was using the 100 watter which most will tell you is more "dry" and less gainy than the 50 watter versions. I think this is the best sounding one of the 5153 line from what I have heard and the one I would go with if I was interested in this line of amps. The biggest complaint on the 100 watters of not enough gain on blue channel is what makes it shine if you ask me.

OR the GREEN channel on the new combo amps. Ridiculous that this is the "clean" channel but I agree with the guy who did this vid, the green is the best for the old school tone. I think someone said these combos are closer to the stealth circuit than the others. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=to3ZG7PFzDs

 

[Anonymous]

Another nod for the 5150 III being mighty close...cab/spkr choice important, but it covers the ground nicely.

I get some really legit VH tones with the Chupa as well.

What is a Chupa?

http://www.ceriatone.com/productSubPages/HRPChupacabra50/ChupaYeti50_Complete.htm

$1085

As I said, if you can play the stuff accurately and with the right technique, 5153 50 watt is cheaper and it will sound as close as anyone would ever need...

Steve

Do you know of any sound demos of the 5153 getting the old VH tones? Everything I've been able to find is way to high gain for what I'm thinking. Even Ed himself has too gains of a tone with it, in my opinion.

All you have to do is turn down the gain knob. The Thorn clip above is a perfect example. Sounds pretty much like VHI to me...

Steve

 

[Anonymous]

I think Thorn was using the 100 watter which most will tell you is more "dry" and less gainy than the 50 watter versions. I think this is the best sounding one of the 5153 line from what I have heard and the one I would go with if I was interested in this line of amps. The biggest complaint on the 100 watters of not enough gain on blue channel is what makes it shine if you ask me.

OR the GREEN channel on the new combo amps. Ridiculous that this is the "clean" channel but I agree with the guy who did this vid, the green is the best for the old school tone. I think someone said these combos are closer to the stealth circuit than the others. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=to3ZG7PFzDs

You could get what Pete is getting out of 100 watter from the 50 watter...

Steve

 

[MrDowntown]

I think Thorn was using the 100 watter which most will tell you is more "dry" and less gainy than the 50 watter versions. I think this is the best sounding one of the 5153 line from what I have heard and the one I would go with if I was interested in this line of amps. The biggest complaint on the 100 watters of not enough gain on blue channel is what makes it shine if you ask me.

OR the GREEN channel on the new combo amps. Ridiculous that this is the "clean" channel but I agree with the guy who did this vid, the green is the best for the old school tone. I think someone said these combos are closer to the stealth circuit than the others. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=to3ZG7PFzDs

Yes Pete was/is using a 100w in that clip. IMO, a 50w can dial the 100w in easily,...just my opine

 

[4406cuda]

I also agree the 50 watt can get close enough.

I had a Ceriatone Chupacabra and sold it for $800

I am happier with my 5153

 

[Racerxrated]

It might be a little too tight in the power amp section, but you might want to look into a used VHT/Fryette CL50 or 100. I have the 50 with graphic EQ and I can get a great approximation of EVH's earlier tones. Can switch from SS to tube rectifier to add a little bounce to the tone as well.

A used VHT/Fryette Deliverance might get you in the ballpark too. Not sure what those go for used, but I tried a 60 a few years ago and thought it was incredible.

Had the EVH 5153 50w and mine at least wasn't close at all. Way too modern and saturated, even on the blue channel. Sounds like others are having different (better) results with theirs though. My 5153 Stealth is a different story. Blue channel low gain on that thing does a great classic EVH.

Another vote for a VHT D60. Very organic and Marshally, and for 800-1K used it is a bargain. It has an articulation that compares to an SLO. Great amp. Better choice even than the JCM 800 IMO. It would be my first choice out of all the amps mentioned here(for 1K or less).

 

[xXDaveyJonesXx]

Rockstah, may he rest in peace...

Edit: I realize I completely disregarded your requested price range and I apologize.

But, just... I mean, listen to that guy just flat GET'N it!!

 

[splawner]

EVH 50 they rock for sure