So I bought an EVH 5150-III...

[SimonSez]

I have had it for a couple days now. I bought it without hearing one first because no stores near me stock it, it's a special order thing only. So I bought it at Guitar Center.

I'm not sure if this is by design (probably not) but in the Channel 2 when i turn up the gain over 3/4 and start playing a riff, the sound cuts in/out randomly. It doesn't happen in any other channel. Do you guys think this could be a tube problem or something else?

Also I'm a bit disappointed by the clean channel, it's not all it's hyped up to be. It rather flat sounding, whereas a Fender clean usually has a fat bottom end and a cut mid-range.

Maybe my 5150 is a lemon, I hope GC allows returns on special orders.

 

[glpg80]

i never really liked the clean channel on them either. the channel 2 cutting out could be a tube that has come un-seated, check to make sure all of them are in their place. if that is not the problem, RMA the head for another one before your time runs out at GC. IMHO i would exchange it as soon as possible for another model if the tubes are seated correctly, or tubes are not blamed.

they are great amplifiers but have a very complicated muting/channel switching layout. if it has a problem when you buy it, definately do not do yourself any favors in trying to solve it yourself. exchange it for another one.

 

[JakeAC5253]

The problem with channel 2 sounds like blocking distortion. I'd have it looked at.

 

[glpg80]

The problem with channel 2 sounds like blocking distortion. I'd have it looked at.

he said gain, not volume. most likely preamp tube related.

and they are all biased cold as balls in ice from the factory.

 

[nevusofota]

It sounds likes you have a bad preamp tube, most likely in the V2 and/or V3 slot. These are the only tubes out of the eight that is shared by channel 1 and 2 and could be the same reason channel one sounds bad. This amp is known to have preamp tube issues. It could also be the tube sockets, I've heard these are pretty weak in this amp and can come loose very easy if the amp is mishandled.

I think that you have two choices: 1. try changing out this tube yourself or 2. return the amp.
If it was me I would return the amp and get a new one. GC keeps the same return policy (30 days) for special orders.
Now, don't let this get you down on the amp. Definitely give it a chance, you will really dig it. I've had mine for 4 years now and has been my main gigging amp.

 

[JakeAC5253]

The problem with channel 2 sounds like blocking distortion. I'd have it looked at.

he said gain, not volume. most likely preamp tube related.

and they are all biased cold as balls in ice from the factory.

Blocking distortion can be caused by too high a grid voltage and is usually caused by a combination of too high an input signal combined with large coupling caps. I'm talking preamp here.

 

[311boogieman]

Cool amp.

How old is it?

Run the serial number past Fender if you are not sure.

Some of the early ones were lemons if I remember correctly but I have no direct experience.

What happens on Channel III with the gain at 3/4? Things cutting in and out not good. I'd swap some preamp tubes around to start and keep track of which one is which so you can make a little chart or whatever you need to do. You can swap them while the amp is on actually, just take off all the cylinders to make it easy. I leave mine off for better toanz'zzz

 

[glpg80]

The problem with channel 2 sounds like blocking distortion. I'd have it looked at.

he said gain, not volume. most likely preamp tube related.

and they are all biased cold as balls in ice from the factory.

Blocking distortion can be caused by too high a grid voltage and is usually caused by a combination of too high an input signal combined with large coupling caps. I'm talking preamp here.

blocking distortion in the preamp would most likely cause motorboating due to class A bias when the potentiometer is cranked beyond a certain point.

its not a one off build, its a german/uk engineered production model where no-one else is experiencing said blocking issues unless they are changing shit around. hitting the front of them with a boost can cause it yes, but you would have to be sending one absolutely hell of a hot signal into the input in order to cause it. nothing any one pedal could produce on its own.

 

[SimonSez]

Cool amp.

How old is it?

Run the serial number past Fender if you are not sure.

Some of the early ones were lemons if I remember correctly but I have no direct experience.

What happens on Channel III with the gain at 3/4? Things cutting in and out not good. I'd swap some preamp tubes around to start and keep track of which one is which so you can make a little chart or whatever you need to do. You can swap them while the amp is on actually, just take off all the cylinders to make it easy. I leave mine off for better toanz'zzz

It's brand new, straight from Fender to my door. The serial number is in the 5000's so I think it's the newest revision if there is one.

 

[supersonic]

This does not sound right, send it back, there's a 5 year warranty.

 

[lolzgreg]

Definitely a tube issue. You may have a problem with spiral filament tubes; it's probably loaded with GT/Sovteks. Try a 9th gen shuanguang chinese in that position, or a Ruby HG+ and see if it helps.

 

[nevusofota]

Definitely a tube issue. You may have a problem with spiral filament tubes; it's probably loaded with GT/Sovteks. Try a 9th gen shuanguang chinese in that position, or a Ruby HG+ and see if it helps.

No, its loaded w/ JJ's. Early models had Sovtek and EH mix.

Bottom line is exchange it. Don't change tubes.

 

[the4thlast1]

99% of the time this would be a preamp tube issue....If you can do a swap at guitar center for a new one then just do that... If not then get yourself a couple preamp tubes and swap around. IMO The 5153 is one of the best sounding amps on the planet, especially for the price they go used (such a deal ! ) lol ...Dont give up on it yet

 

[skoora]

It's brand new, straight from Fender to my door. The serial number is in the 5000's so I think it's the newest revision if there is one.

Good, I was afraid GC had "special ordered" a new one from another store. Could have been pretty beat. Take it in to GC and have them either get it repaired or exchanged.

 

[lolzgreg]

Definitely a tube issue. You may have a problem with spiral filament tubes; it's probably loaded with GT/Sovteks. Try a 9th gen shuanguang chinese in that position, or a Ruby HG+ and see if it helps.

No, its loaded w/ JJ's. Early models had Sovtek and EH mix.

Bottom line is exchange it. Don't change tubes.

I got mine around a year ago... that's not an early model... it was loaded, and is still loaded with GT's...

 

[nevusofota]

Definitely a tube issue. You may have a problem with spiral filament tubes; it's probably loaded with GT/Sovteks. Try a 9th gen shuanguang chinese in that position, or a Ruby HG+ and see if it helps.

No, its loaded w/ JJ's. Early models had Sovtek and EH mix.

Bottom line is exchange it. Don't change tubes.

I got mine around a year ago... that's not an early model... it was loaded, and is still loaded with GT's...

The first 1000 about (mine is 465, bought in 2007) had the Sovtek and EH mix. Models number after 1000 seem to have the JJ's. Yours is the first I have heard of on any forum having GT's. What is your serial#? Did you buy it direct or was it on the showroom floor? I'm wondering if the dealer replaced the tubes before you purchased it.

 

[lolzgreg]

Bought it direct. Too lazy to check the serial.