EVH 5150 18 watt lunchbox head
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jmh151
Active member
Re: EVH 5150 18 watt lunchbox head
The EVH does have outstanding tone.
The Peavey's tend, in my opinion, sound more compressed and have higher gain. Still a great, but the EVH has a little more sparkle
The EVH does have outstanding tone.
The Peavey's tend, in my opinion, sound more compressed and have higher gain. Still a great, but the EVH has a little more sparkle
JOLLY
Super Simonologist
Shooter.556
New member
Re: EVH 5150 18 watt lunchbox head
I have an EVH 5150iii 1x12 combo that I love. To me,this is a 1 trick pony and and attempt to get into the lunchbox amp market and I am not overly impressed with that design.
Strike 1 EL 84s and not 6l6s.
Strike 2 No reverb.
Strike 3 No clean channel.
I have an EVH 5150iii 1x12 combo that I love. To me,this is a 1 trick pony and and attempt to get into the lunchbox amp market and I am not overly impressed with that design.
Strike 1 EL 84s and not 6l6s.
Strike 2 No reverb.
Strike 3 No clean channel.
Edgecrusher
New member
Re: EVH 5150 18 watt lunchbox head
6L6's make no sense for a lunch box head they take a larger transformer need more space and generate more heat.
6L6's make no sense for a lunch box head they take a larger transformer need more space and generate more heat.
Lake Placid Blues
New member
Re: EVH 5150 18 watt lunchbox head
Probably meant 6V6s which makes sense. However, the Marshall 15 watt DSLs use 6V6s, and those don't have big bottle tubes sound either -at least stock. Another lesson from the Marshall 15 watt; a clean, clean, channel is not very useful at these wattages. It just sounds sterile with out the big bottle tubes, and can't provide gig level loud cleans anyway. They should have used the green channel crunch instead. So EVH amps is not making the same mistake there.
Probably meant 6V6s which makes sense. However, the Marshall 15 watt DSLs use 6V6s, and those don't have big bottle tubes sound either -at least stock. Another lesson from the Marshall 15 watt; a clean, clean, channel is not very useful at these wattages. It just sounds sterile with out the big bottle tubes, and can't provide gig level loud cleans anyway. They should have used the green channel crunch instead. So EVH amps is not making the same mistake there.
Shooter.556
New member
Re: EVH 5150 18 watt lunchbox head
No, I meant 6L6s.. I should have expanded on that a little more. I understand that they take a larger transformer and generate more heat but I also understand that big bottle 6L6 tubes is where a lot of the EVH girth lies. EL84s in this do nothing for me, they lack the low end of the 6l6s. They only thing they offer is a creamy midrange. That is not the 5150iiis forte, that low end and resonance on the Blue and Red channel is what makes that amp so great. I'd really have to play one of these but I can't see removing the output tube of choice for EVH since the 5150 Peavey first emerged as a selling point for this amp.
I like EL84s, they are cool in some amps but they have a midrange more like an EL34 and none of the low end grind or the relaxed mids of a 6L6 which is what makes the EVH awesome!
I would really have to play this amp but I think that this is going to be a completely different beast than my 5150iii. Feel, tone, everything!
Maybe 6V6 would have been a better choice? I don't know? In some instances a 6V6 will sound similar to a 6L6..
I am not trying to hate on this amp. It's cool looking and neat but it seems like it's nothing like the rest of the EVH amp platform and tonally it's in a different place.
No, I meant 6L6s.. I should have expanded on that a little more. I understand that they take a larger transformer and generate more heat but I also understand that big bottle 6L6 tubes is where a lot of the EVH girth lies. EL84s in this do nothing for me, they lack the low end of the 6l6s. They only thing they offer is a creamy midrange. That is not the 5150iiis forte, that low end and resonance on the Blue and Red channel is what makes that amp so great. I'd really have to play one of these but I can't see removing the output tube of choice for EVH since the 5150 Peavey first emerged as a selling point for this amp.
I like EL84s, they are cool in some amps but they have a midrange more like an EL34 and none of the low end grind or the relaxed mids of a 6L6 which is what makes the EVH awesome!
I would really have to play this amp but I think that this is going to be a completely different beast than my 5150iii. Feel, tone, everything!
Maybe 6V6 would have been a better choice? I don't know? In some instances a 6V6 will sound similar to a 6L6..
I am not trying to hate on this amp. It's cool looking and neat but it seems like it's nothing like the rest of the EVH amp platform and tonally it's in a different place.
Last edited:
vinta9e
New member
Re: EVH 5150 18 watt lunchbox head
Will this ever end?
A guitar amplifier is a tool, made for a purpose. Its ultimate job is to make the player sound great. If you want an cappuccino and an instant BJ, you need a different toy. Or two.
On a side note, Soldano and Victory fit a pair of 6L6s into small enclosures.
Will this ever end?
A guitar amplifier is a tool, made for a purpose. Its ultimate job is to make the player sound great. If you want an cappuccino and an instant BJ, you need a different toy. Or two.
On a side note, Soldano and Victory fit a pair of 6L6s into small enclosures.
Shooter.556
New member
Re: EVH 5150 18 watt lunchbox head
You are correct, they sure do, I am going to buy a Victory Kraken after Christmas. That amp is beastly!
http://www.victoryamps.com/vx-the-kraken.html
You are correct, they sure do, I am going to buy a Victory Kraken after Christmas. That amp is beastly!
http://www.victoryamps.com/vx-the-kraken.html
Edgecrusher
New member
Re: EVH 5150 18 watt lunchbox head
Not familiar with the victory but the hot rod 25 gets 25 watts from 2 6l6's by using 2 tiny transformers and pitiful plate voltage less volts equal less heat and more lunch box friendly. Small octal tube amps are possible but they are always compromised in some way compared to their full size brethren it's a sure fire case of TANSTAAFL
Not familiar with the victory but the hot rod 25 gets 25 watts from 2 6l6's by using 2 tiny transformers and pitiful plate voltage less volts equal less heat and more lunch box friendly. Small octal tube amps are possible but they are always compromised in some way compared to their full size brethren it's a sure fire case of TANSTAAFL
9unslin9er
New member
Re: EVH 5150 18 watt lunchbox head
Sam Ash had one of these yesterday so I played it.
It's Crunch channel is amazing, I never even had a reason to switch to the Lead channel unless I was doing instrumental stuff.
It has significantly better tone in the distortion department than the 6505 mini head. Well worth the 2 extra bones.
However, the Peavey is a much more versatile with recording options, and its Clean channel is very useable. The EVH doesn't clean up at all. Even with your volume down to 1, you still have a lot of grit, and I was running low output PAF pickups.
Also, a huge issue is the lack of a Ground Lift on the EVH. Means you need proper wiring in your home/rehearsal space or you need to invest more on power conditioners. The ground Loop hum will be a nightmare with that much gain. The Peavey has a switch built in.
I already ordered the EVH. Will do an AB when I get it.
Sam Ash had one of these yesterday so I played it.
It's Crunch channel is amazing, I never even had a reason to switch to the Lead channel unless I was doing instrumental stuff.
It has significantly better tone in the distortion department than the 6505 mini head. Well worth the 2 extra bones.
However, the Peavey is a much more versatile with recording options, and its Clean channel is very useable. The EVH doesn't clean up at all. Even with your volume down to 1, you still have a lot of grit, and I was running low output PAF pickups.
Also, a huge issue is the lack of a Ground Lift on the EVH. Means you need proper wiring in your home/rehearsal space or you need to invest more on power conditioners. The ground Loop hum will be a nightmare with that much gain. The Peavey has a switch built in.
I already ordered the EVH. Will do an AB when I get it.
Rex_Rocker
Well-known member
Re: EVH 5150 18 watt lunchbox head
Look forward to the shootout!! Been curious bout this and the 6505 mini. glad to hear this still delivers the goods. I was /and still am alil bit, concerned about the EL84s, but I see from the specs that this still is packing a load of glass. 5 preamp tubes. and with only 2 channels... So that should help offset things. It's just always a head scratcher for me when they try to replicate a big amp tone and use A) el 84s and B) about 1 or 2 12ax7s. So I know they are having to manipulate it in the circuitry and thats usually a fail..
Look forward to the shootout!! Been curious bout this and the 6505 mini. glad to hear this still delivers the goods. I was /and still am alil bit, concerned about the EL84s, but I see from the specs that this still is packing a load of glass. 5 preamp tubes. and with only 2 channels... So that should help offset things. It's just always a head scratcher for me when they try to replicate a big amp tone and use A) el 84s and B) about 1 or 2 12ax7s. So I know they are having to manipulate it in the circuitry and thats usually a fail..
Myaccount876
Amira-Maker
Re: EVH 5150 18 watt lunchbox head
Knocking the amp just for using EL84's is just plain stupid. Most of you haven't even really played the amp for a while to get a feel for it, and you're already saying the amp suffers from the type of power tube used. Just keep willfully ignoring that there are actual logistics in designing an amp, and the overall sound is actually a combination of multiple factors rather than a single piece of the design. Also, the goals and expectations you have for this amp may very well be different from the goals and expectations of the designers. Keep your goals and expectations realistic.
Knocking the amp just for using EL84's is just plain stupid. Most of you haven't even really played the amp for a while to get a feel for it, and you're already saying the amp suffers from the type of power tube used. Just keep willfully ignoring that there are actual logistics in designing an amp, and the overall sound is actually a combination of multiple factors rather than a single piece of the design. Also, the goals and expectations you have for this amp may very well be different from the goals and expectations of the designers. Keep your goals and expectations realistic.
jmh151
Active member
Re: EVH 5150 18 watt lunchbox head
I just got mine in the mail today, I was able to unpack it but didn't have time to plug it in. Though it's the size of a an Orange Tiny Terror, it is MUCH heavier (around 14 lbs) and feels like a tank in comparison. A new review side by size on youtube with the 50 watter shows that it's a bit more clearer and a bit more vintage sounding than the 50 watter, getting you closer to early EVH tone. 2 more weeks I'll be back at my other house where I can try the 2 side by side and let you know.
I just got mine in the mail today, I was able to unpack it but didn't have time to plug it in. Though it's the size of a an Orange Tiny Terror, it is MUCH heavier (around 14 lbs) and feels like a tank in comparison. A new review side by size on youtube with the 50 watter shows that it's a bit more clearer and a bit more vintage sounding than the 50 watter, getting you closer to early EVH tone. 2 more weeks I'll be back at my other house where I can try the 2 side by side and let you know.
jmh151
Active member
Re: EVH 5150 18 watt lunchbox head
I got to put it through its paces a bit. It is a little more vintage sounding than the 50 watt- both channels clean up a lot better by using the guitars volume control, it's not as compressed as the 50 watt, and seems to have more Marshall growl on the blue channel than the 50 watter.
It seems easier to shred on the 50 watter, maybe they took the gain structure of the 100 watter, since the 50 watter has a tad more gain, at the expense of clarity.
Overall it is clearer and more organic sounding than the 50 watt, if playing them at the same volume level. If you're playing clubs, go with the 50 watter. Playing at home the LbX is better if you're looking for the older van Halen tone at lower volumes. At 15 watts, or 3 watts it's still very loud.
My only complaint is the one speaker output- I with it had 2 for 2 cabinets. I'm wondering if I could use a Y adapter and switch the ohms
I got to put it through its paces a bit. It is a little more vintage sounding than the 50 watt- both channels clean up a lot better by using the guitars volume control, it's not as compressed as the 50 watt, and seems to have more Marshall growl on the blue channel than the 50 watter.
It seems easier to shred on the 50 watter, maybe they took the gain structure of the 100 watter, since the 50 watter has a tad more gain, at the expense of clarity.
Overall it is clearer and more organic sounding than the 50 watt, if playing them at the same volume level. If you're playing clubs, go with the 50 watter. Playing at home the LbX is better if you're looking for the older van Halen tone at lower volumes. At 15 watts, or 3 watts it's still very loud.
My only complaint is the one speaker output- I with it had 2 for 2 cabinets. I'm wondering if I could use a Y adapter and switch the ohms
dystrust
New member
Re: EVH 5150 18 watt lunchbox head
You absolutely can, but it may be safer to use a cabinet with a parallel out instead.
You absolutely can, but it may be safer to use a cabinet with a parallel out instead.
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