Mesa mini Rec or Evh 5150iii 50w

ESPzach

New member
Im looking into getting another amp.I currently only have a 6505+ combo that I got for basically nothing through trades.I had a 6505 half stack but it was just too much for home use.The two I'm considering are the Mesa Mini rec and Evh 5150iii.I already have a avatar 2x12 cab with v30s.No stores locally carry either and YouTube doesn't always tell the whole story.Like how durable both are.The Evh being made in Mexico make me kinda iffy on it.Also a used jsx wouldn't be out of the question either lol any input is appreciated.Thanks
 
Re: Mesa mini Rec or Evh 5150iii 50w

Since the EVH sounds good at low master volume settings I would go for the amp with the bigger bottle tubes and the bigger transformers.
 
Re: Mesa mini Rec or Evh 5150iii 50w

I recommend the EVH 5150 III 50 Watt- I have one, and I really prefer big bottle tubes over EL84's which tend to get spongy. Quality on the EVH is top notch, it's a very loud 50 watts, and works well at lower volumes as well. I'm also playing it through EVH cabs Celestion Heritage 30 speakers
 
Re: Mesa mini Rec or Evh 5150iii 50w

I had a 5150 III 50 watt head and I returned it for many reasons.
If I was in your shoes, I would strongly consider the Mesa Boogie Mark V 25 head since you already have a nice cabinet. If you prefer, get the Mesa Recto 1x12 cab as they sound better then any 1x12 cab I ever heard. And I'm no fan of 1x12 cab's.

The Mark V 25 is a bad ass little head that has basically anything any kind of player could want. I'd pick that over the Mini Rec all day.
 
Re: Mesa mini Rec or Evh 5150iii 50w

I've had both. If you want a great dedicated clean channel, mini rec. If that's not important to you, EVH 50 watt all the way. The green channel can clean up decently too if you want semi-clean.
 
Re: Mesa mini Rec or Evh 5150iii 50w

I had a 5150 III 50 watt head and I returned it for many reasons.
If I was in your shoes, I would strongly consider the Mesa Boogie Mark V 25 head since you already have a nice cabinet. If you prefer, get the Mesa Recto 1x12 cab as they sound better then any 1x12 cab I ever heard. And I'm no fan of 1x12 cab's.

The Mark V 25 is a bad ass little head that has basically anything any kind of player could want. I'd pick that over the Mini Rec all day.

I have the Mark V 25 and THIS THING IS INSANELY AWESOME. It's capable of curing cancer!
In all seriousness, this thing is actually pretty damn loud if you're using the full 25 Watt mode! But it sounds great at all volumes too and the versatility of this amp is just through the roof. Channel 1 has 3 modes and the crunch mode of this supposedly clean channel 1 is NOT to be underestimated: it's fully capable of delivering a cranked Marshall tone

Channel 2 is the gain channel also has 3 modes and the Mark 2C+ and Mark 4 modes are very very faithful recreations of their namesakes. I've A/B tested it with 2 different original Mark 2C+s and it's practically identical to any real 2C+. The small small differences you hear are basically the same kind of differences you'd hear if you just bought 2 Mark 2C+s back in 1984 and compared them side by side: no 2 tube amps are 100% identical.
 
Re: Mesa mini Rec or Evh 5150iii 50w

Awesome thanks guys.Like I said the only thing that keeps me from buying a Evh rightoff was it's made in Mexico.I try to avoid things made from jobs being outsourced.Im definitely gonna look into the mark v 25 some more now thanks.Also would a Used 50 solo rec be a better choice?? I've got plenty of time to shop around bc I'm not ampless or anything lol
 
Re: Mesa mini Rec or Evh 5150iii 50w

Hard to say "better" choice, it really depends on what you're looking for

If you just want high gain sounds and can find a 50W Recto for cheaper, sure why not! Used a Recto in my previous band and the clean channel is alright too. Sure it's not the most inspiring sparkling or chimey cleans, but it gets the job done, especially if you play with your volume knob a bit. They are certainly simpler amps than the Mark V 25 so they have more of a "plug and play" vibe: regardless of what settings it may have, it'll sound pretty cool. Rectifiers work great with any humbucking pickups but in my personal experience, single coils = forget about it.

The Mark V 25 has much more versatility and the tones you can get out of it with the graphic EQ are practically endless. Overall the amp covers a ton of ground and it's not just a jack of all trades, it does everything properly! It is still incredibly loud and cranking the master volume makes a big tonal difference too, cranking it really gives a HUGE sound that even at 25 watts I can see people trying to get you to shut up because you'll be sounding so big, haha!
 
Re: Mesa mini Rec or Evh 5150iii 50w

EVH_John%2BPage.JPG

The EVH 5150III is offered in a lunch box type dimension which does not compromise the ferocity. Like :-)
 
Re: Mesa mini Rec or Evh 5150iii 50w

I recommend the EVH 5150 III 50 Watt- I have one, and I really prefer big bottle tubes over EL84's which tend to get spongy. Quality on the EVH is top notch, it's a very loud 50 watts, and works well at lower volumes as well. I'm also playing it through EVH cabs Celestion Heritage 30 speakers

I concur.....
 
Re: Mesa mini Rec or Evh 5150iii 50w

Had a Mini rec it was cool but I like the marshall tones better DSL, tried the 50 watt evh it was a noisy bastard though:(
 
Re: Mesa mini Rec or Evh 5150iii 50w

Used recto-verb 50w head or single series2,,,,,,,,,might even be a bit cheaper than the others if you're a good shopper and dealer.
Here they commonly go for $600-$700-used,,, and can often be found in great to minty condition.
 
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Re: Mesa mini Rec or Evh 5150iii 50w

EVH_John%2BPage.JPG

The EVH 5150III is offered in a lunch box type dimension which does not compromise the ferocity. Like :-)
I bought my LBX new and I love it! The factory bias was pretty hot at 31mv,got a licensed Fender tech to take it back to the recommended 28mv..it is fixed bias as well..I love it!!
 
Re: Mesa mini Rec or Evh 5150iii 50w

I bought my LBX new and I love it! The factory bias was pretty hot at 31mv,got a licensed Fender tech to take it back to the recommended 28mv..it is fixed bias as well..I love it!!

dude, Gearjoneser recomended Kruse Kontrol amps for EVH upgrades. They do a really cool upgrade for the EVH LBX amp. I was thinking about sending mine down there to be hotrodded by them. They posted sound clips but I cant get them to work. I dont know, something to consider. Check em out.
 
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Re: Mesa mini Rec or Evh 5150iii 50w

here's an update. I messaged these guys Kruse Kontrol amps and they e-mailed me right back-this guy is busy as hell but how cool is that-and they have some great options for this amp. The clips were great and the prices are good too. I am gunna do most of the upgrades at once. On the net this guy gets good reviews. Check em out you guys.
 
Re: Mesa mini Rec or Evh 5150iii 50w

Just my O, but if it needs all those mods to sound as you want it,,,,,,then maybe look into some different amps.

Amp + mods + shipping back and forth will probably put it well over a grand total wouldn't it?
 
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