EVH 5150 ICONIC EL34 | 80 WATTS OF POWER with Affordable Price.

[@PippPriss]

"Hi, I'm Euge Valovirta..." are the words that guarantee me a good time for the next 15-30 minutes! Only 2 minutes in and can already say, KILLER tone as usual!

[@Waycooljr5]

It’s not cool until you Ola Englund and @EugeValovirta say it’s cool

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Cool man! 😎

[@Waycooljr5]

@@EugeValovirta230V I’d love to hear the 6l6 comparison with the el34

[@jamesbrown7468]

Great sounds, playing and writing ✌️. Just to clarify, the 2-12AX7’s are both used for preamp distortion similar to the other 5150’s, but I used a high voltage transistor input stage and similar high voltage transistor phase inverter. This way it’s a little cheaper to buy and to re-tube, less likely to be microphonic, but still has the same harmonic textures of the 5150 III’s, and with the Overdrive and Burn you can get some of Ed’s more British tones and thicker block letter tones.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks Mr. Brown! And thanks for the info! Much appreciated. Especially when it comes from the master himself 🙏.

[@nerbuhc]

Mr Brown I can't pick between the mk3 and iconic :(

[@acbenitez3614]

Was wondering about why the hybrid thing idea. The EL34 would be my 5150 Iconic pick.

[@jamesbrown7468]

@ it was important to hit the lower price point of about 1/2 the 5150 III amps, so I used high voltage transistors for the input tube spot(which means it’s quieter and no microphonics) and the phase inverter. The 2-12AX7’s are used for the preamp distortion so it sounds very close to the same.

[@randoman81]

James, you poached me from Mesa. Well done sir.

[@KanoDailyThePhilippinesandMore]

I played one of the 40-watt 6L6 combos a couple months back at Guitar Center. I was playing a PRS S2 594 Singlecut through it. The endless sustain, instantly accessible feedback and outrageously good clean channel left me convinced it will be my next amp purchase. The one I was playing was used and I could have snagged it at a great price, but it just wasn’t a convenient time for me. One of them is in my future, though, for sure.

[@gabrielstevens41]

You and Jeff Loomis always make me want a 5150

[@shaharbar]

Jeff Loomis can sound great using a Cory Wong plugin

[@DoktorDamage]

I own the EVH 5150 Iconic with 6L6 and a 2011 1960A Cab. Love it !!! Euge - your solo ripped my face clean off brother....nice playing !!!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Rock on! Thanks!

[@JanPatrickLucas]

Euge Groove there Mr. Valovirta! I bought one here in Canada, online, from Long and McQuade before there were any reviews. I took a chance but had faith...Lord I was not dissapointed! This thing smokes and there's nothing budget sounding about it! I appreciate your fine appraisal of the amp you really do a fantastic job Sir! Cheers from Thunder Bay!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Awesome man! Cheers!

[@darylhicks7008]

I bought the 80 watt 6l6 last Saturday to not replace my 2203 JCM 800, but to allow me to have a seperate clean channel in a single head instead of always having to carry a second amp (Roland Jazz Chorus 120) to gigs and A-B switcheable. The 6L6 will never compare to the JCM 800 sound, but it is decent with a Boss-Eq 200 in front to carve out some of that harsh fizz, and a boss SD 1 with Level dimed, tone at 6 o'clock and drive at 0. It really tightens up the tone and eliinates alot of fizziness. Unfortunatley after using the head for 5 days now, I am returning today as my new 5150 EL34 Iconic is arriving today. It is a bit warmer and closer to the Marshall sound I am used to. I owned the original Block letter 5150 by Peavy as well, and I think that the Iconic sounds better. The 6L6 to my ears, sounds more like a metal players wet dream, but sounds somewhat empty for more southern rock styles. It lacks soul. The EL34 version added some soul back to it. A bit more round and natural feeling. And having the XLR out to the board, and not running a Mic in front for capture is a welcome bonus. Less is more on stage. But be careful moving them around without a cover. That cheap vinyl rap is terrible. I bumped the edge of my cabinet, and tore a chunk out. It is not durable at all.

[@JanPatrickLucas]

@@darylhicks7008 Sounds like you have matters figured out well. You describe the amp accurately, Daryl. Cheers and rock on brother!

[@darylhicks7008]

@@JanPatrickLucas I picked up the EL 34 head today at long and mcquade in Calgary and the owner Mr long was actually doing a store visit today. Was pretty cool. I was running the 6L6 and EL34 heads on two separate cabs together to do comparison with same equipment settings. I put a TS9 tube screamer in front of it with level dimed, tone at 6 o’clock and drive at zero and wow. The EL 34, if I closed my eyes, sounded almost the same as my JCM 800. It was incredible. The 6L6 was still a bit too harsh for me. But one of the sales guys popped over and commented it sounded like the Marshall JCM 800. I spent a few hours playing with it at the store and when I finally got it dialed in, the salesman who assisted me decided to buy his own and put a TS9 in front of it. 😆 was a good day.

[@JanPatrickLucas]

@@darylhicks7008 Cool story and glad you had a good day. I've yet to try mine with a boost. Thanks for the suggestion about the TS9. I have the Iommi boost, which is great but may be a bit coloured. I've never owned a TS9 but it's the standard, no doubt about it.

[@gazzaduce3424]

Your riffs and song writing are out of this world mate. Beast!!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks!

[@ashen11x22]

Love the honesty of the signal processing, sounds amazing

[@kdog3980]

Yes! Been waiting for your review of this

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Glad to hear! Thanks!

[@dalejacksonmo]

Smoking badass intro and just fire on my studio speakers im just catching up with your videos ive been deer hunting for 10 days but thats amazing what you bring us

[@70chevelless]

Euge, that riff and solo is so epic man

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks!

[@AlienorchestraNetoslo]

Great video, Cøøl song performed, Amazing 5150!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Many thanks!!

[@ronniebloke]

Nice shredding in the intro man!!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks man!

[@stevenowen82]

Great tone! Always great playing!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks a lot!

[@donstar23]

Your videos are always great and Go Leafs Go.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks!

[@szneka12]

Sounds incredible, reminds me of my old 6505+ combo I used to have. Legit tone!

[@TheUndeadUnicorns-666]

You keep coming up with the sickest riffs! 🤘

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks!

[@saltyphucker777]

Sounds great! Thanks, Euge!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks!

[@PowerTrip1r2]

Outstanding playing, dig it

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks!

[@fabioscordamaglia2809]

Yes indeed Fantastic for the price Euge! Definitely gonna grab this EL34 version of the 5150 very soon so thanks for the video. I would love for you to do a review of the JMP-1 preamp if you can get your hands on one.

[@andrekeher]

Amazing, as always. 🤟🏻

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks!

[@JohnWiku]

Euge singlehandedly making these amps sell like hot cakes 😂😂😂

[@philipcoaxum8792]

Euge definitely sold me on the Mark V and what it can do. He just has the best demos and sound. I trust his judgment quite a bit in tonality. One of the very few.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Don’t know about that but thanks 😎.

[@WelderRiffer]

Sweet tone, thanks !

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Glad you like it!

[@DimKAt21]

Had to listen to the song twice 🤘 Amp sounds great indeed.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Awesome!

[@luisalextorres]

im going to buy one now bc of this video

[@skyhorseprice6591]

Great tune and awesome as usual demo. Your tone choices are probably the closest to mine of any guitarist I've heard. Just big and massive and with some serious low end kaCHUNK but never muddy & high end prominent but never fizzy (I hate fizzy). HowEVER, that ain't what this comment is about😂😂,which it IS about you being a damn good songwriter. You come up with an original tune for pretty near every amp or guitar or gear demo you do, and those tunes are always god pounding heavy but really..REALLY hooky as FUHHHCK. Catchy instrumental heavy guitar music. Just thought I'd give a shout out to the songwriting.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Oh thanks man! Really glad to hear this!

[@t_george_p]

Cool Amp. I love the 5150 Sound more & more 👍

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Yes

[@someonehadtosayit2566]

Great video. Was seriously considering buying this amp but I recently stumbled across the 90’s death metal and classic - the Marshall valvestate 8100 (not to be confused with any other vs) that needed a little tlc and put me money there for now (I highly recommend you get your hands on one if you can). The EL34 iconic is definitely next for my little collection.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks!

[@someonehadtosayit2566]

@@EugeValovirta230V anytime. Thank you for your videos. They’ve been a huge help with learning to dial these amps in especially my TSL100 🤘

[@jimmypennell8831]

Euge burning it up!!!🤘🤘

[@EugeValovirta230V]

🕺😎

[@TobyKBTY]

Let's go!!! I owned the original 6L6 version for 8 months until it turned out to be a lemon and conked out (the bass disappeared and it wouldn't turn on half the time). Thankfully I got to return it, and used the same money to get a used original 5150. With that said, the Iconic was a great sounding head and I loved it, I might actually pick the EL34 variant up for fun and give the series another chance.

[@LPMojoGL]

Seen a few comments like this about the Iconics. Hoping they iron the kinks out. Got to play an EL34 Iconic today, impressive.

[@lostinpa-dadenduro7555]

That has a great sound.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Yes

[@Johnnycoretv]

Built in OD and Noise Gate, all i need is a Delay in the Fx loop and A HM-2 and i'm happy

[@mikegoosney196]

Appreciate you Euge! Go Canucks go!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

🙏🎼🏒💪

[@rurkovmj]

another great vid

[@buktismuktis2473]

Is this Bogren trivium drums? The snare sounds very good

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks! Raw drum set from Toontrack SD3’s Death (Mark Lewis) package. Can’t remember what drums I used exactly but multi-outs from SD3 to Pro Tools and I mixed the drums mostly with UAD’s SSL 4000E channel strip on every channel like I do with real drums with a few different reverbs, some Neve & Pultec eqs here & there etc.

[@buktismuktis2473]

@@EugeValovirta230V please do a ‘how you get your drum sound’ video 🙏 that is one part of my mixes that are consistently lacking.

[@TheMetalLife666]

God damn! That intro song!!! Fucking HEAVY!!!! 🤘🏻🤘🏻 Go Euge!!!!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Cheers! Thanks!

[@jesterraj]

Nice vid as always can you do a walk rgru of your live pedal board and how it all connected...thanks from the Caribbean!!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks! Here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3XOmmSuabupkMksi=C0Vtbsolhm7iYppW

[@darrenc8776]

Ooffff killer tones Euge. The power valve choice seems to make very little difference?

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks! Yep since most of the distortion & tones are generated in preamp section on all 5150s.

[@jimmypennell8831]

Damn that sounds good 😮😊

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Yeah!

[@barry3045]

Sounds Euge 😉🔥🤘🏼

[@EugeValovirta230V]

As always 😎.

[@barry3045]

@@EugeValovirta230V huge = Euge 😆

[@thiagotedeschi30]

"enjoy, rock and roll" - HELL YEAH!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

🕺🤟😎

[@VaiSolo]

Go Oilers! 👊

[@EugeValovirta230V]

My fav team when I was kid; you know Kurri, Tikkanen, Coffey, McSorley etc. and of course The Great One.

[@VaiSolo]

Wow!!! I was just a little guy back in the 80s when Gretz, Mark, Jari, Esa were making history -- setting records and winning cups. Got to see them live quite a bit actually. Ahhh, great memories...

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Oh man that must’ve been awesome! I’m jealous 😎.

[@Vestu]

I also follow NHL. Dallas Stars, the Pantera of NHL. Also Philadelphia Flyers. Sharks and Leafs are also cool

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Cool! 🥅🏒

[@a-nus]

Really like how the top end is a bit smoother than a standard 5150, feel like with some help it could get some real slick tones here

[@EugeValovirta230V]

👌

[@Mar33322]

Amp sounds killer and so does that guitar .

[@cdvh5150]

Your videos are always great. I have a question i have the UAD Anti 92 and the boss sde3000 evh n run it wet dry wet, soci have 3 mono audio tracks in Pro Tools. My question is how would i use a eventide H3000 to detune the L & R tracks that are mono tracks n the eventide is stereo? Hope y understand my question have a wonderful day n keep rockin.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Route the guitar tracks to stereo aux (gtr bus) and pan hard L/R, create aux fx track to the H3000 (pan hard L/R) and send the stereo signal from the gtr bus to the H3000 fx track. Blend the H3000 in according to taste 👌. Or just send the wet mono tracks (sends hard L/R) to that H3000 fx track and blend in according to taste. And oh yeah since the H3000 is aux send/return the mix knob should be 100% wet.

[@cdvh5150]

@@EugeValovirta230V thank you so much for yr reply, i always watch yr videos especially the evh ones, you play amazing.

[@anthonymichael3029]

A hockey fan? Right on!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Yeah! And player too. Nowadays just beer league stuff but I played on the national level in Finland up to my 20s. Then went to the army and ended up working there a few years. Lieutenant in reserve nowadays.

[@brianmizz]

Metal and hockey doesn’t get any better! And go Devils!! 😈

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Yeah! 🎶🎸🏒💪😎

[@Wladimir-y8h]

nice Riff in the Beginning. Cool Mixture of Queensryche and Zakk Wylde

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks!

[@chrishamilton1805]

Love the channel Euge but GO BRUINS!

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks! 😎💪🏒🥅

[@5SFG-444]

Pure Joy......

[@needsLITHIUM]

I've always liked the sound of the EL34 variants of the 5150/6505 amps over the standard 6L6 versions, or else I prefer them double tracked with a British amp like a Plexi or Origin with an HM-2, ML-2, or some other high gain distortion with the gain turned way down as a boost in front, a 1987X, or a JCM800. Even the Bugera 6262 Infinium sounds so much better if you swap the included power tubes for EL34's, though it obviously lacks the preamp voicing tweaks that the 6534+ or EVH 5150 EL34 variants get; I would totally do the Precision Drive/Bugera 6262 or Precision Drive/EVH 5150 Iconic EL34 paired with a TC Eyemaster/Marshall Origin 50 as the NASTIEST budget tube stereo rig, especially if the ABY or splitter is hooked up after the precision drive.

[@Batsinthebelltower]

Tell me about your bass sound in the intro track

[@EugeValovirta230V]

ESP/LTD Surveyor ’87, Bogren BassKnob, Softube Marshall Murder one, UAD SSL 4K channel strips, UAD LA-2As, Waves RBass, UAD Fairchild 💪.

[@zikkicharade]

What makes this different from the more expensive evh iii amp

[@EugeValovirta230V]

That’s a good question. Price at least 😎.

[@slash91991]

Sir, what is your experience with the el34 100w version?

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Zero.

[@pataduzit1200]

they sound very similar but idk if they sound super different in real life i have never heard the iconic or the original 5150 in real life but in this video i almost prefer the iconic, it sounds slightly tighter and just better somehow

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Both are great amps 💪.

[@jamesbrown7468]

That’s because ALL 5150’s after the original Block Letter are tighter. When I was designing the combo in the mid 90’s, Ed kept wanting it to chunk a little harder and once I made the changes to tighten up the attack, all the rest of the versions have maintained that change. I put that Butn switch on the Iconic to get back towards the thicker attack of the original, but in a switch so you don’t have to ✌️

[@jaychen2000metal]

​@jamesbrown7468 I've come to notice that a jsx has a less bitey presence than the 5150, can i have my tech put a 5150 pot in there because i find myself turning it up all the way?

[@jamesbrown7468]

@@jaychen2000metal that wouldn’t make it go up further. The pot shorts to increase presence so the value only affects the rest of the range.

[@jaychen2000metal]

@@jamesbrown7468 So speakers and an eq is my answer then?

[@vintagetone22]

I have the evh 5150 stealth head.is it good amp??

[@davidgerlach1132]

Agreed. Remember back in the day the man 5150 Mr. Bob Pletka - Eurotubes? As for high prices, same goes for these ridiculously high-priced guitars (planks) for thousands of dollars - FOR WHAT? Give me a patented-applied-for a Strat neck and I'll grip and rip the shit out of it like Mr. WTF BELL.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

I think so.

[@vintagetone22]

Its the only amp i will ever use.does everything with fire.🤟🤟🤟🤟🌹🌹🌹🌹​@@EugeValovirta230V

[@artokorhonen4982]

Kuulostaa tiukemmalta kuin peavey. Mitenkähän vertautuisi 1992 originaaliin?

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Tsekkaa koko video 😉.

[@artokorhonen4982]

Juu tsekkasin,🫡 muotoillaan uudelleen, 1992 original reissueen? Soundissa vissiin eroa 30 vuotta vanhaan "originaaliin". Tässä on kuumeisesti ollut kahden vaiheilla, iconicin EL34 tai se reissue.

[@jimmypennell8831]

All the "reviewers" or influencers trashed the amp so bad scared so many people off. Where are you going to find a tube amp like that for under a grand

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Bathroom mirror 😎. Exactly.

[@kierenmoore3236]

What are the big ‘selling points’ of this rendition of the 5150? eg. Is it meant to be made to vintage Peavey 5150 (what, block letter) specs, but with EL 34s … ? 🤔 How do these EVH 5150s compare with the og Peaveys and the Fender versions, in general terms (sound, build) in your opinion? Thanks! 🙏🏼. Edit: From this video, I feel like the block letter 5150 with 808 is a tighter sound with less lower mids/bass … whereas the EL34 5150 seems to have more lower mids/bass, rounder bottom, which muddies things up (a little) - even once the 808 is switched in (compared to the block letter with 808, which is just a tight sound with no muddy lows at all). 🤔🤷🏻‍♂️

[@SxSxG666]

Original 5150s have 120 watts anyways. Don't know how that translates to anything though since the Peavy is not necessarily known for it's headroom.

[@erikthered9670]

The 5150 Iconic series is meant to be a budget friendly version of the EVH amps that is closer to the original 5150 than the newer 5150 III amps, with an overdrive green channel that's meant to sound closer to the first VH albums. This version is just the same as the Iconic that came out a few years ago but with EL34 tubes instead of 6l6. I have the 6L6 version and it sounds great.

[@kierenmoore3236]

@@erikthered9670 Hi. Thanks for that. 🙏🏼 The originals were all 6L6s, I think - so those would have to sound closer to the original Peaveys?! 🤷🏻‍♂️ Those og Peavey 5150s and the Mesa Dual Recs were all SLO 100 derivatives, I believe?

[@erikthered9670]

@@kierenmoore3236 Euge has a video comparing the 6L6 Iconic to the original Block Letter and he does a good job explaining the differences between the two, and it does sound closer than the EL34 version. But I'd imagine the EL34 gets you closer to the 80s Van Halen tone than the 6L6 version. The 5150 III's were what Eddie wanted, the 5150 Iconics are based off the original Peavey 5150, which were based off Soldanos, which were based off Marshalls lol

[@Feverdream7777]

"Riff I wrote" LOL it's basically "Lay It it Down" mixed with "Bad Horsie"

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Cool!

[@MojoMedicineMan]

👍

[@jimmypennell8831]

I just sold one😢 now I'm having regrets

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Damn 😎.

[@fromalongtimeago]

That's like 20 minutes explaining the signal chain, and you changed some stuff out.

[@MetalJamesK]

LEAFS

[@EugeValovirta230V]

💪🏒🥅

[@andybecker5001]

I know it’s heresy, the iconic sounds better to me.

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Not at all. It’s a great amp.

[@kingpriapatius5832]

I still prefer Peavey. This amp was supposed to be a budget 5150, but now the price is almost the same.

[@kierenmoore3236]

What are the big ‘selling points’ of this rendition of the 5150? eg. Is it meant to be made to vintage Peavey 5150 (what, block letter) specs, but with EL 34s … ? 🤔 How do these EVH 5150s compare with the og Peaveys and the Fender versions, in general terms (sound, build) in your opinion? Thanks! 🙏🏼

[@kgjohnson0240]

@@kierenmoore3236I’ve seen videos on here comparing the two of them

[@Ottophil]

@@kierenmoore3236its not even close to peavey specs

[@kingpriapatius5832]

@@kierenmoore3236 Hello. I don't see any big "selling point" for this amp except the price, which has risen significantly. Peavey has more tubes and, therefore, sounds warmer and has more low bottom. I believe the Fender 5150 (not the Iconin) has too much gain and can be uncontrollable. That's why I still prefer Peavey's 5150/6505's.

[@gabrielstevens41]

A 5150 III is a grand more expensive. You can get a used 6505 for cheaper but a new one still retails for $400 or so more than this, so not exactly sure which 5150 is nearly the same price as this?

[@KeepAnOpenMind]

EL34 > 6L6

[@Waycooljr5]

@EugeValovirta it’s not cool until you say it’s cool. Oh my God I’ve been waiting for this

[@EugeValovirta230V]

😎. Glad to hear!

[@MachenSS666]

Hey EUGE...Just got my hands on a Peavey 3120...and so far(as l may need more time to fully fathom all the tones especially with the 3 way switch on the back for loose mid and tight)it's blowing me away....its a fukkin beast...had my eye on one for awhile and found one a week ago..Any thoughts on this amp?lm assuming you've played one...anyway Euge..Your vids rule..One thing i dig about you is you don't flog shit off negatively like most wankers on the tube...and you know your shit...Also have the older 6l6 iconic with 6505 and 6505ii...looking for a 6534+.So your thoughts if you've played one...anyway..keep em coming man..HAILZ....

[@EugeValovirta230V]

Thanks man! If my memory server me right I haven’t played with that amp.

[@rainyday2315]

Which 5150 is "The Best"