EVH 5150 Stealth

[@ragingskeptic9753]

I have this same amp. I switched the stock 6L6 tubes to Sovtek WXT+ 6L6, which is what Eddie used in his touring rigs. I also put a Ruby 12AX7 high gain tube in the V1 slot. It brightened and tightened the amp up a bit, and made it more of a high gain modern metal machine.

[@JRs-guitars]

These amps are definitely more sensitive to preamp tube changes. I might swap the V1 tube to see if i get more attack. The rental I tried out seemed to have more attack than the one I have currently. Might be tube related. Shuguang 6l6 tubes are supposed to be the ones in the stealth but they look like JJs to me.

[@chasingtone5748]

@@JRs-guitars The newer ones are JJ's

[@JRs-guitars]

​@@chasingtone5748must be a supply issue.

[@PK22-b7v]

these amps are more than bright enough to begin with

[@ragingskeptic9753]

@@PK22-b7v I think it depends on whether you have the EL34 models or the 6L6. The EL34's are bright enough, but the 6L6 Stealths are darker amps.

[@msi1985]

Hey this is definitely a really good review! Just wondering it's been a year since you put this video out do you still use this amp head and how is it been in terms of reliability? The reason I ask is that I've recently purchased one but I'm having some reliability problems straight out of the gate and I'm kind of hoping it's just a one-off.

[@JRs-guitars]

@msi1985 thanks for watching! Sorry you're having issues, what going on with it? I've put a lot of hours on the stealth and kept the bias set at about 48mV on the power tubes. Haven't had a single issue yet, thankfully.

[@msi1985]

@@JRs-guitars I checked the bias of the tubes yesterday they were at 40 millivolts, the only adjustment I did was raising it up to 50 mv. I'm just having a lot of noise floor issues so without anything connected on the blue or red Channel as soon as I get the volume or gain past 3/10 it becomes very loud and harsh on my ears. If I turn it up really loud it's not bad while I'm playing, but as soon as I stop playing even with the guitar unplugged it's just unbearable. I made a video to demonstrate but my local guitar shop says oh it just sounds like a guitar amp to me. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bWKxoXV7mtqYadksi=2dAlXWxVkV2xcRNO

[@JRs-guitars]

@msi1985 that actually sounds pretty excessive. The EVH amps will always have white noise and a little hiss. But that's a lot of hiss. First thing I'd do is if you got it brand new...reach out to the seller and let them know you need all new preamp tubes, because that's usually the culprit with extreme hiss. Next, try using different outlets...maybe even with a surge protector. Next...a noise gate or noise suppressor in the loop will solve any remaining idle noise.

[@msi1985]

@@JRs-guitars yeah I appreciate you checking the video out I've already got it in for service with our local retailer I live in Canada so it's a company called long and McQuade. I was a little bit put off because when we ran it into the store they compared it to a 5150 iconic that was used. It had a little bit of white noise in the background as well but not nearly as loud as my amp. So they kind of rolled their eyes at me like I'm being overly picky.... It's just surprising that literally overnight the amp went from having such a small amount of white noise on the blue and red channel to an absurdly large amount. I recorded a few tracks with it and play them back for the store to demonstrate what the amp sounded like Idle before versus now. Didn't seem to change their minds much so they're going to look at testing the preamps and a few other filter caps and capacitors inside the unit. The amps only a week old so I guess there is a warranty on the tubes themselves. Thank you again very much for checking into this I'll keep looking into the issue as I really do enjoy the amp sound

[@nuke1upgames913]

i used to have that same guitar strap it was my brother from early 2000s lol.

[@JRs-guitars]

I've had this strap for close to 20 years lol.

[@meatmybeef]

I also have that strap

[@Nickk81]

Great amp and playing

[@JRs-guitars]

Thank you!

[@deathmetal0073]

Same guitar as me. Do you need the wrap above the nut? I thought the metal bar was there for that.

[@JRs-guitars]

No, never felt like I needed a wrap for it. But I'll say this: the one real complaint I have on the guitar is the bridge. Those FR specials are terrible. Most likely going to swap it out for an original FR.

[@deathmetal0073]

@@JRs-guitars goes out of tune?

[@JRs-guitars]

@DeathMetal007 yes. Mainly when I do string bends

[@Cwj108]

Thanks for the review. I have an EVH Iconic, and love it, but sometimes wonder if I should have held out and waited to get a stealth. Some of the reviews I read stated that with a slight mid boost from an EQ pedal, the Iconic can get right in the ballpark with the stealth. I only play at bedroom volumes, would it be worth the money to get a Stealth, or would there not be much of a noticeable difference compared to the price tag. Thanks!

[@JRs-guitars]

That's a tough call. If you're talking about the iconic head, then there's a couple of things that that it does better than the stealth...the power reduction to 20watts, the noise gate, and boost features. They are two completely different amps though. The Stealth keeps the aggression while also being smoother sounding to my ear. That was my only real complaint with the iconic...it sounded harsh to me. But if you already love the iconic...try a 7 or 10 band EQ pedal to see if it helps with what you think you're missing. At the end of the day I chose the stealth as it sounded smoother to my ears, has 3 channels, and can be biased from the rear panel.

[@Cwj108]

@@JRs-guitars thanks for the reply! Yea I have the 80watt head into an orange PPC212 with V30s. It’s boosts nicely with the Horizon Devices precision OD but I may try a dirty tree and 10 band to see what happens… but knowing me, I’ll probably just save up for the stealth to scratch that itch 😩

[@JRs-guitars]

​@Cwj108 hehe I wouldn't blame you. One thing I've noticed is that I actually prefer the stealth with the Greenback speakers in the video over the V30s. I found that I needed to make some serious EQ changes when switching to my H&K V30 loaded 212 cab. But the iconic seems to love V30 speakers.

[@Cwj108]

@@JRs-guitars I got the MXR 10 band yesterday, the iconic sounds even better with it. I’ve always wanted to try one of the EVH cabs, I’ve always been a V30 guy but I really want to explore what else is out there. In the price range, the EVH 212 seems like a solid choice but I don’t know.

[@JRs-guitars]

@Cwj108 oh yea, the 10 band EQ makes a huge difference. That might just be your perfect setup. As far as the EVH212, those sound great but they're crazy heavy...over 60 pounds. Not a big deal if you don't move it around much though.

[@gazzaduce3424]

I’m seriously looking at this amp as my next purchase?. Did you not use a boost and have you tried it with a boost?. I currently have the Dover DA50 and the Orange Super Crush 100 and I’m really happy with both amps but everyone raves about this amp and I just don’t know if this amp will be that big of an upgrade or it even if an upgrade. Do you really rate this amp and which amps have you played which you preferred over this amp?. Thanks

[@JRs-guitars]

Very good questions. I did not use a boost in this video but I have tried one. I feel that the red channel doesn't need a boost but if I'm using the blue for high gain rythm then I think the boost is needed to get it to that modern realm. I don't like to compare solid state amps to tube amps so I won't really comment on the Orange. As far as being an upgrade over the Dover...no, because they are different sounding amps. However, if you want a slightly different sound and more gain..then the stealth would be a great addition to what you have. I chose the stealth over the regular 6L6 because of the bias ports and adjustment in the rear panel, also because of the looks. If those don't matter to you...save $ and get the regular 6L6 version. I've played every high gain Peavey amp ever made, the new PRS Archon, 5150 iconic head, EVH 6l6 and LBX2, Marshall DSL20HR and a few others. The Stealth is easily in my top 5.

[@gazzaduce3424]

@@JRs-guitars would you take the stealth over all the Peaveys you have played previously ?

[@JRs-guitars]

​@Gazza Duce no. I think the best high gain amp ever made is the Peavey 3120. Very difficult to find though. I had one a long time ago and was forced to sell it during the 2009 recession. I think the stealth is 2nd on my list though.

[@ricksanchezito8972]

​@@gazzaduce3424 Find a Peavey XXX and call it a day.