HEAD TO HEAD - EVH 5150III LBX Stealth vs Mesa Mini Rectifier

[@jessemorris4151]

Dude, your reviews are some of the best I’ve ever seen. Love your content, thank you for all the work you do.

[@jasoncunningham7787]

Go check out his bands, pretty damn good!!

[@jordanbarney8629]

You’re one of my newest go to for head to heads. Quality content, man

[@ShredShed]

Dude, you rock. your videos are awesome as is but the comedy you add in and your personality are refreshing. Keep on crushing.

[@sepherus]

Next to a Recto, the EVH sounds even more like it's got a cocked wah stuck in front of it. I've always felt a bit like that compared to the original Peavey circuits, but next to something scoopier in voicing it REALLY stands out.

[@DragonCrestPC]

Great video as always Kyle. The mesa stands out to me.

[@stephentyree9296]

They both sound equally good for different reasons imo. Both would be nice to have. One for left panned tracks, and one for right panned. That would sound killer.

[@MarciRayn]

I like your little improvisations in your videos whenever you mess up or whatever. I think it's funny. You keep me entertained. You definitely don't let ego get in the way and can make light of mistakes. That is admirable. Btw, the Mesa sounded better imo.

[@belligerentamateur]

Haha, glad you like the humor man! Thanks for being here

[@voodoocustompickups2547]

Randall Smith us by far one of the best amp designers ever

[@bernardfoshage9901]

The best el84 amp I've played is the Friedman JJ jr. Get your hands on one of those. It'll blow your mind!

[@toblessedtobestressed9107]

The mesa mini rec is $1699 new. Way over priced for a el84 amp.Yeah it sounds good but not 6L6 good, like Kyle said.The smart thing to do is buy one of the 50 watt EVH amps. Cheaper than the Mesa mini and better. Great video Kyle 👍🏻

[@GrMfull]

Perfect video for my research ! Didn't expect that result. Thanks

[@riffsnoleads]

I personally like the woody saturation of the EVH (or Peavey) more since it sounds closer to a Marshall vibe.

[@bigmike9527]

Peavey?

[@riffsnoleads]

@@bigmike9527 the EVH was originally the Peavey 5150. When Van Halen parted with Peavey he took the 5150 name with him and that is why Peavey now makes the 6505 instead For all intents and purposes the EVH is a Peavey made by Fender.

[@bigmike9527]

@@riffsnoleads no shit but peavey and fender are two completely different companies and that why I don't understand why you would even affiliate peavey and fender.i personally hate peavey products and actually despise them due to all of my experience with them.peavey can only dream of making such a masterpiece such as the FENDER EVH 5150 III 🤘

[@riffsnoleads]

@@bigmike9527 it literally is the same spec as the Peavey 6505 for all intents and purposes. I am sorry if your little butt got hurted from me mentioning the Peavey name but your dissatisfaction with the company is no reason to get bent out of shape because I compared an amp Fender makes that is LITERALLY a clone of an amp Peavey used to make and when put head to head are basically 1:1 for tone.

[@voodoocustompickups2547]

@@riffsnoleads The 5150III definitely has more gain stages than the Peaveys just by looking at the number of preamp tubes. 5 in the 5150 and 6 in the 5150 II compared to 8 in the 100 watt 5150III and 7 in the 50 watt amps. I also know that the 5150III has a proprietary output transformer, because Ed was happy with the transformers in the prototypes.

[@phillippitts6294]

I like this kind of demo. I definitely don’t need either one . Just a bedroom player. My katana fills my needs . They are cool

[@djritm3215]

Cool vid and comparison between two killer lunchbox amps, keep up the great work.

[@-somedude]

This man deserves way more subs

[@therapscallion23]

mesa has a menacing growl when boosted. loved it.

[@gregrybak258]

Very captivating performance. Was so good that when you made the intermission at 7:18 to take a moment to than the audience and suggest subscribing, I immediately too the time to like subscribe and write this long comment. So allow me at this moment to thank you for the continued great content

[@andycoach9286]

Both are great amps, but nothing in this size goes over my new ENGL Fireball 25! ))) Great channel dude! By mistake came on it, and now you have a new subscriber! Greetings from Berlin!

[@belligerentamateur]

Awesome! Glad to have you Andy! Thanks!

[@jasoncunningham7787]

Dude, your band Bushido Code is sick af!! Nice work!!! Glad I checked it out!!!

[@azarea]

I'm not sure the difference in tone is worth the price difference... In Europe at least, the Mini Recto (~1450€) is more expensive than even the 50W Stealth (~1150€). In any case, an EQ pedal in the loop would probably make them interchangeable. Great comparison !

[@Thirteen31Music]

You’re overlooking the fact that the Mesa is a USA hand made boutique amp so its naturally going to cost more. Which one you prefer is personal preference and if the cost is a significant factor for you then you’ll get more for your money with other brands. However, IMO the mesa is superior - better tone, better build quality that will also retain a higher resale value should you choose to sell it later. Mess is expensive especially outside the USA but they are quality product - the mini rect is built like tank.

[@alvarg]

Yeah in australia the evh is around 1300 AUD while the mini rec goes for about 3000, and at that price I could get the full 100 watt 5150III stealth

[@alvarg]

@@Thirteen31Music in australia the evh is around 1300 AUD while the mini rec goes for about 3000, and at that price I could get the full 100 watt 5150III stealth, mesa might still he built better but I don't think its tone is vastly superior or even superior at all.

[@jonathanm9069]

I recently bought the EVH lbx-s and it’s an amazing amp. Cranking the mids and the treble I can get close to a modded Marshall tone, the clean channel is nice and the amp sounds really great at bedroom volume and the master has a very nice taper (I had a Runt 50 previously and the taper was quite bad, going from low bedroom volume to too loud with barely even touching the knob). Also the EVH is less than half the price of the Mini Rectifier and you’re getting an amp at least as good.

[@Spacemonster2024]

Because the Mesa has more channel options, its got my vote. 👍

[@jfrog1979]

Because almost all of my money these days is going to food and gas, EVH gets my vote🤘😀🤣😩

[@trumancarter1299]

Love my LBX-S..most likely going to get this Mini Rec also..little thing has some serious tone

[@davemahan1993]

I loved my Mini Rec when I had it, but I bought it for apartment use and couldn’t get along with the volume taper. I feel like I spent more time fighting the volume knob than I did playing it. I just ordered a used LBX Stealth and I’m hoping that is a little easier to work with.

[@belligerentamateur]

Should be! The taper on the stealth is great

[@Thirteen31Music]

Purchasing an attenuator would be a worth while investment. I use a Two notes captor X and I can get great tones at bedroom volume on my mini rec. Its just a useful tool to have - you can use it with any amp and make it home friendly.

[@bigmike9527]

Killer video Kyle,I liked them both 🤘🤘💯

[@MK-oz2lf]

What about the resonance knob on the back of the EVH you didn’t adjust that against the Mesa

[@belligerentamateur]

Set at 1 o clock as mentioned in the video.

[@valpulsinelli3449]

EVH for me the difference in price is definitely the game changer. Hell you can get the EVH 5153 50 watt cheaper!

[@DrillDaddy]

Right, I just scored the evh 15w stealth for 450 on reverb in mint condition, them mini recs are going for like 1100 and up, plus to me the evh doesn't sound better but it sure and the hell doesn't sound bad for 650 bucks cheaper, would absolutely love to have em both tho 🤘

[@bobwalters9151]

Hey kyle I recently bought a LBX stealth and it has groove tube El34s in it. which tells me it’s from one of their first production runs. Can you tell me what tubes are in the one you demoed in this video? Thx

[@PRP-YT]

I've allways liked EVH over Mesa but the Mini Rectifier is more brutal than the EVH, especially boosted, but it also costs more the double, if money isn't a issue i'd go with Mesa

[@guitarlair]

I've always hated Mesas because they always sounded super muddy to my ears because of the amount of bass that they have, then I realized that most of the guitar players that I was listening to that were using Mesas didn't know how to set the eq on the amp properly. Mesas need to be set brighter and with less gain to sound good and also you gotta use a boost with good mid frequencies like an SD-1 in front to tighten things up. They sound KILLER when you do that, because it's like you're going for a Marshall tone but the bottom end and clarity is still there because it's a Mesa.

[@belligerentamateur]

Agreed. It's easy to make a Rectifier sound bad

[@tylerprince6250]

I think I've watched about 9 billion videos of every name brand compared to a mesa, with every type of gear, and the mesa always seems to win to me. Great vid dude! 🤘🔥🤘

[@ehsanhaq155]

Subbed. You got the right content for the amp man 💪💯

[@massttrshrdrharmonicminor2002]

To me the mesa sounds familiar, and stealth is like the new guy. Makes me want to run two amps at once with an aby split

[@belligerentamateur]

Funny you say that...

[@massttrshrdrharmonicminor2002]

Hopefully I didn't miss anything, are you hinting at an upcoming video?

[@chaoschaoforever]

I think it's just me, but I think the EVH does just fine without a boost. The Mesa does wake up a bit with the boost, but most Rectos I've played were like that.

[@belligerentamateur]

The EVH definitely needs it less than the mini rec IMO!

[@Fremioz]

Is the tunning?

[@LabyrinthOfEyes]

I don't like lunchbox heads either for the same reason. There are some with the big tubes though like the engl fireball 25 and they sound really good.

[@MusicHyde]

Great video ! The EVH sounded more incisive and agressive, the Mesa sounds fatter and sometimes a little tubby/constipated.

[@incitatus634]

Absolutely untight, the Mesa has frequencies all over the place whereas the EVH is focused and clear

[@SatansLeadGuitarist]

Every time I've played the Mini Rec I've fell in love with it. Now if only I could Justify the $1600+ it costs to get one of these in Canada.

[@HugoWelti]

I'm surprised you mentioned the EVH has a bigger bottom-end. Where did you have the resonance set on the EVH? I usually run mine pretty high, else it sounds too much like EL84's, LOL.

[@hierrogm]

Great comparison looking for lbx I have a stealth 50 so thinking of something else in that vein nice work

[@juliodefreitas157]

Awesome video and thank you for sharing your tips 👍

[@oliverroggenbuck7824]

Channel 1 Pushed Mode with high gain on the Recto Mini really shines. It has this Marshall Crunch. In High Gain Mode, the EVH has this typical scooped and relatively soft or creamy sound maybe more in the direction of a Mesa Mark Series, while the Recto is quite raw and brutal in comparison. As always, the Recto profits a lot from the boost. Both amps will get you quite close to the sound of their bigger brothers. At the end the Mesa is much more versatile with 2 completely independent channels. Thank you Kyle for explaining the differences in the mid frequencies. I really appreciate your detailed reviews which always get to the point.

[@belligerentamateur]

I'm glad you dug it! Thanks for checking it out!

[@fjk1138]

Great comparison - Mini Recto all the way for me.

[@belligerentamateur]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ArticLight14]

Around 4:50 both amps ended up sounding very similar. Well, over the phone speaker that is.

[@BrandonPitt]

Can confirm - the Mini Rectifier Modern channel is LOUD.

[@wills8705]

If these were both the exact same price...... Very few EVHs would be sold.

[@hierrogm]

U think one could use the recto for a show with Mesa 4x12

[@skylinexxxowns]

Iv done it with my mini rec and a mesa 212 cab… but I needed to use a 10 band eq to really make it shine while turned up that loud to give it more bass and low end grunt

[@Kosarkid]

Mesa just stood out for me. Personal taste

[@HooksBill]

I was going to say the EVH had it until you boosted the Mesa and the difference was immediately obvious the Mesa sounded superior. Although, I think you couldn't go wrong with either for a mini amp. I'm looking at the BadLander, but the EVH Stealth 50 sounds great too. Can I justify the $600-$700 difference in price? Not sure yet.

[@barryprosser1370]

Hey for some reason your reverb page link doesn't work? Just thought id give you a heads up good sir.

[@belligerentamateur]

I'll check it!

[@SandblurPAHC]

Both are killer! Great video

[@paulkielt9301]

To me both need to be front boosted to sound properly.

[@doug441]

Great comparison. Between this video, and your full Mini Recto review, I bought the Mesa. Everyone hears things different, but to me, the Mesa just eats the EVH up. Bigger, fatter, thicker, and aggressive. The EVH is too grainy.

[@samnmaxforever]

You're so right, once the boost is on the Mini Recto is really brutal and keeps a lot of dynamics.

[@marbesto]

So good. I just got a mini recto for less than $1000 🎉

[@roxannerobinson5729]

Ive owned the 5150 II & III Ive almost always had a hard time cutting through the mix with both heads. So i would always end up back at my XXX, Marshall or rec. or Orange Duel dark. While ive sold all my big boys and switched to lunch box amps they are all pretty close to the big boys. especially if they have some volume. These days ive gotten away from pedals and use a head rush. traded in my half stack for a 2x12 and Mesa mini. Only Micro amp ive liked better is the Orange Dark Terror and the Peavey 35.

[@cappy_skateboarding7920]

Boost with Mesa is the shit!!

[@TheLeadG]

The Mesa just all around sounded far better to my ear.

[@kenjicarlos8402]

Tbh you expect that when you consider that it’s more than twice the cost of the evh

[@TheLeadG]

@@kenjicarlos8402 Not always. Price doesn’t always correlate to better sound. Even if we want it to lol

[@AngryTonesRiffClips]

Both great amps but... Mesa Boogie Mini Rectifier destroys it in my “Humble” opinion lol! Great video Kyle. You can definitely tell ones made by Fender and the other one is Handmade in Hell! Boosted really shows it’s fangs too I love it.

[@voodoocustompickups2547]

Funny thing is that Mesa started because Randall Smith was hot rodding Fender amps

[@Blueesteel_]

New subscriber here! Great comparison vid! Keep it up!

[@tonedover]

Had both. Lets be honest, this particular evh only does one thing well. If thats all u want, then hey its a great deal! Recto was better overall if u actually want a 2nd channel. Both ended up sold.

[@PK22-b7v]

What did you get instead ?

[@tonedover]

went to friedman. i have an attenuator now and may come back to the mini recto as it needs volume to sound good.

[@topfacemod]

I prefer the EVH but that is principley because I lean towards the Doom or "dark" amps out there. Cleaner but with bawls to take fuzzes better. Great overview! I understand the preference to a Rectifier for straight edge thrash and I agree with that choice. However that isn't my genre. :)

[@nobzey]

Mesa sounded much better to my ears and taste.

[@monstruonegro05]

Agree with you, both sound great, damn little boxex!!!

[@jimsoprano711]

Mesa sounds great! Do you always have one pedal on? The MXR? On most of your videos that one is always on.

[@hoplophobe]

The Mesa sounds bigger and has more breadth.

[@redneckurbantransplant5931]

I think the EVH has more attack and the Mesa is a bit mushy.

[@xindridxcoldx]

Hey man Love the content. I just got invective mh. I know you don't care for el84s but have you tried one out or plan too?

[@rec99cts27]

I have to give it to Mesa! Just sounds more angry 😈 Plus I’m a 100% Mesa guy! Great demo 👍

[@ericsmith6633]

Hey dude, how is that head switcher? I really want one of those, does it work good?

[@belligerentamateur]

It's awesome man! Works perfectly!

[@chrismartin6418]

Both sounded good. Mesa came through the feed as a little more open sounding, but not for double the price to me. EVH needed adjustments to the boost and would have sounded a bit closer. Bottom line, if budget is irrelevant the $1500 price tag for the Mesa would be well worth it, but hell just throw down the same money for the 50w Stealth or $500 more for the 50w Badlander to me.

[@kanehicks9321]

“I got my lunchbox and I’m armed real well”

[@AtTheSourceStudios]

Mesa is King 👑

[@Blueesteel_]

I’d have to go full MURIKA on this one! MESA it is for me 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 💥 💥💥

[@scottsaarela8674]

Man.....What were your settings on the mini recto towards the end. Can't see the nobs 🙃

[@elfieborimera3178]

Good video evh wins and less than half the price

[@rpr154]

This Mesa is not a good high gain amp without an OD.. Way too flubby on the low end.. Yes I had one..

[@PK22-b7v]

Just got one and yes, you are right. Needs a boost ... not sure what to go for ..

[@TobiasHeinzle]

Mesa costs double the price but does it sound twice as good as the EVH? And which one is better as a Bedroom Amp, of course the EVH, so you have enough reasons for the EVH 🤙🏻 but the Mesa of course sounds awesome 🤘🏻thanks for the reviews on the EVH, I will take one 🤙🏻

[@BR-kj3fp]

Mesa cost plus the cost of a boost…

[@fattony6-string929]

Love these comparisons, I put a 5751 tube in v1 of my lbx stealth and it sounds awesome.

[@TargetHHH101]

You do know different type of tubes dont effect tone right? just volume.

[@fattony6-string929]

@@TargetHHH101 yes it’s a lower output tube it adds a little headroom to the el84’s and it definitely tames a little of the highs

[@nicholastotoro7721]

A 7025 in V1 does a really nice job calming an amp down if you think the gain is too much for you (not in a "lower the gain knob" way, either). EH has a really nice, new 7025.

[@fattony6-string929]

@@nicholastotoro7721 absolutely, I have a TAD 7025 and that works great too

[@KG-wp6gh]

@@TargetHHH101 this is definitely true about power tubes. Preamp tubes not so sure about. The preamp tubes have a huge impact on gain levels. 5150/6505 amps almost have too much gain to the point of sounding harsh and fizzy. Using a 5751 in V1 definitely tames that harshness and allows more of a punch.

[@a11an72]

Seems like these 15-25w amps are void of lowend , that sort of makes an amp useless for my taste

[@srinivaskumar615]

Honestly your amp reviews are the one of a kind on KZbin. You’re the King of Tube Amp Reviews. You can spill any amp’s inner demons if you want. Truly you’re the Demon Slayer 💀💀💀💀🫣👏👏👏👏👏👏❤️🎸🤘🤘🤘

[@Gabriepe]

Boosted Mesa sounds best

[@oldguyjammin9732]

Mesas have a fullness that’s hard to replicate. Thick and bassy...

[@eric_casper5150]

The Mesa does sound killer boosted but I’ll stick with my EvH Lbx2.

[@crispylicksguitar]

I have a lbx 2 as well and I think it sounds better than the stealth

[@kensanders2617]

You Cant Really compare Amps With Effect Pedals hooked Up to them... Love to Hear an honest Head to Head.. Thumbs down to bad I only have 2.

[@belligerentamateur]

wrong answers only

[@timeiseverything4]

The mesa is 2x the price. Does it sound 2x as good? No

[@deanmiller6177]

Mesa over the EVH but I'll take the PRS MT15 over both of them.

[@jasoncrump1886]

Hey Kyle I was just thinking you really could probably take advantage of looking and sounding like Matt Damon . Might serve you well. Lol

[@alexanderlumberjack]

Wish the mesa wasnt so expensive

[@hwy2hell161]

Cool video...👍subscribed 🤘

[@rrguitar1]

EVH easily

[@mattanthony5267]

I generally dislike Mesa, but it smoked the EVH here. At least as far as the first channel was concerned. The stealth has much more gain and doesn't need a boost, but idk, I always seem to prefer the original 5150 sound over the EVH stuff. It's killer but way too much fizz and compression. My takeaway here for channel 2? EVH unboosted, Mesa boosted.

[@stanhalen9807]

Fuck yeah Kyle!

[@derrotamundial4554]

Mesa wins

[@Tatenguedescamador-ni8zk]

M E S A !!!!!!!!!! ALL DAY

[@timeiseverything4]

EVH high gain is better overall. Thanks Eddie for the great gear. RIP

[@lesguitaresdepapa4903]

I really like both. The mesa seems to be more fizzy but it seems to be really nice. I use my LBX 1 with less presence than you. , between 3 and 4. Because it becomes a bit harsh when you push the volume. (Volume at 2 with a 412 V30, it’s just loud as fuck) I prefer use the high knob to set the high fréquences. It reacts better to my ears.

[@scottpeters4401]

Channel 1 goes to the Mini Rec.....but Channel 2,EVH by a mile....

[@elfieborimera3178]

Need to here lead to really here what a amp sounds like not chords

[@belligerentamateur]

This comment wins this guitar internet

[@pointsource1]

The Mesa goes for 1500$. The EVH has more bite and filth for 600$. Case closed.😏