The BEST 5150 EVER?! EVH 5150III 50W 6L6!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thomann Affiliate: www.thomann.de/intl/index.html?offid=1&affid=3210 Sweetwater Affiliate: sweetwater.sjv.io/k0mGvx My personal Thomann recommendations: thmn.to/thocf/cv37zixo68 My webstore for Captures, presets etc: ko-fi.com/sonicdrivestudio Thanks for supporting the channel!

[@driftthekaliyuga7502]

Bedroom player friends, get the combo. It comes with a built in attenuator right on the front. Get all the tone at any volume. It's great.

[@addicted2tone349]

I second this, I have had the 50w 1x12 for years and it’s amazing as a bedroom amp..

[@AzenBerries]

I wish I bought the 2x12 instead of a new 1x12

[@MikeyC25]

What combo do you mean? The tube amp combo?

[@Chris_Decker]

​@@MikeyC25yessir any of the 5150 or 6505 tube 1x12 or 2x12 combos are sick amps

[@AuntAlnico4]

I get killer bedroom tones with my stealth 50 watt head into my old Ampeg 412 with vintage celestion speakers in it. When I run the stealth 50 head into the stealth 212 cabinet it's so so so so fucking loud that I can't even play it indoors. I think it's down to db sensitivity of the modern speakers compared to the old celestion speakers that have been used for decades and well broken in.

[@shippybs]

I bought the 6L6 50 watt brand new in January 2014. Waited 18 years for a tube amp. Zero problems, zero regrets. The channel volume jump does not bother me. This version is more pure than concentric versions. 👍🏻💪🏻

[@therileyobrien]

Best one for sure. I've had all the different models in both 100 and 50 watt versions. My white pre-concentric knob 6l6 50 watt is the one I have kept and will never sell.

[@LtCore]

I also have the white pre-concentric knob 6L6 50w, also never selling it!!!

[@SuperGuitar38]

@@LtCore Here, here!

[@Johnsalad]

SAME HERE!

[@njgiants2562]

Is the 50 watt version loud enough to gig and keep up with a band?

[@crstov1714]

@@njgiants2562yes, well and truly.

[@jeremygovernale898]

Literally the best amp ever. I played it for the first time last year and have wanted one since. Ever other amp doesn’t do it for me. This one does

[@solidus317]

Literally just had mine in black delivered last weekend. Cannot stop playing it. It’s so versatile and that’s just on the blue channel! I liked the EL34 and Stealth versions when I tried them but this one is the perfect in between IMO.

[@TravisRayLyle]

Still one of my favorites. Blue channel is simply amazing. Great vid.

[@jhimself7160]

I put a 12at7 tube in the V2 position of the red ch 3 pre amps, it really tightened up the fizz and lowered the gain level where it can get beefy without being too hissy, it’s more like the blue channel now with a boost, really tight and thumpy metal tone.

[@alexandrebozier4703]

isn't a 12AT7 to weak ? i put a 5751 on V1 in my 6505MH and it is so much better for the sound, but still strong gain

[@rangerdoc1029]

FWIW, AT7 is a terrible replacement for an AX7. It's more of a driver tube. 5751 is a much better lower gain replacement. It has the same transconductance specs as a 12ax7.

[@JRP3music]

I put a 5751....

[@voltaspeeder17]

Hands down one of the best amps I've heard in my life. Fantastic demo, props to you bro!!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks! Too bad I had to send it back after it broke twice

[@voltaspeeder17]

@@SonicDriveStudio - what?? It's that unreliable? 😮 I was just looking around to buy one with EVH 2x12 cabinet included...

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Mine was. I dedicated a video to it, check it out

[@jonathanfoster100]

What an amp, this may be my favorite. So organic and tight. Alot of folks says the stealth is better. But to my ears this can't be beat.

[@PereRevert]

Sounds killer Jon! you nailed it again, sounds gorgeus!! What about a new mix and drums tutorial ?

[@DielectricFailure]

I’ve never thought about trying my string guitar through my EVH amplifier but now I’m looking forward to giving you a shot. You make it sound so good!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Update: the replacement amp also broke down... This sucks! I'm sending it back and I don't think I'll get a replacement. Too bad because I had many videos planned. I started working on my comparison with the EL34 today and all of the sudden it didn't want to turn on anymore...(The 6L6 version) No lights, no nothing. Checked the fuse, the fuse is good. No clue what's up but I'm going to return it and hope they'll have a new one in stock at the store. I have many cool things planned with this amp. Hopefully it will be rectified asap!

[@billspmaxx6490]

That sucks, Let us know what you find out. Like a lot of people I have the 6L6 50 watt and have had good luck with it so far but its only a few months old.

[@d77sauce]

I think the same thing happened to Stay Metal Ray. Crazy

[@SonicDriveStudio]

@@d77sauce really? It sucks, hopefully my replacement will be fine

[@williamsimmons4678]

Can't wait for the comparison vid man, i hope the prob with the el34 is simple 😵😁😵😁

[@bradschimke5865]

Time to get the 50 watt stealth my dude! Having played both the stealth just sounded and felt better

[@jamesshafer6700]

That blue channel rocks! We came for the review and stayed for the riffs. Great job as always dude!

[@SapperRJMorgan]

As usual, well done Jon. I have the LBX and I love it so looking forward to seeing that video.

[@MarkCoffin]

Excellent video as usual! I own both this and the EL34 50W versions with the matching cabs. I sometimes run them in stereo just for fun 😄🤘

[@runxzze123]

excellent. I have this for years. really excited to hear the comparison vid.

[@danuwisnuwardhana4173]

i have 50W 6L6 v1 as my wedding gift years ago. it still rips until today. I don't care that much about volume jumping between channel green and blue just because i rarely use them at the same time

[@jeremywooldridge5537]

Yep. Love this amp. I've owned quite a few amps and currently have 5, this is the only one I've never considered selling for something else.

[@sfish2684]

Do you have the old version or the new 6l6 with concentric pots? I had the old version. Loved it. Sold it in hard times about 6 years ago. I bought the el34 a few years back but I sold it because I just remember liking the 6l6 way more. The 6l6 was way more versatile and had tones of usable tones on the green and blue channel. The El34 had a few good tones on the green channel but that blue channel didn’t do much. The red channel on the el34 might actually be better than the 6l6 though.

[@kilsoo]

Your comps are getting better and better. Also i wish i had access to this to try.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks!

[@benjaminspudich8519]

Thanks for the video it’s a great amp!!! You can get so many tones out of it love it!!

[@JackStolz]

damn this one is crazy good. The riffs are crushing. the syncopation happening at 16:30 is also incredible. Amp sounds great of course

[@rangerdoc1029]

My favorite part of John's videos. His sense of rhythm and phrasing is amazing.

[@Comp3630]

Love that crunch rhythm tone!!

[@Namelessforever_]

Your take on the brown sound was unreal john. Those riffs would make Eddie smile man! Would love to see this one up against the el34 for sure. Nicely done as always 😊🤘

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Thanks! :)

[@timh4369]

I have the same amp same color…I love it just bought it this month . It does everything plus it’s small and portable.

[@LucasLeCompteMusic]

THe 50 watt is pretty magical. I know a lot of people like the Stealth when it comes to the 100watt.

[@Jeydeegr]

50 watt OG and 100 watt Stealth are the 2 best iterations of the 5153. Having said that all versions are great and get the job done.

[@47Wolfgang]

Man, Love your tones, I can never get my blue channel to sound that heavey, Red channel is killer!

[@ConstantineM]

Oh, it's my dream amp for sure. Such a beast

[@bacolodmetalscenes4831]

04:27 i love that view Walls of great amp

[@taylorlambert5752]

Excited for the EL34 to 6L6 comparison!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

There's a little delay because I have to send the amp back. Hopefully it won't be long until I get a replacement

[@matthewfreeman33]

The clean channel isn't bad. Better than any other previous 5150 type amp

[@ivanlubinski6626]

I just discovered this channel searching for info about all the different EVH 5150 iii amps. I already watch your 6L6 to EL34 comparison. Now I’m subscribed. Would be great if you could compare the 5150 iii lbx, lbxii, and lbx-s.

[@SuperGuitar38]

I played on 2 used and one new of these before getting mine and the consistency was dead on. Love my pre concentric and usually set it up for two hi gain channels. Three channel, Midi, Brutal, what else is there to want? Plus HP jack on a 50w head! Wow!

[@borhksalduero9259]

Very nice review buddy!! Good writings!!

[@chrissanders8362]

Absolutely the best amp out there.

[@UKSportsFan]

While I've never been crazy about the 15 watt EVH lunchbox amps, the 50 and 100 watt versions (both 6L6 and EL34) are absolutely fantastic! Not sure why that's the case, but to me, that's just the way it rolls...

[@Kevinh1998]

The amp sounds great. I love playing in drop tuning as well. I think a lot of players are limiting themselves by not using drop tuning, especially metal players. I guess it's about style but I like the thicker power chords and just the sound of the chords typically played in drop tuning.

[@ParanormalMetalMan]

Great review and impressive amp! You're a great player 🤘

[@williamsimmons4678]

Love your vids bud ! Thx Your playing and tunes r stellar !! 🤘😀😀🤘

[@motionstku]

Thanks Jon for this awesome video! Can’t wait to watch the el34 compare! I’ve owned the first gen 50 Watt - but sold it and went with the helix LT - but now I want my EVH back and Iam a bit unsure if I will buy the el34 or the 6l6 version (2. gen). I already own the evh (el34) 2x12 cab and use this with the Palmer and helix. But wanna switch then to the EVH amp again and use the helix as effect unit / controller.

[@guitarpodcast]

Cool video. Also cool to see another guy with a double jointed thumb like me.

[@charleswood123]

My favorite amp. Even at the volume you’ve got it at I know it’s f’ing loud! But that’s what the blue channel needs

[@prat2609]

16:31 was just killer! The amplifier is great no doubt!

[@planzed463]

Dude your jams are always the best but loved the flavour of that first clean jam 👌🏼🔥 great vid, what an amp!!😮😮 thanks!!

[@TheMasamir]

Can't go wrong with an EVH!

[@DaltPlaysGuitar]

I had one of these for a while, it sounded awesome but there was something up with it and it did not take pedals well at all. Ended up getting rid of it and got an MT-15 instead. Legendary amp though!

[@stevedahl6531]

Were you running in front or in loop?

[@DaltPlaysGuitar]

@@stevedahl6531 OD’s in front and reverb in the loop, it was something internal with the amp

[@kadestorm]

Nice one. I do lean towards the 6L6 Stealth but the entire lineup within the 5150 III branch is solid.

[@zlatan]

greetings!, nice video, i think you should try the clean channel as the manual says, i don´t know if you have read it, but here´s some of it. "Note: For a cleaner sound from channels one and two, set these volume controls to their maximum, then bring the gain controls (B) up from their minimum settings to the desired level." so, doing it the right way may change your experience. Peace

[@Gizmo-st1ky]

Excellent amp! Great video Jon! I wasn’t all that crazy about the clean channel, but man that blue channel is something else!! I can see myself using my H&K for cleans and the EVH blue channel for everything else. The red for when I get really heavy haha 🤘🏽🔥

[@vonholland64]

I love the clean as well

[@indicavibes514]

Listen to the red channel at 7:00am and my 3 year old Comes over and starts bobbing up and down! Before I knew it were both head banging and throwing fist 👊 in the living room lol 😂 I’m sold on the amp brother 🤣🤣👊

[@facundomorales24]

Amazing evh sound!

[@IronSwan-ll5ju]

I recently traded a 1987x even for a rockerverb 50 mkIII. What do you think of oranges? I seen you own 3 of some sort, one looks to be an OR or whatever the 30 watt head is; I do not remember. I’m here because one of these showed up locally at our music store used for$1,300. I’m spent but curious about these types of higher gain and modern amps.

[@neighbourhoodmusician]

It really is the best. I currently have the Stealth 50 and, frankly, the original 6L6 is the best. The blue channel has a great chunky slightly scooped sound that sits back in the mix so wonderfully for rhythm playing. The Stealth is too mid-foward for this. I miss my non-concentric old 6L6.

[@pbrug_1667]

Seems to be an unpopular opinion. I think the Stealth is better. I’d be happy to do a swap with my concentric pot og 6L6😉💀

[@gusmc01]

Same here. I A/B'd the Stealth and the newer 50w 6L6 through the same rig and I liked the regular 50w 6L6 better on every channel. Even did some tube swapping and the Stealth still didn't stack up. The Stealth went back, the regular 6L6 with concentric knobs stayed.

[@neighbourhoodmusician]

@@gusmc01 It's going to become a bit of an all time classic, that original 50 watt, I think. Love it. I've compared it to loads of amps and it always comes out on top for my style of rock/metal.

[@gazzaduce3424]

Is this one of the EVH amps that had a bad blue channel or so by reputation?. I want an EVH but was looking at the stealth as the rest of the EVHs seems to get a bashing for the blue channel

[@neighbourhoodmusician]

@@gazzaduce3424 Who the heck is bashing the blue channel? It's like the EVH trump card.

[@ICEMANdrake214]

I have the stealth version of this amp and it’s absolutely killer. I run it through a Marshall MX412A with stock cheap Chinese celestian speakers and I still love the tone. Even the clean tone is pretty damn good. It also takes pedals pretty well too.

[@guitardave]

A classic amp, still sounds awesome. Would love to hear you compare this with the newer Stealth version and your thoughts on the two.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Don't have the stealth but I'm going to compare it to the EL34 soon!

[@guitardave]

@@SonicDriveStudio Awesome - I have the 1x12 el34 combo and it really is a fantastic all round amp. I’ll look forward to your comparison :-)

[@Soloist1983]

@@SonicDriveStudio I had the original, but am SO curious about the Stealth

[@rangerdoc1029]

That. Was. SICK!

[@JRP3music]

I tried both, preferred the 50watt EL34 model.

[@eds4754]

Great tones here!

[@manicmurph]

I basically have the same set up. I have a 6L6 50 in black and I use LTD deluxe guitars. Plus a Washburn Dime 3 signed by Pantera that is my secret little weapon. That clean song was pretty sweet. How you get the guitars sounding so loud and clear? Is that two or 4 tracks panned left to right? Also any EQ?

[@bartekz8848]

John, what about 100w version? We are waiting… 😀

[@ruhrpottflo2249]

My new Amp : EVH 150 III Stealth 50 Watt 6L6. Its super versatile and the clean channel is crystal clear . Love it.

[@thewrathofraf]

If you love this one, the 100 watt version will absolutely blow you away.

[@msi1985]

Dude I usually play a quad cortex but I was kind of missing tube amps so I decided to get this... Holy smokes is it ever insane! I've never had this kind of definition on my 7 and 8 string guitars.... What's the best way to record this? Can I send the signal into my quad cortex and then feed that into my computer? I don't really want to make it up as I find the DI version through an IR to be a lot more accurate and noise free.

[@SonicDriveStudio]

You have to get a good load box! Of course I can also highly recommend my EVH captures for the QC: ko-fi.com/s/9540f8ca2c

[@msi1985]

@@SonicDriveStudio I certainly appreciate the offer 🫴 I'm actually interested in trying to do my own capture I have several reasonably good microphones but I don't have a load box... I wonder if I can manage to get a reasonable capture for my QC of the actual physical amp head? I haven't done any captures yet myself. The only other tube amp I have is a Mesa 50 watt triple Crown... 34 is and around the same amount of 12ax7 in the preamp and power section.... But I've got to say this 5150 is substantially louder!

[@sphinx9517]

Also what’s your resonance setting at

[@jimstubblefield9850]

Great Video, If you were trying to really dial in that EVH tone which one would we get 6L6 or EL34 just in the EVH Line of Amps ?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

I'm not an EVH connoisseur so I don't really know tbh...

[@lcwatts2971]

Great playing, my man! Your reviews sold me on getting this amp but I AM a little concerned about the reliability...😒

[@LukeCannotSkate]

Will this thing do AiC type of rich high gain tone with the right guitar? I'm thinking of switching amps because I don't want to rely on pedals so much. I like just guitar and amp for my main sound

[@LouCondon-j1v]

Sold mine to a friend at church, the only thing I hated was the shared 1-2 channel. And who puts the on/off switch on the back, or was it standby.

[@babtanian]

I really like everything I've heard from this amp, including this video, your Tonex captures and a handful of various digital models. I'd really like to get this head, but am somewhat discouraged by your double failure experience. In your experience, was this a sort of anomaly, or have several people had similar problems? I'm wondering if perhaps that vendor received a bad batch of amps, or if this is a universal problem. Thanks!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

I didn't happen to everyone of course but I would recommend checking out the comment section under that video

[@babtanian]

@@SonicDriveStudio Thanks Jon 👍🏻 I just read through the comments and it seems that many people had some issues and many didn’t 🤷🏻‍♂️ I suppose that as long as I acquire it from a reputable retailer, the risk should be low.

[@kennyparker8644]

Sounds really great

[@rexorotten9262]

Have you tried the EVH 5150III 50s? I scrolled through your videos and didn't see it?

[@keyzorro5253]

Thank you for the excellent video. Could you also make some videos about how to make drum track please? Many thanks

[@gravelrocks5588]

You need to try the 5150 iconic it totally Rips !!!!

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Would love to

[@SteelKicker01]

How do you record this? I want this amp but can you record it into a computer without any sound coming out? Or should I just use an amp sim for when I want to do that

[@ayeapprove]

I still love my V1 even with the volume difference of the blue and green channel (which V2 fixed with stacked volume controls).

[@mitchthegreat]

I've had a crush on the el34 50w for a while now. You really like this 6l6 version better? What stands out the most? Thanks

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Comparison coming soon!

[@mitchthegreat]

@@SonicDriveStudio cool! Look forward to seeing it.

[@darrenwilliamsahs2211]

Don't bother with the 6L6, if you have the EL34 it's better. I've owned both, sold my 6L6. The El34 is the only amp I'll never sell.

[@slash91991]

Hi man, did you use any booster or noise gate int the playing?

[@garycocking348]

Does the amp have reverb and noise gate and volume switch for lower wattage

[@titan_codes]

So when's the back to back with the EL34 love to see a comparison between the two so I know which to get next haha

[@SonicDriveStudio]

Soon

[@Nate-qb8ws]

How is it vs. the Fireball 25? How much quieter is the Fireball when you turn the gain up on both?

[@IronSwan-ll5ju]

I think I’m gonna go put one in layaway tomm. I’ve watched this video like 8 times now probably.

[@timosuotunen5766]

Great videos. How you create your drum tracks?

[@SonicDriveStudio]

I program them by hand using Steven Slate Drums 5.5

[@timosuotunen5766]

@@SonicDriveStudio ok thanks for info

[@demondrive147]

I'm curious how different the real deal sounds from STL AmpHub Eddy 5153

[@jetvanderkrogt679]

Love it!

[@heavyvibrationstudiopl3256]

You are making amps sounding better than any other man on youtube.I got PRS MT 15 after one of yours films.And i can't get the sound you are getitng from it.

[@jaychen2000metal]

Yeah i sold the MT15 in like 2 wks. It was too dark for me.

[@alexanderlumberjack]

thats my go to amp!

[@allanosvemos77]

Imagine this head with a Hamer Californian Elite USA 🤗🤗🤗🤗 ,great video

[@kevindavid37]

I wish you could compare it to the stealth version, but I know you don‘t have that one 🙈

[@Galaxisutika]

The 5150 head is much better, it's an empty bucket sound

[@davechurch1520]

To the owners on here, I have a 6l6 combo and it sounds great but on the red channel, once you turn the gain past 1 o'clock or even all the way up, the rhythm gets muddy. Any suggestions on keeping that gain all the way up without getting muddy? Thanks

[@nicopoppe4838]

how do you compare the axe fx modeling against the real amps nowadays?

[@rikosimmo]

This over the engl savage mark 2?

[@oldguyjammin9732]

Low volumes eh?? Hmm, it’d be fun to see the LBXII 15W against this :) the LBXII I had was a bit noisy at idle and even that smaller amp was a bit much for “at home”.

[@SparkyGoldsmith]

I thought I was going to have to shut this review off until we hit the blue channel. Whoa! LOL

[@smeemusic]

I wanna hear this amp shot out with the original 5150. I feel like this model is closest to the original. Ihave the 100 watt el34. Imo its the best one of them all but that's just me. I like the channel 2/3 gain trick and use a fuzzlord doom screamer as a boost for saturation.

[@danuwisnuwardhana4173]

That's sucks. I bought it 4 years ago (old version, no concentric pots on either gain and volume control in channel green and blue), and it still works well until now.

[@nicosonic]

You could use a Jimmy clip to mute your strings instead of a piece of foam...

[@nilsbarth6325]

I have the same and i love it to death

[@NotAnotherSatchFan]

I only have 3 amp heads and this is one of them :)

[@sphinx9517]

I think I need to switch cabs. I’ve had the amp for a couple of years and it’s ok but I don’t love it. I think the evh 2x12 is just a little harsh compared to a mess 2x12