EVH 5150III 50W Tube Head Stealth Black

I am a lifelong hard rock fan who quickly pivoted to metal once starting to play at nearly 50 yo. First, this amp sounds phenomenal not only because it is a descendent of the Eddie tone, but also because it is extremely articulate and precise. So if you are a metal head, you will like it. Second, the fact that is so precise makes it very easy to play. SO if you are like me and need a little help from your amp, this is the one, not the prior 5153 versions. You can play rhythms on the red channel all day long. Similarly, the compression of the red channel makes it possible for a noob/ish player to practice leads without throwing everything immediately :) Try that on some other very high gain amps. The EQ ranges are very usable in all sorts of positions, unlike lead-first amps where I may want an external EQ to scoop sufficiently, especially if the amp is naturally honky around 800 or so. LAST BUT NOT LEAST: incredibly home friendly, which I had no idea it would be. Very usable at REALLY low volumes. Just careful with the knobs:). Oh, and the clean channel sounds really great. Pickups I use: EVO and Black Winter bridge pups. Gravity Storm neck. I assume it can even make something too bloated for metal like the Tone Zone sound reasonable. One potential con: if you want the traditional blue channel, maybe consider running a 5150 MXR pedal in front of the green channel of the Stealth because I think the Stealth blue channel is more of a metal channel than a hard rock one. That's how I will do and I will essentially have 4 channels, with both versions of the blue.

Excellent amp. Im just wondering what kind of quality it will have as far as longevity goes? Great tone even dry. The channels are engineered great which provide a way to switch from clean to dirty with no massive volume swell Built solid nothing cheap looking just at first look. I'm into heavier music and this one fits well all around. I think it's a good thing to have something practical Eddie collaborated on. If the quality holds up I'll be getting another one.

Overall this is a great amp but the cost doesn't really support the functionality. The red channel is the same as the other 6l6 model which is great. The blue channel has a little extra low mids but kind of lacking in the gain where a boost is needed. Needs built in gate and boost.

I have been on a quest for years to find my sound. I have owned a Mesa Mark V, Mesa Tremoverb, Mesa Rectoverb as well as a VHT Pittbull and more. I can honestly say I'm immensely impressed with this amp. Useable 3 channels and very good effects loop.The red channel is FIRE!

Home use.

I have tried several amplifiers including the EVH Iconic combo amp. I played this Saturday and purchased it along with the cab Sunday. This gives the EVH sound that I have been looking for.