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EVH 5150III 2x12" 50-watt Tube Combo Amp with EL34 Tubes

50-watt, 2 x 12" 3-channel All-tube Guitar Combo Amplifier with EL34 Power Tubes, Resonance Control, Effects Loop, Headphone Jack, Preamp Out, and MIDI Input
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EVH 5150III 2x12" 50-watt Tube Combo Amp with EL34 Tubes
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EL34-injected Tone in a Convenient Combo

The EVH 5150 III 50W EL34 Combo packs three channels of EL34-injected tone into a versatile, sharp-dressed package. Whether you’re chasing modern high-gain tones or the old-school Van Halen brown sound, the 5150 III 50W EL34 Combo tackles both effortlessly. This little amp is a beast — it punches well above its weight with arena-filling volume and monster tonal attitude. Enjoy all the updates of the 5150 III along with a British-infused voice, thanks to the EL34-based power section. What’s more, two custom-designed EVH Celestion G12H speakers yield tight lows, punchy mids, and sparkling highs. You’ll also love this amp’s in-your-face black-on-gold motif. For serious volume and monstrous high-gain tone in a compact package, look no further than the 5150 III 50W EL34 Combo.

EL34s for the brown sound

The 5150 III is a standard for high-gain guitar tones and achieving the modern Eddie crunch. But when you need that thick, sustaining tone that Ed made famous on Van Halen’s 1978 debut, you need to turn to this 5150 III 50W EL34 Combo. What really sets this amp apart from the rest of the range is its EL34-based power amplifier. EL34s are much of the tone of the great British rock amps of the ’70s and ’80s. This amp nails those timbres with ease, adding a level of sag and saturation that feels and sounds great. And it will still get dirty with the best of modern metal machines.

Celestion G12H — the sound of rock

The 5150 III 50W EL34 Combo comes loaded with two custom-designed EVH Celestion G12Hs. These speakers bathe your playing in classic British tone with a warm body and distinctive growl. Featuring a heavier magnet than the original G12M Greenback, the G12H redefined the sound of modern rock guitar from the 1960s on. This 75Hz-resonance speaker model perfectly re-creates the sound of an original high-resonance G12H, giving you tight low-frequency response, punchy upper midrange, and sparkling highs.

New sound, new look

The bold sound of the 5150 III 50W EL34 Combo isn’t the only update to the legendary amp line. The combo was also given a distinct and assertive look. While it shares the famous Van Halen stripe theme, this amp will look sharp in your backline with its black stripe on gold grille design. One look at this amp, and you’ll know exactly what you’re in for when plugging in. It stands out at Sweetwater, and we’re sure you’ll instantly fall in love with the amp’s appearance and tones.

EVH 5150 III 50W EL34 Combo Features:

  • Compact high-gain combo amplifier with EL34 power tubes
  • 12-inch custom-designed EVH Celestion speakers yield tight lows, punchy mids, and sparkling highs
  • EL34 power tubes give the amp a British tone
  • Channel 1 offers a sparkling compressed clean tone
  • Channels 2 and 3 (crunch and lead, respectively) are dark, highly compressed, and saturated
  • Resonance control dials the amp into different cabs
  • Global Presence control and shared 3-band EQ for channels 1 and 2 with an independent EQ for channel 3
  • Effects loop for integrating your pedalboard and other processors
  • Headphone jack for private practice
  • Preamp Out jack for connecting to another amp's power in for multiple amp use, or to a mixing console
  • MIDI In jack for connecting a foot controller for channel selection and effects loop bypass
  • External bias adjustment and test points
  • Special internal baffling ensures ample, yet tight, bass response
  • In-your-face black-on-gold motif

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Tech Specs

  • Type: Tube
  • Number of Channels: 3
  • Total Power: 50W (power level control)
  • Speaker Size: 2 x 12" Custom Celestion G12H Anniversary
  • Preamp Tubes: 7 x 12AX7
  • Power Tubes: 2 x EL34
  • Reverb: Yes
  • EQ: 2 x 3-band EQ
  • Inputs: 1 x 1/4" (instrument)
  • Outputs: 2 x 1/4" (speaker out parallel), 1 x 1/4" (preamp out)
  • Effects Loop: Yes
  • MIDI I/O: In
  • Headphones: 1 x 1/4" (mutes output)
  • Footswitch I/O: 1 x 1/4" (channel, reverb)
  • Footswitch Included: Yes, 4-button footswitch
  • Bias Type: Adjustable Fixed
  • Construction Material: 7-ply 5/8" Birch Plywood with Black Textured Vinyl
  • Power Source: Standard IEC AC cable
  • Height: 25" (amp), 28" (with casters)
  • Width: 27.6"
  • Depth: 12.1"
  • Weight: 84 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: 2255020000

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 5/5

Tone Monster

This amp has a huge sound for a 2x12 combo. The speakers are enclosed which gives it a punchy sound. The clean channel is bright and crisp, while the blue channel has that British sound, but you can push it further with saturation. The red channel is absolutely an overdriven monster. If you're needing something with that full stack sound but in a small package, look no further this amp is it!
Music background: rock/metal/punk
Rated 5/5

Wow

Wow! Just wow! From very pure clean tones to everything and anything after... this amp can do it all.. Did I say, Wow? I meant... Wow
Music background: Tone Chaser
Rated 5/5

Amazing Tone

I have been searching for an amp which does it all- good clean tone, with the ability to dial in some extra gain just to the point of break-up, as well as a classic Marshall tone. This amp does it all and then some. The clean channel is absolutely sparkling, reminiscent of a great Fender amp from way back. The "blue" channel has an amazing range- from classic to hard rock, with the capability to dial in early Clapton Marshall tone, all the way up to and beyond 70's through 90's Marshall sounds. The "red" channel is just insane- really too much for my tastes, however keeping the gain set relatively low gives some terrific sustain and punch. The EL34 driven power amp really delivers such sweet, musical tone. I think this amp does it all, from country, gritty chickn-pickn to metal and everything in between. Highly recommended. Far more versatile than you might think, especially compared to the old Peavey 5150, which is great for metal, but not much else in my opinion.
Rated 5/5

Best amp that I have ever owned

This is a 3 channel monster. The clean channel is as good if not better than a fender type clean and the reverb has to be the best that I have ever heard. Channel 2 is the tone that most of us have been chasing all of our lives. Think jcm800 or the rock/metal tone of its namesake they are all there. Channel 3 takes over where 2 left off. Gain for days.

This is without a doubt the most musical amp that I have ever played. Worth every penny. If you have been chasing tone like I have i believe you have found it.
Music background: Ex tone chaser
Rated 5/5

chasing tone no more

I have been chasing tone for thirty years and I think that I have found what I have been looking and listening for.

All three channels sound great. Each with their own characteristics. Ch 1 is a really great sounding clean and the reverb is outstanding. Ch 2 is the jcm 800 tone I have been looking for. Ch 3 is a monster and has all of the distortion that I will ever need.

Unlike alot of amps the knobs do affect the tone. Very fun to tweak and get the tone you are trying to get.

Great amp from the Great people at Sweetwater. Thank you for the prompt shipping and support.
Music background: intermediate enthusiast
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