Evh 5150 III 50 W 6L6 Head IV

Overview and Key Specs

The Evh 5150 III 50 W 6L6 Head IV brings familiar high-gain muscle in a smaller, more practical tube head format. Released in 2018, this all-tube amplifier delivers 50 watts through a pair of six-six-L tubes in the power section, plus seven twelve-AX-seven preamp tubes. It's designed for players who need powerful, varied tones without lugging around the weight of a full 100-watt head.

• Power Output: 50 watts, tube amplification (two six-six-L power tubes)
• Preamp Tubes: Seven twelve-AX-seven (JJ ECC83S)
• Channels: Three (clean/green, crunch/blue, lead/red)
• EQ: Shared bass, mid, and treble for green and blue; separate for red
• Global Controls: Presence and resonance (the latter on the rear panel)
• Footswitch: Included, channel-selectable, with effects loop switching
• I/O: Dual loudspeaker outs, impedance switch (4, 8, 16 ohms), effects loop with level, MIDI input, headphone out
• Dimensions: 8.5 x 20 x 11.6 inches
• Weight: 33.7 lbs

Construction and Handling

Visually, the Evh 5150 III 50 W 6L6 Head IV stands out in its ivory finish, but the practical design goes further than color. The compact enclosure packs considerable heft for its size, but at just under 34 pounds, transport is manageable. The shell is covered in synthetic leather and cornered with protective caps, providing both a premium look and actual roadworthiness. Controls feel solid, and the rear metal rails make it easy to pair with compatible cabinets.

The switching system includes a high-quality footswitch, effects loop activation, and MIDI compatibility. The on/off and standby switches are located on the rear, a common Evh quirk that can frustrate users when the head is rack-mounted.

Channel Architecture and Sound Character

Previous 50-watt 5150 models were criticized for shared volume/gain controls between the clean and crunch channels, leading to jarring volume jumps and limiting their practical use. This latest iteration corrects the issue with dual concentric pots for volume and gain on both the green (clean) and blue (crunch) channels. The shared equalizer remains but proves much less problematic than the previous issue. The result is true three-channel functionality: every channel is independently usable and footswitch-accessible.

Clean (Green) Channel

The clean channel spans sparkling, articulate cleans at lower gain settings to a tart edge when pushed. With the gain dialed up, classic rock voicings of a "Plexi" nature appear, clear but gritty, especially with single coil pickups. The shared three-band equalizer provides broad tonal shaping. Feedback from owners highlights the versatility here; some still prefer an added reverb or external delay for special applications.

Crunch (Blue) Channel

Here, the amp turns aggressive. The blue channel progresses from blues-tinged drive up to hard rock and modern metal with ease. There's more than enough gain on tap for thrash tones, and clarity is retained even when cranked. Many guitarists actually prefer to use the blue channel with a boost pedal for ultimate tightness, remarking on its pronounced attack perfect for rhythm playing in heavier styles.

Lead (Red) Channel

The red channel unleashes the amp's full gain reserves. From saturated sustain for solos to heavily compressed rhythm tones, pushing the gain past halfway is rarely necessary. The sound is bold, raw, and hangs in a sweet spot in the mix without getting mushy or fizzy. This channel is less subtle, but the voice is instantly recognizable, a sharp, modern high-gain sound with cut and authority.

Usability and Features

Switching between channels is seamless via the robust footswitch, and inclusion of MIDI control increases flexibility for more elaborate live or studio rigs. The tube-powered effects loop can be engaged remotely and features a level control for optimum compatibility with pedals or rack processors.

Presence and resonance controls, global for all channels, allow fine-tuning the amp's high-end sheen and low-end punch. Presence is accessible on the front, while resonance (deep bass response) resides on the rear panel, handy on stage, but less so in a studio rack.

• Strengths:
  • True three-channel independence for volume and gain
  • Exceptional, clear distortion across crunch and lead settings
  • Responsive tone and feel, reacts to player dynamics
  • Tough, attractive build with manageable weight
  • High-quality accessories (foot controller, cables)
• Drawbacks:
  • Shared equalizer for clean/crunch may frustrate tinkerers
  • Rear-mounted power/standby switches inconvenient in racks
  • Some reported noise/hiss at higher gain, requiring a noise gate
  • No built-in reverb or LED case lighting
  • Rare reliability issues with channel switching (as reported by some users)

Conclusion: Versatility and Tone, Compact but Capable

The Evh 5150 III 50 W 6L6 Head IV satisfies high expectations for a three-channel tube head in a more manageable package. Suiting styles from clean to punishingly heavy, it offers modern conveniences such as MIDI, a powerful effects loop, and upgraded control logic. Despite minor ergonomic complaints and the persistent shared EQ on the first two channels, the amp's core qualities, sound, flexibility, and construction, strongly justify its price tag. It proves equally at home in practice, studio, and live settings, as a true workhorse for demanding players.