EVH 5150 III 50-Watt Tube Head main image

EVH 5150 III 50-Watt Tube Head

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$1,399.99 to $1,519.99 Price Tier: High-end

5.0 (27)

1 Critic Review

5 Reviews

Find out who is using EVH 5150 III 50-Watt

6 community setups

16 wishlisted

77 saved

Page last updated Jul 06, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 3 stores. Prices updated July 4, 2026.

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4.5 (27)

$1,399.99

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4.5 (21)

$1,399.99

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5.0 (39)

$1,519.99 1 available New

$835.91 7 available Used

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Average Price: $1,289

High-end/Boutique

$300

$801+

Price Tier

In the Guitar Amplifier Heads category, EVH 5150 III 50-Watt Tube Head is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 2 merchants for "EVH 5150 III 50-Watt Tube Head". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

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Meet the EVH 5150 III 50-Watt Tube Head, a compact yet power-packed sibling of the iconic EVH 5150 III 100-watt. This mighty little beast provides the same versatility and sound excellence despite its smaller size. Boasting three distinct channels, it gives you the freedom to explore a wide range of tonal possibilities. Channels one and two share EQ and volume controls for easy setup, while channel three has dedicated gain and EQ knobs for precise sound shaping. The master presence and resonance controls add another layer of customization to your sound. It offers selectable impedance of 4, 8, or 16 ohms and features two parallel speaker output jacks. Plus, the inbuilt MIDI input allows you to control channels and effects using any compatible MIDI device. Experience the EVH magic in a compact frame with the 5150 III 50W head.

Key Features:

Three versatile channels for wide tonal range
Shared EQ and volume controls for channels one and two
Independent gain and EQ knobs for channel three
Master presence and resonance controls for sound customization
Selectable impedance of 4, 8, or 16 ohms
Two parallel speaker output jacks for easy connectivity
MIDI input for controlling channels and effects.

Product specs

Brand	EVH
Model	5150 III 3-Channel 50-Watt Guitar Amp Head
Finish	Black, Ivory
Year	2011 - 2017
Made In	Mexico
Categories	Guitar Heads
Built-In Effects	Built-In Effects
Color Family	Black
Electronics	Tube
Impedance	16 ohms, 4 ohms, 8 ohms
Number of Channels	3 Channels
Number of Inputs	1 Input
Output Power (Watts)	50
Power Tube Type	6L6
Reverb	Digital Reverb, None

FAQs

What type of power tubes does the EVH 5150 III 50-Watt Tube Head use?: The EVH 5150 III 50-Watt Tube Head uses 6L6 power tubes, which are known for delivering a rich, dynamic sound with plenty of headroom, making it suitable for both clean and overdriven tones.
How many channels does the EVH 5150 III 50-Watt Tube Head have?: This amp head features three channels, allowing for a wide range of tones from clean to high-gain distortion, making it versatile for various musical styles.
Can the EVH 5150 III 50-Watt Tube Head be used with different speaker impedances?: Yes, the EVH 5150 III amp head offers selectable impedance options of 4, 8, or 16 ohms, providing flexibility to match with different speaker cabinets.
Does the EVH 5150 III 50-Watt Tube Head include built-in effects?: The EVH 5150 III includes built-in effects, offering additional tonal options and versatility for live performances and studio recording.
Is the EVH 5150 III 50-Watt Tube Head suitable for live performances?: With its 50-watt output and three-channel versatility, the EVH 5150 III is well-suited for live performances, delivering powerful sound and dynamic range to cut through the mix.

Videos

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Premier Guitar

Monsters of High Gain '13 - EVH 5150 III

Premier Guitar

EVH 5150 III 50w Demo

Rob Chapman

EVH 5150 III Tube Guitar Amplifier Review - Sweetwater Sound

Sweetwater

NAMM '18 - EVH 5150III 50W 6L6 Head Demo

Premier Guitar

Reviews

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PROS

Clean channel provides a perfect platform for effects
Dirty channel delivers powerful chug
High gain channel offers aggressive, face-ripping tones
Versatile across genres with nice clean and high gain tones
Can achieve a variety of tones, suitable for metalheads
Features separate volume and gain knobs for better control
Compatible with different cabinets, especially shines with 2x12 setups
Outperforms competitors like Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier and Engl Powerball 2 in tests

CONS

Hard to achieve mellow distortion, even at lowest settings
Third channel can feel overly compressed

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about EVH 5150 III 50-Watt Tube Head.

Features and functionality

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Owners report that the green channel struggles to achieve a completely clean tone; even minimal gain settings can introduce unwanted breakup.
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Despite being 50 watts, the amp is more than capable of handling gigs without being mic'd, especially in smaller venues, while balancing sound levels with the band.
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It's noted that high wattage amps like this offer more clarity at high volumes due to increased headroom, which is beneficial for achieving a clean, powerful sound.
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Some users prefer the gain channel response of the 50W model, noting that it comes in hotter earlier on the dial compared to the 100W version.
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Mods and upgrades

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Some suggest using a preamp pedal into the FX return for pure clean tones, bypassing the amp's preamp section.
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Owners suggest using a Boss SD-1 or a Tube Screamer pedal to shape tone, particularly as a bass cut, enhancing the amp’s performance for metal styles.
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User experience

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Volume drop on the green channel is a common issue, with newer models reportedly offering improvements.
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After extended use, owners report that the 50W model remains a robust choice for intense genres, maintaining its performance in live settings.
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Owners of the 50W model find it incredibly loud and sufficient for venues up to 300 people, with many noting that they never need to max out the volume.
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Use cases and applications

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Users recommend adjusting guitar volume knobs to manage breakup, though this may not solve all volume issues.
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The EVH 5150 III 50W head is confirmed to excel in black and death metal genres, providing sufficient gain and volume with a 2x12 Celestion V30 cabinet.
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The 50W head is praised for its practicality and portability, weighing only 30 lbs, making it easy to transport to gigs.
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Comparisons

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Switching to a two-amp rig, using a separate amp like the Line 6 Spider for clean tones, is considered by some users.
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The 100W version provides a bigger, tighter low end compared to the 50W, noticeable mostly in direct A/B tests rather than in practical use.
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Value and pricing

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The 100W head offers more low-end authority and headroom, but many users question if the $1,000 price difference is justified for these benefits.
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Critic Reviews

EVH 5150-III 50W review | MusicRadar

musicradar.com

The EVH 5150 III 50-Watt Tube Head impresses with its affordability, portability, and ability to deliver great rock and metal tones with a commendable clean option. However, the shared controls for channels one and two can compromise performance, particularly in achieving a clean tone with ample headroom. Despite this, the amplifier's overall package—with its manageable output and compact size—makes it a strong contender for those seeking Van Halen's iconic sound in a versatile rig. Its appeal to rock guitarists is undeniable, though the shared channel controls may be a drawback for some.

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 5 Reviews and 27 Ratings

5 star

4 star

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2 star

1 star

eduu__7

over 9 years ago

High gain goodness

If you're looking for a nice high gain amp, this is your amp. Channel 3 provides one of the most agressive and tight high gain tones I have heard. Obviously, there are other amps at a reduced price range that fulfill these needs, but what made me decide to buy it was its clean channel. You have a high gain amp with a nice clean channel, so it can handle pretty much every genre you want to play. Channel 2 provides a nice crunchy tone but I don't use it so often. Anyway, I would recommend this amp if you need high gain but also nice clean tones.

jimmarchi1

41029

9 years ago over 9 years ago

hey, its cheaper than a Soldano, and the SLO100 is really like its grandfather.... the whole 5150/6505/DualRec family is based on the SLO

chelesty

160

over 6 years ago

Holy Sh*t Balls...

I played this head at a local music store and immediately fell in love. I had the chance to A/B it with EL34 versioni, the 6L6 had just a bit more bite so I went with that one. Great amp for the metalheads among us!

alex_feist

119

about 8 years ago

I love this amp

I tried the Mesa Boogie Triple Rectifier, Engl Powerball 2, Diezel D-Moll and a Orange Rockerverb but the EVH was the one that went home with me. I shoud say that it was just one day without any pedal (in defends of the mesa) through an Orange PPC412 but still worth it, i didn't have to do much to get a great sound out of it.