Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $2,600
High-end/Boutique
$300
$801+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 5 merchants for "EVH 5150IIIS EL34 100-watt Tube Head". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Unleash a sonic beast with the EVH 5150IIIS EL34 100-watt Tube Head, where raw power meets refined tone. This amplifier head channels the spirit of Eddie Van Halen's iconic sound with a modern twist, thanks to its quartet of EL34 power tubes. Known for their ability to produce a smoother, more saturated tone, these tubes deliver a British-infused voice that captures the essence of classic rock while maintaining the clarity and punch necessary for today's high-gain demands.
The EVH 5150IIIS features a three-channel design that offers a versatile range of tones—from pristine cleans to bone-crushing distortion. Each channel is meticulously crafted, with channel one delivering a crystal-clear clean sound, while channels two and three provide progressively more compression and saturation. A dedicated rear-panel Resonance control allows you to tailor the low-frequency response for each channel, ensuring your sound is perfectly dialed in, whether you're playing tight, rhythmic riffs or soaring leads.
The amp is wrapped in an eye-catching black and gold EVH motif, merging aggressive aesthetics with a touch of elegance. A four-button footswitch is included for seamless channel switching and control over your sound. This amplifier head not only looks the part but sounds it too, making it a perfect addition to any guitarist's rig, whether you're chasing the legendary "Brown Sound" or crafting your own sonic signature.
Key Features:
- Power: 100W (tube)
- Tubes: Eight 12AX7 (preamp); Four EL34 (power amp)
- Three channels with dedicated controls
- Impedance: 4, 8, 16 ohms
- Parallel speaker outputs and preamp output
- Built-in FX loop and adjustable bias
- Constructed from 11-ply birch plywood
- Includes a four-button channel footswitch
Product specs
| Type | Tube |
| Number of Channels | 3 |
| Total Power | 100W |
| Preamp Tubes | 8 x 12AX7 |
| Power Tubes | 4 x EL34 |
| EQ | Low, Mid, High (per channel) |
| Inputs | 1 x 1/4" |
| Outputs | 2 x 1/4" (4 ohm minimum), 1 x 1/4" (preamp out) |
| Effects Loop | Yes |
| Footswitch I/O | 1 x 7-pin DIN (channels/effects) |
| Footswitch Included | Yes, 4-button footswitch |
| Bias Type | Adjustable Fixed (built-in bias probe test points) |
| Construction Material | Birch Plywood with Textured Black Vinyl |
| Power Source | Standard IEC AC cable |
| Height | 12" |
| Width | 30" |
| Depth | 11" |
| Weight | 58 lbs. |
FAQs
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What type of music is the EVH 5150IIIS EL34 100-watt Tube Head best suited for?
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The EVH 5150IIIS EL34 is ideal for rock and metal genres, known for its high gain and aggressive tone, making it perfect for heavy riffs and solos.
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How does the EL34 tube affect the sound of the EVH 5150IIIS 100-watt head?
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EL34 tubes provide a more midrange-focused tone with a distinct British flavor, offering a warmer and more pronounced low-end compared to the 6L6 tubes.
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Can the EVH 5150IIIS EL34 100-watt Tube Head be used for gigging with a full band?
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Yes, with 100 watts of power, this amp head is more than capable of handling live performances with a full band, providing ample volume and headroom.
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Does the EVH 5150IIIS come with a footswitch, and what does it control?
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Yes, the EVH 5150IIIS comes with a 4-button footswitch that allows you to switch between channels and control effects, offering seamless transitions during performances.
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How many channels does the EVH 5150IIIS EL34 100-watt Tube Head have, and what are their characteristics?
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The EVH 5150IIIS features three channels, each with its own EQ controls. Channel 1 offers clean tones, Channel 2 provides crunch, and Channel 3 delivers high-gain distortion.
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What are the connectivity options available on the EVH 5150IIIS EL34 head?
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The amp head includes 1 x 1/4" input, 2 x 1/4" speaker outputs (4 ohm minimum), and 1 x 1/4" preamp out, along with an effects loop for additional versatility.
Videos
EVH Gear
EVH 5150III®S EL34 Demo
EVH 5150III®S EL34 Demo
EVH Gear
SNAMM '16 - EVH 5150IIIS EL34 Demo
Premier Guitar
The Best One | EVH 5150IIIS EL34 100W
Riffs, Beards & Gear
Reviews
PROS
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Unique blend of re-worked circuit and EL34 tubes enhances tonal sparkle
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Highly usable controls allow for precise tonal adjustments
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Exceptionally clean and fat clean channel, with EL34 sparkle
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All three channels offer distinct and usable tones
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Excellent for 80's metal and 70's hard rock styles
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Superior clean channel with Fender-like clarity and headroom
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Versatile gain options, from pristine cleans to roaring distortion
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Integrated high-quality effects loop
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No volume jump and seamless channel switching
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Suitable for studio use, rehearsal, gigs, and recording
CONS
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Internal design and reliability issues mentioned
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Standby and power buttons inconveniently located on the back
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May not be the best choice for modern genres (post-90's)
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Some users desire slightly more from the high-end tone
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Requires additional purchase of an EVH cab for the full experience
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about EVH 5150IIIS EL34 100-watt Tube Head.
Features and functionality
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The 100w version has separate EQ and presence controls for each channel, unlike the 50w, which shares EQ for channels 1 and 2.
Source -
The 50w model includes a resonance control on the back, absent in the 100w version.
Source -
The updated 6L6 models feature split clean/crunch gain and volume controls, providing more flexibility compared to earlier versions.
Source -
The 100-watt Black Stealth head integrates the Blue channel voicing with the Red channel, a change from previous versions' channel distinctions.
Source
Comparisons
Use cases and applications
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The EL34's thicker mids are preferred for low- to mid-gain tones, while the 6L6's punchiness suits high-gain applications, maintaining clarity and note definition.
Source
Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 4 Reviews and 10 Ratings
326
Great sound. shitty fiability
The sound is amazing. Really ! But... the problem is that the internal conception is a mess and the fiability is the worst you can find for that pricetag... Only good for studio, dont take it to a live event without a b-option amp
125
Faulty explanation
This is an amp Joe only used for an Interview and it was a ‘one time only’.
180
What does that mean, "one time only?" You think he just used this amp for the interview and didn't really use it for recording? Because I own this amp and it's the best sound I've ever heard. I doubt Joe would have said that he used it in the studio if he didn't mean it.
Artist usage
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In this image of Jerry Cantrell performing live with Alice in Chains, he can clearly be seen playing his signature G&L Rampage into an EVH 5150IIIS amplifier, distinguishable by its unique colour scheme.
IN THE STUDIO THIS IS THE REAL DEAL
WE SPENT AN ENTIRE WEEK OF A/B COMPARISON
WE DID BLINDFOLD COMPARISON WITH A LOT OF AMPS AND THE 5150 III EL34 WAS THE CHOSEN ONE
THIS AMP IS SO GOOD THAT WE DONT NEED TO RE AMP
In a 2024 video interview and rig exploration hosted by American Musical Supply, John 5's guitar technician provides an overview of his live equipment setup with The Creatures. At the 20:45 mark, the technician specifically discusses the use of the EVH 5150IIIS EL34 100-watt Tube Head as part of John 5's rig.
In this video, Ola Englund demos his EVH 5150 III Stealth amp head.
In this video Scott shows his rig. The 5150 EL34 can be seen behind him and he talks about it from 21:14 onwards. An essential part of the live rig, according to the 2022 guitarguitar interview
Yeah, the Bungle tone was the combination of both. I was gonna do that same thing on the tour we just did in the States, because for my live rig, I’m running two of the EVH III’s with the EL34s. So, two heads into two cabinets, that’s it.
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Dave uploaded this photo to his Instagram on April 25, 2017. His EVH 5150IIIS is beside him. Although part of the equipment is blocked, the number of knobs lead me to believe it is the 100w version.
In this video Jason Hook explains that this amplifier was A/B tested and picked by him as the only winner for the tone and versatility it has. He uses it now mainly during the tours. He also shares his wet/dry/wet setup.
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In this post Fluff shows off his evh 5150 III amp. He states that he loves the tone of this amp. Fluff has stated that he mainly baught the amp because he wanted another 5150. He had to get rid of his Peavey 5150 due to moving, and having to downsize his gear collection
"I recorded all of my rhythm parts with the real EVH5150 III EL34 I use live" Premier Guitar June 2020 Issue
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In this post andrew show off his guitar and amp collection. One amp he owns is a evh 5150 III
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In this post pat shows off his evh 5150 amp
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use EVH 5150IIIS EL34 100-watt Tube Head, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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