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Sweetwater
4.5 (29)
$649.99
Guitar Center
4.5 (10)
$649.99
Reverb
5.0 (32)
$610.70 New
$386.00 Used
Musician's Friend
4.0 (75)
$649.99
zZounds
5.0 (15)
$649.99

Average Price: $610

Standard/Professional

$300

$801+

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Price History

Based on price data from 3 merchants for "EVH 5150III 15W Lunchbox Tube Guitar Amp Head". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Introducing the EVH 5150III 15W Lunchbox Tube Guitar Amp Head – the pint-sized powerhouse that delivers the legendary Van Halen tone with the portability every gigging guitarist dreams of. Despite its compact "lunchbox" form factor, this amp head doesn't compromise on sound or functionality. With a heart of five ECC83S (12AX7) preamp tubes and two EL84 power tubes, it punches well above its weight, offering rich, high-gain tones that can easily fill any venue.

The EVH 5150III is not just about raw power; it's about control and versatility. Two distinct channels, EVH Blue "Crunch" and Red "Full Burn", give you the flexibility to navigate between crisp rhythm tones and searing lead sounds with ease. The familiar tone-shaping controls coupled with a quarter-power switch allow for precision sound sculpting, ensuring your tone is both mammoth and meticulously tailored to your playing style. Whether you're rehearsing at home or headlining a show, this amp's dual wattage options offer the perfect balance of volume and tone preservation.

Designed in partnership with Eddie Van Halen himself, this amp is a testament to his iconic sound. From bedroom practice sessions to recording studios and live stages, the EVH 5150III 15W Lunchbox Tube Guitar Amp Head is your ticket to capturing the legendary Brown sound, all within a compact, easy-to-transport package that promises to be the most loyal companion on your musical journey.

Key Features:

  • Two-channel design: EVH Blue "Crunch" and Red "Full Burn" for versatile tone shaping
  • Five ECC83S (12AX7) preamp tubes and two EL84 power tubes for rich, high-gain sound
  • Familiar tone controls (low, mid, high, presence) and a 1/4 power switch for sound sculpting
  • Dual wattage setting for optimal performance in any environment
  • Includes a footswitch for seamless channel switching
  • Features an effects loop for integrating your favorite pedals and effects

Product specs

Type Tube
Number of Channels 2
Total Power 15W
Preamp Tubes 5 x 12AX7
Power Tubes 2 x EL84
EQ 3-band EQ, Presence, Resonance
Inputs 1 x 1/4"
Outputs 1 x 1/4" (speaker)
Effects Loop Yes
Footswitch I/O 1 x 1/4" (channel)
Footswitch Included Yes, 1-button footswitch
Bias Type Adjustable Fixed
Power Source Standard IEC AC cable
Height 7"
Width 12.75"
Depth 6.25"
Weight 15 lbs.

FAQs

What kind of music genres is the EVH 5150III 15W Lunchbox Tube Guitar Amp Head best suited for?

The EVH 5150III 15W is ideal for rock and metal genres, offering a high-gain sound reminiscent of Eddie Van Halen's iconic tones. Its two channels provide versatility for both heavy distortion and cleaner tones.

Is the EVH 5150III 15W Lunchbox Tube Guitar Amp Head loud enough for live performances?

With 15 watts of power, the EVH 5150III 15W is suitable for small to medium-sized venues. It's powerful enough for live performances, especially when mic'd through a PA system.

Does the EVH 5150III 15W Lunchbox Tube Guitar Amp Head come with a footswitch?

Yes, the EVH 5150III 15W includes a 1-button footswitch, allowing you to easily switch between its two channels during performances.

Can the EVH 5150III 15W Lunchbox Tube Guitar Amp Head be used with an effects loop?

Yes, this amp head features an effects loop, enabling you to integrate external effects processors for more tonal flexibility.

What are the main tonal controls available on the EVH 5150III 15W Lunchbox Tube Guitar Amp Head?

The amp head includes a 3-band EQ, Presence, and Resonance controls, allowing you to shape your sound precisely to your liking.

Ola Englund

Ola Englund

EVH 5150 III 15W - Metal

Video thumbnail for EVH 5150 III 15W - Metal by Ola Englund

EVH 5150 III 15W - Metal

Ola Englund

Ola Englund

Reviews

PROS

  • Exceptional high gain and crunch tones, ideal for metal and hard rock

  • Versatile ohm settings for different cabs, enhancing tone/volume/distortion

  • Effective tone controls and depth added by Resonance and Presence knobs

  • Maintains string response balance across all strings

  • Power reduction switch for lower volume practice without losing tone

  • Pre-amp tube configuration allows for sound customization

  • Built-in effects loop, albeit with slight hiss

  • Transparent sound retains each guitar’s unique character

  • Loud enough for gigs with switchable wattage for home use

  • Comparatively lightweight and portable for gigging musicians

CONS

  • Limited clean channel capabilities, not suitable for genres requiring pristine clean tones

  • Effects loop introduces a slight hiss, affecting sound purity

  • Master volume knob sensitivity makes low volume adjustment tricky

  • No built-in reverb, limiting ambient sound options

  • Lacks direct recording outputs, not ideal for home studio use

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about EVH 5150III 15W Lunchbox Tube Guitar Amp Head.

Features and functionality

  • The EVH 5150III 15W Lunchbox is effectively a single-channel amp with a switchable boost, limiting its tonal versatility compared to the 50W version's dual EQ setup.

    Source
  • The 15-watt version can be loud enough for small venue gigs when paired with a capable cabinet and can be easily mic'd for larger spaces.

    Source
  • The LBXII model features concentric controls, allowing separate volume and gain settings for each channel despite a shared EQ.

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  • Using the Katana 100’s FX loop with the EVH 5150III requires proper setup in the Tone Studio to access all FX slots.

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User experience

  • Some users find the 15-watt amp challenging to tame for bedroom levels, suggesting it still delivers significant volume even at lower settings.

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  • Users report that the clean channel requires careful tweaking, such as lowering gain and increasing master volume, to achieve a truly clean sound.

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Comparisons

  • The 50-watt version offers higher headroom, which is crucial for maintaining note-to-note definition and clarity in high-gain settings without overdriving the power amp.

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  • The Stealth model is preferred by some for its clean channel and red gain channel, offering more versatility compared to the original LBX's blue and red channels.

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Mods and upgrades

  • Changing preamp tubes in the Orange Micro Dark head can result in an immediate improvement in tone and volume, though this is not specific to the EVH 5150III.

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Use cases and applications

  • Owners note that the red channel of the 5150III LBX is ideal for achieving a heavy Gojira-like metal tone without needing an additional boost.

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  • The EVH 5150III 15W can safely use the Katana 100's speaker as an open-back cabinet if the impedance is correctly matched.

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Setup and maintenance

  • Connecting the EVH 5150III's FX Send OUT to the Katana 100's FX Return allows use of the Katana's power amp while bypassing its preamp.

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  • It's crucial to connect a speaker or load to the EVH 5150III's speaker out to prevent damage when using the amp head.

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  • Modifying the Katana's speaker connections with crimp-on insulated female spades can prevent accidental shorts and protect the amplifier.

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Critic Reviews

EVH 5150 III LBX Review - Premier Guitar

premierguitar.com

The EVH 5150III 15W Lunchbox Tube Guitar Amp Head impresses with its powerful gain and high volume, making it a delight for fans of aggressive music styles. Its compact form hides a robust build and versatile features, including a dual-channel setup and power-scaling options. While the amp delivers crushing tones, the master volume affects EQ significantly, complicating on-the-fly adjustments during gigs. Despite this, the amp's resonance control and tonal capabilities, particularly in the full burn channel, make it a standout choice for Van Halen enthusiasts and metal aficionados. It's a one-trick pony, but a masterful one at that.

positive

Review: EVH 5150 III 15-Watt LBX Head | Guitar World

guitarworld.com

The EVH 5150III 15W Lunchbox Tube Guitar Amp Head is a compact powerhouse, delivering signature high-gain tones reminiscent of Eddie Van Halen's iconic sound. It excels in producing massive, tight high-gain tones, making it a standout in the lunchbox amp category. The amp's two-channel design offers the classic "Blue" and "Red" EVH channels, providing a versatile range of tones. However, it lacks a dedicated clean channel, which some might find limiting. Despite this, clean tones can be achieved by adjusting the guitar's volume on the Blue channel. Overall, its impressive volume and tone versatility make it a top choice for guitarists seeking big sound in a small package.

positive

5.0 out of 5

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Artist usage

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See how Mike Martin uses EVH 5150III 15W Lunchbox Tube Guitar Amp Head

Mike Martin

Guitarist

All That Remains

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Mike Martin showcases the EVH 5150III 15W Lunchbox Tube Guitar Amp Head in an Instagram post, praising its crystal-clear cleans and heavy gain channel, comparable to the 100W model.

See how Rudy ayoub uses EVH 5150III 15W Lunchbox Tube Guitar Amp Head

Rudy ayoub

Guitarist

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at 4:05, he talks about this amp

See how bwm5150 uses EVH 5150III 15W Lunchbox Tube Guitar Amp Head

bwm5150

Guitarist

...
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Artist bwm5150 showcases the EVH 5150III 15W Lunchbox Tube Guitar Amp Head on Facebook, highlighting its impressive tone and volume for such a compact device.

Genre Usage

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Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use EVH 5150III 15W Lunchbox Tube Guitar Amp Head, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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