No matter what level of guitar player you consider yourself to be, finding the right amplifier can be an intimidating process. Walk into a music retailer, and there are walls of amps staring down at you. Browse any website, and there’s a mountain of information to process.
But the good news is that we’re here to help cut through all the – ahem – noise. We want you to find the amp that will help you find your desired tone, and depending on your preferences, you can do it with any one of our three 50-watt offerings. Here, we’ve broken down the some of the specs and differences between our original EVH® 5150III® 50W 6L6 head, the EVH® 5150III® 50W EL3 head and our most-recently released EVH® 5150III 50S 6L6 head. Read on, and we hope you’ll agree there is a sonic identity for every guitarist.
#1 Tonal Breakdown
50W EL34 amp:
The Eddie Van Halen tone that took the world by storm in 1979 is captured with the 5150III 50W EL34 amp. This amp replicates the muscle behind Ed’s original modified Marshall rig, and is similar in style to what can be heard on early Van Halen records, with signature melodic overtones, pummeling distortion and overall British moodier attitude but with a modernized twist.
50W 6L6 amp:
As one of the most prolific guitarists of all time, Eddie Van Halen chased tone his entire career. The 50W 6L6 head serves as the apex of that lifelong quest for the holy grail of tone. Our top-seller and true to Eddie’s throwback heads, this amp pushes 50 watts to the max for his signature sound but with modernized improvements to also cover the full gamut of tones — from clean crisp lines to crunchy rhythms and blistering leads. This head is an absolute utility player, sonically versatile to cover diverse genres from country to rock to extreme metal and loud enough to cover arena-sized venues.
50S 6L6 amp:
The 50S 6L6 amp is the latest 50-watt head to join the ranks of EVH’s amplification line. This bad boy is a souped-up version of the 50-watt 6L6 head and is crammed with the most gain we could possibly push into an amp. This amp gives you signature melodic Van Halen overtones for classic rock and roll, but it can also handle extreme genres and dropped tunings with ease.
#2 Let’s Talk Tubes
50W EL34 amp:
A whopping seven JJ ECC83S (12AX7) preamp tubes in the 50W EL34 amp break up well when gradually pushed. These tubes provide high gain without the usual noise from a standard 12AX7, resulting in distinct, well-defined distortion that radiates with mid-range clarity and clear highs.
Two JJ EL34 Apex Matched power tubes pump out 50 watts of red-hot power and deliver fatter low end with soaring highs. It’s the quintessential moody British sound that we all know and love.
50W 6L6 amp:
Similar to the 50W EL34 amp, the 50W 6L6 amp has seven JJ ECC83S (12AX7) preamp tubes, once again providing high gain without the usual noise from a standard 12AX7. These tubes offer distinct, well-defined distortion that radiates with mid-range clarity and clear highs.
However, these tubes are paired with a set of JJ 6L6 matched power tubes, known as the classic American-style rock sound. The JJ 6L6 tubes generate expansive sparkling highs that retain a remarkable bass end even with the volume opened to the max.
50S 6L6 amp:
The 50S 6L6 amp is also loaded with seven JJ ECC83S (12AX7) preamp tubes. Again, these high quality preamp tubes break up well, provide high gain without noise and deliver distinct distortion with mid-range clarity and clear highs.
What sets this head apart from the pack are the Shuguang 6L6G MSTR power tubes. These two tubes rip with tight, saturated high-gain tone and retain clarity even when driven to the brink. These power tubes can handle anything and everything they are given.
#3 Channel Surfing
50W EL34 amp:
The 50W EL34 head’s Channel one (Green) is the king of cleans. This channel delivers pristine, compressed glassy notes that radiate well on their own or provide a blank slate for stacking pedals. Channel two (Blue) delivers a dark, ballsy crunch and distortion, while Channel three (Red) kicks things into high gear with a smoother, more spongy flavor ideal for rock riffing.
50W 6L6 amp:
The 50W 6L6 head recreates Ed’s exemplary rhythm tone heard on Van Halen’s early-‘90s discography. Channel one (Green) emits shimmering cleans with a hint of warmth that would fare well in a country band or jazz ensemble. Channel two (Blue) unleashes plenty of overdriven attitude, while saturated, scorching hot gain erupts from Channel three (Red) for captivating, don’t-f**k-with-me leads.
50S 6L6 amp:
An extreme amp for extreme styles. The 50S 6L6 is designed to accommodate high-performance playing, dropped tunings and expanded ranges with ease. Whether you’re in drop D or drop A, your tone will slice through the sonic mix. Hell, the 50S 6L6 could even handle drop Z tuning. Jokes aside, this amp takes it all in stride.
The Green channel delivers pristine, glassy notes that radiate well on their own or provide a blank slate for stacking pedals. The Blue channel has more mid-range punch and more gain than the original 6L6 or the EL34 head. The gain structure is more evenly matched to the Red channel, although the Red channel is a true paradise of all your gain and distortion needs.
#4 Bias Ports
50S 6L6 amp:
The bias port is unique to the 50S 6L6 amp. Eddie himself made this modification on his original 100-watt Stealth head to control the voltage produced by the tubes while touring across the globe. This design alteration makes accessing the bias port convenient and without having to remove the chassis.
#5 Killer Looks
50W EL34 amp:
The 50W EL34 sports black textured vinyl with a classic gold and black striped steel grille and gold front panel for a regal rock and roll style.
50W 6L6 amp:
For Van Halen purists, the 50W 6L6 amp is wrapped in either a classic black or ivory textured vinyl with a black striped steel grille and white control panel.
50S 6L6 amp:
You can’t go wrong with an all-black amp. The 50S 6L6 black textured vinyl with black striped steel grille and black control panel combine for an incognito, “stealth” vibe.
#6 Price Tag
Invest in your tone with one of these dominant 50-watt amps. If you want Eddie’s preferred amp of choice during his final touring days, the 50W 6L6 streets for $999. If you’re after the flavor of Van Halen’s early albums, the 50W EL34 can be yours for $1,099. And finally, if you want an amp that will rattle the earth to its very core along with the touring mods Eddie used, the 50S 6L6 goes for $1,299.