EVH 5150iii 15W LBX Head 230V Eu

Historical Context and Positioning in the Range

The EVH 5150III LBX belongs to the world of modern high-gain amps inspired by the "hot-rodded" DNA associated with the 5150 lineage. Designed to condense the spirit of a large 5150III head into a compact chassis, it targets guitarists who want a big stage sound in a portable format without sacrificing the feel of a true tube circuit.

Within the lineup, the LBX focuses on the essentials: two channels oriented towards crunch and lead, a power control to adjust volume, and straightforward ergonomics. The result is a head that's simple to dial in, formidable from the first minutes, and particularly coherent for styles where saturation is part of the game.

Who This Amp Is For

This head is aimed at intermediate to advanced guitarists seeking a compact all-tube amp capable of handling rehearsals, recording, and small to medium gigs (often miked). The 15 W tube power offers a very usable headroom, while the 4 W mode allows pushing the amp harder at manageable volume levels.

Stylistically, the 5150III LBX excels in hard rock, metal, punk/hardcore, and any genre requiring tight rhythms and leads that "sing." It will also suit fans of more classic rock tones, provided they accept a gain-oriented philosophy: here, the focus is mainly on character, impact, and structured saturation.

Features and Innovations

The heart of the 5150III LBX is a 2-channel architecture with a very distinct identity: the "Crunch" channel (blue) for dense rhythms, and the "Full Burn" channel (red) to cut through the mix with more gain and sustain. Channel switching can be done via the supplied 1-button footswitch, convenient for seamlessly moving between verse/chorus/solo without adjusting knobs.

The front panel controls cover the essentials for quick and effective dialing: gain, bass, mid, treble, volume, and presence. On the back, the resonance control adjusts the low-end feel (tightness, depth, punch) at the power stage, especially useful depending on the speaker cabinet and playing volume. There is also an effects loop, ideal for placing delays, reverbs, or modulations after the amp's distortion to preserve clarity.

Finally, the 15 W / 4 W power selector (quarter-power mode) makes the amp more versatile: at 15 W, you gain projection and headroom for rehearsal and stage; at 4 W, you can crank the volume more easily to achieve a more "pushed" feel at manageable sound levels.

Sound

The EVH 5150III LBX is an all-tube head that favors a modern, precise, and energetic tone. Its preamp equipped with 5 JJ 12AX7 tubes delivers rich saturation, with excellent response on fast attacks and a very favorable reaction to palm-muting: the lows remain firm, mids are present, and the highs retain clarity when presence is finely adjusted.

The "Crunch" channel (blue) is tailored for muscular rhythms and punchy crunch tones: lowering the gain yields a more open drive, ideal for incisive rock; raising it ventures into heavier territory with more pronounced compression. The "Full Burn" channel (red) provides more abundant saturation, designed for leads : sustain, easy harmonics, and a "singing" sensation that helps phrases stand out even in a busy mix.

With its 2 JJ EL84 power tubes, the LBX offers lively dynamics and natural compression that become particularly enjoyable when the volume is increased. Regarding inspirations and uses, this compact format has been spotted in diverse contexts ranging from alternative rock to metal, with guitarists like Wes Borland, Scott Ian, Andy Sneap, and Sophie Burrell using it as a practical solution for playing, working, or warming up-proof that this "small" amp can deliver a very serious sound.

Technical specifications

Category	Guitar amp head	Number of channels	2
Technology	Tubes	EQ	3 channels
Effects loop	Yes	Color	White
Amp tubes	2 x EL84	Finishing	Steel
Pre-amp tubes	5 x 12AX7	Power output	15 W
Category	Amplifier

Series	5150 III	Channel 2	"Full Burn" (EVH red)
Model	5150 III LBX	Front panel controls	gain, bass, mid, treble, volume, presence
Type	all-tube 2-channel head	Rear panel control	resonance
Power	15 W	Guitar input	1 x 6.35mm Jack
Power reduction	quarter-power selector to switch to 4 W	Speaker output	1 x 6.35mm Jack
Preamp	5 x JJ 12AX7 tubes	Dimensions (cm)	height 17.8 x width 32.5 x depth 15.9
Power amplification	2 x JJ EL84 tubes	Weight	6.8 kg
Channel 1	"Crunch" (EVH blue)