EVH 5150iii 50W EL34 2X12 Combo Black 230V Eur

Historical Context and Positioning Within the Range

The EVH 5150III series continues Eddie Van Halen's sonic quest: an amp designed to deliver generous, precise, and musical gain while maintaining true playing dynamics. This 50W EL34 2x12 combo is positioned as a more "modern British" variant of the 5150III DNA, featuring tight low end, emphasized mids, and sharp highs, all in a robust combo format tailored for musicians alternating between studio, rehearsals, and gigs.

Who This Amp Is For

The EVH 5150III 50W EL34 2x12 Combo targets intermediate to professional guitarists seeking a tube amp capable of handling heavy chords, fast riffs, and singing leads without collapsing in the mix. It excels in hard rock, metal, punk/hardcore, and modern rock, while remaining very usable for bright cleans with reverb. Thanks to the 1W setting, it is also suitable for recording at low volume, working on stage tones at home, or pushing the preamp stage without overwhelming the room.

Features and Innovations

This 50-watt tube combo offers three channels designed to cover the essentials of a set without a complex pedalboard: Channel 1 for pristine cleans and more compressed tones, Channel 2 for crunchy, muscular overdrive, and Channel 3 for a more "liquid" and sustained distortion. Channels 1 and 2 use dual concentric controls (independent gain and volume) with a shared EQ (bass, mid, treble) for quick navigation. Channel 3 has its own gain, volume, and EQ controls for precise lead shaping without compromise.

To sculpt the overall response, there are Presence, Resonance (rear panel), and Reverb controls common to all three channels. For integration, the amp includes an effects loop (send/return) perfect for external delays and reverbs, a convenient MIDI input to synchronize channel changes with a multi-effects/looper, and a headphone output designed for silent playing with power amp attenuation. The supplied 4-button footswitch allows control of the three channels and reverb for simple and reliable switching on stage.

The Sound

With its EL34 tubes, this 5150III delivers a sharper grain in the upper mids, a clear attack, and a very effective "cut" in a band context, while maintaining dense and controlled saturation. The clean remains bright and articulate, the crunch is tight and inspiring (ideal for punchy rock rhythms), and the Lead channel provides a smooth distortion rich in harmonics, with natural compression that facilitates solo playing. The two Celestion EVH G12H 30W Anniversary Series 12" speakers contribute to projection and precision, with tight lows and a well-defined presence in the mix.

Among artists, this model is notably cited as used by Roman Ibramkhalilov (Jinjer) and associated with metal and rock genres, while references also exist on the rock/hard rock side with Phil Collen (Def Leppard). The result: an amp that prioritizes definition, punch, and stability at high gain without sacrificing the sustain and musicality that made the 5150 name famous.

Technical specifications

Effects	Reverb	Number of channels	3
Category	Guitar combo	Speaker diameter	12"
Technology	Tubes	Number of speakers	2
Effects loop	Yes	EQ	3 channels
Amp tubes	2 x EL34	Speaker model	Celestion-G12H Anniversary
Pre-amp tubes	7 x 12AX7	Headphone output	Yes
Cabinet impedance (Ω)	16 Ω	Color	Black
Attenuator	Yes	Power output	50 W
Category	Amplifier

Type	tube combo amp	Total Impedance	16 ohms
Power	50W with adjustable power level from 50W to 1W	Selectable Output Impedance	4 / 8 / 16 ohms
Preamp Tubes	7x JJ ECC83 (12AX7)	Instrument Input	1x 6.35mm Jack
Power Tubes	2x JJ EL34	Speaker Outputs	2x 6.35mm Jack in parallel
Preamp	custom ultra high-gain	MIDI Input	yes (rear panel)
Channels	3 (Clean, Crunch, Lead)	Cabinet Material	5/8" multi-ply birch plywood
Channel 1 Controls	independent gain + volume (concentric potentiometers) + shared EQ (bass, mid, treble)	Baffle	special internal deflector for tighter bass response
Channel 2 Controls	independent gain + volume (concentric potentiometers) + shared EQ (bass, mid, treble)	Control Panel	black and gold pattern
Channel 3 Controls	independent gain + volume + dedicated EQ (bass, mid, treble)	Knobs	black pointer type "chicken-head"
Global Settings	reverb, presence, resonance (rear panel)	Indicator	red LED type "jewel"
Built-in Effects	reverb	Handle	molded plastic strap with black powder-coated end caps
Speakers	2x 12" Celestion EVH G12H 30W Anniversary Series	Wheels	1 (combo format with removable wheels)
Power per Speaker	30W