amps for evh sound

**TerryL** · 06.26.06, 05:31 PM

Can anybody give me advice on buying an amp to get the evh sound. Is the 6505 the way to go? It will be a combo amp. Thanks TerryL.

**guitar08man** · 06.26.06, 05:58 PM

there are lots of vh tribute bands who use 5150's (6505) and they get pretty damn close.

**Rick S** · 06.26.06, 06:14 PM

man this is gonna open up a whole can of worms. lol

**cdvh5150** · 06.26.06, 06:56 PM

go to eddie's studio and take his i don't think he needs them.....
p.s. just kidding

**scs5150** · 06.26.06, 07:17 PM

Actually I think he loaned them to Kenny Chesney's guitar player.

**BrownSound1** · 06.26.06, 07:31 PM

Hi all!

Exactly which EVH tone are you going for? Dave-era, Sammy-era, or what? You'll have trouble getting the older VH tones with a combo, simply because Ed uses 4x12 cabinets, and a combo isn't going to sound like that. One other thing is that Ed didn't use an amp in the old days with a master volume...it is all power amp distortion with those old Marshalls. Very hard to duplicate that tone unless you are cranking the amp wide open. I don't think the 5150/6505 duplicates Ed's brown sound very well, especially not the combo version...if they still even make it. It might ballpark you, but there are other amps that sound more "brown" than a 5150. Problem is that I can't think of a combo amp that really gets that tone.

Now if you're after the Hagar era stuff then a 5150 is definitely what you want. Just get a chorus and a delay and you're pretty much there.

**Majestic** · 06.26.06, 07:59 PM

I second the "spirit" of those statements, albeit with silghtly less pickiness.

**Rebel67** · 06.26.06, 08:01 PM

Ok, now I know this is gonna sound wierd...It did to me too. I had a peavey 5150, but could never get that early EVH sound...not enough gain with compressed bottom end. After trying out many many amps at different music stores, I stumbled apon an oddball amp that looked pretty unimpressive. But when I plugged into this amp, and then found the 3rd channel, I was really surprised that it had tons of gain and compression with tons of bottom end. It is the closest I have ever been able to get to the Early EVH sound. ( also does great LYNCH)The amp is called the Crate VTX 212B. It's a solid state(yes, solid state) combo with 2 12" speakers, built in tuner, and built in effects. I think they have discontinued this series and have replaced it with the Crate RFX series. Guitar Center has them. Just remember channel 3. Volume on 2, gain on 7, contour on 8, and effects off. this is a snarling beast of a sound even at low volumes. Good Luck!

**lil'devil** · 06.27.06, 03:46 AM

splawn quickrod image:
http://www.splawnguitars.com/images/...vwhitegold.jpg

splawn quickrod sound clips:
http://www.splawnguitars.com/sound_clips.htm

you're welcome.

**Filthy 150** · 06.27.06, 07:04 AM

Originally Posted by Rebel67

Ok, now I know this is gonna sound wierd...It did to me too. I had a peavey 5150, but could never get that early EVH sound...not enough gain with compressed bottom end. After trying out many many amps at different music stores, I stumbled apon an oddball amp that looked pretty unimpressive. But when I plugged into this amp, and then found the 3rd channel, I was really surprised that it had tons of gain and compression with tons of bottom end. It is the closest I have ever been able to get to the Early EVH sound. ( also does great LYNCH)The amp is called the Crate VTX 212B. It's a solid state(yes, solid state) combo with 2 12" speakers, built in tuner, and built in effects. I think they have discontinued this series and have replaced it with the Crate RFX series. Guitar Center has them. Just remember channel 3. Volume on 2, gain on 7, contour on 8, and effects off. this is a snarling beast of a sound even at low volumes. Good Luck!

That's not wierd at all.

I've got a 5150 combo and love it. But in my house in order for it to really sound good I have to have it way too loud for the space it is in.

I also have a Crate mini stack. 25 watt solid state w/ 2 cabinets w/ 4 6" speakers in each. Honestly, playing in a 15'x15' room in a house, I can get this to sound more like Eddie's rig than the 5150. Just the amp w/ a delay pedal.

**blfrd** · 06.27.06, 07:10 AM

Metro amp all the way. Spend the money. You won't be disapointed.

But I'm an amp snob, so I'm biased. (no pun intended!)

**Mikey Metalhead** · 06.27.06, 08:39 AM

strictly opinion... but...

5% amp, 10% guitar, 10% effects, 75% playing style = ed's tone.

**homeunit** · 06.27.06, 09:15 AM

Originally Posted by Mikey Metalhead

strictly opinion... but...

5% amp, 10% guitar, 10% effects, 75% playing style = ed's tone.

we have a winner folks!

**Rick S** · 06.27.06, 09:21 AM

like i said , gonna lots of differnt options and opinions.

it can get close with the 5150 head/combo. as well as the more exspensive boutique amps.

possible amps and ones discussed/debated in other threads......
5150/6505
marshall super lead plexi(vintage and reissue)
marshall jcm 800(vintage and reissue)
marshall jcm 900
marshall jmp(vintage)
mesa boogie amps
black cat amps
voodoo amps
quicksplawn amps

the list goes on and on if you search these guitar forums with people saying theyve "found" the brown sound.

imo , it involves the right combination of amp , amp settings , guitar , pickups , cabinet speakers , effects , and playing technique.

**ziggysmalls** · 06.27.06, 09:57 AM

Well I have been able to get pretty close to Ed's sound (post VH1) using my 5150 and Wolfgang. You need mids, turn down the pre-gain and turn up the amp. Maybe lower your volume on the pickups a bit. Pretty close.

I also have downloaded a patch for my PodXT Live which is pretty close to VH1. Using that live into my return of my 5150, I can get close to the VH1 tone.

While its not 100% its probably 90-95%. I can live with that.