Not only did the much-missed legend, Eddie Van Halen, gift us with his game-changing playing style and countless platinum-plated riffs, licks, and solos, but he also reset the bar when it came to great rock tone, too. A self-confessed “tone chaser,” Edward was always refining his signature sound and gear. So, the breaking news that his EVH brand will be unleashing the 5150 Iconic Series of amplifiers in October 2021 is understandably a cause of great excitement in the rock-guitar world. The fever pitch is further heightened by the following two facts:
- These will be the most affordable EVH amps yet!
- At the very heart of the design is the much-renowned amp engineer James Brown, the man who worked so closely with Edward when the 5150 amps were first launched in 1992 and quickly became the “go-to” amps for a whole legion of rock and metal guitarists, old and new. And, talking of “old and new,” according to the fine folk at EVH, the Iconic Series “takes its cues from the past as much as it does the present.” Nice.
Ever since 1992, Edward continued to relentlessly follow the “tone-chasing” path he was so rightfully famous for, and, as a result, the 5150 series continued to evolve. The fast-looming EVH 5150 Iconic amps will be the latest members of this highly respected family.
The 5150 Iconic amplifiers will launch with three products — an 80-watt tube head, a 4×12-inch cabinet, and a 40-watt 1×12-inch combo. Furthermore, all three are available covered in either Black or Ivory vinyl and sporting bold, “in your face” silver and black 5150 and EVH logos. Here’s the skinny . . .
EVH 5150 Iconic Series 80-watt Head
This 80-watt houses two JJ 12AX7 preamp tubes, four JJ 6L6 power tubes, and two footswitchable channels: Channel 1 (Clean/Overdrive) and Channel 2 (High Gain). Each channel has its own Gain and Volume controls, while both share the same three-band tone network with controls for Low, Mid, and High. An Overdrive switch on Channel 1 takes you to that famous EVH “Blue” crunch, while an aptly named Burn switch adds fiery gain and punch to Channel 2. To help control this delightfully tuneful incendiary insanity, Channel 2 also features a built-in, adjustable, studio-quality noise gate. An adjustable, footswitchable 10dB Boost control for Channel 2 ensures your solos will cut through the mix, too. Perfect.
To further up the ante, each and every 5150 Iconic amp also features built-in reverb; Master controls for Resonance and Presence; series FX loop; 1/4 Power switch; and a speaker-emulated XLR output, too. Oh yeah, and the 2-button LED Channel/Boost footswitch is included with each amp, as well.
EVH 5150 Iconic Series 80-watt Head – Black
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EVH 5150 Iconic Series 80-watt Head Ivory
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EVH 5150 Iconic Series 4×12-inch Cabinet
This closed-back beauty comes loaded with four custom-voiced EVH 12-inch Celestion Iconic speakers and has a power rating of 160 watts. And, as already stated — just like the amps — this cab is available clad in Black or Ivory vinyl.
EVH 5150 Iconic Series 4×12″ Cabinet White
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EVH 5150 Iconic Series 4×12″ Cabinet – Black
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EVH 5150 Iconic Series 40-watt 1×12-inch Combo
Boasting all the same features as the 5150 Iconic head, this 40-watt, closed-back fire-breather has two JJ 6L6 power tubes and is loaded with a specially voiced Celestion EVH speaker. It also has special internal plywood baffling to ensure a fat, tight low-end response.
EVH 5150 Iconic Series 40-watt 4×12″ Cabinet – Black
EVH 5150 Iconic Series 40-watt Tube Combo Amp – Ivory
While these are all the facts Sweetwater knows right now, I can reveal this — I was lucky enough to play through one of the final EVH Iconic prototypes a short while ago, and its articulate, highly musical, high-gain voice was 5,150% on point. And as for the harmonically rich feedback the Burn switch made so easy to coax and control? Sheer bliss!!
Stay tuned to this Sweetwater channel for more information on this exciting October launch.
