EVH 5150 III 50-Watt Tube Head - Black Instruction Manual

Introduction

The EVH 5150 III 50-Watt Tube Head is a versatile 3-channel guitar amplifier designed to deliver a wide range of tones, from pristine cleans to high-gain distortion. This manual provides essential information for setting up, operating, and maintaining your amplifier to ensure optimal performance and longevity.

Important Safety Information

• Read all instructions: Before operating the amplifier, thoroughly read and understand all safety and operating instructions.
• Retain instructions: Keep this manual for future reference.
• Heed warnings: Always follow all warnings on the amplifier and in this manual.
• Water and moisture: Do not use this apparatus near water or expose it to dripping or splashing liquids.
• Heat: Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat.
• Power sources: Connect only to a power supply of the type described in the operating instructions or as marked on the apparatus.
• Power-cord protection: Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched, particularly at plugs, convenience receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus.
• Cleaning: Clean only with a dry cloth.
• Servicing: Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the apparatus has been damaged in any way, such as power-supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the apparatus, the apparatus has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.

Package Contents

Verify that your package contains the following items:

• EVH 5150 III 50-Watt Tube Head
• Power Cable
• Footswitch
• Footswitch Cable
• User Manual (this document)

Setup

1. Physical Placement

Place the amplifier head on a stable, level surface, ensuring adequate ventilation around the unit. Avoid placing it directly on top of other heat-generating equipment or in enclosed spaces.

2. Connecting Speakers

Connect the amplifier to a speaker cabinet using a high-quality speaker cable. Ensure the impedance of your speaker cabinet matches the selected impedance setting on the amplifier (4, 8, or 16 Ohms). Mismatched impedance can damage the amplifier.

Figure 1: Front view of the EVH 5150 III 50-Watt Tube Head, showing control knobs and dimensions. The head measures 28 inches wide, 16 inches high, and 14.5 inches deep.

3. Connecting Power

Plug the supplied power cable into the amplifier's AC inlet and then into a grounded power outlet. Ensure the power switch is in the OFF position before connecting.

4. Connecting Instruments and Footswitch

Connect your guitar to the "INPUT" jack on the front panel. For remote channel switching and boost control, connect the supplied footswitch to the dedicated footswitch input on the rear panel.

Operating Instructions

1. Powering On/Off

• Power On: Flip the POWER switch to ON. Wait approximately 30-60 seconds for the tubes to warm up, then flip the STANDBY switch to ON. The indicator light will illuminate.
• Power Off: Flip the STANDBY switch to OFF first, then after a few seconds, flip the POWER switch to OFF.

2. Channel Selection and Controls

The 5150 III features three channels: Clean (Channel 1), Crunch (Channel 2), and Lead (Channel 3). Channels 1 and 2 share EQ controls, while Channel 3 has independent EQ.

• Channel 1 (Clean): Provides pristine clean tones. Use the GAIN 1/2 and VOLUME 1/2 knobs to adjust the input sensitivity and output level.
• Channel 2 (Crunch): Offers classic overdrive and crunch tones. Activated via the footswitch or front panel. Shares GAIN 1/2 and VOLUME 1/2 with Channel 1.
• Channel 3 (Lead): Delivers high-gain distortion. Features independent GAIN 3 and VOLUME 3 controls, along with dedicated LOW, MID, and HIGH EQ knobs.
• EQ Controls (Low, Mid, High): Adjust the tonal characteristics of your sound. Channels 1 and 2 share these, while Channel 3 has its own set.
• Presence: Adds high-end sparkle and cut to the overall sound.
• Resonance: Controls the low-end response and tightness of the amplifier.
• Reverb: Adjusts the amount of built-in digital reverb.

3. Power Level Attenuator

The amplifier includes a power level attenuator, allowing you to select between full power and quarter power output. This is useful for achieving cranked-amp tones at lower volumes.

4. Boost Function

The footswitch includes a BOOST button to provide an additional volume or gain boost for solos or emphasis. The amount of boost can be adjusted.

5. Noise Gate

A built-in noise gate is available, primarily effective on Channel 3 (Lead) to reduce unwanted hiss or feedback at high gain settings.

6. Effects Loop

The amplifier features a series effects loop (SEND and RETURN jacks) for integrating external effects pedals after the preamp section.

7. XLR Speaker Emulation Out

An XLR output with speaker emulation allows direct connection to a PA system or recording interface, providing a consistent, mic'd cabinet sound without needing a microphone.

8. Mute Function

A mute function is available to silence the speaker output, useful for silent recording or stage changes while keeping the amplifier powered on.

Maintenance

• Cleaning: Use a soft, dry cloth to clean the exterior of the amplifier. Avoid abrasive cleaners or solvents.
• Tube Replacement: Vacuum tubes have a finite lifespan. If you notice a decrease in performance, unusual noise, or red-plating, consult a qualified technician for tube inspection and replacement. Always replace tubes with matched sets of the correct type.
• Storage: When not in use for extended periods, store the amplifier in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures.

Troubleshooting

• No Sound:
  • Check all cable connections (power, speaker, instrument).
  • Ensure the POWER and STANDBY switches are in the ON position.
  • Verify speaker cabinet impedance matches amplifier setting.
  • Test with a different instrument cable or guitar.
• Poor Sound Quality/Unusual Noise:
  • Check for loose connections or damaged cables.
  • Inspect vacuum tubes for signs of failure (e.g., microphonics, red-plating).
  • Ensure proper grounding of the amplifier and other equipment.
  • Adjust EQ, Presence, and Resonance controls.
• Footswitch Not Working:
  • Ensure the footswitch cable is securely connected.
  • Test the footswitch with another compatible device if possible.

If problems persist, contact qualified service personnel. Do not attempt to service the amplifier yourself.

Specifications

Warranty and Support

For warranty information and technical support, please refer to the documentation included with your product or visit the official EVH website. Keep your proof of purchase for warranty claims.