EVH 5150III LBX mini amp vs Peavey 6505 Mini amp 

my left ear enjoyed this video...

I've played through both,and for the type of metal I play. The EVH lost, the 6505 Mh has the same balls that the full size 6505 series heads have and is the main go to amp for metal bands.

Phil, your honesty about gear is what keeps bringing me back to your channel Thank you sir

the honesty is so much appreciated. gonna go with the LBX

It was a big help to me,and you did a great job of showing what it's all about.Your commentary and opinions were also helpful.I know I'm a bit late,but I wasn't in the market in 2015 and I am now! Great Demo man,and for what it's worth,you have a new subscriber! Cheers!

thanks for making all these videos - very helpful.

Phil you're awesome! Glad to see your channel doing so well!

I apreciate that you give your personal opinion. It helps a lot.

Great video, thanks ! I'm really liking the LBX. Can't wait to see your video A/B comparison with the 5150 III 50 watt.....

Thank you for this video! Had this very same dilemma this week. Going with the 6505!

Very informative review. I like your style. Thanks for posting!

Great friggin' video. Nice to see a comparison of VH inspired amps.

the 5150 is made for straight Distortion, no pedals needed. It's just a more Portable cousin of the larger 5150 Heads.

Solid review,well done!!!

Very cool!!! Great comparison. Hopefully I can find a local shop that will carry them. I would love to test both out. I'm very intrigued. Thank for the great videos as usual!! I always learn good info from your videos.

Great review Phil. Cheers.

Hey man I just wanted to let you know I was originally looking at picking up a 6505 mh. After watching your video I decided to go with a 5150 III LBX and man I am so happy with it. Thank you so much for doing this video. It was well done and while you didn't really pick one over the other it helped me decide that the 5150 III LBX was for me. I just couldn't be happier with it. It sounds so good. It IS really pro all the way. I went all out and ordered a custom hot bronco white mesa mini recto 1x12 cab to match it and it sounds so sick. Thanks so much! If I get out to AZ from TX I'll be sure to stop by and say Hi.

Thanks Phillip for a great video. If I'm in the market for guitar stuff (recently started learning drums, so I'm not counting on it in the very near future :)), I'll definitely keep your store in mind. That EVH box just looks nice too.

Excellent review!

BTW Thank you for uploading this demo. :)

Phil, keep it up...you keep improving your videos!

The Evh is awesome can't wait to get my hand on one

Really helpful video...as usual. Thank you mate.

Thanks for all the videos you do, bro Phillip. I'm in need of a rockin amp with versatility. I prefer a good master volume design that I can dial back to clean then up to gain as needed. Yours is the only video I've seen where someone plays a good rhythm overdrive setting then switches to the red scream mode, *keeping* his settings the same so that we can see the amp's usefulness in real-world applications. I wish, personally, you'd do another 5-10 minute video with the LBX showing just this. Pre on blue channel at 9:00-10:00 then, work the clean sound with gtr volume, then switch to the red channel. Repeat this with the gain ranges at 10:00, 12:00, 2:00, & 4:00. Thanks again for great informational videos.

Thanks to RU-vid's crappy homepage I thought you simply just didn't make very many videos. o_o On the contrary I just saw you've been kickin em out pretty consistently. But annywho. Hi! :P Good to see your vids again XD Also I'm really digging the sound you're getting from that EVH. Dayum.

Great review!

Wow that's a tough choice!! Tbh I think I prefer the sound of the Peavey, plus the clean channel! but the EVH is pretty killer sounding! Great video man!

Hi Phillip, I dig the comparison of these lunch box amps. If I had the means, I'd get as many as possible from these 2, along with ENGL Ironball, Mesa V 25, and even the Marshall DSL15. If there are other lunch box amps that are in the same league, it would be great to compare all of them in a video.

So hyped to see this

Phillip, is there a drastic jump in gain/ volume when switching between channels on the lbx similar to the 50 watt version?

That 5150 LBX sounds monstrous! Prefer it over the Peavey for sure. 4:27 sounded awesome.

Great vid Phillip! I've found that if you use the guitars appropriate to the era of VH with these amps they make a lot of sense. The pickups seem to be the clincher- the EVH guitars are less drive more tone and the peaveys are built for drive? Either way , both are great sounds and VERY reliant on the use of the volume control on the guitar!Again- great vid mate!

Because of this demo, I was able to purchase the EVH LBX with confidence. I have been struggling in my mind whether to purchase the 6505 or the LBX. Everything you said about both amps are on point! I was going to get the 6505 mini head because it did have a digital reverb and all the other goodies but the LBX sounds just completely awesome! On the side note, must be honest with you. I'm not really digging the Eddie Van Halen 2 by 12 speakers. I'm going to go ahead and go with a HESU demon 60 watt speaker. This speaker has sort that Engel sound without that Engel price! Again, thank you very much for the detailed sound demo of both amps.

Helpful video, thanks.

The EVH is brighter and maybe a little more touch sensitive. The 6505 MH is warmer. The very slight tone difference really comes down to preference. The big advantage the 6505 MH has over the EVH LBX is the separate pre and post gain controls along with a nice reverb. Yes, you can modify the EVH with concentric pots but it will cost extra, whereas the 6505 MH comes that way.

They both sound bad ass. I’ve played a 6505 mini through a 4x12 cab. Sounds killer. I have the 5150 iii 50 w and love it.

You've been on a VH kick this week- the concert, guitars and now mini EVH head. Joe Jr

I've previously owned a 50-watt 5153, great amp but super loud. Sold it for other gear pursuits. My mainstay is my Marshall JCM full stack, but I wanted something for home that is higher gain. Picked up the 6505 MH a couple weeks ago and love it. Killer little amp. Lots of features, clean tones are good but the dirty and high gain tones are monstrous. If you want a lunchbox amp that ca do the brown sound go with the EVH. The Peavey does great brown sounds also but it is more nu metal than old metal. I go to my Marshall when I want old school drive and crunch.

The Peavey has more presence.

Hi great review and some awesome playing! What do you think of the EVH amp similar size and wattage thanks Jack...😀

Eh, I'm sorry but the Peavey gets it where it matters to my ears. The reviewer is totally leaning toward the EVH (just look at how he strokes it). The sound of the 6505 in this demo is just clearer, more focused, and just nails it. Mind you, I didn't see much adjustment of controls on this demo. Either way, the idea of "more tubes = better" is not really very accurate at all. The existence of tubes *do* matter to the sound (and no, I'm not outright bashing solid state amps- there are MANY excellent ones out there), but beyond that, everything revolves around the design of the circuit. If number of tubes were really relevant to sound quality, we'd see manufacturers sticking an insane amount of them in amplifiers for no reason other than a selling point. Peavey's fit and finish, the way the amplifier feels in your hands, has never been stellar. Even when every product was made in the U.S.A., but damn if they don't get the sound down. The very things the reviewer mentions as reasons he "wouldn't take it out of the bedroom," are the very reasons why the Peavey owns this comparison. It's small, can function well in the proper live environment, offers the home recorder and the professional studio operator a ton of flexibility and features at a FRACTION of the price. If that EVH amp said "Fender" on the front, I have no doubt it would be much closer to the same price. Either way, a more accurate shootout in my mind would be the EVH vs. the Orange OR15. Price is identical, tube compliment is closer in terms of number, and both are amplifiers that heavily rely upon a respected name to sell (as evidenced by Orange's ridiculous 2x12 bass cab being popular whilst using an ancient idea that's negated by vast improvements in speaker technology). Don't get me wrong, I'd love to own either one... it's basically why I'm here, but Peavey always gets a bad rap for reasons that I don't think I'll ever understand. Honestly, I think it just comes down to the logo design for them.

I get 80% of video sound to the left side when you play, did you mix it so?

The EVH sounds great! I think I'm still leaning towards the 6505, based on the sound for my style of music and the variety of tone options. I hate to ask this, especially since I noticed that you took the video down about the 6505 hum, but does it still have that happening, or was it just the couple of initial amps you tried? Thanks in advance.

Hello Phillip , excelent videos , youre great for the Musician Human KIND!!! Question : Do you think that i could use that kind of amp ( Peavy ) for a heavy live gig in a club instead of having a 50 watt tube amp?

Great video! Two questions: 1) The LBX is not even on the EVH website yet - how did you get it so fast? 2) Do you have specs list for it? Can you show the back of the amp?

I love A/B comparison videos. Especially with nothing between the guitar and amp but a cable. I'll go to a pedal video if I want to hear floor toys. As usual, good video, Phil. I like the 5150 iii and your right, it's nothing like the original 5150/6505. I have compared my 5150 block letter side by side with last years 5150iii they are deffinantly two different amps, both good. For me, I like the massive bottom end of the Peavey.

I like them both, if I had to choose just one, the EVH had a little more depth in sound to my ear. Meantime, I have a Peavey Mini Valve King and I like it.

Hi Philippe, indeed the 5150 overdrive is killer although I´m wondering if the burn channel of the 5150 is able to cut through in a band mix. It sounds that the 6505 has more mid frequencies in the lead channel, which much more helps in a context. I usually use a Boss GT 10 in a 4 cable mode with different amps. It should be possible to use than a clean amp simulation of the Boss (or any other multi) to get a 3rd (clean) channel. Did you ever check that with the 5150?

Good video, I had a Peavey 5150 full size head years ago, picked it up for a song, I liked the amp but it is a one trick pony, Plus I have a new rule, Don't buy any combo amp or head that doesn't have reverb or a loop, it does make life so much easier, I think it's hard to pass on the Peavey 6505 and all that it has to offer, it has all the usable bells and whistles and then some and one can probably buy one new for $455.00,,,I played through the 5150 and thought it was ok the same day I auditioned the Peavey Mini Classic and loved it, I think I would go with the Peavey, they make a fine tube amp.

I know I’m late to the party but I just picked up the 6505 and have had the lbx, and while they are both outstanding little amps, I’m leaning towards the 6505. The clean with a boost is what puts it over the top. More versatile. Both struggle to maintain their composure at stage volumes but besides that you can’t go wrong with either for home use.

Sounds awesome, which cab are you using here?

Could I run a helix stomp into the fx loop to use the helix with a guitar cab? I know I’d have to turn the cab block off.

Great video but will you ever demo the Soldano Hot Rod 25?

good review....though the Soldano comment confused me a bit...it's still the 5150 tone right?

Hello Phil--thanks for all the great videos and your candor! I am thinking of purchasing the Peavey Mini simply because of the features and the price point. I wanted to know your personal option on which cab would pair with it the best. I typically play at home most of the time in my office/guitar room like yours and occasionally with some buddies if that helps. I imagine a 2x12 by EVH or Mesa would be a front runner but thought I'd ask you. Thanks!

Does the 6505 MH sound good at bedroom/apartment levels on the 5W and 1W settings?

I’ve had both of these. My problem is the 5150 volume is an on and off switch. I’ve had 2 6505mh’s and they are much more controllable. I also have the mt15 which is an insane amp and still prefer the cleans on the 6505 with the reverb. With 2 foot switches it’s an insanely versatile amp......

i have a Mark V 25 and I'm considering a second amp just to have some variety. do think that the LBX has a superior marshally crunch to what the mark v 25 can accomplish?

Dothe couple extra watts on the Peavey really translate into more noticeable volume and/or headroom in your opinion?

Phil, will you be demo'ing the new LBX 2nd version, soon to be released, featuring the clean channel? (please)

If you want a cleaner sound just swap out the tube that's part of the Blue channel's signal path and swap it for a 5751. It will reduce gain.So, full gain will now sound like it's on '8' instead but you will be able to dial the gain so your volume control really 'cleans up' It's the nice part about the EVH is it employs more tubes than the 6505 since it dedicates tubes specifically to each channel. While the PV borrows and uses relays to accomplish separate channels .

Both sound good, the only deference I hear is that the Fender evh LBX sounds warmer other than that is marketing.

Good review! The EVH LBX is a pretty cool amp. It's not in the same league as the Soldano Hot Rod 25 you mention late in the video though IMO. The Sodano Hot Rod 25 is insane. Just miles ahead of other lower wattage amps and many higher wattage amps.

To my ears ...... 6505mh sounds more clear , its based off the 5150 , eddie didnt sign off on it doesnt really matter, he signed off on the 5150 so its all good imo, plus it sounds awesome.

Hey Phillip,Great Shoot-Out,I Have the 6505,I had to switch out some tubes to try to "TAME" the Lead Channel,As far as the HUGE Hi-Gain HUM,Inherent in a lot of Hi-Gain amps.,With just a little help from the noise Gate in my Digitech RP1000 that I have hooked up using the "4 Cable Method " (Really sounds GREAT as far as adding Effects,more control over EQ,Noise Gate functions,Expression/Wah pedals,PLUS the ability to Take the Modeled Amps/Speaker cabs,OUT of the chain,and only having the AMP/Speaker Cab you're using for the MAIN TONE,Without the Tone being Altered,or Sucked out , using the RPO1000 and the Change in tubes,I STILL get the Same Hi-Gain HEAVEN that was there before,Just without the HUM FROM HELL.. : ) The EVH sounds AWESOME,I Believe that after I get some NEW "TOYS" Paid off,I shall be purchasing one !,I think that the Hi-Gain Side of the EVH,Has GOT Me thinking that it has More Harmonics/less Bright Tone than the 6505,which is What I LIKE !!,although,some things you can overlook a bit because of the "EXTRAS" that Peavey gives you ,and the Price. BOTH KILLER AMPS,But,The EVH has more of the PRO,PLUG IN AND PLAY VIBE to it as you basically said . Thanks Again Phillip,...NICE Fat Strats,My Birthday is in MID- NOVEMBER,if You want to make a disabled gulf war Vet's Birthday,..LOL!! Just Kidding! GREAT VIDEO and INFO,I Just Subscribed and Keep the COOL Stuff COMING!! Bob Malin Glendora,NJ

My main concern was the LBX is EL84 tubes and I can't decide between the 5150LBX and the EVH 50w mini. My gut tells me that the LBX is quality enough that most people would have a very hard time hearing any difference in tube specs. The demo clip sounded great. I have always loved 6L6 tubes but my issue with the 50w is I just don't need that much volume, my band would be yelling at me to turn down all the time. I keep going back and forth....ugh.

like the 6505 drive but....can it have more low end with the resonance knob no? (or its full?)

I'm seeing comments that the EVH is much warmer. I would sort of agree, but I think muddy is the better term. It might just be me, being that I usually prefer edgier tone with more bite. Both sound great! I have a Peavey Valveking 20 with a lot of the same features as the 6505 mini and I absolutely love it.

Best part of the video is Phil petting the 5150 like its a cat. It seems you have an affinity for the 5150?? Don't stroke it too much Phil!!!

I usually use a Boss GT 10 in a 4 cable mode with different amps. It should be possible to use than a clean amp simulation of the Boss (or any other multi) to get a 3rd (clean) channel. Did you ever check that with the 5150?

That 6505 sounds awesome

How do u remove all the hiss coming out of the amp? I can hardly hear any white noise.

Phil... I just stumbled across this video. I didn't even know the EVH LBX existed until I was in your on-line store just now buying the thick pick pack and I saw it listed. I have a bro, a former bandmate that I love to death. He's a gifted songwriter, guitarist and performer. However, when it comes to gear and dialing it in, he's a f*cking idiot. He blew up his Marshall SS head a while back and bought a POS Crate 3 channel SS head to replace it and he has never been able to figure out how to dial it in. When I was playing with him, I'd have to dial it in for him and then after he effed with it, I'd dial it back to where it needed to be when he was taking a break. He has no clue as to what the Fletcher Munson Effect is and would complain that his amp was changing tone during practices. So he'd just turn up louder making all go deaf. He could figure out how to just adjust his Eq to compensate, even after I showed him a dozen times because the Crate had too many "choices" on the front panel. He'd always turn the wrong knobs or hit the wrong switch on the footswitch controller that came with the amp. I'm thinking about picking up a used one for him now that these LBXs have been out for about a year (your vid is dated 10-2015). My question to you is if they seem to be holding up fairly well? As you're a dealer, have you seen many warranty repairs come back on these? The reason I gave you the long story was to illustrate why the Peavey is not the solution for this bro of mine. Too many choices. He'd still eff it up and continue to deafen his current bandmates and piss off the FOH guy at the clubs and bars where his band plays. I'm willing to buy him one not because I'm rich (I'm not wealthy but I am blessed), but rather to help him out and as a public service to the city he lives in. lol

Cool video thanks :) My only complaint is that you ran the presence too low on the EVH red channel and that might give the impression that the amp is too dark for those that don't already use an EVH head. Cool playing though :)

Is the LBX loud enough to play in live situation ??? back line job? i totally agree on comments, from the start of the vid my eyes where just drawn to the LBX looks more quality ! sounded beast ! i like running amps flat out, i just wish it had been 20 watts ! does it use same transformers as 50 watt ? 5150 combo 1x12 or LBX bloody spoilt for choice

My wife would have left me long before I bought a quarter of the gear this guy owns

Know this is am older video so you might now see this or get to it, but seeing that you're an EVH fan as well, I want to know what you think would be the best one to achieve that Live Right Here, Right Now tone. Its my favorite EVH tone by far and would like to get close to that in a little lunchbox amp. Would the EVH be better or the Peavey?

Here's my two cent's , I have the EVH lbx 3 number 11 , the amp has a lot of high frequency's, with my strat with Duncan stacked humbucker's , it's a really loud amp even on 1/4 wattage, to appreciate the tone of the amp it needs to be fairly loud, unless going for a clean sound which it will do,, i think its a great sounding amp, i see it as a work horse for a touring musician,, but for my needs just small club's and jam's with friend's , i,m thinking the 6505 may be more versatile ,don't know.going to check it out, i think the 6505 with reverb may be more suitable for me, but i have to say to eddy and fender great job guy's , love the amp'

Waiting for comparison with 5150 III mini (50 what), I LOVE its blue channel for thrash metal and I'm looking for the same type of sound but cheaper and even lighter. Also I'd like to know how it compares with the IRT studio from Laney. Nice vid !

Great playing and tone! You should mute your camera mic when demoing the SM57 mic.

no load and sim output from the EVH, that's really what it came down to me, for silent practising , same problem with Orange lunchbox amps, yes you can buy a captor X or whatever but they are quite expensive, for those that don't want to spend a fortune and want to use their amp silently sometimes for home practice, the 6505 does the job, also the 1W mode makes it easier to play at home quietly through a cab. The EVH amp can only really be played loud with a band. I also found the 5150 to be VERY noisy, meaning you need to buy a noise gate aswell and a separate reverb, the costs start to add up.

Hey Phil, I've heard the 6505mh has problems with overheating. Is this a bias issue or a design flaw??

I'm not sure if you had set the controls exactly the same on each head, but the EVH sounded abit more round/warm, whereas the 6505 seemed to cut alot more.

very nice review!!!!! which one have more gain for metal tone buddy?i like them both :)

What do you think of the Carvin mini heads V3m or the Legacy?

EVH had a falling out with Peavey so he would not "sign off" on the 6505 Mini. He has nothing to do with the 6505 line in genera other than the original 6505 was essentially a 5150 rebranded.

Im sold on the 6505M.

Having now played both extensively, the Peavey murders the EVH. It's not even fair. The extra tube does nothing for the EVH, since anything past 12 o' clock on the pre-amp gain is useless. The Burn channel is complete mud. Most people familiar with the 6505 will run a Tubescreamer as a clean boost, and with that, you effectively have unlimited versatility. I'll keep my $200 and build a complete pedal board with it.

Hi Phillip I have just bought an LBX and running it through V30's it sounds really fizzy especially for lead playing so i think i'm going to send it back as i cant dial the fizz out :( what speakers were you using in this demo as it sounds smoother? Many thanks

Hi Phillip, I am going for the 6505 mini. Can you please tell me if a Blackstar HT metal 4x8 8ohms 60 watts cabinet will work with it. Would really appreciate a response cause I am in Bangladesh and it is really hard to find sound advice and good amps here. Thanks

Philip, when will you be testing the LBX Stealth?

Phillip, how does the LBX15 scream quality beyond your impression of the 6505 mini? Is the weight, feel, sound, any other factor, influencing your perception of the LBX being a "professional" style amp vs. the 6505 min? I just want a little more detail because, to me, "It just screams quality" does not help me to understand what you're hearing and feeling in the room. Yes, I get it, simpler, with more tube stages, but that doesn't really say a whole lot about the perception of quality to which you're referring. Thank you.

Have you tried the Valveking Mini? I picked up a blem for a little over $300 and it's awesome. Kinda wondering how the 6505 Mini compares to it. I also have the 5150 iii 50w which is my most favorite amp ever. Just from your recording the LBX sounds very EVH. I thought my amp quest was over...why did you have to show me this thing?!?!

hello Phil can you make an A/B EVH Blue Channel lbx 1 vs lbx 2?

Peavey makes good shit for the dough. I almost bought a 5150 lbx because I couldn't find a 6505MH around, only had the 6505 combo for $700 and it was HUGE. Luckily I found a Tweaker 40 for $400 and it dials up into high gain very well, highly recommend it.

what about volume for band practice, both the same?

Phil ,did you ever do the small amp shootout with the PRS archon 25??

having played through both I can say that the peavey sounded noticeably better. the sound through a 2x12 was phenomenal.

Hey man really interested in one of these amps. Question, does the evh have as much gain as the 6505mh and is it capable of some killer metal tones? I love the sound of the 5150iii 50 watt head. Thanks

phillip what pick up does u strats have