EVH 5150 Iconic Series 15W EL34 Amplifier Head – Black

Quick Product Summary

The EVH 5150 Iconic Series 15W EL34 Amplifier Head in Black brings the aggressive gain, tight response and flexible control associated with the 5150 amplifier family into a compact 15-watt head built for home playing, recording, rehearsals and suitably matched live rigs.

Designed in collaboration with renowned amplifier engineer James Brown, the 5150 Iconic 15W EL34 Head uses a single EL34 power valve alongside two ECC83S valves within its multi-stage hybrid preamp architecture. The result is an amplifier capable of moving from clean and crunchy rhythm sounds through to saturated modern high-gain tones without needing a large collection of external drive pedals.

Two channels each include an additional voicing. The Green channel offers Clean and Overdrive, while the Red channel provides Lead and Burn, effectively giving the player four useful gain ranges from a straightforward two-channel layout.

A footswitchable 10dB Boost, built-in reverb, effects loop, Resonance and Presence controls, ¼-power mode and speaker-emulated outputs make this far more than a stripped-down practice head.

Finished in Black textured vinyl with a brushed gold anodised front panel, black steel grille and classic chicken-head controls, it delivers unmistakable EVH styling in a format that is considerably easier to accommodate than a full-size high-powered head.

At A Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	EVH
Model	5150 Iconic Series 15W EL34 Head
Model Number	2258206000
Series	5150 Iconic
Colour	Black
Condition	New
Output	15 Watts
Reduced Power	¼-Power Mode
Power Valve	1 x EL34
Preamp Valves	2 x ECC83S
Channels	2 – Clean/Overdrive and Lead/Burn
Built-In Effect	Reverb
Boost	Footswitchable up to 10dB
Effects Loop	Yes
Direct Output	Speaker-emulated XLR DI with power amp mute
Main Appeal	Compact 5150 high-gain performance with recording and practice features
Best For	Rock, hard rock, metal, modern high gain, recording and home practice

What's Included?

• EVH 5150 Iconic Series 15W EL34 Amplifier Head in Black

• 2-button footswitch

• IEC mains power cable

• Owner's manual

✘ Speaker Cabinet Not Included

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

Every amplifier sold by Fair Deal Music is checked before leaving us so that obvious functional issues can be identified before dispatch.

For a valve amplifier head such as the EVH 5150 Iconic 15W, our assessment includes:

• Power-up operation

• Channel switching

• Overdrive and Burn voicing switches

• Gain and volume controls

• EQ operation

• Presence and Resonance controls

• Reverb

• Boost function

• Footswitch operation

• Input and output connections

• Effects loop

• Speaker output operation

• General valve operation

• General visual condition

Valve amplifiers should always be connected and operated according to the manufacturer's instructions, particularly when connecting an external speaker cabinet.

Why Choose The EVH 5150 Iconic 15W EL34 Head?

Serious 5150 Gain Without An 80- or 100-Watt Rig

The 15-watt format makes the Iconic Head much easier to integrate into home, studio and smaller-stage setups than a large high-powered amplifier.

It still offers the layered gain structure expected from the 5150 family, but in a format that makes more sense when maximum stage volume is not required.

Clean, Overdrive, Lead And Burn Voicings

The two-channel layout is more versatile than it first appears.

The Green channel can move from cleaner sounds into more driven territory using the Overdrive switch, while the Red channel covers high-gain Lead sounds with an additional Burn mode for greater saturation.

That gives you several distinct gain ranges without turning the front panel into an overly complicated control system.

EL34 Power Section

A single EL34 power valve gives the output section the compression, harmonic response and feel many players associate with classic valve amplification.

The Iconic is not a traditional all-valve preamp design – its multi-stage hybrid preamp combines modern circuitry with two ECC83S valves – but the EL34 power stage remains an important part of how the amplifier responds when pushed.

Footswitchable 10dB Boost

The global Boost provides up to 10dB of additional level and can be controlled from the included footswitch.

That makes it especially useful for live playing, allowing a lead sound to move forward in the mix without requiring another boost pedal in front of the amplifier.

Built-In Reverb

A global reverb control provides ambience without requiring an additional pedal.

It can be kept subtle for a little extra depth or increased for more spacious clean and lead sounds.

¼-Power Mode

The ¼-power switch reduces the amplifier's output for situations where the full 15 watts are unnecessary.

This makes the head considerably more practical for home playing, recording and lower-volume rehearsals while allowing you to retain the feel and response of the amplifier's own gain structure.

EVH 5150 Iconic 15W vs Popular Alternatives

5150 Iconic 15W EL34 vs 5150 Iconic 80W EL34 Head

The 80-watt Iconic is better suited to players who need substantially more clean headroom, stage volume and the authority of a larger output section.

The 15W EL34 Head is the stronger choice for home use, studio work, smaller gigs and players who simply do not need the volume or physical size of a full-power head.

5150 Iconic 15W vs EVH 5150III LBX Heads

The LBX models are compact 5150III amplifiers aimed at players looking further up the EVH range.

The Iconic 15W focuses heavily on value and flexibility, adding practical features such as four gain voicings across two channels, global boost, reverb and extensive connectivity.

Choose the Iconic when versatility and value are priorities; explore the LBX range if a more specialised 5150III platform is what you are after.

5150 Iconic 15W Head vs 5150 Iconic 15W Combo

The head gives you freedom to choose your own speaker cabinet and change cabinets as your rig develops.

The combo is the more self-contained option for players who want an amplifier and speaker in one enclosure.

Choose the head if cabinet flexibility, portability between existing rigs or studio experimentation with different speakers matters to you.

5150 Iconic vs A Traditional Single-Channel Valve Head

A simple single-channel valve head can be ideal for players who build most of their sound with pedals.

The 5150 Iconic is better suited to guitarists who want the amplifier itself to provide multiple levels of gain, channel switching, lead boost and tonal shaping without relying on a large pedalboard.

Who Is The EVH 5150 Iconic 15W EL34 Head For?

The 5150 Iconic 15W is particularly well suited to:

• Rock and hard-rock guitarists

• Metal players

• Modern high-gain players

• Home guitarists wanting genuine valve power-stage response

• Studio musicians

• Players recording direct

• Guitarists who already own a suitable speaker cabinet

• Musicians wanting multiple gain sounds without several drive pedals

• Players who need reduced-power operation

• Guitarists wanting an accessible route into the EVH amplifier range

Suitable Genres & Uses

The obvious home territory for the 5150 Iconic is rock and metal, where the Lead and Burn settings provide the saturation required for heavy rhythm parts and sustained lead playing.

The amp is more flexible than simply being a maximum-gain machine, however.

The Green channel can provide cleaner sounds for general rhythm playing before the Overdrive mode adds crunch for classic rock and harder-edged blues.

The independent channel Gain and Volume controls also make it possible to prepare contrasting rhythm and lead sounds while keeping overall levels under control.

For recording, the combination of reduced-power operation, headphone connectivity and speaker-emulated outputs makes the 15W version particularly useful where microphone volume and room acoustics are not always practical.

What Do Resonance And Presence Controls Actually Do?

The shared Low, Mid and High EQ handles the main tonal balance, while Resonance and Presence let you fine-tune the feel of the amplifier's low and high frequencies.

Resonance affects the low-frequency response of the power section, allowing you to move between a tighter response and a bigger, deeper low-end feel.

Presence works towards the upper end of the amplifier's response, helping determine how immediate, bright and cutting the overall sound feels.

These controls are particularly useful when changing speaker cabinets or moving between bedroom, rehearsal-room and stage volumes because the same EQ settings can react differently in each environment.

Looking for advice on choosing the right EVH amplifier, speaker cabinet or high-gain setup? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store.

Recording, Silent Practice & Connectivity

The 5150 Iconic 15W is designed to work in more situations than a traditional amplifier head.

A speaker-emulated XLR DI output with power amp mute makes direct connection to a recording system or PA much more practical, particularly when using the amplifier in environments where a microphone and loud cabinet are inconvenient.

A speaker-emulated headphone output also supports quieter practice.

The rear-panel effects loop provides a suitable place for time-based effects such as delay and reverb when you are generating most of your distortion from the amplifier's preamp.

This combination makes the Iconic particularly useful for players who need one amplifier to cover home practice, recording, rehearsals and conventional speaker-cabinet use.

Story & Context

The 5150 amplifier name is inseparable from Eddie Van Halen's search for a powerful, responsive high-gain guitar sound.

Over time, the 5150 concept evolved through several generations of amplifiers, with the EVH 5150III family becoming the basis for a modern range aimed at everything from professional touring rigs to compact recording setups.

The 5150 Iconic Series was developed to bring much of that high-gain philosophy into a more accessible amplifier family.

Renowned amplifier engineer James Brown, whose work has been closely connected with Eddie Van Halen's amplifier development, played a central role in creating the Iconic platform.

The 15W EL34 Head takes that concept into a smaller format, retaining multiple gain voicings and performance features while making the amplifier more practical for players who do not need the enormous output of a traditional arena-sized 5150 rig.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Model	EVH 5150 Iconic Series 15W EL34 Head
Model Number	2258206000
Series	5150 Iconic
Colour	Black
Amplifier Type	Valve Power Amp / Hybrid Preamp Guitar Head
Maximum Output	15 Watts
Reduced Power Mode	¼ Power
Channels	2
Green Channel	Clean / Overdrive
Red Channel	Lead / Burn
Power Valve	1 x EL34
Preamp Valves	2 x ECC83S
Channel Controls	Independent Gain and Volume
Shared EQ	Low, Mid, High
Global Controls	Boost, Reverb, Resonance, Presence
Boost	Up to 10dB, Footswitchable
Built-In Effects	Reverb
Guitar Input	1 x ¼"
Auxiliary Input	⅛" / 3.5 mm Stereo
Headphone Output	⅛" Stereo, Speaker Emulated
Line Output	⅛" Stereo
Effects Loop	¼" Send / Return
DI Output	Speaker-Emulated XLR with Power Amp Mute
Speaker Outputs	2 x ¼" Parallel
Supported Speaker Impedance	4, 8 or 16 Ohms
Covering	Black Textured Vinyl
Front Panel	Brushed Gold Anodised Aluminium
Grille	Black Steel
Control Knobs	Black Chicken-Head Style
Cabinet Material	MDF
Handle	Moulded Black Plastic Top Handle
Width	19.7" / 50.1 cm
Height	10.2" / 25.9 cm
Depth	9.0" / 21.6 cm
Weight	18 lb / 8.16 kg
Footswitch	2-Button Footswitch Included
Power Connection	IEC

Specification Note

Model 2258206000 is the 230V European-market version of the EVH 5150 Iconic Series 15W EL34 Head.

If mains lead or plug compatibility is important for your intended location, speak to our team before ordering and we can confirm the supplied cable with the specific stock unit.

Speaker Cabinet Compatibility

This is an amplifier head only, so it requires a suitable external guitar speaker cabinet for conventional amplified use.

The speaker outputs support total loads of:

• 4 Ohms

• 8 Ohms

• 16 Ohms

Always match the amplifier and cabinet impedance correctly and use a proper speaker cable, not a standard instrument cable, between the amplifier head and speaker cabinet.

A 1x12 or 2x12 cabinet can make an excellent compact pairing, while a larger cabinet can provide additional projection and low-end authority.

If you're unsure which cabinet impedance or power rating is appropriate, speak to our team before connecting the amplifier.

Power Requirements

Input Voltage: 230V AC
Frequency: 50Hz
Regional Version: EUR
Model Number: 2258206000
Mains Connection: IEC

This is a mains-powered valve amplifier and should only be connected to the correct voltage supply.

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when connecting the amplifier to mains power and when matching it with an external speaker cabinet.

Fair Deal Music Expert Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The EVH 5150 Iconic Series 15W EL34 Head is a particularly strong choice for players who want serious 5150-style gain without committing to the size and sheer output of a large touring head.

What makes it especially useful is the amount of functionality packed around the core high-gain sound. Four practical gain ranges, reverb, footswitchable boost, reduced-power operation, an effects loop and direct-recording features mean it can form the centre of a home, studio or compact live rig without needing a huge amount of additional equipment.

The single EL34 power stage also gives the amplifier genuine valve response while keeping the output manageable.

Best suited for: Rock and metal guitarists, home players, recording musicians and anyone wanting compact 5150 gain with flexible connectivity.

Customers usually upgrade from: Modelling practice amps, smaller solid-state high-gain amps or single-channel valve amplifiers with limited switching options.

Most commonly paired with: A suitable 1x12 or 2x12 guitar cabinet, noise gate, tuner and delay in the effects loop.

Our tip: Don't assume the Red channel needs to run with the gain at maximum. Reducing preamp gain and using the amplifier's volume and power-stage response can create a tighter, more articulate heavy rhythm sound.

Showroom feedback: The 15-watt format makes the Iconic concept far easier to use in everyday situations. There is still an enormous amount of gain available, but the reduced-power mode and direct outputs make the amplifier practical well beyond loud rehearsal rooms.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

Based in Birmingham, our experienced musician-led team can help whether you're putting together your first valve amplifier rig, upgrading to a dedicated high-gain head or choosing the correct speaker cabinet and impedance.

Buying from Fair Deal Music gives you:

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians

• Carefully checked new and pre-owned musical equipment

• A large Birmingham showroom

• Friendly support before and after your purchase

• Secure online ordering

• UK delivery options

• Decades of experience supplying musicians

• Help choosing suitable cabinets, pedals, cables and accessories

• New and pre-owned amplifier expertise

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.

We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Whether you're looking to upgrade your guitar, keyboard, amplifier, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.

Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available.

It's an easy way to unlock the value of the gear you no longer use while making your next instrument even more affordable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the EVH 5150 Iconic 15W an all-valve amplifier?

The power section uses a genuine EL34 valve, while the multi-stage hybrid preamp architecture incorporates two ECC83S valves alongside additional circuitry. It should therefore not be confused with a traditional fully valve-driven preamp design.

Can the 5150 Iconic 15W be used at home?

Yes. Its 15-watt output is already more manageable than a large 50-, 80- or 100-watt head, and the ¼-power setting reduces output further for lower-volume situations.

Does it have enough gain for modern metal?

Yes. The Lead and Burn modes provide substantial saturation for modern rock and metal, while the Resonance and Presence controls give you additional control over low-end weight and high-frequency attack.

Does the footswitch come included?

Yes. A 2-button footswitch is included.

Does the amplifier have built-in reverb?

Yes. A global Reverb control allows ambience to be added to either channel.

Can I run delay and reverb pedals after the amp's distortion?

Yes. The built-in effects loop provides Send and Return connections, making it particularly useful for delay, reverb and modulation effects when the amplifier's preamp is generating your distortion.

Can I record without putting a microphone in front of a cabinet?

Yes. The speaker-emulated direct output is designed to make direct recording or connection to suitable PA equipment considerably easier.

Can I use headphones?

Yes. The amp provides a speaker-emulated stereo headphone output for quieter playing.

What speaker cabinet impedance can I use?

The amplifier supports 4-, 8- or 16-ohm total speaker loads. The amplifier and cabinet must be connected correctly using an appropriate speaker cable.

Can I use a normal guitar cable between the head and speaker cabinet?

No. Use a dedicated speaker cable between an amplifier head and speaker cabinet. A normal shielded instrument cable is designed for low-level guitar signals and is not the correct cable for a power-amplifier-to-speaker connection.

What is the 10dB Boost useful for?

It can increase level for solos, louder song sections or situations where you need the guitar to move forward in a band mix without adding a separate boost pedal.

What does the Burn switch do?

Burn adds further saturation to the Red channel, creating a more intense high-gain voice for lead work and heavily driven rhythm sounds.