Torn between two 50w heads, final decisions - EVH Vs. Victory

[one]

Yeah well he might be correct but there are a lot of 'know-it-alls' out there who speak very confidently like that.

I tend to think that there is a good chance that you will be okay, but I would not do that again just to be safe.  I would keep a speaker cable and speaker cab plugged into the head whenever you are using it (with the ohm load set correctly on the amp) and then plug in headphones if you want to use them for quiet practicing.  I would not gamble on the basis of forum hearsay I would take the most conservative route, which is having the speaker plugged in with the correct cable and resistance load and following the correct warm up and turn off procedures.

Hopefully you get a cab and speaker cable soon so that you can give the head a proper play.  When I got my Peavey I had to look at it sitting there for at least a couple of weeks before I managed to get my Orange cab and speaker cable, and only then did I start it up.

Thanks, mate, believe it or not, I am always extremely careful with all my gear, this has been a very unusual move in me, and I bitterly regret it even if it hasn't caused any damage to the head. As you said, first head, I couldn't refrain the impulse to try it, and even after reading instructions, which I always do first, I stupidly skipped that part. Never again. I just hope the builder of the amp is right in his post saying the headphones alone can't damage it, and I also hope the warning in the instructions is just a notice from Fender to cover their backs in case something unusual happens. Hard to know for me, it seems.

Anyway, moving on, I have an old fender champion 100w combo with an 8 ohms plug in the rear part, I hope I can try my EVH there changing the switch in the back of it to 8 ohms, right? Even if that doesn't represent the sound I can reach with a good cab. Otherwise, I'll have to wait for weeks or even months if I want to try it because it seems evh 2x12 cabs have run out in the whole fricking Europe.

[Dave Sloven]

You don't need the EVH cab.  I thought you were going for the Victory vertical cab?

Have a look for that Orange cab I posted above.  They are absolutely brilliant.  I don't know if they are in your price range.  €769 on Thomann and they don't seem to have white, only orange and black.  Make sure you get a closed back cab for metal.

I would have a look around for second-hand cabs if I were you.  Anything with V30s and decent wood (e.g., birch ply) is generally a winner.

Without looking at that thing you have I couldn't tell you want you have there, but I suspect that 8 ohm jack you see is a SPEAKER OUT jack for hooking up an additional cab.  You would need to do two things before you could use that cab.  One, disconnect the speaker entirely from the amp and wire in a SPEAKER IN jack that you could plug in to.  Second, determine the actual ohms of the speaker and make sure that's what you are using.  If there is more than one speaker in that cab this all becomes more complicated.

Seriously I would sell or trade the combo for a second-hand cab with enough power-handling (i.e., 100W+).  Looking at ebay you should be able to get €200 for that combo

[one]

Thanks, I already ordered the EVH cab, got it for 499€ new and I don't want to spend more. I think 60w will be enough and read very positive opinions about that cab.

I just got an mail, it's coming today so not even trying with the fender combo. I'm very excited, I hope it passes the bedroom volume test and I am looking forward to trying it with my band next Sunday :)

[Dave Sloven]

That's a lot better than the weeks and months scenario!

[one]

Another question, how does the 5150 deal with effects? I have a RP1000 I couldn't use before because my former amp loop didn't work and I'm very curious about it. I'd love to colour the sound of the EVH with the RP as some of them are really cool.

[Alfi27]

The 5150 cab is great, as well as the amp! The G12H30s give it a more classic approach (not as modern as V30s) but still tight bottom end and good mid range cut. The best of Greenbacks and V30s really!

[Dave Sloven]

No idea on the loop on the EVH head but I do know that Eddie uses the loop a lot himself and I suspect it works fine.  The loop on my 6534+ (which is the same as on the 5150 II) works fine for everything I've tried through it

[one]

Well, just passing by to say thanks, I finally went for the EVH, cab included, and I didn't try it with the band yet but I have the feeling it's going to be awesome!!

[Dave Sloven]

Looks great, how does it sound playing it at home?

[one]

Sounds great at home at 0.5 volume but I can wait to try it with a drummer and my bandmate's powerball 100 this evening