Great interview Howard and thanks so much for the callouts! To clarify the discussion on the 2 preamp tubes in the Iconic….first I got rid of any redundancy where similar stages were duplicated in the two channels, and used relays to redirect the signal accordingly. Then I swapped out the input tube with a high voltage transistor circuit, since that tube causes the most microphonic issues….it also had about 8dB of extra gain left over that we kick on when you step on the Footswitch Boost(in addition to the footswitch adjustable volume boost the knob provides). Then we used a similar high voltage transistor phase inverter and low voltage solid state effects loop and boost system. The 4 stages in the remaining 2 tubes are used for the all important preamp stages where all the preamp distortion happens, so it sounds very close to the amps with more preamp tubes. On the comments regarding Ed always wanting more gain, my experience was he liked to have extra gain above his knob setting….just in case. He recognized that other folks might have wimpier pickups or want a little more, and brought that up all the time. I think that’s why so many people of other genres like the gear so much.
James - thanks for filling in details about the Iconic Series and some insight into choices that are made during development of new designs. Was an interesting final year for me as you (and Alexander) took over and moved EVH Amps into a new direction.
@@hbkaplan131 thanks for all your help too. Hey by the way, tell some more about working at Thomas Organ. Some folks may not realize what all they did.
@@tone-talk Asking here to try to get your attention. Where all of the large dimmer switches on the wall at 5150 Variacs? Did I hear you correctly? I was told they were for the lighting. Also, I read or heard that Eddie wrapped the building in a faraday cage cuz EMF. Picking up "noise" in his pick-ups. Can you comment on that? Thank you! ❤🤍🖤
I would like to give a big thanks to Mr. Howard Kaplan for leaving himself available and contactable to all of us EVH Amp lovers who are a bit less tech savvy and helping us with our issues. It is GREATLY appreciated, not many, if any professionals out there other than Howard that would do that.
Howard is such a great guy! I have never met someone who actually took the time to speak with clients who had issues, or questions! I've dealt with him many times when I purchased my EVH amps... I say "amps", because I had one of each model that came out... the 100w reg, the Special ed striped front, the red 50w, updated 50w, the 100w Stealth (when the still used Winged C's), the 50w stealth etc... lol Great guy! Lots of good info shared!
Fantastic Episode! Regarding the places to get started for amp build/repair: Dave and Howard stated some great techniques and resources. To add to that, I've found that Rob Robinette's site is a pretty good resource in terms of a nice summary when it comes to first understanding how the amps work, modifications (most classic tweed and BF Fenders), and troubleshooting. He pulled most of his info, and gives credit to the referred resources: Merlin, London Power, RCA handbooks, etc. Also, the Uncle Doug and Blueglow videos are a good TH-cam resource. For instance, Blueglow has a series showing how to use a scope, and then go along the circuit to find the problems. These are still no substitute for what Dave has constantly mentioned: experience.
When I was first learning that website was a godsend. Really great basic mods and voicing tweaks if you are working on fender style amps. That page introduced me to Ken Fisher's work too.
Great show guys. Keep up the great work and all the cool guests that come on your show (looking forward to Jake E Lee part 2 lol)! I like Dave's honesty regarding hand-wired amps. Had a couple of issues with my Twin Sister and he took care of it (both times). And yes, he really does his own customer service which is very cool. I've purchased a couple of other Friedman products since then because of his hands-on approach to his company and knowing that he stands behind his products. Thanks Dave!
Dave was very right about dealing with EVH. I know someone who was at some the initial EVH/Fender meetings, and she said her job was to function as Ed's interpreter. "What Ed really wants is......."
Ed’s dad, Jan played the clarinet on Big Bad Bill (Is Sweet William Now) from the album Diver Down, What is really cool is that there are 3 generations of Van Halens on their albums, as Ed’s son, Wolfgang played bass on their last album, A Different Kind of Truth . Great interview, thanks! I love my 5150 III 50W!
You can’t make a computer that performs like you expect in 2023 without a PCB. Amps are much different in that regard. PCBs are less noisy and consistent. The advantage to hand wiring is when you do repairs and mods. Beyond that a cheep amp is a cheep and and a well made amp is a well made amp -PCB or hand wired.
@@2204JCMhave you looked in a modern amp lately !?😂 They are pretty easy to repair and work on. I know point to point amps are kinda easier to work on because they are sloppy basically so yeah.
Talking of oddball amplifiers, Ive see schematics (and heard samples) of amp, that had 6sj7 as preamp tube, 7025 as phase inverter and quartet of 6V6s power tubes. Only volume and tone cut. But cant find it anymore. Does it ring a bell for someone? And then Marshall 1930 popular
I want to put a fan on the back of my EVH 100 watt EL should I point the fan flow towards the tubes or should the flow of air be pointed away from tubes so the fan doesn’t blow air on the tubes but suck the heat out ??
@@tone-talk the fan has led lights on them and it looks cool from the front in a dark area the head lights up different colors there small computer fans I’ll point them away from the tubes ..
I was curious. I’ve seen a supposed Howard Kaplan modded older 100 6l6 Evh with black knobs for every volume knob and a few extra dials on the back. The non-stealth version. Would you by chance know the mod Howard could have done to this amp?
Funny how Dave says the Celestion G12T-75s won't sound good with most amps. I ended up pulling them all out of my 90s era Marshall 1960A cab and putting in 2 Greenbacks on top and 2 Vintage 30s on the bottom just like the Friedman 4x12 cabs. Definitely sounds a bit better but the amp you use makes a bigger difference in sound regardless of speakers being used.
😂Gt1275 are the best sounding all around tones speaker for Marshall at the time, they were making jcm600 at the time, I've got one and the best sounding cabinet for it was the Marshall 1990jcm 900 with 1275 speakers. You really want to wake your Marshall up put in the EVH signature speakers and the 70th annv H30 ! Holy smiles !
Unfortunately I didn’t make it for the live chat, but my question towards Howard would be about the Presence pots of the 5150III Stealth. Why was the presence circuit designed in such a way, that you only can hear a difference in sound when the pot was moving the last quarter of it‘s range? Three quarters of it’s range didn’t do anything to the sound.
I own the matching 5150 Stealth 4x12 cabinet and the presence control is independent of the cabinet, since the negative feedback is fixed by tapping one of the output transformer windings. It’s probably the 16 Ohm tap, since the power amp has a high negative feedback.
What does he mean @ 42:50 when he's talking about channel 1 being cleaner? Only on the el34 series? The pre amp tube layouts all appear the same across the 50w range. And then slightly different, but the same across the range of the 100w heads
When you use a variac it lowers the voltage to all the elements in the tube. That means the “pull” (voltage) on the elections on the cathode is less too. So this would help avoid as much stress (cathode stripping) on the cathode.
Funnily enough, my grandpa was the exact opposite with hearing until he was forced to get hearing aid. He would just keep quiet and not ask what you said.
When you talk about lower down to 90v we are talking about 90v not lower your Auto transformer to 90. 0-100 is a % of the total voltage. So 100 would be 120v or whatever the line voltage is at your house or where you are playing.
Please bring back James Brown (when legally possible) We need similar insights on the Iconic series. Thank you Marc and PS. You're looking great (healthwise) 👍
All this talk about eddie van halen, my personal opinion is edd has the ultimate tone on the 1st and 2nd album... done! No need to tone chase, he had it. Didnt need anything else what so ever!
I used to work in a machine shoppe for 3 years in the 90's then came back for a couple years in 2013 and the difference in just the quality of the metals had decreased significantly in the area where it was used for mass production, the manufacturing processes and tools and dies were still the same except for the mass produced steel and aluminum, and newer sets of tools and dies that were more prone to breaking and shattering a lot more
@@billnelson9413😂 Well I guess you are the sound guy at a couple local festivals and events because many many metal guys, big names and not so big names are using these amps. Even seen country guys playing these but they are not cheap. $1600 for 50 watt head.
Great interview Howard and thanks so much for the callouts!
To clarify the discussion on the 2 preamp tubes in the Iconic….first I got rid of any redundancy where similar stages were duplicated in the two channels, and used relays to redirect the signal accordingly. Then I swapped out the input tube with a high voltage transistor circuit, since that tube causes the most microphonic issues….it also had about 8dB of extra gain left over that we kick on when you step on the Footswitch Boost(in addition to the footswitch adjustable volume boost the knob provides). Then we used a similar high voltage transistor phase inverter and low voltage solid state effects loop and boost system. The 4 stages in the remaining 2 tubes are used for the all important preamp stages where all the preamp distortion happens, so it sounds very close to the amps with more preamp tubes.
On the comments regarding Ed always wanting more gain, my experience was he liked to have extra gain above his knob setting….just in case. He recognized that other folks might have wimpier pickups or want a little more, and brought that up all the time. I think that’s why so many people of other genres like the gear so much.
James - thanks for filling in details about the Iconic Series and some insight into choices that are made during development of new designs. Was an interesting final year for me as you (and Alexander) took over and moved EVH Amps into a new direction.
@@hbkaplan131 thanks for all your help too. Hey by the way, tell some more about working at Thomas Organ. Some folks may not realize what all they did.
This was great. Gotta get James Brown back on the show! That might be my favorite episode along with the ones with John Suhr.
As with Howard when he was at fender ..Probably won’t be able to talk about current Evh stuff due to fender nda ..
I agree and want to add getting GROVER JACKSON back on. He was the very first guest on this show.
Would also be great to see KARL SANDOVAL on.
@@garyatkins4479 I haven’t asked James but my understanding is this ☝️ he won’t be able to talk
I'm really excited to see what James and EVH Gear come up with!
@@tone-talk Asking here to try to get your attention. Where all of the large dimmer switches on the wall at 5150 Variacs? Did I hear you correctly? I was told they were for the lighting. Also, I read or heard that Eddie wrapped the building in a faraday cage cuz EMF. Picking up "noise" in his pick-ups. Can you comment on that? Thank you! ❤🤍🖤
I would like to give a big thanks to Mr. Howard Kaplan for leaving himself available and contactable to all of us EVH Amp lovers who are a bit less tech savvy and helping us with our issues. It is GREATLY appreciated, not many, if any professionals out there other than Howard that would do that.
Howard promptly responded to my 5150III question! Very helpful. Respect.
Great guy! Howard helped me with a parts issue some time ago. He messaged me in a forum and we figured out a solution. Thanks Howard
Howard is the real deal!
Howard Kaplan, fabulous guest! Thanks Tone Talk! 🙋🏻♂️
Our pleasure!
Howard is such a great guy! I have never met someone who actually took the time to speak with clients who had issues, or questions! I've dealt with him many times when I purchased my EVH amps... I say "amps", because I had one of each model that came out... the 100w reg, the Special ed striped front, the red 50w, updated 50w, the 100w Stealth (when the still used Winged C's), the 50w stealth etc... lol Great guy! Lots of good info shared!
Fantastic Episode!
Regarding the places to get started for amp build/repair: Dave and Howard stated some great techniques and resources. To add to that, I've found that Rob Robinette's site is a pretty good resource in terms of a nice summary when it comes to first understanding how the amps work, modifications (most classic tweed and BF Fenders), and troubleshooting. He pulled most of his info, and gives credit to the referred resources: Merlin, London Power, RCA handbooks, etc. Also, the Uncle Doug and Blueglow videos are a good TH-cam resource. For instance, Blueglow has a series showing how to use a scope, and then go along the circuit to find the problems.
These are still no substitute for what Dave has constantly mentioned: experience.
Rob Robinette’s site is great!
When I was first learning that website was a godsend. Really great basic mods and voicing tweaks if you are working on fender style amps. That page introduced me to Ken Fisher's work too.
Dave's 'dimmer-sound impression' was perfect !
Great show. A couple months back I got the EVH 5150III LBX-S. Awesome little amp. Exactly what I had been looking for.
Great show guys. Keep up the great work and all the cool guests that come on your show (looking forward to Jake E Lee part 2 lol)!
I like Dave's honesty regarding hand-wired amps. Had a couple of issues with my Twin Sister and he took care of it (both times). And yes, he really does his own customer service which is very cool. I've purchased a couple of other Friedman products since then because of his hands-on approach to his company and knowing that he stands behind his products. Thanks Dave!
Thanks guys, Howard is great.Waiting for your pedalboard build Marc
Can't wait!
Excellent show you guys are the best 👌
Really great episode, gents!! 😎
Excellent show guys!!!🤘🏻🤘🏻🤘🏻
I just bought an EVH EL34 top and I love it, delayed thanks to Howard
I like the el34 blue channel darkness, and now I’m proud to share that like with Ed himself.
Great show!!
Dave was very right about dealing with EVH. I know someone who was at some the initial EVH/Fender meetings, and she said her job was to function as Ed's interpreter. "What Ed really wants is......."
Ed’s dad, Jan played the clarinet on Big Bad Bill (Is Sweet William Now) from the album Diver Down, What is really cool is that there are 3 generations of Van Halens on their albums, as Ed’s son, Wolfgang played bass on their last album, A Different Kind of Truth . Great interview, thanks! I love my 5150 III 50W!
Great stuff as usual!! Ok, let's cut to the chase....what kinda SUPER CHAT $$$$ will it take to get WARREN DeMARTINI on the show??!!?!
Very nice!
Agree. Circuit boards done right are the best. If point to point was so great, our computers would still be point to point!
You can’t make a computer that performs like you expect in 2023 without a PCB. Amps are much different in that regard. PCBs are less noisy and consistent. The advantage to hand wiring is when you do repairs and mods. Beyond that a cheep amp is a cheep and and a well made amp is a well made amp -PCB or hand wired.
@@2204JCM A well trained tech can repair either style and perform mods effectively... but I get what you mean.
@@2204JCMhave you looked in a modern amp lately !?😂
They are pretty easy to repair and work on. I know point to point amps are kinda easier to work on because they are sloppy basically so yeah.
What happened to his website? I'd like to know more about that articulation mod he mentioned.
Mark you gotta do something about the blue glare shining off your glasses from the computer screen. Its tripping me out lol
I tried. I’ll wear sunglasses next time
@Tone-Talk lol good show guys!
Great show. Still love the Peavey 5150II best. Made in USA, James Brown, better quality all around.
Is that a mini Jake E Lee in the back?
Looks great. I hope it's two channels.
Great show guys! Mark have you ever considered having KARL SANDOVAL on the show? Pretty sure if asked he would be all for it.
Talking of oddball amplifiers, Ive see schematics (and heard samples) of amp, that had 6sj7 as preamp tube, 7025 as phase inverter and quartet of 6V6s power tubes. Only volume and tone cut. But cant find it anymore. Does it ring a bell for someone?
And then Marshall 1930 popular
Great episode guys! Love to hear your thoughts on the new Peavey 6505 1992 head.
I want to put a fan on the back of my EVH 100 watt EL should I point the fan flow towards the tubes or should the flow of air be pointed away from tubes so the fan doesn’t blow air on the tubes but suck the heat out ??
Why do you need a fan? The amp doesn't need on
@@tone-talk the fan has led lights on them and it looks cool from the front in a dark area the head lights up different colors there small computer fans I’ll point them away from the tubes ..
I was curious. I’ve seen a supposed Howard Kaplan modded older 100 6l6 Evh with black knobs for every volume knob and a few extra dials on the back. The non-stealth version. Would you by chance know the mod Howard could have done to this amp?
By using a little bit more heater voltage. It can make old or weak tubes sound a little better. 6.5 to 6.7v
Funny how Dave says the Celestion G12T-75s won't sound good with most amps. I ended up pulling them all out of my 90s era Marshall 1960A cab and putting in 2 Greenbacks on top and 2 Vintage 30s on the bottom just like the Friedman 4x12 cabs. Definitely sounds a bit better but the amp you use makes a bigger difference in sound regardless of speakers being used.
😂Gt1275 are the best sounding all around tones speaker for Marshall at the time, they were making jcm600 at the time, I've got one and the best sounding cabinet for it was the Marshall 1990jcm 900 with 1275 speakers.
You really want to wake your Marshall up put in the EVH signature speakers and the 70th annv H30 ! Holy smiles !
You guys should get Gary Sunda on - Creator of the Randall RG-100 amps used by Lynch, Def Leppard, Dimebag Darrell and many others.
Unfortunately I didn’t make it for the live chat, but my question towards Howard would be about the Presence pots of the 5150III Stealth. Why was the presence circuit designed in such a way, that you only can hear a difference in sound when the pot was moving the last quarter of it‘s range? Three quarters of it’s range didn’t do anything to the sound.
Probably because you are using the stealth 212 cabinets, right !? I noticed that as well on the 212 cabinets but not with the 412 .
I own the matching 5150 Stealth 4x12 cabinet and the presence control is independent of the cabinet, since the negative feedback is fixed by tapping one of the output transformer windings. It’s probably the 16 Ohm tap, since the power amp has a high negative feedback.
What does he mean @ 42:50 when he's talking about channel 1 being cleaner? Only on the el34 series? The pre amp tube layouts all appear the same across the 50w range. And then slightly different, but the same across the range of the 100w heads
When you use a variac it lowers the voltage to all the elements in the tube. That means the “pull” (voltage) on the elections on the cathode is less too. So this would help avoid as much stress (cathode stripping) on the cathode.
My supplier told that the EVH branded sets of tubes are no longer made.
Funnily enough, my grandpa was the exact opposite with hearing until he was forced to get hearing aid. He would just keep quiet and not ask what you said.
I'm here
JESSEY DAVEY from Kingtone pedals
We need to make usa tubes
Howard use a mic when you do a podcast, I want to hear all your wisdom clearly and without having to strain
Howard's web site is gone. Anyone know if his EVH 5150 CH1/CH2 PCBs are still available anywhere?
Howard is working for Ampeg now and not doing anything with EVH
Big bad bill is the tune on diver down
When you talk about lower down to 90v we are talking about 90v not lower your Auto transformer to 90.
0-100 is a % of the total voltage. So 100 would be 120v or whatever the line voltage is at your house or where you are playing.
No we are talking about 90v.
Please bring back James Brown (when legally possible) We need similar insights on the Iconic series. Thank you Marc and PS. You're looking great (healthwise) 👍
Thank you! I appreciate that!!
The low filament trick was originally done by Macintosh to lower their amps noise floor. Guytron amps regulates their filaments to 5.1 vdc too.
All this talk about eddie van halen, my personal opinion is edd has the ultimate tone on the 1st and 2nd album... done! No need to tone chase, he had it. Didnt need anything else what so ever!
@52:30 True variable power, not attenuation in the combo amps.
Try to get JP Henry from Henry Amplification!
I just looked at what tubes cost, and gagged. Maybe it’s time for me to look at pedals or modelers.
where are my previous comments?
🤷🏻
FOR WILL THE REAL // THE TUBE AMP BOOK BY ASPEN PITTMAN VOL 3 ///P.268 TO P. 277//
I used to work in a machine shoppe for 3 years in the 90's then came back for a couple years in 2013 and the difference in just the quality of the metals had decreased significantly in the area where it was used for mass production, the manufacturing processes and tools and dies were still the same except for the mass produced steel and aluminum, and newer sets of tools and dies that were more prone to breaking and shattering a lot more
I haven’t seen anyone gig/perform with any EVH products yet. I’m a fan though .
Lots of artists use EVH amps and many local artists. Great gear
Gojira uses evh 5153 exclusively. They play arenas.
Tell me you never listen to metal without telling me you don’t listen to metal lol
@@tommilitello198 I’m a sound guy. I see all the gear.
@@billnelson9413😂 Well I guess you are the sound guy at a couple local festivals and events because many many metal guys, big names and not so big names are using these amps. Even seen country guys playing these but they are not cheap. $1600 for 50 watt head.
If you wan’t to know how to troubleshoot amps take electronics.
EVH IS A COPY OF THE SLO 💯 : CORRECT
not really
@@utubehound69
ARE YOU A ELECTRICAL ENGINEER
people do make mistakes. so friedman has to fall into that catagory. yes, no ?
Cathode stripping is not a real thing.... Sorry...
I think it is real if the plate voltage is very high -800vdc.
@@2204JCM I don't know of any guitar amps running at 800 Vdc. But... you never know.
😂 Think the Russians that make the tubes would disagree with that.