Mesa Badlander vs EVH 5150 Stealth 50 Video Comparison

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Bad.Seed

Bad.Seed

Well-known member
Sorry to keep spamming with videos but a lot of people were asking me for these comparisons, so figured I'd share them around for all who are interested.

This one was fun, because I've really been enjoying both amps, and it truly made it hard for me to pick one over the other. Of course, they both have their own signature sounds going on, but they're both fantastic amps that have really been making me look forward to sitting down and riffing.

Both sound great at low volumes, neither fall apart when turned up. The tone is there at every point in the volume sweep. I think both companies hit home runs with these amps, with Mesa being the bigger winner, and finally releasing a Rectifier for assholes like me who always complained about the bass, and clarity issues.

 
These are both great sounding amps whichever way you look at it.
I’ve had the 50 Stealth and really liked it for the features it has. The advantage of that amp is the cheaper price tag, midi, and the bias ports as well as the 3 great channels.
However, the Badlander has that great built in reactive loadbox and settings for both channels.

Tough call on which I like more. If you buy the EVH and add in a loadbox, you are pretty much at the same cost of other.

I am definitely going to try the Badlander because I like what i hear from it.
Now....as I mentioned before, if they take the JP-2C and update it with that reactive load.....Oh boy....I will be running to order one! I doubt that would happen but you never know. They will probably release a new Mark VI amp first with that built in.

As always, much thanks for your efforts in comparing the two and sharing it with us! Well done!
 
In the room the EVH would be my go-to. In a mix, some combination of both amps is probably what would happen.
 
PBGas said:
Now....as I mentioned before, if they take the JP-2C and update it with that reactive load.....Oh boy....I will be running to order one! I doubt that would happen but you never know. They will probably release a new Mark VI amp first with that built in.
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Gotta say... you're probably better off just getting a reactive load from Suhr or one of the other top-tier reactive load box makers out there. Mesa, for all its incredible work, doesn't make very good reactive loads. I'd rather spend the money on a current-version Mark amp and a Suhr RL than the same money on a Mark plus the added cost of a sub-par built-in Mesa reactive load.

As for conversation relevant to the thread, I think the amps were made to sound so close in the video that the biggest difference was feel, which a video can't really show. Thanks for making it btw, both amps sound great.
 
EVH all the way....it seems like the EVH just has a clarity about it the Mesa didn't....like he had to nerf the EVH in the clarity department to match the inherent stuffiness in the Mesa
 
EVH seems like the winner in this vid for me too for the style. Way more aggressive in the high-mids/treble without being harsh, deeper low-end, less low-mid mud, and less honk in the core mids. Maybe it's just the way 5150's tend to be super mic-friendly, but I don't doubt it one bit: EVH was the one for me.

Personally, I don't think mids above 4 or 5 is the best place to have them with these amps, but the EVH seemed to take those settings better.

Great vid as always, man. Great playing too.
 
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Yeah I really liked the EVH as well.
I'd go with the EVH & a Suhr RL.
Anyone interested in load boxes and IR's should do some research on impedance curves.
I own the Suhr RL / IR.
The main thing for me was that the Suhr RL felt and responded EXACTLY like when my amps are connected to a 4x12 cab.
YMMV
 
EVH for me...but it could just be your EQ settings? It was hard to tell but it seemed like you were pushing the mids pretty aggressively with both amps. The Mesa sounded a bit congested in the mids, while the EVH was just more aggressive. Like you said, round and full which is not how I like my mids but to each their own. My question would be what happens when you go for a more scooped sound on both amps? Maybe the EVH disappears and the Mesa shines through?

Not sure I dig that Gridslammer either but again your settings looked like noon on gain and level? Not being nitpicky but just trying to understand what I'm hearing. Great job ?
 
I’m really surprised how much more I liked the Badlander since I’m generally a 5150 guy.
 
Spaceboy said:
I’m really surprised how much more I liked the Badlander since I’m generally a 5150 guy.
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I'm shocked so many went EVH as well, my ears heard differently.

The Mesa has a throaty aggressiveness, and the EVH was somewhat abrasive. To me... That signature oversaturated EVH-ness I can't bond with.

I've really dug the Badlander clips. I'd like to hear a 50 watt with a warm pair JJ KT77's, and my VFE Dragon hitting the front end! The amp has a nice EL34 grunt to it. Bigger sounding than the EVH.
 
Both amps sound great to me! Good job as usual Kyle. Can't say I could pick a winner based on that but sure is fun trying right?

Thanks for doing that and awesome playing too. :yes:
 
TheGreatGreen said:
Gotta say... you're probably better off just getting a reactive load from Suhr or one of the other top-tier reactive load box makers out there. Mesa, for all its incredible work, doesn't make very good reactive loads. I'd rather spend the money on a current-version Mark amp and a Suhr RL than the same money on a Mark plus the added cost of a sub-par built-in Mesa reactive load.

As for conversation relevant to the thread, I think the amps were made to sound so close in the video that the biggest difference was feel, which a video can't really show. Thanks for making it btw, both amps sound great.
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Been there done that! LOL. I’ve owned several of the over the years.
Are you referring to the original cab clone with the resistive load? Yup..that one sucked!

Have you tried the newer Mesa Loader with IRs? It’s pretty darn good. I’ve compared it directly with the Waza, Captor X and OX. It holds it’s own and quite well to be honest with you. It also has the Two-Notes tech built into it.
 
Meeotch said:
EVH for me...but it could just be your EQ settings? It was hard to tell but it seemed like you were pushing the mids pretty aggressively with both amps. The Mesa sounded a bit congested in the mids, while the EVH was just more aggressive. Like you said, round and full which is not how I like my mids but to each their own. My question would be what happens when you go for a more scooped sound on both amps? Maybe the EVH disappears and the Mesa shines through?

Not sure I dig that Gridslammer either but again your settings looked like noon on gain and level? Not being nitpicky but just trying to understand what I'm hearing. Great job ?
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Settings on the Grid Slammer were Drive Off, Volume at 10, Tone around Noon.

I could see what you mean about the mids sounding slightly congested, I could hear that too. Truthfully, the Badlander EQ has a really wide sweep for each pot, so the Mids and highs are very sensitive to placement, which is why I generally kept both around 11 oclock - 1 oclock on the dial, because things tend to get a little out of hand.

Scooping the mids on the Badlander tends to bring it more in line with the rest of the Rectifier series/tones most are familiar with. Scooping the EVH tends to result in more of a dead tone overall, IMO. I don't really categorize 6 on either amp to be pushing the mids aggressively, but I'm usually looking for a tone that would work in a mix, and not a play at home by myself type deal, so that's the direction I tend to take things.

When I'm making these videos, I'm a bit rushed unfortunately. I usually set stuff up in the AM and then make the videos on my 1 hour lunch break, which is really only 40 min with travel taken out. I'd love to show full EQ specturms when comparing amps, but typically I don't have the time to get that in depth.

Also, none of this is defensive, by any means! Just replying to your questions and answering honestly. I'm 100% open to people's comments and constructive criticism on these videos as I'm still new to this shit and figuring it out!

Thanks man!
 
Bad.Seed said:
Settings on the Grid Slammer were Drive Off, Volume at 10, Tone around Noon.

I could see what you mean about the mids sounding slightly congested, I could hear that too. Truthfully, the Badlander EQ has a really wide sweep for each pot, so the Mids and highs are very sensitive to placement, which is why I generally kept both around 11 oclock - 1 oclock on the dial, because things tend to get a little out of hand.

Scooping the mids on the Badlander tends to bring it more in line with the rest of the Rectifier series/tones most are familiar with. Scooping the EVH tends to result in more of a dead tone overall, IMO. I don't really categorize 6 on either amp to be pushing the mids aggressively, but I'm usually looking for a tone that would work in a mix, and not a play at home by myself type deal, so that's the direction I tend to take things.

When I'm making these videos, I'm a bit rushed unfortunately. I usually set stuff up in the AM and then make the videos on my 1 hour lunch break, which is really only 40 min with travel taken out. I'd love to show full EQ specturms when comparing amps, but typically I don't have the time to get that in depth.

Also, none of this is defensive, by any means! Just replying to your questions and answering honestly. I'm 100% open to people's comments and constructive criticism on these videos as I'm still new to this shit and figuring it out!

Thanks man!
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Thanks for clarifying your settings, and you are right 6 on the mids usually isn't too aggressive for most amps.

I've owned and sold the standard EVH 50w twice, so I'm definitely not biased in that regard. Your vid makes the Stealth sound pretty damn good, and I imagine some EQ tweaks could get the Badlander sounding just as good or better to me. I'm super curious to hear (and feel) the Badlander in the room, and I have no doubt it rules. Seems like a win/win which is just how you described. Looking forward to more of your vids mang!
 
Surprised how similar in some ways you got these two amps to sound. The 5150 is a bit tighter with more pushed mids... the Baddie is rounder, fuller in the low mids and bass. Both sound good.
 
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