look for new amp, need help... - Page 2

mr. beaumont · #31 11-10-2010, 12:48 PM

Indeed it does! I got mine very clean for just under 600 bones.

The non-reverb princetons are also not nearly as loud as their reverb-ed brothers. But they do stay clean cranked--and can take a boost (I use a volume pedal with a boost) to get a little more volume and still be clean. (this is really only necessary for a very low output pickup)

With the boost, I can run my Princeton at about 7 and get the volume I would have gotten dimed without the boost. This has been more than enough volume for any applications I've used it in--but it was nice to know there was a little more available, and that it would be clean, if I needed it.

I've found the princeton reverbs start to dirty up around six or so. But by then, in my opinion, they're plenty loud anyway!

End of the day assessment, Princeton, reverb or not= nice little amp.

spiral · #32 11-10-2010, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ingeneri

Guess I just have to content myself lugging around my DRRI

I was replying to MamboSun who said s/he really wanted a Princeton as the ideal amp, and i was asking why not just buy one (reissue or otherwise)? DR is also great, and loud.

mr. beaumont · #33 11-10-2010, 01:16 PM

Nah, I doubt it's you--I said it was loud enough for my applications--which don't require that much volume. (read, I play small little holes in the wall)

Truthfully, I bring my henriksen out of the house more often (or even the lunchbox!), just to "be sure." The princeton gets used more for recording, at home jams with another guitar player, piano, or one horn, and the occasional play out where I absoutely KNOW I won't need more "oomph" than it can provide.

wallburg · #34 11-12-2010, 01:05 PM

@font-face { font-family: "Cambria"; }p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal { margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; font-size: 12pt; font-family: "Times New Roman"; }div.Section1 { page: Section1; } Bought an Evans RE200 amp to day and wow I’m happy with the purchase. Find it very versatile suiting both my Gibson ES175, my Tele and my Kyle gypsy. It’s quite easy to dial in the correct tone for different guitars. I A B’ed with a Henriksen Jazz Amp and found the Evans was in other league. Well worth the extra money.

RonD · #35 11-12-2010, 01:23 PM

@wallburg,
Please elaborate. Which Hericksen and which Evans. More details, please.

wallburg · #36 11-12-2010, 03:49 PM

Well, as I wrote I bought the Evans RE200. The Henriksen was a JazzAmp 110. It's surely a fine amp for that dark jazzy sound but in my opinion the Evans offers more versatility. It manages archtops, solid body's and acoustics guitars in a way I haven't experienced before. I've been looking for that kind of amp for many years and I think I've found it. But, perhaps I'm a little euphoric right now with my new purchase. Only time can tell if it lasts.

RonD · #37 11-12-2010, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallburg

Well, as I wrote I bought the Evans RE200. The Henriksen was a JazzAmp 110. It's surely a fine amp for that dark jazzy sound but in my opinion the Evans offers more versatility. It manages archtops, solid body's and acoustics guitars in a way I haven't experienced before. I've been looking for that kind of amp for many years and I think I've found it. But, perhaps I'm a little euphoric right now with my new purchase. Only time can tell if it lasts.

Thanks wallburg,
I understand. New gear has that effect. Congrats on the new amp. Keep us informed.

Tom Karol · #38 11-13-2010, 07:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallburg

Well, as I wrote I bought the Evans RE200 ... I've been looking for that kind of amp for many years and I think I've found it.

That's what it's all about - Congratulations! That's how I felt (and still do) when I got my Henriksen JazzAmp 112 + Tweeter, so ...

How To buy a Henriksen amp:

Disclaimer: I've been the very happy owner of a JazzAmp 112 for over a year, and I have the outboard tweeter as well. I mostly use it with a 335 clone and a Taylor T5 clone both strung with roundwound 11's (so my experience may not be applicable to a full hollowbody archtop with flatwound 13's).

Before I bought it I compared it directly to a JazzKat PhatKat, but I've never tried any other Henriksen model or JazzKat's TomKat or an Evans, so it's entirely possible I don't really know what I'm talking about!

The JazzAmp 110 clearly generates the most interest, but it is the only model that seems to sometimes lose out when directly compared to the competition. I believe this may be due to nature of the stock speaker being too dark for many tastes. The speaker can easily be replaced (it's front-mounted) with most any brand/model you like better. Henriksen offers 2 other 110 models, the JazzAmp 110 ER which has the same speaker as the JazzAmp 110 but adds a tweeter, and the BluesAmp 110 which substitutes a brighter punchier Rajin Cajun and also adds a tweeter. All these speakers are from Eminence; Eminence has frequency curves for all of their speakers on their website.

However, I believe the real winner in the Henriksen line is the JazzAmp 112 ER (same as mine but with the tweeter built in). It weighs 34 pounds - still quite manageable. I think a prospective buyer would be doing her/himself a disservice if (s)he didn't evaluate that particular model against the competition. The stock Beta A12 speaker has a rated power handling capacity of 250 watts, and it can handle a bass or keyboard too. I was initially thinking I might replace it with my current favorite 12" guitar speaker, a Weber ceramic California 12 with a paper dustcap, but it reminds me of a somewhat darker version of an old Electrovoice SRO, one of my all-time favorites, so there's no need.

All that being said, no one seems to not like the Convertible model (they just announced a new version). And I'm not saying that one brand is best for everyone. Evans amps are supposed to be great, but I've never found one to try. I'd love to check out the new version of the JazzKat TomKat (great name), and the Phil Jones Super-Cub is also intriguing. Fender Jazzmaster Ultralight, Acoustic Image, etc. ... too many amps, not enough money!

mambosun · #39 11-13-2010, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiral

What is wrong with the reissues? I own one, as well as a vintage DR, and like both equally. the Princeton Reverb Reissue has 2 issues which are easily solved: speaker board rattles (replace with better plywood, or add crossbrace), and lowend is a little flubby (install Bill M. custom output transformer). I was happy with the amp stock as well. Even if you go vintage, the Princeton is not that much more than the reissue. I'm a fan. Is the issue that Princetons are very rare in Europe?

Well, the PR reissue are quite expensive here (around 1K€) and I don't like the tone delivered by the stock loudspeaker from Jensen. I've seen PR RI owner changing this for a Weber or an Eminence with good result, but don't like the idea of investing in a costly new amp and paying an extra money to change the stock loudspeaker.