Is the Evans DPU 200 amp still a good choice for Jazz in 2026?

[TheGentleTone]

I got intrigued by all the positive comments about Evans amps for clean organic Jazz tones coming from a solid state amp and am looking for a used one. Most comments are from quite some time ago and I can’t seem to find much information about the Evans DPU 200. Anyone have any idea or thoughts about that amp? Is it comparable to the AE100, RE200, JE200 or different in any way?

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

Short answer is that I think so. IIRC, the DPU200 is the 200W power amp section in multiple Evans amps, some of which are / were designed for pedal steel players. I’ve seen descriptions of the DPU200 as a pedal steel amp, but I don’t recall a specific combo amp with that name or model #. I think it has the same power section as the AE200 I used to have.

I think any Evans amp is great for jazz guitar (I’ve had 2). But you might call Evans and ask what the specific differences are. The Evans people are very open and helpful.

[SierraTango]

Not familiar with that model, however I did many,many gigs and still do with my mid-2000's JE200. I jokingly call them the Mesa Boogie of SS amps. There is a learning curve to Evans amps,at least there was for me. The owner Scott was very helpful over the phone. They are fabulous amps that don't get much love. One downside for after busting some bones in a motorcycle vs. Cow incident my JE 200 weighs about 38lbs.

[Franz 1997]

[QUOTE=SierraTango;1467646]
I jokingly call them the Mesa Boogie of SS amps. There is a learning curve to Evans amps,at least there was for me. ]

This is very apt :-)). I have an AE200 head, and the tone controls are very interactive indeed. It's definitely overkill, if you just want a "good sound" for one main guitar, or several of the same model. However if you use different guitars at different times, as I do - eg carved top vs ply top 175- it's possible to use the controls to get a similar "good gigging" sound out of all of them. Even including Teles...using the Depth and Body controls gives almost any sound available ( including some less useful ones). Also the electronics are very robust, and operate at unusually high voltages for a SS amp, which is supposed to give greater headroom.

Just don't look for any overdrive capability...

[Bill C]

IIRC, the DPU200 is the 200W power amp section in multiple Evans amps

For example, in the RE200, the preamp with all the controls sits in the top of the cabinet above the speaker, the DPU200 power amp sits in the bottom of the cabinet - see the rear view picture at this link …

Evans RE200 Solid State with Cover - DjangoBooks.com

[TheGentleTone]

Thank you all for this helpful information. I see now that indeed what a seller describes as DPU200 is indeed the RE200 model.