Evans RE200

[iim7V7IM7]

I ordered a Evans Amp RE200 today. After playing a Polytone for 8-years and a AI Clarus + RE for the last 5-years, I decided that I a) I wanted to try something with more sound shaping; b) move away from carrying 3-pieces (head + cab + stand) to one piece (combo). I also own two tube amps (12w x 12" 5E3 Tweed-Lil' Dawg D-Lux and a 50w x 12" Redplate Blackverb) so I wanted to stay, small, light weight and solid state in this option. I considered amp options from AI, AER, Evans, Henriksen, Mambo, Phil Jones, Quilter and Schertler.

The controls of the Evans always looked complex to me (I am not really a knob guy), but after reading some posts, watching some clips and speaking with Scot Buffington at Evans, I think that this something that one does during one's initial exploration and there seems like a clear approach to adjusting your tone. Once established, there are smaller adjustments to be made based on the room. As it turns out, Scot is also a Bill Comins archtop player so we were able to discuss that as well.

Here are the specifications and some images (from Evans):

Manufacturer: Evans
Model: RE200
Size: 16.5"H x 14.5"W x 10.5"D
Weight: 27 lb.
Power: 100w/200w @ 8 ohms
Speaker: Eminence Beta 10A
Price: $1,350

It is not the smallest, nor the lightest; but I like that it is semi-open backed cabinet. I think the bass response and dispersion should differ from my AI + RE rig. At 100w, it should be plenty loud for my use. It should arrive within 2-weeks. we also spoke a bit about the digital reverb implementation which sounds promising. If I like the amp, I will be selling my AI Clarus 2R Series III and Raezer's Edge Nighthawk 10ER (and Atlas Stand) soon. Anyone potentially interested, drop me a PM.




:-)

Bob

[Encinitastubes]

Is the power amp in the Evans a separate unit on the bottom?

[Bill C]

Is the power amp in the Evans a separate unit on the bottom?

yes - the power amp unit is in the bottom of the cab

[iim7V7IM7]

Yes, the power amp is located at the bottom and the pre-amp is located at the top of the cabinet. This physically seperates the transformers from the pre-amp and lowers the CG of the unit (makes tilting back more stable) having weight beneath the 2-1/4 lb. Delta 10A speaker.

[ES125er]

Where did you order it, if you don't mind me asking?

I tried to order one a few months ago, and the dealer told me that Evans had gone MIA: they did not reply to emails anymore, did not answer the phone anymore, etc... Then he tried to sell me a Jazzamp.

Does anybody know if something happened to Evans in the last year/months? Should I add this dealer to my blacklist?

Thanks.

[Jabberwocky]

Where did you order it, if you don't mind me asking?

I tried to order one a few months ago, and the dealer told me that Evans had gone MIA: they did not reply to emails anymore, did not answer the phone anymore, etc... Then he tried to sell me a Jazzamp.

Does anybody know if something happened to Evans in the last year/months? Should I add this dealer to my blacklist?

Thanks.

Definitely add this dealer to your blacklist because Evans has had no dealers and has been selling factory-direct to the end-user for a few years now.

[ES125er]

Definitely add this dealer to your blacklist because Evans has had no dealers and has been selling factory-direct to the end-user for a few years now.

Thank you, Jabberwocky.

I might investigate the Evans again, then: I'd like to get a good and light amp that can take either 110 or 220V.

[Jabberwocky]

Thank you, Jabberwocky.

I might investigate the Evans again, then: I'd like to get a good and light amp that can take either 110 or 220V.

The back panel shows an International power supply. There is a sliding switch which allows you to select either 115VAC or 230VAC with no modification. The only exception is Japan which runs on 100V AC. Evans amps meant for Japan are not switchable.

[yebdox]

Will look forward to hearing your evaluation, especially in comparison to your BlackVerb. I played what I think was the same amp about 10 years ago at a jazz camp- thought it sounded great, but then the guy selling it decided that it did, too, so reneged on the offer(!) - guess I was flattered, in a small way

Anyway, I love tube amps, have a Vintage Sound 35 watt Deluxe/Jazz amp, a blackfaced Vintage Sound Twin (started as a 73 Dual Showman head) and an Allen Old Flame, but would like to have something that sounds very close to that tube amp warmth and depth in a lighter package, so your experiment is one I will be following!

[iim7V7IM7]

I will of course compare them with my archtop for jazz playing but I have every expectation that they will be quite different (how could they not be).



The Blackverb, aside from being a 50w, master volume, 6L6 tube combo amp has a very flexible BF style tone stack, larger open backed cabinet with a 12" Celestion Vintage 30 speaker. It has a nice warm blackface-like clean tone (purists will argue differences) and an array of touch sensitive overdrive tones. It is 19" x 19" x 10.5" and is 48 lb. So it is compact and light as 50w tube amps go, but its by no means grab-n-go. I use it to mostly play rock from my youth and blues and rarely for jazz (from time to time I will).

I have enjoyed the contrast of my AI + RE rig for jazz. It has an immediacy that I like and a bass response and clarity that works very well for jazz chord melody. It is a nice contrast to the Redplate. I am more interested in A/Bing these two rigs. What I hope for in the RE200 is similar sonic properties (clarity, immediacy, bass fidelity) in an amp that offers more tone shaping, a better reverb, less directional sound in a small, 1-piece grab-n-go rig. I will try a few ODs in front of it but I have low expectations of success with that.

I should get the amp latter next week.

Will look forward to hearing your evaluation, especially in comparison to your BlackVerb. I played what I think was the same amp about 10 years ago at a jazz camp- thought it sounded great, but then the guy selling it decided that it did, too, so reneged on the offer(!) - guess I was flattered, in a small way

Anyway, I love tube amps, have a Vintage Sound 35 watt Deluxe/Jazz amp, a blackfaced Vintage Sound Twin (started as a 73 Dual Showman head) and an Allen Old Flame, but would like to have something that sounds very close to that tube amp warmth and depth in a lighter package, so your experiment is one I will be following!

[iim7V7IM7]

Yes, Scot (he uses one T) Buffington sells them direct on his website. Also, if you pay by check the price is lower ($1350 vs. $1,398 internet price).

Where did you order it, if you don't mind me asking?

I tried to order one a few months ago, and the dealer told me that Evans had gone MIA: they did not reply to emails anymore, did not answer the phone anymore, etc... Then he tried to sell me a Jazzamp.

Does anybody know if something happened to Evans in the last year/months? Should I add this dealer to my blacklist?

Thanks.

[Encinitastubes]

I have an AH200 tube hybrid head. When I got it (used), I had a question and Scot responded immediately by email. One thing I've been curious about, though, was that he stated that the newer amps were better than the tube hybrid. I wish I could find someone who has tried them both.

[yebdox]

Thanks, I'm sure they will be different, but maybe not too much different with clean settings. Have fun!

[jorgemg1984]

Another speaker on the Blackverb would make ti a jazz beast I believe..

[Franz 1997]

I have an AH200 tube hybrid head. When I got it (used), I had a question and Scot responded immediately by email. One thing I've been curious about, though, was that he stated that the newer amps were better than the tube hybrid. I wish I could find someone who has tried them both.

I have owned both a tube preamp AE100 and a newer AH200. The newer design has a great advantage in that the amp is voiced darker overall, BUT there is a ''buff'' control that progressively adds high end harmonic content, like a presence control. This significantly expands the tonal flexibility of the amp, and replaces the ''scruff'' feature, which was a kind of fuzzy edge to the note. Also the class D format reduces weight. The only downside to the newer designs is the use of SM technology ( i.e. tiny components, difficult to service) on the circuit boards.

The tube preamp added a bit of ''warmth" ( I know, that word again) but otherwise sounded pretty much the same, and the tubes were prone to microphonics in the combos in my experience. Whether that makes the newer amps "better" is subjective...

[iim7V7IM7]

Another speaker on the Blackverb would make ti a jazz beast I believe..

Agreed, but I like the Celestion for other genres. An EV would be more in line, but it also adds more weight.

[iim7V7IM7]

Depending on the cabinet that you used with the AH200, it should sound quite similar to the RE200 so thanks for sharing your experience. Other than the speaker cabinet, having separate power amp and preamp in separate chassis the amp is likely the same amp. I will be curious to see how the non-conventional tone controls work.

Appreciated

I have owned both a tube preamp AE100 and a newer AH200. The newer design has a great advantage in that the amp is voiced darker overall, BUT there is a ''buff'' control that progressively adds high end harmonic content, like a presence control. This significantly expands the tonal flexibility of the amp, and replaces the ''scruff'' feature, which was a kind of fuzzy edge to the note. Also the class D format reduces weight. The only downside to the newer designs is the use of SM technology ( i.e. tiny components, difficult to service) on the circuit boards.

The tube preamp added a bit of ''warmth" ( I know, that word again) but otherwise sounded pretty much the same, and the tubes were prone to microphonics in the combos in my experience. Whether that makes the newer amps "better" is subjective...

[Encinitastubes]

I apologize for hijacking this thread, but last night my daughter knocked over my AH200 tube hybrid head. It sounds like something is knocking around inside, perhaps the tube. It produces no signal and the LED stays on even when I unplug it or turn it off. Any ideas. Anyone know where I can get this repaired? Love the amp and I'm a bit distressed. Thanks!

[iim7V7IM7]

Call Scot Buffington at Evans at 336-270-5700

I apologize for hijacking this thread, but last night my daughter knocked over my AH200 tube hybrid head. It sounds like something is knocking around inside, perhaps the tube. It produces no signal and the LED stays on even when I unplug it or turn it off. Any ideas. Anyone know where I can get this repaired? Love the amp and I'm a bit distressed. Thanks!

[Franz 1997]

The AH200 is not too hard to disassemble - lots of small screws to undo, but it comes apart in 5 min or so. You could see if there is anything obvious, like a tube that has dropped out or broken..might be worth doing that first, if you're comfortable around electronics. I had to open mine up when the toggle switch on the back got knocked in and broken- it wasn't too hard. The biggest danger is dropping the tiny screws….

[Franz 1997]

sorry, double post...

[iim7V7IM7]

My amp should ship from Evans tomorrow and arrive on Wednesday...I should have some initial impressions to post here by next weekend.

While my intention is to use this rig exclusively for archtop jazz (like I have been using my AI + RE rig), I will also try a few OD pedals with it (lord knows, I have a closet full of them). I have low expectations that it will sound good with any of them because I have found when I have liked an OD pedal in the past, it is how it pushes and melds with a tube amp's natural OD.

[iim7V7IM7]

The amp has arrived but the carton is cold as ice. I will wait for it to equilabrate before trying it out....patience

[iim7V7IM7]

I will start a new thread tomorrow...:-)