Raezers Edge Luna 200?

**Fear the Reaper** · 08-13-2021, 08:56 AM

I just picked up the Reazers edge Acoustic 10 (Nighthawk) cab from a forum member. So now considering a amp head to pair with the cab. Currently considering both Quilter 202 and Luna 200.

My choice is the Luna 200. However, in the past I had the Fender Jazzmaster ultralight amp head. The amp failed on me during 2013. My tech could repair it, but he noted that parts were becoming scarce.

My concern with a small independent builder is the availability of information and parts if something happens. If RE goes out of business, options for repairs maybe come difficult.

Any thoughts or comments appreciated.

**marcwhy** · 08-13-2021, 10:57 AM

I have the Luna 200R, and it's a great amp! Geoff at RE is fantastic, and would address any concerns you may have!

**Cunamara** · 08-13-2021, 11:05 AM

Most of the parts in any amplifier are industry standard items: capacitors, resistors, transistors, etc., but sometimes there are unique issues like those ribbon cables in Pearce amps. If there are IC chips, those can become obsolete and difficult to source (such as in Polytone amps) but workarounds can often be managed. Circuit boards, too, can be hard to replace in an older amp. And there is always the recurrent panic that tubes are going to become unavailable.

Same thing happens with cars.

RE seems pretty dedicated to its customer base, from my experiences.

**sgosnell** · 08-13-2021, 11:07 AM

If I were going to buy an amp, that's the one I would buy. Mark Kleinhaut has one, and it sounds wonderful. I've been fighting the GAS for some time now, and I hope to be able to keep holding out, but it's hard. I have more than enough amps, but the Luna keeps calling me.

**Gitterbug** · 08-13-2021, 11:32 AM

Sorry to add a somewhat less laudatory note. I had two faulty samples before a good one. There was a European middleman but in the end I was dealing with Geoff Felsher direct. Extremely kind and forthcoming, but the process took months. About the amp itself: It's fine but not spectacular; the new Quilters offer a lot more versatility at least on paper. The amp came with no user manual and has no stickers indicating UL and FCC certification. It may well have, as what you have inside appears to be the Danish IcePower power unit/power amp module and a proprietary preamp section. IcePower modules can be found on many other amps, too, and should be kosher. How this all relates to serviceability, I have no idea. Many Class D amps claim no serviceable parts inside.

**Stringswinger** · 08-13-2021, 11:57 AM

My experience with solid state guitar amps is that at some point, the cost of repair can easily exceed the value of the amp. Acoustic Image and Henriksen build high quality solid state amps suitable for jazz guitar, they hold their value, and they have a proven track record. I would look no further.

Raezer's Edge builds fine cabinets (I have three of them). The track record on their amp heads is TBD. Considering the example of the Fender amp head, I would be concerned. Quilter? I have my doubts about their long term value and build quality (they put out fine amps at a great price point, but mostly in life, you get what you pay for), which leads back to the first sentence of this post.

My 2 cents.

**jads57** · 08-13-2021, 11:58 AM

You won't go wrong with Quilter TB 202 Incredibly versatile, huge power, lightweight, bullet proof!

**vernon** · 08-13-2021, 03:54 PM

I played a Quilter 101 into a Raezer’s Edge NY 8 every Sunday morning for years and it was always wonderfully clean, full, and warm. I now have a Tone Block 201 into an Eminence Beta 8A and it pairs with archtops exceedingly well.

**sgosnell** · 08-13-2021, 07:37 PM

Versatility is not what I'm looking for. I've owned some Quilter heads, and I will not own another. I just cannot like the sound of the ones I've heard. YMMV.

I have an early AI Clarus, and it comes with a transferable lifetime warranty. I sent it in once for a problem and the only cost for the repair was the shipping. That's not the case with every amp on the market.

**Fear the Reaper** · 08-14-2021, 08:49 AM

Thank you for your shared experince.

Originally Posted by Gitterbug

Sorry to add a somewhat less laudatory note. I had two faulty samples before a good one. There was a European middleman but in the end I was dealing with Geoff Felsher direct. Extremely kind and forthcoming, but the process took months. About the amp itself: It's fine but not spectacular; the new Quilters offer a lot more versatility at least on paper. The amp came with no user manual and has no stickers indicating UL and FCC certification. It may well have, as what you have inside appears to be the Danish IcePower power unit/power amp module and a proprietary preamp section. IcePower modules can be found on many other amps, too, and should be kosher. How this all relates to serviceability, I have no idea. Many Class D amps claim no serviceable parts inside.

**Fear the Reaper** · 08-14-2021, 08:51 AM

Good advice wise one.
Currently Henriksen makes a head version of the Bud. 2 channels. However, I would prefer a single channel version of the Blue.
They make a head back in a day. One with and without reverb. But I dont recall the thoughts on it.

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

My experience with solid state guitar amps is that at some point, the cost of repair can easily exceed the value of the amp. Acoustic Image and Henriksen build high quality solid state amps suitable for jazz guitar, they hold their value, and they have a proven track record. I would look no further.

Raezer's Edge builds fine cabinets (I have three of them). The track record on their amp heads is TBD. Considering the example of the Fender amp head, I would be concerned. Quilter? I have my doubts about their long term value and build quality (they put out fine amps at a great price point, but mostly in life, you get what you pay for), which leads back to the first sentence of this post.

My 2 cents.

**Gitterbug** · 08-14-2021, 09:10 AM

I started my ultralight cabs journey with a Henriksen Convertible back in 2007. The amp was the reverb model. Apart from an audible mechanical noise, probably the fan, it was great, and so was the 10" cab with an Eminence Beta inside. The second gen Henriksens went into the wrong direction IMHO, whereas the current Buds and Blus get much praise. So does their service. I believe there's an IcePower module inside since ca. 2018. Pricey, though.

**Fear the Reaper** · 08-14-2021, 02:29 PM

Any thoughts on an Acoustic image 1r Claus series 3 model?

I read some older postings and there was discussion that the nature of the eq and overall character of the amp did not work well with magnetic pickups. ?

**sgosnell** · 08-14-2021, 02:53 PM

The AI Clarus was designed for use with magnetic pickups, and for a number of years was the first choice of many jazz guitarists, the Clarus and RE cabs being the holy grail, so to speak. You can find any opinion you want to hear on the internet. I've never heard anyone say anything bad about the Clarus. There is a YouTube video of Mundell Lowe playing with Frank Potenza, using what I think is a Series 3, but I'm uncertain of the exact model. He's certainly using a Clarus and RE cab, if you want to hear what one can sound like. I'm too busy, or lazy, to search the URL for you.

**vernon** · 08-14-2021, 03:25 PM

I owned an AI Clarus 1R for a few months and failed to bond with it. These things are admittedly so very subjective, but, since you asked, I personally found its tone and response to be flat, lifeless, and uninspiring.

**Stringswinger** · 08-14-2021, 03:26 PM

Originally Posted by sgosnell

The AI Clarus was designed for use with magnetic pickups, and for a number of years was the first choice of many jazz guitarists, the Clarus and RE cabs being the holy grail, so to speak. You can find any opinion you want to hear on the internet. I've never heard anyone say anything bad about the Clarus. There is a YouTube video of Mundell Lowe playing with Frank Potenza, using what I think is a Series 3, but I'm uncertain of the exact model. He's certainly using a Clarus and RE cab, if you want to hear what one can sound like. I'm too busy, or lazy, to search the URL for you.

Mundell (RIP) used an Acoustic Image Focus (series 3) into a Raezer's edge Stealth 10. I lent him my Clarus 2r (series 3) and Stealth 12ER for a recording session he did here in Santa Cruz (he was in his 90's and was past the point where he wanted to travel with an amp). He was using a guitar with a magnetic pickup. He (and the recording, which he gave me a copy of) sounded great.

I have had all four series of Clarus amps and use them with Raezer's Edge cabinets (my current Clarus is a 2r Series 4). IMO, The rig sounds great with magnetic pickups and piezo. It is my understanding that these amps were designed as bass amps for use with piezo pickups. They do sound great for jazz guitar with a magnetic pickup, but a crisp Fender Blackface sound is not possible. These amps, when combined with a magnetic pickup, particularly a humbucker, are dark and fat with very limited high frequency EQ (a tweeter equipped cabinet helps in a dark room as does a bridge pickup).

I will say that of the four different series Clarus models, the Series 2 had the warmest sound, but the series 4 has the best EQ and reverb.

**Fear the Reaper** · 08-14-2021, 05:08 PM

No much appreciated!!!!

Originally Posted by sgosnell

The AI Clarus was designed for use with magnetic pickups, and for a number of years was the first choice of many jazz guitarists, the Clarus and RE cabs being the holy grail, so to speak. You can find any opinion you want to hear on the internet. I've never heard anyone say anything bad about the Clarus. There is a YouTube video of Mundell Lowe playing with Frank Potenza, using what I think is a Series 3, but I'm uncertain of the exact model. He's certainly using a Clarus and RE cab, if you want to hear what one can sound like. I'm too busy, or lazy, to search the URL for you.

**Fear the Reaper** · 08-14-2021, 05:10 PM

Thank you again. The RE cab I got does have the tweeter that adjusts in frequency.

Originally Posted by Stringswinger

Mundell (RIP) used an Acoustic Image Focus (series 3) into a Raezer's edge Stealth 10. I lent him my Clarus 2r (series 3) and Stealth 12ER for a recording session he did here in Santa Cruz (he was in his 90's and was past the point where he wanted to travel with an amp). He was using a guitar with a magnetic pickup. He (and the recording, which he gave me a copy of) sounded great.

I have had all four series of Clarus amps and use them with Raezer's Edge cabinets (my current Clarus is a 2r Series 4). IMO, The rig sounds great with magnetic pickups and piezo. It is my understanding that these amps were designed as bass amps for use with piezo pickups. They do sound great for jazz guitar with a magnetic pickup, but a crisp Fender Blackface sound is not possible. These amps, when combined with a magnetic pickup, particularly a humbucker, are dark and fat with very limited high frequency EQ (a tweeter equipped cabinet helps in a dark room as does a bridge pickup).

I will say that of the four different series Clarus models, the Series 2 had the warmest sound, but the series 4 has the best EQ and reverb.

**Jabberwocky** · 08-15-2021, 01:47 AM

The Luna 200 is $550. It should last at least 5 years. That's $110 a year, 30 cents a day. I spend much more than $110 a year on strings.

It is a good sounding amp. All these B&O ICE module based amps have been very reliable. I own the Seymour Duncan Powerstage 200 and the Black Milkman The Amp 100. I would not worry about the Luna 200. At $550 it is worth taking a punt on it. The AI Clarus and Hendriksen are great amps too. I would like to give Geoff Felsher a chance as he is a nice dude and he makes great products.

**Cunamara** · 08-15-2021, 03:00 AM

I have had an AI Clarus for at least 10 years; it is a 2r and I think it's a Series 2. It has been exceedingly reliable and sounds pretty good. Is it as warm and tubey as my 5E3 tweed Deluxe? No. It is extremely clean and moderately warm and a little hi-fi. I find it works best if I run the master volume pretty loud, about 3 o'clock, and control the overall volume with the individual channel gain control; that seems to make it warmer and fatter.

It really works well with my instruments with piezo pickups. It works well with magnetic pickups, too, but again it's very clean and I think a lot of people find themselves missing the tube harmonics that they are used to associating with people playing electric guitar. It is a very revealing amplifier to play through.

As for the complaints about EQ, etc., most of those are pretty strong opinions from one particular forum member. He is a very experienced musician with a clear and specific conception of what he wants to get from equipment, and this particular amp (AI) doesn't seem suited to that for him. The sound that he wants is pretty much not the sound that I want, so I find that generally instruments and equipment that he praises don't work real well for me; the stuff I like wouldn't probably work real well for him. That's why it's good there is variety.

Forum member Mark Kleinhaut did a series of videos comparing several heads (including the Luna, an AI and there was a third) through the same cabinet both at home and on gigs. I found that very helpful in terms of persuading myself to keep the equipment I have rather than buying new.

They are on YouTube.

**Longways to Go** · 08-15-2021, 04:53 PM

Hey Fear,
I sent a PM regarding a Clarus 2 I have for sale on consignment in case you are interested, considering the gist of the conversation . . .

**coolvinny** · 08-15-2021, 05:23 PM

I've been tempted by the Luna too, although if I go that way I'll probably get one of the RE Luna-based combos.

As for Clarus, I had one...nice with a carved top but not great with a laminate IMO.

**entresz** · 08-16-2021, 06:52 PM

I am also tempted by the Luna but my old JBL D130 speaker cab can only handle about 50 watts so I'm worried the 200 watt Luna will fry it.

**sgosnell** · 08-16-2021, 07:18 PM

Just keep the Luna at a reasonable volume. At acceptable home volume levels there should be no problems.

**Herbie** · 08-17-2021, 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by entresz

I am also tempted by the Luna but my old JBL D130 speaker cab can only handle about 50 watts so I'm worried the 200 watt Luna will fry it.

Think how loud is 50 Watts. Quite loud, I’d believe.

I believe the speaker holds well together if don’t play louder than that.

(I have a 90 W speaker with a 200 W amp. But I have never played on 200 W.

Most of my r&r youth I played loud – and the amp was AC30. 30 Watts.)