I ordered an 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 may 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

 

[Michael Hunter]

Hope you enjoy it - I had a JE150 for a few years. Great amp.

 

[Smacky the Frog]

Do you play with overdrive at all? I am wondering how Evans amps take dirt...there isn't much out there that talks about that or clips to listen to

 

[iim7v7im7]

Do you play with overdrive at all? I am wondering how Evans amps take dirt...there isn't much out there that talks about that or clips to listen to

Not with solid state amps...

For OD tones I have a 5E3 or Redplate. I have many OD pedals so I'll give it a try, but I don't have high hopes with solid state....

 

[ylo]

Great amp choice! I have never cared for Polytone, AI, AER, Henriksen compared to Evans for jazz. The only issues I have are that I already own too many amps and Evans seem non-existent in the Boston area.

 

[billyguitar]

In 1999 I ordered and still own a JE150 with a 12" speaker. Swapping speakers made the most impact with me. Currently I use a Tone Tubby ceramic in it. It's not rated for all of the power but I can't really turn it up that loud! It takes pedals well, IMO. It's a great amp for what it is. You won't be disappointed. I don't care for the Buff feature. I had a Henriksen and it was not in the same league. I always thought the Evans sounded like a better Polytone.

 

[iim7v7im7]

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.

 

[tronus]

Nice! Happy new amp day!

I play one of those in combo rehearsals at school. I just picked up an Ibanez Wholetone but really wanted to get one of those Evans. I just can't justify it yet until I suck less at jazz Looking forward to going back and reading the rest of this thread tonight after lessons.

 

[iim7v7im7]

My amp should ship from Evans tomorrow and arrive on Wednesday...

I should have some initial impressions to post here by next weekend. I will try a few OD pedals for those who asked (lord knows, I have a closet full of them), but I have low expectations that it will sound good (I am use to good tube overdrive). My intention is to use this exclusively for archtop jazz (like my AI + RE rig).

 

[jazzguitar14]

I love Evans -- Ive owned 3 and still have 2. I have the 1X8 150 and a 200wt head, both are older models w/ spring verb. Ive had both for over 10yrs and have never had a hiccup.

They do take pedals very well. I push mine w/ a timmy every day and am very pleased. years ago I had a blackstone od that also worked very well w/ the Evans.

Great amps and great people to deal with.

My Head and Raezers Edge 2x8 is LOUD AS HECK...

 

[iim7v7im7]

I am curious...

I have many ODs (including a Tim pedal) and I am use to using an OD to push a tube amp over the edge into overdrive. With an amp like an Evans which is solid state and has tremendous headroom how does a pedal push the amp into OD? A pedal like the Blackstone creates its own distortion so I can see that working well.

As I said, I don't see using pedals with this amp, but I was curious by your statement.

I love Evans -- Ive owned 3 and still have 2. I have the 1X8 150 and a 200wt head, both are older models w/ spring verb. Ive had both for over 10yrs and have never had a hiccup.

They do take pedals very well. I push mine w/ a timmy every day and am very pleased. years ago I had a blackstone od that also worked very well w/ the Evans.

Great amps and great people to deal with.

My Head and Raezers Edge 2x8 is LOUD AS HECK...

 

[jazzguitar14]

Evans are very true amps -- they will give you exactly what you feed them w/ the high headroom... strats sound like strats, teles like teles, humbuckers like hb... And equally pedals will sound like themselves.

The blackstone was a really great pedal for the Evans, almost turning it into a 3 channel machine. I use the timmy alot now, but not as much to push it as I phrased earlier but more as a dirty voice.

The Evans will clip (not much) at full preamp but thats not why we bought these amps to begin with. My other go-to rig is a Dr Z Z28, I like to run it full tilt and just use my vol knob w/ single coils. With the Evans I can get pretty darn close to this drive and response using a timmy at about 2 o'clock.

If I boost the Z with a compressor -- things turn to lush liquid melting greatness...
If I boost the Evans with a comp -- things just get loud and compressed...

Your gonna love the amp, even my 1X8 grab-n-go can fill most small rooms and its perfect for cocktail / dinner gigs...

 

[iim7v7im7]

Cool, thanks for explaining...

I will try a few with it and see how it responds.

Evans are very true amps -- they will give you exactly what you feed them w/ the high headroom... strats sound like strats, teles like teles, humbuckers like hb... And equally pedals will sound like themselves.

The blackstone was a really great pedal for the Evans, almost turning it into a 3 channel machine. I use the timmy alot now, but not as much to push it as I phrased earlier but more as a dirty voice.

The Evans will clip (not much) at full preamp but thats not why we bought these amps to begin with. My other go-to rig is a Dr Z Z28, I like to run it full tilt and just use my vol knob w/ single coils. With the Evans I can get pretty darn close to this drive and response using a timmy at about 2 o'clock.

If I boost the Z with a compressor -- things turn to lush liquid melting greatness...
If I boost the Evans with a comp -- things just get loud and compressed...

Your gonna love the amp, even my 1X8 grab-n-go can fill most small rooms and its perfect for cocktail / dinner gigs...

 

[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...

 

[Smacky the Frog]

You never started a thread. Boo.

 

[Rotten]

I will start a new thread tomorrow...

Still waiting.

 

[BlueRiff]

Ok...I'll answer on his behalf..the RE200 is awesome. Rich clean tone that can get a little edgy through input (hi input). The buff control creates highs that are airy and warm..not harsh. This allows for pedal usage on this amp. This amp has a PA speaker in it ... Emi Beta 10. It will get the job done for cover work but it's specialty is Jazz. Especially solo jazz chord melodies. Love it.