Acoustic B200 test run

[billgoodwin]

was finally able to get by G-C in Greensboro NC last Thurs. First time in a G-C......goodie's everywhere.

Anyhoo, main reason for stopping in wanted to try out a Acoustic B200 combo after reading all the posts and such. I liked it very much and seems that it would fit the bill or my purposes (small club gigs / practice). Plan to stop in again given more time. I live 2 hrs away in Roanoke, Va , but we drive to Greensboro / Jamestown NC most every Thurs eve to play bass drum (wife plays tenor drum) for a Grade IV competition pipe & drum band. Next trip wanna try out some other Acoustic stuff and some other makes (Ampeg, Markbass,etc) before I plop down some cash.

[wshines1892]

I used the B200 combo for a while. It was a solid little amp, although heavy. Very versatile and it kept up with a heavy fisted drummer, a half stack, and a 212 all on its own.

[SurferJoe46]

If you like the B-200, you'll sell your wife for the B-450.

Maybe not - since the B-450 can't cook. <sigh>

The only reason I like the B-450 or the B-600H better is that the Notch Filter can be turned off, unlike the B-200 or B-200H series.

[billgoodwin]

Originally Posted by SurferJoe46

If you like the B-200, you'll sell your wife for the B-450.

Maybe not - since the B-450 can't cook. <sigh>

The only reason I like the B-450 or the B-600H better is that the Notch Filter can be turned off, unlike the B-200 or B-200H series.

funny SurferJoe........she'd probably sell me off quicker for plane tickets back home to England.

I've seen you set-up (very nice BTW)....I like my 15's....plus the B200 is with in my budget at present.

Been using a borrowed Berhinger BXL300 since I'm just now getting back into the gigging game after selling most of my orig equip during a 20 yr break. It's does OK, but don't want to rely on it for playing out.

cheers

[SurferJoe46]

Originally Posted by billgoodwin

funny SurferJoe........she'd probably sell me off quicker for plane tickets back home to England.

I've seen you set-up (very nice BTW)....I like my 15's....plus the B200 in with in my budget at present.

Been using a borrowed Berhinger BXL300 since I'm just now getting back into the gigging game after selling most of my orig equip during a 20 yr break. It's does OK, but don't want to rely on it for playing out.

cheers

Confused a tad here - normal for me until my fourth cuppa - but are you saying that the Behringer isn't what you'd consider for playing out or the Acoustic?

The B-200 and B-200H are both pretty good with gobs of power and all those knobs to EQ where others cannot go - but my only reservation is that damned Notch Filter and it's non-ability to turn it off.

I guess one could just find a frequency that you don't like for whatever room you're playing. Ya gotta pick one freq zone and just delete it on those two heads.

Hmmmm. Ongoing coffee thinking here: I bet a MXR80 inserted between the pre and post /wet-mode would cover that problem - maybe?

[billgoodwin]

caffine kicked in yet SurferJoe? referring to NOT using the Berhinger out. Iffin I had the funds, I'd probably go for the B450 and add a extention 15" cab.....(still wishing had my old rig from "back in the day" )

[SurferJoe46]

I was thinking your way - as you restated and clarified. Thanks. One must never 'assume' things unless they are perfectly clear.

Ennyway - the B-115 is a great cab - it works well with either the B-200 or the B-200H - I know since I tried to woof one until it croaked - but it refused to act badly at all.

Now - on the B-450 or B-600H it can be brought to tears pretty fast.

Here's what I find - and I apologize to audiophiles who know better - but the B-200 and a B-115 underneath it is a righteous sounding rig in spite of all the warnings that they won't-can't-shouldn't work well together.

After all - that's two 15s, two horns and lots of Watts.

Once you try to mix 10s and 15s together it gets dicey. Ya gotta stop at a 210 and a 115 underneath it to make the grade as far as I am concerned.

It just sounds nice - although you can't dime the Volume with that set up as the 115 will suck all the power first and just become flatulent.

One observation by me is that I haven't seen a B-600H returned for trade-in or it 'didn't work' by anyone yet at my local GC - and I don't see them on the USED GEAR GC site either.

Hmmmm? Is there something telling us that the B-600H is a really good amp and that no-one wants to get rid of them yet.

There may be an occasional CL or EB listing - even though I haven't seen any of them either.

Perhaps there is a coward's kit to make the Acoustic B-600H fit into an Ampeg case?

There must be a lot of closeted Acoustic users out there.

Me? I'm outta that closet big-time.

[billgoodwin]

Brilliant sir....

yes, in the end I kinda had my heart set on the B200 with the ext B115 cabinet under-neath (to come after funds build back up some)....by sheer appearence...at sweet rig.

One of my old rigs consisted of a 1973 Marshall 100w Super lead and a Sunn Beta 2-15" cab...(was running a SVT frig under the Marshall before I got the Sunn) which pretty much hooked me on using 15's.

Seemed I could push the 2-15 a little harder than the SVT especially when using a DOD pre-amp overdrive for distortion, plus just got a lower end boom.

[SurferJoe46]

Bill - a little more of my tirade here:::

Acoustic makes a B-115N - which means it is a NEO driver which weighs less and is the same form as the B-200 Combo.

The B-200 and the B-115N are the same size if you are looking for a really great looking and playing setup.

[Slackerprince]

I had a B200 combo and really liked it, but I sold it because it was so heavy.
I regret it.
I got a GK MB210 because it was lighter, but I miss the B200, and the GK is...well, lighter.
Don't get me started.

S

[RadioactiveGuy4]

I would say just get the head that way you can up grade speakers later. I play on the B200H and i love it.

As far as the notch filter goes i would agree that it would be cool if it had a on/off switch but i have had no trouble with it. Its pretty easy to find a good position for it no matter what kinda room im playing in.

[billgoodwin]

thanks for the input folkes.....just solidifies my decision of eventually getting the B200.

[jasper76]

Originally Posted by SurferJoe46

If you like the B-200, you'll sell your wife for the B-450.

Maybe not - since the B-450 can't cook. <sigh>

The only reason I like the B-450 or the B-600H better is that the Notch Filter can be turned off, unlike the B-200 or B-200H series.

+1

Can't say enough good things about my B-450, especially for the price. Played it outside for the first time for a Memorial Day party. Barely had to turn it up much more at all than for an indoor gig. Still havent had to hit 12 o'clock, and our guitarists and drummer don't hold back on the volume, believe me. Probably more power than I need, as every once in a while the band tells me I need to turn it down.

The vent grill on the top of the amp makes me nervous. You can see the electronics in there. I always have a cover handy to protect from the rain or something.

The thing is a beast to lug around, though. 70+ lbs. My back can't take as much abuse as it used to. Definitely worth the money for casters.

[SurferJoe46]

Originally Posted by jasper76

+1

Can't say enough good things about my B-450, especially for the price. Played it outside for the first time for a Memorial Day party. Barely had to turn it up much more at all than for an indoor gig. Still havent had to hit 12 o'clock, and our guitarists and drummer don't hold back on the volume, believe me. Probably more power than I need, as every once in a while the band tells me I need to turn it down.

The vent grill on the top of the amp makes me nervous. You can see the electronics in there. I always have a cover handy to protect from the rain or something.

The thing is a beast to lug around, though. 70+ lbs. My back can't take as much abuse as it used to. Definitely worth the money for casters.

Yeah - the B-450 as a stand-alone is very powerful, and many times I use it solely for the fire stations and local bistros when I sit in.

I put those Shepard Dual-Wheel casters in the existing sockets - and I see now that I can leave the rubber feet on the cab - but the B-115 and B-410 cabs need to have the rubber feet removed to allow the wheels to swivel.

The very low profile of the Shepards keep the unit low to the floor and you can get them with or without wheel brakes too.

This pix shows how the grill comes off just in case you need to know.



Make sure that you don't block those vents though as they are the lifeblood of the cooling fans.

I built a rack to go over them for my power conditioner and my wireless, that I put rubber feet on it to elevate it about 3/4" or so and that allows air to exit well enough.

That provides me with protection from what I had happen once:::

A trumpet player came onstage and he put his beer down on top of my cab. I immediately told him to take it off - I actually took it off myself and handed it to him and he tried to put it back on top of the cab again.

He looked at me like: 'Whazzup with that?"

I threw his beer into the bushes alongside the stage.

[billgoodwin]

Originally Posted by SurferJoe46

Yeah -



A trumpet player came onstage and he put his beer down on top of my cab. I immediately told him to take it off - I actually took it off myself and handed it to him and he tried to put it back on top of the cab again.

He looked at me like: 'Whazzup with that?"

I threw his beer into the bushes alongside the stage.

that's just fierce.....lol

[SurferJoe46]

I think he didn't want to risk a fist in the mouth - playing a trumpet and all. I tend to swing first and then ask why they did something whilst they are laying on the floor.

What amazes me is some people have no respect for other's gear and treat it like a footstool or table top.

[Slackerprince]

Originally Posted by SurferJoe46

I think he didn't want to risk a fist in the mouth - playing a trumpet and all. I tend to swing first and then ask why they did something whilst they are laying on the floor.

What amazes me is some people have no respect for other's gear and treat it like a footstool or table top.

Tell him he can use your amp for a table, if he doesn't mind you emptying a beer into his horn.

[aztomr]

I currently play through a B200, I would reccomend it to anyone who would listen. When they said it was heavy, they weren't lying. After A few months the guitarist in my band bought me casters for my birthday. For months before that evrey time he'd move my amp, he'd look over at me and simply say"wheels".

[SurferJoe46]

Originally Posted by aztomr

I currently play through a B200, I would reccomend it to anyone who would listen. When they said it was heavy, they weren't lying. After A few months the guitarist in my band bought me casters for my birthday. For months before that evrey time he'd move my amp, he'd look over at me and simply say"wheels".

This I love!!!

For months before that evrey (sic) time he'd move my amp, he'd look over at me and simply say"wheels"

What sized stick did you use to train your guitarist to hump your combo around?

[SurferJoe46]

Originally Posted by Slackerprince

Tell him he can use your amp for a table, if he doesn't mind you emptying a beer into his horn.

Couldn't I just hit him instead? It's so much more satisfying.