Opinions on Eden Nemesis 2x10

[onosson]

I've seen some discussion on this combo, but I have a particular situation that I'd be interested to get some feedback regarding...

I play several times a year with a cover act that plays primarily out of my home province [read: state for all you US TalkBassers]. Depending on the gig, I will sometimes fly in and use house gear or get a rental. Our drummer/booking agent lives where we usually play and takes his van to the gigs.

I've been considering leaving a small rig with him to hold on to for me to avoid renting. I have a 2nd head (GK 700RBII) that I don't use much, and an Avatar 2x10 that I could leave with him. However, I really like the Avatar for some of the smaller rooms I play in locally, otherwise I have to bring my Marshall 4x10 (heavy) to all my shows in town, which I sometimes prefer not to - and I would left without a backup in town, too.

I recently came across a used Eden Nemesis 2x10 on Kijiji (like Craigslist) for $300 Canadian. It's actually being sold by an ex-student of mine, and looks a little bit worn on the exterior - so I might be able to talk him down a bit, too.

http://winnipeg.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-...dIdZ247172955#

What I'm wondering is whether this amp will cover me for this particular act. We primarily cover CCR, as well as classic rock of that era (Stones, Beatles, etc.) and most of the venues are casinos where they either don't want the band very loud, or have ample PA support. I don't necessarily want to be loud onstage, but I like to be able to have enough low mids and bass that I'll be able to hear myself over the drum kit especially (our guitarists play at reasonable volumes). I use amps in the 500W (@ 4ohm) range mostly and have no troubles there, but this amp is much lower powered - I haven't used an amp that small in many many years so I just wonder if people who have experience with it could give me their advice or opinions. Thanks!

[MysticMichael]

I own one of these. Got the first generation model in fact, manufactured in 1996 - the year that Nemesis was launched. Bought it on the aftermarket about four years ago, in great shape, for $250 US + shipping.

I use it mostly for home practice, and have gigged it only once at low volume. Even so, I could tell from that experience that it's much louder than its modest 200-watt rating would indicate. I have a feeling you'll love it.

The Nemesis NC210 is voiced surprisingly deep for a mass-production 2x10 combo, and it stays clean, smooth & warm (If you wanted to sound like Billy Sheehan or Geddy Lee, I'd say 'Get a different amp'. But it'll give you the round, warm Bill Wyman & Paul McCartney tones really well). And the woofers that Eden used are especially efficient - so this thing gets loud for a 2x10. Playing in a gymnasium-style hall with high ceilings, along with an acoustic upright piano and a small jazz drum kit, I was able to virtually fill that room - while scarcely touching the gain or the master volume. Impressive.

MM

[onosson]

Round and warm sounds ideal! Thanks for the info, much appreciated.

[millerfreak]

ive played this rig yesterday too, combo though. It was surprising. Lowend is very nice.

[M.R. Ogle]

I have the 410 version of that same amp. It's the loudest 200 watts you've ever heard.

IMO... If you got that combo and picked up an Eden 2-10 extension cabinet, you'd not be hurting for sonic thump in any way.

[ashtray]

Love this amp - not so much for it's tone, but for everything it offers. Don't get me wrong, it doesn't sound bad - but it's not my dream tone or anything.

What it does offer is a lot of volume (plenty for most small gigs), and features (parametric mids, compression, tuner out, balanced out, ext cab out, etc) - in a LIGHTWEIGHT package.

As a reference, after I bought one of these 2x10 combos, I bought a matching 2x12 cab, and then a similar 4x10 combo. When you pair up the 2x10 combo with the 2x12 cab, you LOSE wattage (no longer 200 watts - more like 140?), b/c it's wired in series. That said, you don't lose volume. You gain a little just b/c the speakers are closer to your ears - and you're moving more air. (when I've played outdoor gigs, I've thrown the 2x10 on top of the 4x10 - both powered combos - and I'll tell you - some nice volume there! and I could eq the two combos separately)

If you do get this, try it on it's side (2x10 vertical). You'll get better stage coverage out of it that way, and someplace to sit as well. Only downside is the controls will be stacked from the floor up.

Oh - lastly, I had an issue with mine sounding fuzzy - ended up being the power caps dried out. Common issue I think - and a cheap fix, good as new. While inside the amp I was quite impressed by the workmanship of how everything was neatly put together.

[onosson]

Thanks for all the opinions - I'm hoping the seller gets back to me soon so I can pick it up!

Gotta love TalkBass...

[JimmyM]

to be honest, those old nemmy combos are the only thing eden ever made that i liked. i briefly owned that same combo and i would say it would suit your needs. wasn't my favorite combo ever but it's solid and can put out.

[Lowest End]

I also have had an early production model since I bought it new around 1996-97. I gigged with it a bunch for low-medium shows. As others have said it's much louder than the 200 watts suggests.

It has a surprisingly good EQ on it and you can squeeze a lot of different tones out of it.

[JxBass]

I had the RS115 combo and it was very nice. Quite versatile. A friend bought one (on my recommendation) and used it for 120+ gigs a year for several years without a single issue.

[Avezzano]

That's the amp I used for years with no issues whatsoever!!! Now I use a LMK II or the G&K MB200 with either one of the several cabs around at home; so the trusty old Nemesis is used as resident in our rehearsal room; but the amp self is wonderful: lots of efficience (if I recall it right it is 100 dB Spl 1w/1m) and a "right in your face" aggressive sort of sound. Light, more powerful than the declared 225 w rms and much versatile.

[blackba]

My friend uses Nemesis 410 combo in his classic rock band. It works great, I have seen him live and liked the bass tones he was getting. I used to have a first gen Nemesis 410 combo, that was my first real bass amp. Plenty of volume and sounded good. I sold it to my friend who still has it.

Its too bad the Nemesis line was discontinued, I think they had a winner there. But I know Eden has been through a lot. Recently picked up an Eden WTDI as I do miss my Nemesis combo a bit.

[TheAnalogKid]

For the last few weeks, I have been GASing for my old Nemesis NC200 w/2x10. I owned one for four years and LOVED it!! I have seen a few ads for that same unit...someday soon I will have that amp back!!

"This is Special Agent Johnson...No, the other one!" ~ Robert Davi, Die Hard