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Best 200w amp head on a medium budget?

J

J Murphy

Dec 18, 2023
1
0
#1
I recently bought a used Fender Rumble 200, and within a month the amp croaked and has been deemed "not field serviceable" by Fender themselves (multi-layer PCB issue), and every amp tech in the area has agreed. The speaker still works fine though as far as I can tell, so in an effort to not let the ~$450 I originally spent go to waste, I'm looking for a 200w amp head to use with it. Basically, I'm trying to figure out what's the least amount of money I can spend on a reasonably good amp head (used or new)?

I figure there will end up being a whole lot of different definitions of what "reasonably good" means, I'm just trying to get a better idea of what's out there. As an example, I had my eyes on a $150 used B200H head at a nearby GC that slipped through my fingers... any thoughts/opinions are much appreciated.
 
#4
I haven't sampled many in this category, but the GK MB200 is so good for me that last year I replaced one I sold years ago. I paid about $300 delivered. It's my backup and occasionally use it when venue parking is poor and I want to load in/out in one trip. A bit compressed in a pleasing way when pushed.

I did bang on a Trace ELF in a GC once. Seemed fine if you can stand to look at it.
 
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#5
Ben Clarke said:
I haven't sampled many in this category, but the GK MB200 is so good for me that last year I replaced one I sold years ago. I paid about $300 delivered. It's my backup and occasionally use it when venue parking is poor and I want to load in/out in one trip. A bit compressed in a pleasing way when pushed.

I did bang on a Trace ELF in a Guitar Center once. Seemed fine if you can stand to look at it.
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Slightly higher than $200, but worth it. Comes with a Gator bag. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#6
You can get the Ampeg PF350 used for between $250 and $300. You can get the Ampeg B2R for between $175 and $225. These are 350w, but you don't have to dime the volume. I see the gnome 200w amp for around $200, but I can't say anything about that one since I have not used it.
 
#7
J Murphy said:
I recently bought a used Fender Rumble 200, and within a month the amp croaked and has been deemed "not field serviceable" by Fender themselves (multi-layer PCB issue), and every amp tech in the area has agreed. The speaker still works fine though as far as I can tell, so in an effort to not let the ~$450 I originally spent go to waste, I'm looking for a 200w amp head to use with it. Basically, I'm trying to figure out what's the least amount of money I can spend on a reasonably good amp head (used or new)?

I figure there will end up being a whole lot of different definitions of what "reasonably good" means, I'm just trying to get a better idea of what's out there. As an example, I had my eyes on a $150 used B200H head at a nearby GC that slipped through my fingers... any thoughts/opinions are much appreciated.
Click to expand...
This is a combo? If you pull the amp section out of the cabinet, are you planning to fit whatever replacement you get back in that slot? That probably won't work. Otherwise…would you seal off the open gaps with plywood? Why not try to find another Rumble section to slip into the slot?

The Warwick Gnome was mentioned, great little amp, I have one, but primarily as a back-up "spare tire". As a separate head, I'd suggest the Traynor SB200, used. I've got the SB500, quite happy with it; they have a few more front end features over the Warwick.
 
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#8
There should be a wood partition between the amp section and the cabinet. There is a hole through which the speaker cable runs through into the cab. Install a jack (1/4 inch TS or SpeakOn) in the hole (sized appropriately). that should work fine as a cabinet. You might want to look into a switch for the horn. I usually run it on with my R115.

I have a Warwick Gnome i and it sounds great through my R115 cab. It's 130 watts 8Ω and 200 watts @ 4Ω.
 
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#10
MadJack said:
You might want to look into a switch for the horn. I usually run it on with my R115.
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I don't think that will work: I'm pretty sure the crossover is built into the amp section on the combos.

I'll pile on with maybe considering going with up to a 500w head for this: the Rumble 200 is more or less the Rumble V3 115 turned sideways, so it's 300w RMS at 8 ohms.

If you don't have any need for that much power, get a Warwick Gnome, which are going for around $150 used.
 
#11
Michedelic said:
As a separate head, I'd suggest the Traynor SB200, used. I've got the SB500, quite happy with it; they have a few more front end features over the Warwick.
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My SB200H has served me really well, FWIW. Just a no nonsense straight ahead format, and really really light.
 
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#13
The MB200 is a great little head but it is my personal opinion that GK heads sound best with GK cabinets and "eh" with any other brand of cabinet. If you're playing rock or metal, I'd look at the Darkglass Microtubes 200. You've also got the TC Electronic BAM200, Phil Jones BP200, Trace Elliot Elf, Ampeg MicroVR, and Traynor SB200H all at $350 or less.
 
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#15
Screenshot_20240105_110606_Chrome.jpg
 
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