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Search for 200w combo

JimmyM

JimmyM

Apr 11, 2005
127,257
125,180
Plymouth NC
Disclosures
Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
#1
I want to buy a nice light 200w 2 x 10" combo in the $500 new range and I'm not all that familiar with them, so I want some opinions from those who have used them. I'll tell you a little about my likes and dislikes, then name off 3 or 4 amps I've been checking out, and you all can tell me what you think would be best suited to my likes.

I play out regularly and I will be using this amp to double on upright with an EBS Microbass II for a DI/A-B switcher. My favorite amp of all time is an Ampeg SVT (too bad they're 9000 lbs.!). I currently own an SWR SM-500/Tube Works 410T rig which is great, and a 1966 Ampeg B-15N that will be buried with me. I don't mind solid state amps at all unless they sound brittle. I like a full-bodied sound with a warm bottom, a light touch of treble only for clarity (but would like to add it when necessary), and a slight bump in the upper mids. Out of the totally solid state heads I've used, I probably like the sound of GK the best as long as it's not paired up with a Hartke cab.

Here's a few I'm considering and why:

Nemesis NC 210 (250 w) - I don't like Eden but I never really minded Nemesis amps. I've only played early models and I have no idea what they sound like now, but I liked that the ones I played didn't have that ultra-shimmery high end like an Eden. It's a little short on features, but it has the ones I need. Plus it's only 47 lbs., which counts when you're old.

Genz Benz ML 200/210T (200 w) - Not at all familiar with Genz Benz, but Fender puts them out now so they must be good ;) At 60 lbs., it's the heaviest one I've got listed, but if it puts me closer to a warm tubey sound than the others, I would suck it up.

GK Backline 210 (200 w) - This is the only one of the three that I've played. I liked it and I think I could deal with it. It probably has more features than the others, but it's debatable if I'll find a use for most of them.

Right now, at 47 lbs. and 50 w more than the other two, I'm feeling the love for the Nemesis. But I'd also like to hear about any other amps in that wattage-price range that you all think would be good for me. They have to be 2 x 10", in the $500 ballpark, and fairly light. And 200 w is the least I can get away with and 300 w would probably be max because of weight issues. And no Behringer, please!
 
#2
From those you quoted, I would go with Genz Benz. Solid construction, fantastic customer service and very loud for the price.
The Nemesis is fine, I'd avoid GK Backline that doesn't live up to expectations.

The Traynor XM200 is well worth considering too.
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#4
Jazz Ad said:
From those you quoted, I would go with Genz Benz. Solid construction, fantastic customer service and very loud for the price.
The Nemesis is fine, I'd avoid GK Backline that doesn't live up to expectations.

The Traynor XM200 is well worth considering too.
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+1 on the Traynor / Yorkie. Well built and quite loud for its size. I use the 2 X 10 combo in our rehearsal space. I've found that preloading it with a BDDI or the like smoothes out the midrange response.

Riis
 
#5
Hey Jimmy, whats happening my brother?

Of the one's you listed, I would suggest the GK, since you are going to be using your upright thru it. It seems a lot of those guys like the GK amps for those (for example Charlie Hayden)

I love the Fender bassman 250/210 I have, but it's 63 pounds, and about $100 more than you are looking to spend. I also don't know how an upright would sound thru it, since I've never tried it personally.

Take care Jimmy-as always it's great to chat with ya' :hyper:
 
#7
I was never satisfied with my GK Backline 210. For one thing, the speakers aren't up to the 200 watts the amp can put out. To get the full power, you need to upgrade the speakers. Also - Charlie Haden does run through GK, but not Backline. If you can find a non-backline 700RB/210 combo used (I think that's the combo unit I'm thinking of), that might be more the way to go. More power, better quality components.

The Backline 210 is also about 65 lbs.
 
#9
JimmyM said:
Genz Benz ML 200/210T (200 w) - Not at all familiar with Genz Benz, but Fender puts them out now so they must be good ;) At 60 lbs., it's the heaviest one I've got listed, but if it puts me closer to a warm tubey sound than the others, I would suck it up.
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It should be Genz Benz is great even though Fender is involved. :) Fender just purchased the parent company but GB is still being run by the same people.

Here's a deal:

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A combo for the price of a cab!!!
 
#10
JimmyM said:
Not at all familiar with Genz Benz, but Fender puts them out now so they must be good ;)
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I think most of us GB fans are hoping and praying that the astonishingly high Genz Benz quality and customer service don't go *down* now that Fender purchased the parent company. ;)

I doubt things will change. Genz Benz maintained their quality and service when Kaman bought them, so hopefully all will be well with the new acquisition.

I know nothing about the ML200 combo, though. But just as a couple of general comments: 1) I think this one is being discontinued, so if you choose it, look for closeout pricing deals; 2) GB quality really is amazing, and their dedication to customer support is just as high, even on discontinued products.

I may be wrong on the discontinued part ...

As far as upright with this combo goes, pm TB user Hasbeen. He's the Genz Benz product manager, and also was a double bass performance major in school.

Good luck!
 
#13
I have the Yorkville XM200T and it sounds great and is bombproof (it is currently being replaced by a Traynor with the same specs, I believe). I don't know of a better waranty either: 10 years full, "even if you break it"! (for all Yorkie/Traynor stuff) Only downside is it is a about 70 lbs. and has no side handles, making it a bit difficult to transport. You can also hook up a seperate cab to get the full power of the amp...many people seem to love the addition of a 1x15 (yorkie makes one specifically for it). Anyway, you can't really go wrong with it.
 
#16
bigcardinal said:
I have the Yorkville XM200T and it sounds great and is bombproof (it is currently being replaced by a Traynor with the same specs, I believe). I don't know of a better waranty either: 10 years full, "even if you break it"! (for all Yorkie/Traynor stuff) Only downside is it is a about 70 lbs. and has no side handles, making it a bit difficult to transport. You can also hook up a seperate cab to get the full power of the amp...many people seem to love the addition of a 1x15 (yorkie makes one specifically for it). Anyway, you can't really go wrong with it.
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The new Traynor version of this amp has side handles. I agree that it's a good sounding amp and probably the best bargain of the bunch.
 
#17
I use an Eden Nemesis 2x10 200watt'er at school and it is AWESOME. Great quality amp, and the thing doesn't weigh too much. I believe the model I use is discontinued, but I can imagine the quality can only get better. +1 on a nemesis
 
#18
The Nemesis in the classifieds is a 200B, which I suppose is the older version of the 210/200. I just PM'd the guy about it and said I'd take it. If he already sold it, it's back to the drawing board.

Beef, good to hear from you, my man! How's things been going with your new gig?
 
#20
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