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Verellen Meatsmoke vs AD200b

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itsnottruerufus

Guest
Apr 13, 2011
141
7
#1
So I'm looking to pick my "dream amp" and I had my heart pretty set on a 200 watt Verellen Meatsmoke with a few minor mods to my taste, but I'd kind of spaced the AD200b when I thought of this. I have a 410 ampeg cab and the meat smoke would overhang about an inch and a half on either side of the cab, which is kind of a bummer. The meatsmoke would weigh like ~65 pounds and the AD is ~55, so not a huge difference, but I feel like the meatsmoke would be much more versatile, 2 channels, custom built, great service, "sounds like bass", and is just all around awesome, but I haven't actually had a chance to play one, just heard it online and live. I have played the AD200b and on most occasions I play it, I'm totally into the sound it gets, but it seems like a bit of a one trick pony, but I do really like that one trick.

I play 2 P basses (one with SPB-3's) and a Passive Jazz, I like a kind of grindy P bass with a pick tone (not too dirty but with a bit of edge too it) and then the just straight forward Fender through a SVT tone (warm and round), and I play like, indie rock, punk, post rock, and emo type stuff, and the list of guys using Meatsmokes that I listen to is pretty impressive (Cory from Minus the Bear, Nate from Sunny Day Real Estate, Brian from Russian Circles, Andrew from Against Me!, and I know Owen Mallon had one for a while.

Anyone out there whose played the two and could give me some insight?
 
#2
I have played both, I owned the AD200B and I sold it a while ago, just to buy the Verellen Meatsmoke (I also had only heard it live and online)

I had a good talk with Ben about what sound I wanted, what gear I played and such, he tweaked the amp a little bit to make it sound like I want. And I am blown away, the absolute best amp I've ever played (and I've been through a couple of Oranges, Ampegs, Markbass, Gallien Kruger etc etc)

Wouldn't sell this amp for anything in the world, and YES, it is versatile, can go from the smoothest cleans to a good overdriven slight gritty tone on the clean channel, and from classic rock to full on almost fuzz-like distortion on the gain channel. The EQ and the EQ switches are amazing, moving one of the EQ knobs just a pinch will get you a new tone

I've had this for a couple of weeks, and I'm still tweaking and finding sounds I like more and more!
 
#9
Orange is a bit of a one trick pony, but what a wonderful trick it is. Passive P or J into an AD200 into a 215 is absolute sonic bliss, and so plug and play. I recently re-purchased an AD200 after selling mine a couple of years ago and regretting it ever since. I could have purchased a second hand Verellen but went for the Orange simply because its one vibe is specifically what I am after. It just oozes thick, creamy and defined bottom end. Read Tom Bowlus' review in Bass Gear Magazine. Bear in mind I also have a Fender Super Bassman 300 so versatility wasn't a factor in my decision.
 
#11
This is just a personal observation and not at all scientific, but I have seen a few bands with each amp and I always like the sound of the bass better with the guys who use the Orange. The Meatsmoke always seems to get lost in the mix. Of course, these are different players, with different basses, different bands, different mixes, at different venues, but it still seems to be a trend. Whenever I see stuff like this I always wonder if it is one of those issues where on its own the amp is just killer sounding but in a mix it is lacking.
 
#12
Isn't the build quality on the Verellen way better than on the Orange?

I'm not trying to start a PCB vs turret board discussion, but I think repairs should be easier on the Verellen. And having the output tubes on the chassis instead of on a PCB makes sense to me.
The AD200 always struck me as a good amp, but too expensive for what it is.
 
#13
The Orange I played did not have enough volume. It sounded good turned down low but turning up over 80% for one did not seem like I could get heard over a drummer and two sounded terrible through a Mesa Diesel 410. Back to the 400+ and it was a chainsaw of volume ripping your head off. Most 'lost in the mix' is because bassists tones are also 'lost in the weeds' with how to EQ it. I'd go Verellen as well. Resale will be better also if you ever want the Orange.
 
#15
sort of off topic,

but where is the 2014 version of the Sunn 2000?

a quartet of KT88s and a dead simple preamp (volume, bass, mid & treble) - no preset EQ voicings (one of the turn-offs of the new Mesa amps) or other silly features. Put any savings into top quality components. There is a reason prices for old 200 / 2000 Sunn heads have just gone crazy in the past few years: a straightforward design, without any gimmicks, good quality parts and solid build quality.

Just make it in either the USA or some other first world country where the people who make the amp could realistically afford to buy one. (see Henry Ford...)

the success of the new Ampeg V4b resissue proves that we don't need 300+ watts to play at club level volume; I just prefer KT88s over 6L6s (for bass) and I do everything possible to avoid buying products that reflect the "race to the bottom" - super low prices that require equally low wages. I'd rather save up for an extra 6 months and buy an amp built by craftsmen. (who could then afford to buy other well made products) But then I've never set foot in a Wal-Mart, so what do I know?
 
#16
I've never heard a meatsmoke live, but I love their sound clips on line. I've been in a basement show where a guy played an AD200B through my ampeg 410e with a 70's jazz and it KILLED. I was standing in the back of the room and I was getting punched in the gut with his tone.

I am a fan of the one trick pony sound as long as it's done well. I find a tone I like and stick with it. Just my .02.
 
#17
One of my favorite bass players was renting an AD200 for when they toured the states last year, and he sounded incredible. It was definitely the best (and only) time I heard an AD200 and fell in love with the sound. I have to assume it's one of those "tone in the fingers" situation, because I bet he can make anything sound amazing. But I've heard some not so good bands play out of Meatsmokes and they sounded excellent simply because of the amp. Always thick, loud, punchy, and massive sounding. I would of gone with a Meatsmoke as well. But who am I to say? I ended up finding a vintage SVT and just took that route. So, I say do what you're most comfortable with. But really, Meatsmoke all the way. Ben is one of the best.
 
#18
lexington125 said:
sort of off topic,

but where is the 2014 version of the Sunn 2000?

a quartet of KT88s and a dead simple preamp (volume, bass, mid & treble) - no preset EQ voicings (one of the turn-offs of the new Mesa amps) or other silly features. Put any savings into top quality components. There is a reason prices for old 200 / 2000 Sunn heads have just gone crazy in the past few years: a straightforward design, without any gimmicks, good quality parts and solid build quality.

Just make it in either the USA or some other first world country where the people who make the amp could realistically afford to buy one. (see Henry Ford...)

the success of the new Ampeg V4b resissue proves that we don't need 300+ watts to play at club level volume; I just prefer KT88s over 6L6s (for bass) and I do everything possible to avoid buying products that reflect the "race to the bottom" - super low prices that require equally low wages. I'd rather save up for an extra 6 months and buy an amp built by craftsmen. (who could then afford to buy other well made products) But then I've never set foot in a Wal-Mart, so what do I know?
Click to expand...
Part of the reason Sunn prices took off is their popularity with stoner/doom players. But I've long admired them--never had a chance to play through one, though.

The thing is, the simpler tube amps today that use top-quality components are still generally expensive (e.g. Reeves, which I'm GAS-ing for). I don't think those extra features on other amps cost much compared to the main parts--transformers, etc. Sunn heads were quite pricey for their time.
 
#20
I've had both and prefer the AD200 over the Verellen MS200 even though the Verellen has a lot more options available it can't get the AD200 tone.

Not to mention getting a great condition AD200 for around $1200 is very possible these days. I've never dealt with Ben but custom/boutique gear always has drawbacks that go along with it.
 

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