Compare Evans amp models

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 12 Apr 2004 3:47 pm

What are the main Evans amp's out there. What are people's favorites and why? When did they offer a low voltage preamp? Is it also FET based?

Thanks,
Brad Sarno

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 13 Apr 2004 4:56 am

How does the SE200 compare to the FET500?

Brad Sarno

Gerald Menke · Post by **Gerald Menke** » 13 Apr 2004 5:39 am

Hello Brad,

I used an Evans SE200 for about two years, but moved on for a few reasons. Although even the 200 watt version of their SE series weighs only 40 lbs., and thus looks pretty good on paper as far as the power/weight ratio is concerned, to my ears, this amp did not have the tone I was looking for. I will say this, though, I think the problem was in the power amplifier and speaker; once I plugged the preamp into a Hafler power amp and Bogner speaker cabinet, and it came to life! Much more three-dimensional, complex tone than with the stock power amp and speaker. My biggest complaint with these amps? No control for midrange! The treble control doesn't really have much effect on the sound, the bass control was pretty powerful, though.

In sum, if you want a ton of power, in a very durable, lightweight amp, the SE200 is a good option, but to my ears, there's just no substitute for a tube amplifier. Customer service at Evans is first rate: I had a diode fail once, and they replaced it immediately and just charged me for shipping. Please reply or send me a mail if you have any other questions.

Gerald [This message was edited by Gerald Menke on 13 April 2004 at 06:40 AM.]

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 13 Apr 2004 2:58 pm

What's up with the FET 500?

Brad Sarno

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 13 Apr 2004 3:46 pm

re: Gerald's post above, he & I set up side by side last year and sort of twinned---damn, Gerald, that would be fun to do again---his SE and my FET and I think we both agreed that the FET was kinda kicking. And speaking of treble controls, I've never seen anybody post about his FET without mentioning how you can peel paint at any setting over 2 or so. It's a real nice amp. I'm using Fenders these days but I'm real pleased to have the Evans as backup.

BTW--it doesn't say anywhere on it and I don't know how to tell whether this Derrell Stephens era amp is HV or LV. Got it from Ricky Davis who said he thought it was HV but I don't think he was real sure either.

Another BTW----with no offense intended toward anyone, the aesthetics of the face panel on this are not exactly in a class with the classics.

[This message was edited by Jon Light on 13 April 2004 at 04:50 PM.]

Jody Cameron · Post by **Jody Cameron** » 14 Apr 2004 5:25 am

Brad, I have an FET-500 (small cab.) and I really like it. With a bit of tweaking, a really good tone can be dialed in for just about any guitar (at least the ones I've tried...Sho-Bud; Emmons p/p and Carter). I use the Evans and an RV-3, and that's it. I can't say about the SE-200 b/c I've never used one, however, I also have a PV N400 factory mod, that I use from time to time and I like it as well.

John Lacey · Post by **John Lacey** » 14 Apr 2004 6:09 am

Jon, is that really an FET? I had a FET 500 LV and it had the blackfaced control panel. Yours looks like a bridge between the Hybrid 300 and the FET models.

Roger Kelly · Post by **Roger Kelly** » 14 Apr 2004 7:08 am

I have 3 Evans FET 500 Amps Derrell Stephens built in 1994, just before he sold out to Ed Buffington. I have 1 LE and 1 SE cabinet that has the 15" Evans Eclipse Speakers in them, and they will HONK! I also have a Fender Twin with 2-12's 100 Watt Tube Power that will cut through most loud Drummers and Tele Players, as will the Evans.

I am now using a Evans SE FET 500 with a Emenince Deltalite 2515 8 ohm 300 watt RMS, along with a 115 speaker cabinet loaded with another Deltalite 2515 8 ohm 300 watt RMS and I can get a Large Sound with these speakers in addition to having an amp that weighs around 40 lbs and a speaker cabinet that weighs around 20 lbs because of the light weight (7lb) 15" Deltalite speakers.
I have always liked Fender, Webb, Peavey,and Evans Amps. I don't think you can find much better on the market, however I do have a feeling that the newer Evans Amps just don't have the sound that the Stephens Era Amps do.....and I really don't know why? IMHO

Graham Bland · Post by **Graham Bland** » 14 Apr 2004 8:04 am

Roger is correct because if you look at the schematics between the Derrell Stephens era amps and what Buffington is making today, the FET's that are used are entirely different. The amp that Derrell and Jim created the FET 500 LV "WAS MAGIC", or as audiophiles would call it "SONIC INTEGRITY"
but don't believe me, get a Derrell Stephens era FET 500 LV and a new Evans amp made today and see for yourself.

Again I tip my hat to Derrell!!!!

Jon Light (deceased) · Post by **Jon Light (deceased)** » 14 Apr 2004 10:13 am

Hey John Lacey---yes sir. It's an FET 500 Custom. S/N 7023. I know nothing at all about the history and evolution of these babies so I'll leave it to someone else to chronical the faceplate periods.
BTW---as I understand a number of folks have done, I put a BW speaker in it and find it to be an improvement over the Eclipse. The Eclipse isn't bad. But I feel that the BW is better.[This message was edited by Jon Light on 14 April 2004 at 11:14 AM.]

Brad Sarno · Post by **Brad Sarno** » 14 Apr 2004 12:28 pm

Graham, was there a FET 500 HV? Do people prefer the LV to the HV?

Brad Sarno

Graham Bland · Post by **Graham Bland** » 14 Apr 2004 1:58 pm

Hi Brad,

Yes there was a FET 500 HV that was a predecessor to the LV although I'm not quit sure why Derrell and Jim made the switch.

Jeff Hogsten · Post by **Jeff Hogsten** » 15 Apr 2004 7:41 pm

Brad

i owned a music store in 70 and 80 and sold ten to fifteen evans hi voltage amps.Now you will be told a lot of things about the lv I dont know why they made the switch but believe me thay are not as good a amp just like they try and say the eclipse speaker is as good as the JBL no way no way I had the last one I kept burned up when I plugged it in a bad outlet and Ive never been able to find another one. HOw many have you seen on here for sale, does that tell you anything. As far as I know all the LV have a LV on them Jeff

Jim Bob Sedgwick · Post by **Jim Bob Sedgwick** » 17 Apr 2004 9:19 pm

Guys, I know it's not tubes, but the Evans FET500 is also a great guitar amp for those of us who double on lead guitar. My experience with FET 500's is they are as close to a tube amp sound as any transistor amp made. I love mine. It's my favorite transistor amp. And it's nice not to have to carry two amps to a gig.