Fender BXR 200

I bought my amp new from Turrumurra Music ( Sydney ) in 1999
I play in a cover band (60s 70s 80s and a bit of 90s) and also use it at church, its good for what I want it for.

I have one bass, its a Jazz Bass American Deluxe and has active electronics. I find that this combination of bass and amp gives a avery trebley sound sound along with bottom end. Sometimes I find the treble a bit annoying and want a more porky fatter sound.
I think that with the various settings availble on the bass and the amp there are to many variables to drive it. ( I'm no expert here)

The amp has never broken down, however I have had two problems. I found that I had to plug a patch lead in the effect loop at the back but found the jacks had a dry joint that have now been fixed.
I have had a similar problem of dry joints this time with the electrolytic capacitors of the power supply. I had the capacitors changed and now its ok.
I think one of the problems is that solder joints can become fatigued by vibration.

I got my amp repaired by an authorised Fender dealer called Meg Electronics in sydeny phone 02 98316454. They are really nice people to deal with and do know the products they service.

I have been playing bass for 30 years, but heck I'm no John Entwhistle or Marcus Miller. I would buy a different amp just for a change.
I do find the amp heavy and trying to but it in the boot (Or trunk if you American) is a bit hard on the old back especially for an old git like me. I do not like the handles on the side. I would rather two spring loaded handles.
Over all this is a great amp.

never use the tremelo but otherwise there are a heap of knobs, more than enough

i love the notch buttons, they produce an awesome tone

i am no experienced player, only 5 years on the bass and really a lead guitarist, but the last band i was in, this amp made up a huge part of our sound, and we were a 6 piece! style was world music meets pearl jam.

i played at least 20 amps in shops before stumbling across this one, the tone instantly grabbed me and i knew i had found my baby, and Im only playing a indonesian Cort entry level 4 string.

never had a problem in 3 years, and it gets rattled around in the back of a panel van, no carpet, dust, corrugated roads, sweaty Queensland summers, but no winters like North America.

fender are in US and im in Australia, take it to the local bloke if needs be

i was gonna sell this amp cause im heading to europe for 1 year, i am selling everything else but now doing some research on the net and am keeping it forever.

200W ? 100% solid state Bass head, 9 bands EQ with , Bass and treble shelving rotary pots, 3 enhancers button deep, notch and bright, Deltacomp compressor/clipper and ?footswitchable? Chorus adjustable in depth and rate. LED for power, Chorus and Deltacomp (when it clips). Effect loop, ?? and XLR line out. I got mine with a 2-10?+horn (adjustable) fender BXR210H cabinet.
I put 9 because of a lack of mute switch (isn?t everybody tune their axe during gigs once in a while?) and headphone jack for silent practice. Just a remark; the head is ugly (black pseudo-velvet covered, front panel is black buttons are not vintage look, punched venting grill, Fender label is painted white with a blue stripe) Fender should be more careful with their image with stuff that looks good and their label should be a nice stamped chrome plate like on the cabinet and vintage amps.
Very portable (handle is on its side) rubbers on bottom and right side to use it horizontally or vertically (which I would trust only for storage). 25-30 pounds. AC cord is permanently attached rather than disconnectable and there is nothing to wind it around. Cab has plastic internal handles that I will not trust next winter and is as portable as cab can be?

My main axe is a Fender Geddy Lee Jazz Bass with a drop D tuner and an upgraded Squier P-bass featuring a Kent Armstrong vintage split coil (all ceramic magnet pickups should be upgrade with AlNiCo?). I played a lot with settings to finally adopt a 100% flat setup using only the notch enhancer and the deep enhancer when playing with a band. A very clean sound. The chorus is interesting, with my P-Bass, it sounds exactly like the studio version of Sting?s Driven To Tears bass line (Early 80?s Police). I think I?ll use it once in awhile on original material, it allows power chords to sound decently (why not), using it frequently would be annoying. The sound of my Jazz Bass is really nice and far better than the Bassman 60 that I traded in. I play a lot in drop D and the low notes are sounding good. The reason for the 9 is because I?m still frustrated about not getting the Ampeg SVT all tube that I could not afford. But the BXR is less than half priced on the market. A negative aspect, when I use my Jazz in a single pickup config (the neck PU of course) it is feeding back when played very loud and just in front of the cab, a situation that I will avoid in gigs.
Note for guitarists; I own a Strat-style Japanese Vantage with a zoom multi effect. Using it with the BXR sounds just like if it was built for guit (2 10?s and a horn is a good match). Sounds wonderfully but a spring reverb will be missing for guitarists.

I have it since 3 months but either the previous owner was an example or it is really reliable since it?s more than 5 years old, it looks new and beside the normal hiss of using a JazzBass single coil there is no undesirable noise.

Gigging with it is a charm, in very small clubs, it can be used by itself, larger gigs requires XLR out.

I had a question regarding usage of a second cab, no details in PDF genuine manual available online and no Email address for customer service at Fender.

I have been playing bass for 25 years. But more seriously in the last 5 years. I play in one coverband (rock alternative 80-90?s and actual) and one original band (we recently record our first demo) we are gigging regularly. I still use a semi crappy Squire 15W for quiet practice, I owned an underpowered Fender Bassman 60 for 3 years (I had to depend on the XLR out to the PA for gigs). A Peavey TNT115 was also loaned to me for 6 months and I hated its sound, no match, even the Bassman 60 was better soundwise. And I had the opportunity to gig with tube Ampeg SVT and Trace Elliot, the BXR is quite close and I am really wandering how come this amp is not renowned as top quality/price bargain as far as solid state amp. The shop that had it for sale had a Bassman 200 Combo and a SWR Workingman 200 for $150 more, I think the BXR was a Deal and The Bassman 200 wasn?t . I tried them all, I did not like the Bassman200 more than my former 60, and the SWR was about a match with the BXR. I am really wandering how come Fender made the decision to drop the BXR line in favor of the Bassman line (not the vintage tube ones) If it would be stolen, I would sincerely look for the same thing unless I found $1000 more for an SVT with a 4x12+horn?

I don't know when I was made. I play funk, metal & jazz. It does the job really well! It's versatile because EQ bands works good, and have low & treble independent boosts.

I used this amp in practices, not in gigs yet, but I would love test this baby on stage... I have 125 watts of power, it would work, huh?

Is a great amp.

I played my Peavey Milestone III bass with jazz bass pickups. It can gives me good sounds for jazz (I love these warms tones), funk (slap lovers, here's your amp combo...) and metal (excellent crunch tones).

It just doesn't work well when you get your EQ with high trebles. A little of noisy appears. But I should carry it to a good technician. I bought this amp used, so, maybe it needs a "little help" from tech's tools.

You need distortion???? Beware: It could blow for mind!!!!

Sorry, it have a 10, because I would love have more defined tones. But no bad at all!!! An excellent option for a little investment.

I could depend on it, absolutly. I never played with a backup, so... Totally reliable, baby!! Get it now!!!!

I bought this combo a week ago, I never had a deal with Fender. Made in USA, who needs more explanations?

I play bass since fice years ago. I have a Laney R2 too. My basses are a Peavey Milestone III (my first bass), a handmade fine bass four string with passive soapbar EMG's & Warwick Thumb passive fretless four strings. Recently I moved my DOD pedals set to an Ibanez EQ and Boss limiter.

I love from my Fender the reliability and versatility. I'm love with this amp, I couldn't say something I hate about this combo.

If it stolen or destroyed (I would love to meet somebody who can destroy it, Fender built BXR like a damn tank!!!) I heartbroken, and will get the same quickly... No doubts.

I compare it with other combos in this range, I own a Laney R2 too and I love both. The BXR gives me a wide range of sounds, the R2 gives me more power and crunch... I tested Peavey TKO, awful. I played with Ampeg's combos. They probably can gives you better sound, but paying sooo much more than a BXR. Who wants spends money for a little more crunch? If you wants a good sound, but you have no space for two big cabinets in your basement or bedroom... You're a BXR's fan and you didn't know it!!!

This is the best choice for a player. This is the best combo I ever played. Just heads are better. I'm very very proud having this combo.

It's a bass amp. How versatile does it have to be? Has an equalizer plus bass and treble boost push buttons. That's versatile enough.

I play bass out of my keyboard through a dedicated line into this amp. It blows the pants off any Hartke or Peavey that I have played through. Fender's been around since the 50's. This amp shows you why.

I haven't put the volume past 2 yet and it still kicks over the drummer and loud guitarist. Anybody that plays this amp at 5 or better needs to have their hearing checked (and that of their neighbors!).

I bought mine used and don't have a bunch of hours on it yet. Based on my previous experiences with Fender products, I'll be dead before it will.

No experiences with factory service, warranty, etc. Never had a problem with Fenders.

This is absolutely the best bass amp for the money that you will ever find. Ebay occasionally has an auction for one in the $200+range. The BXR 300 is a little more powerful but you won't need it, believe me. If you can buy a 300 for the same money, obviously do it.

The amp has alot of features
shelving
and several band eq

compression
etc.

I use 2 P-basses
There always seesm to be a hiss to this guy.
The biggest problem was the cabinet.

I had a 4ohm peavey black widow cabinet...If you crank the amp above 5; IT FRIED THE SPEAKER THIS HAPPENED 2X

I put an 8ohm in the cabinet and never turned it above 4
I am surprised no one else notice this problem.
It alos lost all tonal qualities after about 4 on the volume dial

IT WILL BLOW YOUR SPEAKERS IF YOU RUN IT ABOVE 5 (MASTER VOLUME).
I had to finish one show DI

This sucked

It is fender, once they get your money...

I would never buy this amp again.
I sold it and the peavey cabinet with a new speaker for $300.

It is big and heavey, I though the tone was only good at very low volumes.

If only there was an external speaker jack on this amp, it would a 10 rating. As for that, it's got awesome features. I put casters on it recenly because it is heavy an I gig 5 nights a week. This amp is a ROCK. It takes a lot of knocks but always sounds great. I owned a Bassman 300 before. It blew up and I got the BXR as a loaner untill the warranty repaired the Bassman. I made the swap with the dealer after 3 gigs and told him to keep the Bassman. I play everything from country, rockabilly, punk rock, hard rock and metal and the BXR RULES!

I play my Fender p bass and J bass, 3/4 scale Gretsch and an Upright Cermona Upright bass through it. All sound awesome. Would like to eventually get another BXR 200 and piggy-back the BXR I have already for extra boom. The chorus is seldom used, but the tonality of it sounds rich and wavey.

This amp is the Cal Ripken of bass amps. 5 days a week, through brutal Canadian winters and sauna like humidity of clubs and Southern Ontario summers, beer spills, knocks, bumps, dust and it sounds like new. It's the only amp I own and I never worry about it.

It was the brand new Bassman 300 that conked out and died on me. BXR was the loaner that kicked the Bassman's arse goodbye. The deal was awesome in that respect of the loaner which I now own. YEAH, baby!

I have been playing bass for around 25 years. I used to own an Acoustic B350 bass amp (350 watt head, 18" speaker in a massive "reflex" bass bin cabinet. It was my baby, but once the head blew up, I couldn't get parts to repair it. Thank god I don't have to truck around that "coffin" sized rig again, but the BXR offers everything that I had before minus 150 watts and 290 pounds of wood and bulk. Get one if you see one....are let me know so I get buy another one!

Used $200 US

I bought this used and am very happy with what I got for the price. I play everything from country to rock and funk and this amp seems to get it all taken care of for me.

It's a solid state 200 watt 1 X 15" Combo. It is fairly heavy, but it comes with fantastic recessed handles that are placed in the perfect spots on either side. I went a head and stuck it on casters just because.

It has an effects loop, two line outs, active and passive inputs, 9 band EQ (very nice feature, chorus (hardly use it but it doesn't sound bad at all for certain applications), Clip Protection button that doesn't seem to do much. Deep, Notch, and Bright buttons add a nice variation.

I gig this thing regularly and am very happy with it for the price I paid.

I use a five string Peavey and as I said before I play everything from country to rock....some blues...some funk/jazz. This amp handles it all including the Low B string....no problems at all.

Mine has a slight buzz, but it's nothing horrible at all.

This dang thing is loud.....it rumbles like a son of a gun. That's what I like. It doesn't have an ext speaker out like the BXR200 Head but I would have liked it if it did. I think a ten or two would make a difference in the punch out front.

Good Lord! The wood is thick as heck. It's heavy. It's solid.

I never gig without a back up, but this used amp is solid and I trust it this far.

I have never dealt with Fender direct. But I was happy to be able to download the user manual right off the internet. I bought this used as I said.

I'm a frustrated lead guitar player who picked up bass and found a job n any band I wanted. When it comes to bass I am a big fan of Gallien-Kruger, but for the price I paid this amp is excellent.

I just bought this amp last september because I was playing a larger gig and I needed something with more balls. This amp gives me everything I have ever wanted. When I bought this amp I was mainly playing jazz/blues, but now I play everything from punk to funk on this and it sounds great

I rarely ever use the chorus, no need for it. I may invest in a 2x10" cab for it in addition to the 1x15" for some high end.

Right now I am using a fender donald dunn p-bass and it sounds amazing. I've played a musicman stingray on this amp as well, also amazing.

Like I said, a very versatile amp, I use it for many music styles and it hasn't let me down yet.

The only problem I have ever had was when I broke the volume pot switch off while transporting it. But that was my own fault.

At one of my gigs another band was playing and the bassist blew out his ampeg and actually used my bxr in it's place....the bxr handled it all with ease.

Nere had to deal with the company

I have been playing for 6 years and I would recommend this amp to anyone that was looking for a step up. They're somewhat difficult to find because fender trashed the bxr and went to the bassman line. I have personally played the biggest bassman combo amp and I was no where near as impressed with it as I was with the bxr. For the money, it is a great amp

I play in a progressive rock band but I am also an active jazz bassist. I basically use every feature that the amp includes, the XLR jack, effects loop (when my pedals were still working), and especially the chorus, its nice not to have to mess with the distortion of box effects. The 9 Band EQ is amazing becuae i can tweak my sound to however i feel my bass should present itself. The Dyna clip protect serves me quite well.

Volume is amazing. I can play loud without having to crank the master all the way and i dont have to worry about clipping. I use it with both an Ibanez BTB 5 string custom thats loaded with super active pickups and a Dean Razor thats completely passive. It's incredible because i can just drop a slider to eliminate that single coil buzz. The chorus, again, is wonderfully clear and easy to control. The only problem I had was when i used to play on a Peavey 115 cabinet. I recently purchased a Peavey 410 TVX, and now the tone and control just roars...

I have virtually no problems with the amp whatsoever. Something did go wrong at one point and i lost all sound, however, it was easily fixed and performs even better now.

Nope

I've played this amp for nearly a year now and the more I am able to play with it, and the more time I get to tweak it, the better it sounds. I don't plan to rid myself of it soon.