Randall RG200 G3 Combo

This is a follow up to my previous review (EB).
I have now been sent the G3 plus as a warranty replacement for my faulty G3.
Made 2008
Please note that the G3 plus is described as having 3 channels i.e. 1 clean channel, classic gain and modern gain but the gain channels are identical.
The previous model had quite distinctly different gain channels.
The G3 plus does not. This is basically a two channel amp.
Less versatile than the older model!

Again randall are misadvertising this amp as having 3 channels. It has a great clean channel and a great modern distortion channel. No classic gain to be found here.

Too early to tell.
As per my previous review the G3 developed a fault just within the 1 year warranty period. Having spoken at length to the shop where I purchased. I'm told there was a batch that were faulty.
I was given a G3 plus as a replacement. Apparently this model has ironed out the problems the previous model had.
Waited 2 months for the replacement. Bought a Marshall TSL to keep me going. The marshall is now my main amp.

Baird Sound Systems in Belfast have been very good but the UK distributor were very slow to respond and deal with my warranty issue nor have Randall USA answered my emails.
Don't expect any response from the manufacturer and expect a slow response from the UK distributor if you have problems!
If you thinks this is not important wait until you have a faulty amp and need it sorted quickly!

I loved the G3 amp it was versatile and a gig worthy amp (setting aside the fault).
But the G3 plus (regardless of advertising) is basically a 2 channel amp. Which is fine if thats how you describe it and thats what you thought you were buying.
I think Randall have taken a step backwards in the G3 series but they've tried to hide that from their customers.
When I complained to the music shop about the difference in the G3 and G3 plus amps they contacted the UK ditributor. Their technical guy admitted that the new G3 plus has two identical distortion channels. If that is correct then thats how you should describe it Randall.

2006 model
Used for play everything from Metallica to Foo Fighters to Garth Brooks.
2 channels, Clean and Gain. Gain is swithcable between classic & modern. Effects loop with send and return volume knobs. Output for extension cab and also line out. Clean channel has boost switch.
each channel has channel volume, reverb and eq.
Footswitch to switch between channels, turn on/off reverb and effects and for clean boost also.
Amp is used for occassional gigging and in band rehersal studio.
It has plenty of power. Up against a large rock drum kit and another guitarists Marshall mode 4 amp and 4x12 cab it can be heard clearly. Volume never turned beyond 6.
No boost on the gian channel means and 9 instead of 10.

Played with Gibson Les Paul classic and Jackson SLSMG soloist.
Quite low end sound from this amp compared to marshall. But it is marketed towards the young metal palyer market. Just turn the bass down on the eq!
Clean channel sound great and the preamp vavle adds a nice warm tone. Crystal clear up to 7 on the volume knob. never had it any higher.
Gain channel is good also. I can get 70's rock to metallica metal.
Can be a bit noisy at higher gain levels but thats to be expected.
Only down side is that gain 1 & 2 share the eq so limits your sound available at the touch of the footswitch.
I also have the randall R212CX 2x12 extension cab which really spreads the sound. But it held its own well against marshall half stacks just as a combo.
A gain channel boost would make this a very versatile giging amp for rock/metal music. But ther is none so hence 9.

Have the amp for a year and started cutting out when boosted for solo sections in songs. Is currently back for warranty repair. Don't know the cause yet but will update when I know.
Shop owner said they have had no problems with the G3 until mine came back.
Up until then had been gigged without back up.
Well looked after and not pushed to the limit so I'm disappointed about the fault.

Emailed randall with queries before and received and answer within 48 hours.
Emailed about the fault. No response 3 weeks later.
Amp returned to the shop for warranty repair. Currently waiting on response the shop gets from Randall's new UK distributers.
No service centre in Northern Ireland.

Playing approx. 20 years on and off.
Have les paul classic, couple of jacksons and a squier strat which was my first guitar. Just bought a marshall TSL100 as I am concerned about the reliability of the randall gigged on its own.
Might buy again but wait to see the cause of the fault in this one!
Love the variety of distortion sounds and excellent clean channel.
Hate the fact that there is no boost in the gain channel.

I am retired and only a Hobbyist Guitar Player. I was seeking an Amp with a crystal "Clean Sound" (for my use), and also a great Distortion "Metal Sound" (for my teenage son). However, I did not want to deal with any amps with "all tubes." They can be troublesome (go out at anytime) and expensive to replace, per those tubes need to be changed out about every 18-24 months at $20-$25 a tube. Soooo, I bought the Randall solidstate (RG200 G3 Series) with 200 watts, and 2-12 Celestian Speakers, and it comes with a 4 button foot pedall selection (Distortion/Clean selection, Distortion 1 & 2 selection, Clean Boost selection, and Reverb selection). OK, this is not 100% solid-state - it is a hybred solidstate that does have one tube (MOSFET 12AT7), which gives it a nice tube sound. I also noticed that most solidstate amps have a Gain Knob in the Clean Channel to increase the Clean Sound volume, but this Gain knob also muddies-up the Clean Sound a lot ... Hmmmm? But, The Randall amp does not have a Gain Knob in the Clean Channel, which is exactly what I wanted. Ooooo Weeee - finally a sweet clean channel sound. Now, let's look at the the Distortion Channel, it has: Gain (1&2), Treble, Bass, Middle, Contour, and Reverb ... Wow! I have read reviews where this amp sounds just like a full tube amp. And, it also great with the Ibanez Tube Screamer pedal. But, I do not think you will need a Tube Screamer Pedal. The two (2) Distortion Channels are insanely awesome. By the way this amp has Gain #1 for "Classic" Distortion Sounds, and Gain #2 for "Modern" Distortion Sounds (Heavy Metal). Please Notice: it does not have any built-in special effects, such as: Delay, Chorus, Flanger, Compression, Tremolo, etc. But, it does have a basic Reverb in both channels. I think that most amps with built-in special effects do not have very good special effects anyway. Plus this is a waste of money added to the price of the amp, if you never use them. And, a lot of time is wasted pushing buttons, and turning knobs for switching effects, etc. If you want good special effect sounds, then just buy the pedals you like. And, unlike the any amp with built-in special effects, you can mix your pedal sounds with a touch of your foot. Sooo, you never miss a beat, per not figgetting with control knobs or buttons on the amp ... whew. OK, pedals are expensive, but you get what you pay for (quality pedals = quality sounds). I am totally satisfied with this amp, but there are just "FOUR" things that "YOU" may not like about the RG200, as follows: FIRST: There are some reviews complaining about some feed-back when playing very loud (#7 to #10 volume). However, some of that has to do with the guitar you use. I use a Fender with noiseless pick-ups, and my son uses a Dean Revenge with humbuckers, so we do not have that problem at all. The Amp rocks all the way turned up to max volume #10. And Noooo, it does NOT cut out at any volume level, and/or have any loss of tone. I usually do not play past volume number #3-4, per it is extremely LOUD, and the vibrations cause my pictures to start falling off the walls. I also read in reviews that inexpensive quality guitar cables will cause some feed back. OK, let's get realistic too - if you stand facing right in front of this amp within a foot of the speakers, and push this amp to the max volume #10 setting, you will get a little feed back. And, you will also feel a pounding sensation on your chest too, which will reveals just how much power this amp can put out. So, step away from the amp when playing Volume of #5 and above. SECOND, the built in Reverb when turned up to Max Volume is still weak sounding to me, but good enough for my needs. If you want a better Reverb sound, then go get a good Reverb Pedal. THIRD, this amp has a heavy BASS sound. So, turn your Bass down to suit your tastes - no big deal. And FOURTH, the weight is very HEAVY (60 lbs?). Anyway, it is a KEEPER for me.

Read my long narrative in FEATURES: Great sound for Clean Channel and great sounding Distortion Channel

I traded in a 75 Watt Randall amp (1 speaker) that I had for 6 years and stil got top dolar for it. I had no problems with it, and it was like new when I traded it in. I have only had this 200 Watt Randall Amp (2 speakers) for about a month, and I am not expecting any problems.

Unknown: Never needed them, per the Randall Amp works great.

See my long narrative in the FEATURES Section. My personal opinion is that Randall makes a great sounding Clean Channel, and an awesome sounding Distortion Channel. Randell gives YOU the best of both Worlds.