Randall RG200 G3

I bought the Randall RG200 G3 when my Marshall amp decided to quit working.

The clean sound is amazingly clear so its easy to hear individual notes in arpeggios and chords (Level - 2, Boost - On, Reverb - 2, Treble - 8, Middle - 8, Bass - 5, Master - 1.5)

The Gain 1 channel turned to 6 on Gain and 10 on Volume gives me a very nice distorted classic rock sound (Gain - 6, Treble - 8.5, Middle - 8.5, Voicing - Off, Bass - 6, Contour - Off, Reverb - 2, Level - 10, Master - 1.5)

The Gain 2 channel on 8 is VERY metal, Although I use this channel for all my soloing, I also use it for Metallica type covers. It delivers a very nice punch with an ear-pleasing sound that cannot be matched with any HiWatt, Marshall, Ashton, Orange, Line 6, Mesa/Boogie amp I have played with. The settings I use for this are the same as channel 1 only the Gain is on 8 for heavy as hell sound.

The 2x12" Celestion speakers deliver an amazing quality sound even when cranked to 11. I hope to say I will never have problems with it as it has given me no problems, except when hogging it to band practice because... lets just say I no longer need the gym membership. I have played 6 guitars through it (Epiphone Les Paul, OLP Coffin, Flying JEM77 Replica, 2 Fender Stratocasters and a Hamer California XT Series Q/T) and it has deliverd unrivaled tone

When I play my main guitar through it (Epiphone Les Paul) I can't explain the feeling I get, but I know its meant to be, the only effects I need for it are Chorus, Delay and Wah-Wah.

I get some background hum, but I suppose that is the wiring in my house.

I would place my life that this amp will not fail at a gig, I would not bring backup because in the month I've had it, I have had no problems with it. 11/10.

I have not replaced tubes yet as they don't need it, it was used twice in the shop were I work. (Both times by me) and I knew I had to have it, and when my Marshall quit, it was a sign. I'm glad I bought it and I hope it delivers all its worth to me as a gutiar player.

I can't give anything as I have no need to cantact Customer Service

I have been playing for four years, I've had 2 fender amps, a marshall and this Randall. I also own Delay, Chorus, Wah, OD/Dist., and a Zoom Multi-Effects pedals and they have given me no bother as I've got my use out of them and they delivered.

If this amp got stolen, I would end up in prison for murdering the b**tard that stole it :)

It's hard to say because I love everything about it.

I wish I had a nice 4x12" 200W Randall cab to complete it.

I hope this review helped you purchase a better amplifier than the one your grandmother foundin her attic

Wriiten January 2007: I am retired and I am only an occasional 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 many reviews where they state that this amp sounds just like a full tube amp and I agree. 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. However, I find the Reverb not very loud. I think that most amps with "many" 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.

Awesome sounding amp from crystal clean sound to Heavy Metal distortion (See my long review FEATURES narrative). However, please note that I am not an expert in amps, and I am only an occasional hobbyist guitar player. So, if you disagree with my review, please do not beat me up - Wink. Just like any product you may buy, such as: TV's, sterios, to musical instruments - you may have gotten a lemon. But, that does not mean the entire product line is not good. Most stores give you 30 days to check out any product with a full money back guaranttee. So, work the amp hard at your home. And, if you are not happy - try another one, until you find a good one (any brand amp). If you read reviews for any brand amp, you will see many good reviews. And yes, there may be 1 or 2 bad reviews - that is the nature of the beast of all electronic devices. Sooo, Good Luck and check this amp out for yourslf - it really is a keeper for me.

I traded in a basic 75 watt Randall amp that I had for 5-6 years, and had no problems with it. In fact, it looked and sounded as good as the day I bought it. Therefore, I expect the same reliability from this RG200 Amp. OK, I may need to change out the "one tube" ($20.00), which is recommended every 18-24 months. But, that is expected from amp tubes. Hey, if you buy an all tube amp, see what that will cost you when there is 5 or more tubes, plus a techician needs to set the amp up to new tubes ... whew!

The Sam Ash Music Store Customer Support and assistance is excellent. However, I have never used the Randall Company Customer support, and I do not expect to - great amp so far.

My overall rating is EXCELLENT. Please note that no amp of any brand will have everything anyone wants (just read all the reviews). But, this amp is as close as it will get for what I am seeking for a loud and clean tone. All I need now is to buy the effects pedalls that I like.

Year made ?? It was assembled in China if that helps. I bought it used in a pawn shop in late 2005. I play a number of styles, from blues to jazz to old 60's rock and classic rock. I'm not much on the metal style.
The amp has 2 channels, a clean and a gain channel with 2 gains. Mine was missing any foot switches, so I went out and bought two 2 buttoned swicthes. One will switch you back and forth between clean and gain, and the second button will switch you between gains. The second switch I use only one of the two buttons for switching reverb on/off. It has an effects loop in/out, but I've never used it. It has a headphone jack if you're silly enough to run 200 watts in your ears.

I'm playing in a basement band. Just for kicks. So I really don't need all this power. Nor do I need to risk back injury hauling this thing. I'd sell it, but who wants to pay the freight? I once played a gig with a friend and used his Fender Cyber Reverb and it was too wimpy for the hall we were in. So I found this thing and figure I'd never be complaining about a wimpy amp. Just my hearing leaving.

Mostly I like to play clean and this baby is crystal clear. I will admit that if I crank it at more than 3 on the master volume, nobody else in the band can hear themselves. But at home I've played her at about half speed and the only noise is the furniture moving.

How brutal is the gain? With either gain, you can be as brutal as you like. I like a bluesy late 60's crunch on rock leads, so I use gain #1 set at around 2 with the contour at 7 or so. If you are into metal, set for gain #2 and throw it up to 9, and if the neighbors come over to complain, crank up the master volume and if their faces don't melt, they will most likely call the National Guard.

I play a Gibson Les Paul Studio through it. I have also played Ovation acoustics through it also. Very nice and clean. Don't stand too close with an acoustic as it will feed back.

Since I don't really play regular gigs, I'd have to say I can't really testify one way or the other. I will say that I've owned it for over 2 years and it's never broken down. I read some reviews where some guys said it would overheat and quit, but I've played it for hours and mine hasn't yet. At times when I first turn it on, it doesn't kick in, then I turn the master volume up past 6 and hit one loud chord and it wakes up and goes. It probably doesn't like living with a guy who can't crank it up every time. So my "8" might be taken with a grain of salt.

I have been playing on and off for over forty years, since I was a kid. I played bass in a club band in the 70's and the lead player had a Fender Twin back then which was great and other guys were just finding out what Peavey was. I think this amp sounds as clean as that Fender Twin and though I don't use it much, I think you metal players would say this Randall has as nasty as distortion as you could wish for. I also just purchased a used Peavey Bandit 112 and have yet to learn that one.

I love the sound. If I hate anything, it's the sheer weight. It feels like 90 pounds. I guess it's more like 60, but unless you're a strong young buck, it should come with roadies. I wish it had wheels....and maybe a Harley two stroke engine and handlebars. What? Maybe tremolo or echo? For what I paid for it, it is a great value.

features 2 celestion 12'' speakers
Tube driven mosfet power circuit
200W
2 channel, clean-overdrive 1 or 2
reverb and contour controls

This amp sounds really good for its size.
but the distortion isnt as sharp as i would like it to be ya know.
dont get me wrong though,the distortion sounds dope the way it is..
but,i play in a death metal/grind band, so i need that extra gain boost.
but i do hook up my tube screamer and it helps alot.

maybe its my guitar or something man, but this amp gives me alot of feedback for some reason.
I use an Ibanez GRX20(cheap model) but its been overhauled a bit. New Duncan pick ups.
new ibanez bridge.
new volume and tone knobs.
new wiring.
for this cheap guitar, the neck is really cumfortable, in my opinion.

RELIABILITY-well the one i have DOESNT EVEN LET ME TURN THE VOLUME KNOB PAST SEVEN without cutting out. yeah it cuts out! i dont know if its the wiring or the tubes or whatever, but it always cuts out on me past seven. ive been trying to troubleshoot that problem ever since i got it back in sept. of 06 but i still dont know why it does that crap. So until i get that prob. fixed, i wont be using it for gigs. i just dont know who to trust to fix it ya know?. if anyone knows where i could get some help on this thing man, id surely appreciate it.

Havent dealt with the company for trust reasons.
dont know if i can trust the services for this problem of CUTTING OUT PAST SEVEN!!!

i love this amp in every which way.
i like how it handles low end... frekin sick.
its versatile enough to play whatever you want trust me...
my only dislike is the feedback and the fact that it cuts out.
WHY!?!?