1968 Sunn 200S

[NKUSigEp]

What's the deal? Good, bad, or ugly?

I've searched a few threads and the general concensus seems to be they're a decent little (big) amp for recording, maybe even a great stage amp for guitar? But are there any other opinions on these? Looking for some fresh information - reliability, tone, anything else?

[username1]

I used to own one back in the late 60's. Great tone and reliable. The power isnt all that much and it struggled at some jobs but that was in a louder rock band. I especially liked the JBL D140's in mine. Dont know if their any good for guitar but they are a great sounding bass amp.

[OneWayPunk]

It's considered one of the best sounding bass rigs of all time, next to it's big brother the 2000s.

I want one bad, I have the 2000s but finding a nice 200s rig will complete my collection.

[Bassflute]

Originally Posted by OneWayPunk

It's considered one of the best sounding bass rigs of all time, next to it's big brother the 2000s.

I want one bad, I have the 2000s but finding a nice 200s rig will complete my collection.

by who?

Cheers,
Cameron

[D.M.N.]

Originally Posted by Bassflute

by who?

Cheers,
Cameron

By many. Noel Redding used them, Felix Pappalardi used them, Harvey Brooks used them in the Studio recording with The Doors, The Who used them, The Bassist in the Fleet Foxes uses one, The MC5 did, Billy Cox with the Band of Gypsies, etc. Lots of people used/still use them. Talk to Edbass or JohnK about them. They're held in very high regard amongst the old tube amps. I personally use a 2000s into four fifteens, it's a force to be reckoned with.

Regarding the initial post, they're generally not popular as guitar amps as the circuits are based off old Dynaco Hi-Fi stereo amps, so they stay very clean when turned up with guitar, and don't really distort (read about Hendrix's experience with Sunn amps). However, they do have their own niche because of this, as you can put pedals in front and be ungodly loud. For bass, with the right speaker setup, they can be plenty loud for small gigs, and you can always mike it to be louder.

[nysbob]

I wouldn't hesitate to gig with a healthy 200S. A good pair of 15"s doesn't need hundreds of watts to work well.

I wouldn't attempt a screaming metal gig with it, but if the band has reasonable stage volume, sure.

[billfitzmaurice]

It was probably the best bass amp made in 1968. But that was then. What took a big tube head and two JBL fifteens then you can do with a ten pound head and one twelve today. Cool yes, but short on practicality.

[johnk_10]

IMO a 2000S still sounds far better than all of the 'practical' amps made today, so it depends what best suits your needs, a great sounding amp, or a convenient/practical one.

[NKUSigEp]

Originally Posted by D.M.N.

...so they stay very clean when turned up with guitar, and don't really distort (read about Hendrix's experience with Sunn amps). However, they do have their own niche because of this, as you can put pedals in front and be ungodly loud.

This is what I wanted to hear! The goal is to satisfy an urge I have to just stand in front of a massive stack of speakers blaring fuzz from a Sunn amp and a couple of pedals. I'm not a very practical person.

Thank you gentlemen!

[edbass]

Originally Posted by Bassflute

by who?

Cheers,
Cameron

Generally by people who have experience with them.

Originally Posted by johnk_10

IMO a 2000S still sounds far better than all of the 'practical' amps made today, so it depends what best suits your needs, a great sounding amp, or a convenient/practical one.

The old Sunns sound magnificent; they are heavy and cumbersome, but they deliver.
I gave up compromising tone for convenience a long time ago.
The key to getting them loud is the cab(s), and making sure you have a healthy 40 year old amp.

[Giorgetto]

Yes the 200S was underpowered and heavy for its' power rating but....I loved the tone which was full, musical and well, just beautiful. I bought a new one in '68 with 2- 215 cabs with the JBL D140's.
The problem was not being heard in a loud rock band situation which was why I sold it and moved on to an SVT. That was way back when and these days my old joints, nerves and bones require the lighter stuff to haul around.

Giorgetto

[Old Fart]

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

It was probably the best bass amp made in 1968. But that was then. What took a big tube head and two JBL fifteens then you can do with a ten pound head and one twelve today. Cool yes, but short on practicality.

I'm sorry, I normally read rather than write posts but gotta call BS on this. Of course. One twelve against two fifteens? That would work if you're playing treble but not if you're playing bass. Two D140's will part your hair.

[Old Fart]

Originally Posted by NKUSigEp

This is what I wanted to hear! The goal is to satisfy an urge I have to just stand in front of a massive stack of speakers blaring fuzz from a Sunn amp and a couple of pedals. I'm not a very practical person.

Thank you gentlemen!

Then what you need is a Sunn Coliseum and perhaps a Slave. And a fuzz box. With a Coliseum and a 'folded' 2x15 box, I rocked the back of the room. Back in the day. But the back (sound guy) could hear better than I could. He kept showing me his hand with his thumb pointed down. I never learned what that meant.

[Old Fart]

I mean it. I couldn't hear myself. I'd recommend some 12's for stage sound.

[D.M.N.]

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

It was probably the best bass amp made in 1968. But that was then. What took a big tube head and two JBL fifteens then you can do with a ten pound head and one twelve today. Cool yes, but short on practicality.

Posts like this always make me chuckle. Heh. I mean, yes, both the big tube head and the fifteens and the ten pound head and the 12 can amplify electrical signals and produce musical notes, but that's not to say they "do" the same thing........

[Stumbo]

Originally Posted by NKUSigEp

This is what I wanted to hear! The goal is to satisfy an urge I have to just stand in front of a massive stack of speakers blaring fuzz from a Sunn amp and a couple of pedals. I'm not a very practical person.

Thank you gentlemen!

+1

I put a Les Paul Studio (with Dimarzio SD pickups with the bridge pickup on) through a tube distortion pedal through a 200s through an Ampeg 4x12 guitar cab with Celestion 75s.

Great clear tone w/o the pedal. Awesome sustain/volume with the pedal. Could hear it down the block.

[NKUSigEp]

Originally Posted by Old Fart

Then what you need is a Sunn Coliseum and perhaps a Slave. And a fuzz box. With a Coliseum and a 'folded' 2x15 box, I rocked the back of the room. Back in the day. But the back (sound guy) could hear better than I could. He kept showing me his hand with his thumb pointed down. I never learned what that meant.

They're around the same price for the heads but then having to buy a slave and the fact that the 200S is a tube amp...the one's just got a lot more vintage mojo to me. It's not really something I'd play out with though I'd probably give a try or two.

[Bassflute]

Originally Posted by billfitzmaurice

It was probably the best bass amp made in 1968. But that was then. What took a big tube head and two JBL fifteens then you can do with a ten pound head and one twelve today. Cool yes, but short on practicality.

Sort of...won't get the big 'size' of sound the 2x15's will. Tonally the modern 12's are probably better.

Originally Posted by edbass

Generally by people who have experience with them.

The old Sunns sound magnificent; they are heavy and cumbersome, but they deliver.
I gave up compromising tone for convenience a long time ago.
The key to getting them loud is the cab(s), and making sure you have a healthy 40 year old amp.

I always thought the Sunns sounded like crap even back in the day... NEVER liked them...

Originally Posted by Old Fart

I'm sorry, I normally read rather than write posts but gotta call BS on this. Of course. One twelve against two fifteens? That would work if you're playing treble but not if you're playing bass. Two D140's will part your hair.

Depends what kind of fluffy, farty sound you're after I guess....

Originally Posted by Old Fart

Then what you need is a Sunn Coliseum and perhaps a Slave. And a fuzz box. With a Coliseum and a 'folded' 2x15 box, I rocked the back of the room. Back in the day. But the back (sound guy) could hear better than I could. He kept showing me his hand with his thumb pointed down. I never learned what that meant.

I remember the Sunn 215SH cab...absolutely horrible sounding thing, and about 200 lbs...it did sound louder two blocks away, but NOWHERE did it actually sound 'good'. A ridiculous thing.

Just because it's 'old' doesn't mean it's 'better'. The BEST bass amps ever are being made today.

Been there.

Cheers,
Cameron
An old guy

[seamonkey]

Originally Posted by NKUSigEp

What's the deal? Good, bad, or ugly?

I've searched a few threads and the general concensus seems to be they're a decent little (big) amp for recording, maybe even a great stage amp for guitar? But are there any other opinions on these? Looking for some fresh information - reliability, tone, anything else?

If it's original, never been worked on, or "restored" it can be worth quite a bit.

It's like finding a vintage car that hasn't been rebuilt or had a new paint job.

People who write modelers are seeking out golden reference amps to confirm their models.

If it's been tweaked by techs, caps changed, etc, then it's just not the same amp. Conservation wise, it would hold up to the gold standard.

Same for 60's SS amps. There's probably a few still hanging around in attics.

[johnk_10]

Originally Posted by Bassflute

Just because it's 'old' doesn't mean it's 'better'. The BEST bass amps ever are being made today.

Been there.

i guess that would be 'in your opinion'.

i've been there too, and i've yet to play thru a modern amp that sounds as good as an old SVT or a Sunn 2000S.