70's Sunn 3x12

Dustin Teel · #1 08-29-2011, 06:20 AM

Anyone know anything about these...?

I went into a local pawn shop the other day just to look at what they had (which mostly consisted of beat up 80s Peavey and Carvin gear) except for, in the very back corner of the store, this old dust-covered Sunn 3x12 cabinet.

The cab stood relatively tall, as the speakers were aligned vertically. It was also completely covered in that shiny, squishy innertube-looking padding that was popular for a while to prevent transportation damage and reduce shocks from impacts with hard surfaces. It said "Sunn" at the bottom of the cab on the grill cloth. This was the only lettering/information on the entire cab (unless there was info on the bottom, I didn't flip it upside down). There was a single, very worn/rusted input jack on the back of the cab.

Being intrigued, I grabbed a Carvin head, set all the EQs flat, hooked it up, grabbed random Fender bass, plugged in and started jamming... and it surprisingly sounded pretty damn good! Nice classic rock or maybe country(?) tone. I'm not sure, not my preferred tone, but I was still impressed I expected it to sound like a wet napkin. Unfortunately, I was in a hurry and didn't get to play it long. The pawn shop was kind of small, so I didn't want to crank it shake stuff off the shelves/disturb people.

But are any of you guys familiar with these things? I searched online and there isn't much info. Anyone know what the power handling and impedance is? Will they get decently loud? The pawn shop had a $600 price tag on it. Is that as outrageous as it seems, are or these things actually kind of rare/vintage/valuable?

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

Mr. Foxen · #2 08-29-2011, 06:26 AM

Sounds like a PA cab, and pretty massively overpriced. Is it padded like the Kustom tuck and roll jobs? I don't recall Sunn doing this. In fact, was it one of these with a Sunn badge?

Bassmec · #3 08-29-2011, 06:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dustin Teel

Anyone know anything about these...?

I went into a local pawn shop the other day just to look at what they had (which mostly consisted of beat up 80s Peavey and Carvin gear) except for, in the very back corner of the store, this old dust-covered Sunn 3x12 cabinet.

The cab stood relatively tall, as the speakers were aligned vertically. It was also completely covered in that shiny, squishy innertube-looking padding that was popular for a while to prevent transportation damage and reduce shocks from impacts with hard surfaces. It said "Sunn" at the bottom of the cab on the grill cloth. This was the only lettering/information on the entire cab (unless there was info on the bottom, I didn't flip it upside down). There was a single, very worn/rusted input jack on the back of the cab.

Being intrigued, I grabbed a Carvin head, set all the EQs flat, hooked it up, grabbed random Fender bass, plugged in and started jamming... and it surprisingly sounded pretty damn good! Nice classic rock or maybe country(?) tone. I'm not sure, not my preferred tone, but I was still impressed I expected it to sound like a wet napkin. Unfortunately, I was in a hurry and didn't get to play it long. The pawn shop was kind of small, so I didn't want to crank it shake stuff off the shelves/disturb people.

But are any of you guys familiar with these things? I searched online and there isn't much info. Anyone know what the power handling and impedance is? Will they get decently loud? The pawn shop had a $600 price tag on it. Is that as outrageous as it seems, are or these things actually kind of rare/vintage/valuable?

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

That will depend on what speakers are in the cab if its 3
JBL D/K120's, its reasonable due to the current resale values
of these highly sought after vintage drivers, if they are eminence or cts its a total rip off.

Dustin Teel · #4 08-29-2011, 06:38 AM

Quote:

Sounds like a PA cab, and pretty massively overpriced. Is it padded like the Kustom tuck and roll jobs? I don't recall Sunn doing this. In fact, was it one of these with a Sunn badge?

Yes, it looked very much like the (from left to right) fourth cab in the picture you posted. It had the two ports in the upper middle section of the cab like that, and that's the same blue covering I was describing.

I thought it seemed a bit fishy, the cab was dirty and beat up but the "Sunn" logo was brand new and shining looking. Looks like someone was a little dishonest with the pawn shop...

nysbob · #5 08-29-2011, 06:57 AM

Sunn never did tuck & roll, period.

Bassmec · #6 08-29-2011, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dustin Teel

Yes, it looked very much like the (from left to right) fourth cab in the picture you posted. It had the two ports in the upper middle section of the cab like that, and that's the same blue covering I was describing.

I thought it seemed a bit fishy, the cab was dirty and beat up but the "Sunn" logo was brand new and shining looking. Looks like someone was a little dishonest with the pawn shop...

Are you sure its not 3 X 15 if so its a Kustom bass 150 and might well have 3 JBL D140's.
Early 1970's Kustom Tuck & Roll Products
If so it was good enough for the Jackson Five.

KramerBassFan · #7 08-29-2011, 08:16 AM

Even if it is a 3x15 Kustom it still is far too much.

edbass · #8 08-29-2011, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nysbob

Sunn never did tuck & roll, period.

No they sure didn't, and I can't imagine someone going through the effort of "tuck 'n rolling" one, but stranger things have happened.
However. they did build a 3X12 cabinet from 1970 through 1974. If it's a Sunn, it will measure 40" X 24" X 15" without casters.
It was a guitar cabinet though, originally offered as an option when you bought a Sceptre rig. It came standard with "Sunn Transducers" which were (probably CTS) low powered AlNiCo drivers; maybe 20 - 25 watts or so each.

Here's one of the "Transducers", as you can see not exactly looking very bass friendly. Maybe a 1" VC.

They switched to ceramic drivers around '72 or so, upped the rating to 60 watts each.

It was also available for it's entire production life with an upgrade to Cerwin Vega drivers; not sure which exact model Vegas it used.

77PBass · #9 08-29-2011, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Foxen

Sounds like a PA cab, and pretty massively overpriced. Is it padded like the Kustom tuck and roll jobs? I don't recall Sunn doing this. In fact, was it one of these with a Sunn badge?

Oh man are those yours? I have the matching K200B head if that middle one is gold sparkle!