NAD: SUNN Coliseum 300

JoshuaTSP · #1 03-02-2011, 10:17 AM

Anyone know anything about these?

Mine should be home after work!

blastjv · #2 03-02-2011, 12:22 PM

FOND fond memories of my first rig... Great amp for sure and I miss it a lot!!! Enjoy it!!!

-JV

JoshuaTSP · #3 03-02-2011, 12:25 PM

So it sounds good?

Is it a loud 300w at 2 ohms or what?

blastjv · #4 03-02-2011, 12:32 PM

It sounds amazing. I owned one in the early 90's before I knew what I was doing (maybe I still don't). I was running it at 4 ohms in a loud 'progressive' hardcore band, never knew I'd get more juice out of it by adding another cab. Sold the rig because I wanted more juice, before I knew about impedence, etc... It was loud enough, really, I just wanted MORE!!!

It was one of those rigs (had the matching 215) that sounded fantastic for any bass plugged into it. Many shows in those days, other dudes would use my rig as the backline and I wouldn't let anyone mess with my settings. If you wanted to use my rig you just plugged in and flipped on the power switch. Always sounded great.

I don't recall what, but there is something special about how this preamp is designed. I think there is a separate preamp for each EQ pot or something that makes it more 'powerful' in the sense that you have much more than the usual control over the tone...

-JV

thumpbass1 · #5 03-02-2011, 12:33 PM

I know I was interested in them when I got the Sunn catalog, when these heads first came out. They seemed pretty decent enough for the day, and I saw a fair number of other bass players using them to good effect. My only personal Sunn experience is having owned a Model T head with a matching 2x15 bottom. Of course I did work with a few guitar slingers here and there who played through various Sunn guitar amps.

JoshuaTSP · #6 03-02-2011, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blastjv

It sounds amazing. I owned one in the early 90's before I knew what I was doing (maybe I still don't). I was running it at 4 ohms in a loud 'progressive' hardcore band, never knew I'd get more juice out of it by adding another cab. Sold the rig because I wanted more juice, before I knew about impedence, etc... It was loud enough, really, I just wanted MORE!!!

How much difference is 200w @ 4ohms and 300w @ 2 Ohms anyway?

Quote:

It was one of those rigs (had the matching 215) that sounded fantastic for any bass plugged into it. Many shows in those days, other dudes would use my rig as the backline and I wouldn't let anyone mess with my settings. If you wanted to use my rig you just plugged in and flipped on the power switch. Always sounded great.

Oooh....awesome....the full stack! nice!

Quote:

I don't recall what, but there is something special about how this preamp is designed. I think there is a separate preamp for each EQ pot or something that makes it more 'powerful' in the sense that you have much more than the usual control over the tone...

-JV

I'm not sure? I read the manual but I don't remember what it said......other than it was really flexible.

blastjv · #7 03-02-2011, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshuaTSP

How much difference is 200w @ 4ohms and 300w @ 2 Ohms anyway?

Not a ton, but adding another 4 ohm cab, like another 215 would have been just the ticket...

beebassdude · #8 03-02-2011, 01:16 PM

dude, you are on a total gear binge. two basses and a new head in one week? youre making me jealous, and youre going to induce me into doing something very stupid.

and im glad!

JoshuaTSP · #9 03-02-2011, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beebassdude

dude, you are on a total gear binge. two basses and a new head in one week? youre making me jealous, and youre going to induce me into doing something very stupid.

and im glad!

Two basses?

I just got the RD?
I got the ATK a while ago now.

Actually, I purchased 3 new used amps in the last 2-3 weeks....since my main amp died and sold the backup.
Tour starts the 11th. gotta be prepared.

KramerBassFan · #10 03-02-2011, 01:46 PM

Yes, there are filters "in between" each band of the EQ, so they don't effect each other. You can boost the 62.5hz, and not effect the 125hz, so on. Which is the exact opposite of say, the Fender tone stack, where you turn down the mids to turn up the other stuff, and so on.

These were made from about 1981 to 1985, when Fender bought SUNN. A few were assembled, likely from leftover SUNN stock, except they said "A product of FMIC" or something like that on the back. They are not very common. But Hartzell corp era ones are.

bassteban · #11 03-02-2011, 02:04 PM

My exp was very similar to blastjv's. GREAT head- plugged a Thumb BO-4 & DOD compressor into it, LOVED it. Used a Peavey 2x15, sometimes w/a funky crossover & a Bose 901(IIRC)on top. Face melting AND arse-shaking.

ZachM · #12 03-02-2011, 04:17 PM

Awesome man, I think you'll really like this amp. It's got a great strong tone, and the eq is extremely flexible and powerful. I use mine with an Ampeg fridge and it's really very loud even though it doesn't have a ton of wattage - but it's considerably more powerful than it's rated for because each eq point has it's own preamp.

Anyway, I really dig this amp and I'm glad I bought one. It really does have a thing all it's own, and I can't see you being anything but stoked about playing through it. Enjoy!

Jaybird1969 · #13 03-02-2011, 06:17 PM

I bought one on craigslist a couple years back for $300, paired w/ a 410 1968 Sunn Sceptre guitar cab. I was able to turn around and sell just the cab for $300, so basically the head ended up being free. That being said, it's a rugged, dependable and powerful amp, if a little non-descript, tone-wise, and easily worth $300 in itself, which is seems to be the going rate for these when they pop up on ebay. Definitely not a hi-end boutique piece, but for the heavy rock, metal/punk-type stuff I use it for, it's just about perfect. I originally intended it as a back-up/practice amp, and it gets a lot of use in that capacity, but I've gigged out with it plenty of times too, when I didn't feel like lugging my whole rack-mount rig... which is not to say that this is a lightweight head - it's probably close to 40 lbs, but it takes up a bit less space in the back of the truck.

bobostein · #14 03-02-2011, 06:33 PM

^You need a red logo cab and it would be perfect

Pilgrim · #15 03-02-2011, 07:23 PM

Yes, each EQ knob has its own preamp on the Coliseum-300. Fantastic amp, great sounding, dependable as the day is long.

I sold mine because I have changed to lightweight Genz-Benz stuff to save my back - otherwise it would still be mine.

The manual can be found in my Photobucket album at: http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j3...-300%20Manual/

I strongly suggest that you print it out and keep a copy of it. Reading the manual is ALWAYS one of the smartest things you can do when you get an amp.

fu22ba55 · #16 03-02-2011, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoshuaTSP

Is it a loud 300w at 2 ohms or what?

LOL.

What kind (how many) cabs do you have? If you have two 8x10s or 4x15s, you will never need another amp.

One of the top 3 bass sounds I've ever heard in my life was a 70's P-bass through that amp. (through a 2x15).

Between that RD and the Sunn, you don't need anything else. (cept for the cabs)

No offense intended, but if you can't make a Coliseum 300 and and RD Standard work for you, then it's time to take up the clarinet.

ryco · #17 03-02-2011, 08:04 PM

These things are LOUD!! The thing I like is that this head is truly bi-amp capable, pair it with a slave and another cab. Of course you have to bring your own roadie!!

I've always wanted one of these babies. Would love to pair it with a 200s, 2000s or Model T and run the lows out of the solid state Coliseum and the highs through the tube amp.

Here's the place for all info Sunn!! schematics, manuals, GREAT forum! Join! http://sunn.ampage.org/

I have a 200s, Concert & Concert Slave & an 8028 cab (12+18)

kosmicwizard · #18 03-02-2011, 09:23 PM

What three heads did you get? Cheers.

JoshuaTSP · #19 03-02-2011, 10:01 PM

It showed up....sounds good but VERY quiet.

When I pulled the head off my cab...I heard something big rattling around in the chassis.

Haven't had time to crack it open.

JoshuaTSP · #20 03-02-2011, 10:05 PM

I'll have to contact Bass NW tomorrow about it....see what they say.

The crossover knob shouldn't work unless I have something plugged into the send or returns....right? It works with a single cab plugged into it.