NAD!! Sunn up and Ampeg out

Volume4 · #1 10-15-2010, 09:41 PM

I just got this today off Craigslist

1969 Sunn Sorado head with an old Hartke 4x10" cab

$350 for the head and the seller offered me the cab for another $50. I didn't have a cab to hook it up to and it will be awhile before I can afford a cab I want.. a 1X15" (Orange OBC115, Ampeg SVT-15E, Mesa Diesel or Road Ready)

Recently serviced and retubed with:
New Sensor Russian RI Gold Lion KT88's
RCA 6AN8A
Sovtek 12AX7WA
Groove Tube GT5AR4

I swapped the 12AX7WA for a Sovtek 12AX7LPS I had laying around I never used. I'm looking to upgrade that also though.

I also swapped the GT5AR4 for a NOS Mullard GZ34 I bought to eventually use with my 1970 Ampeg SB-12.

Speaking of which, the SB-12 has to go now....which hopefully should work out financially to at least an even trade. Luckily I regained some sanity and took my USA Ampeg B-100R off the market...so I still have a great sounding reliable other amp that can do the Portaflex vibe thing. I'm also realizing it's more versatile than I gave it credit for.

Plus I still have a USA made Ampeg...which makes me happy

I know....no pics no amp

JimmyM · #2 10-16-2010, 12:03 AM

neato! i don't know that i'd off an sb-12 for it but it's pretty cool.

somegeezer · #3 10-16-2010, 12:41 AM

Looks like it will need a good clean up, but post some sound clips? =D

Volume4 · #4 10-16-2010, 01:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

neato! i don't know that i'd off an sb-12 for it but it's pretty cool.

Thanks Jimmy!!

I am on a self imposed limit of no more than 2 basses and 2 amps and I had forgotten how much I love the B-100R. Also I didn't realize how little they're worth lately. It's actually my second one and I almost made the same mistake twice

The Sunn has KT88's man!!

As it is, I was heading towards using the SB-12 as a head only anyway. The cab was going to end up in the closet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by somegeezer

Looks like it will need a good clean up, but post some sound clips? =D

I can't do soundclips, sorry

The vinyl is actually in decent shape and should clean up nicely. I've got a roll of 70's Ampeg grill cloth around here somewhere I'll probably use on this.

somegeezer · #5 10-16-2010, 02:16 AM

Just looks like it's starting to rust away. Too bad about no sound clips though. =[

bottomend! · #6 10-16-2010, 03:10 AM

I had that head when I first started playing. LOUD LOUD LOUD! Do yourself a favor and find the 2-15" cab that goes with it....

craig.p · #7 10-16-2010, 06:00 AM

It warms my heart to see those old Sunns still in service.

KramerBassFan · #8 10-16-2010, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Volume4

Thanks Jimmy!!

I am on a self imposed limit of no more than 2 basses and 2 amps
.

Only two basses and amps?

I can't even fathom that....

JimmyM · #9 10-16-2010, 09:58 AM

nothing wrong with limiting yourself. i spent 15 years with 2 basses and two amps, and sometimes only one bass. never hurt for work.

rllefebv · #10 10-16-2010, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by somegeezer

Just looks like it's starting to rust away. Too bad about no sound clips though. =[

They just look that way... The chassis on those Sunns oxidize a bit, and the trannies just have a sheen of rust... That amp is a player with years of tone left to dispense...

I also highly recommend 1 or 2 15's over the Hartke, but honestly, I haven't found anything that I really don't like through my 200S!

Nice score!

-robert

Volume4 · #11 10-16-2010, 12:10 PM

I definitely want a 1X15" without a tweeter. I'm not a 4x10" guy either.

I bet this would look and sound sweet on top of this

I live in a pretty small apt....I'm actually really annoyed having 3 cabs in here right now and can't sell something soon enough. The main reason I stay here is because at night and on weekends it would take a wide open SVT to get the nearest neighbor to complain.

When I do get a new cab.....this 4X10" goes to the first supporting member of TB close enough and willing to come get it for free.

Hey, does anybody know of anyone who would totally restore this thing? I mean retolex it, check it out and service if needed.

It was supposedly recently serviced but I'm not comfortable with it right now, I've owned quite a few tube amps and I've never seen tubes glow so bright and hot ever. Maybe its nothing but it's making me nervous.

bassvi · #12 10-16-2010, 01:16 PM

Really nice score, I'd pay $350 for that!

BassmanPaul · #13 10-16-2010, 01:47 PM

If you intend to transport the amp to play gigs you might want to invest in some retainers to keep those big bottles in their places. The B9A socket between them should have a screening can installed on it. You could also give the transformers a coat of paint to stop the rust from going further.

Last point: Enjoy!

Jeff Scott · #14 10-16-2010, 01:49 PM

I used to have a '69 Sorado cabinet. I put Eminence Deltas in it and that baby rocked; a friend of mine has it now.

Volume4 · #15 10-16-2010, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassmanPaul

If you intend to transport the amp to play gigs you might want to invest in some retainers to keep those big bottles in their places. The B9A socket between them should have a screening can installed on it. You could also give the transformers a coat of paint to stop the rust from going further.

Last point: Enjoy!

Thank you!!

No, I'm retired from playing out.

Which is why I have a fascination with low wattage tube amps and want to limit my gear. This amp will never leave home...the B-100R may make it to a garage jam here and there but the Sunn is for my personal enjoyment.

There is a really nice one of these with the cab on ebay right now. The shipping won't be cheap though

KramerBassFan · #16 10-16-2010, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

nothing wrong with limiting yourself. i spent 15 years with 2 basses and two amps, and sometimes only one bass. never hurt for work.

Oh don't get me wrong, i wasn't trying to say there WAS wrong with limiting yourself.

But i'm young, and can afford to have 15 guitars and basses, and as many amps.... for now.

So I will.

edbass · #17 10-16-2010, 10:33 PM

I have a bunch of old Sunn rigs, but this is as close as I have to a Sunn "B15".

The amp is a split chassis, EL34 40 watt with top controls. Needs a cleanup, she's a little grungy, but electronically it's "right"; stock circuit, NOS tubes, the only mod is a 3 prong plug.

The cab is a Sonic I40, which is in essence half of a 200S cab, originally loaded with a single JBL D140F. This particular cab is loaded with a K140 because I sometimes gig the cab with a 200S, 2000S, or even a Reeves C225 and the larger amps can trash a D series in pretty short order.

Sounds pretty good with either the D or the K, louder and more clean hi-fi than my actual Ampeg B15. Not as "warm and comfy" as the Ampeg, both good, but different.

Volume4 · #18 10-17-2010, 12:04 AM

Edbass....that is sweet!!

How do you plan to clean that up?

I'm going to order some 70's Ampeg silver grill cloth for mine from Fliptops and I'd like to maybe retolex it too but that doesn't seem like something I can do myself.

You know what? I think there is a problem with my Mullard GZ34... I put the GT5AR4 back in and bam...its louder. With the Mullard I had it cranked and was thinking "thats it?"

While I'm bummed about the tube, I feel better about the amp now at least. Still not liking the 4x10" though

Speaking of Fliptops..... check out the link below.

Would be the same price as an Orange OBC115 (although shipping is free from Humbucker) and I don't see any reason Bruce couldn't make one at 4ohm instead of 16ohm.

Overkill for the apt? Stick with a 1x15"? Or would this be killer?

http://www.fliptops.net/catalog/prod...roducts_id=626

pgk · #19 10-17-2010, 05:20 AM

that Would be killer indeed

rllefebv · #20 10-17-2010, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Volume4

...I'm going to order some 70's Ampeg silver grill cloth for mine from Fliptops...

I believe that you can get some closer matching grill cloth for the Sunn... This thread on the Sunn Fourm has some info...

As far as cabs, FWIW, mine really likes a well-built TL-606 style cab...

-robert