Puffy, sparkly bass amp from the 80's?

Asyme · #1 12-09-2010, 11:29 PM

Hi guys-
I used to play in a band here in Minneapolis in the mid eighties. I had a super cool/stupid looking amp. Can't remember what it was. Maybe one of you can remember this silly thing? It was a big blue thing with "puffy" "sparkly" outer appearance. looked like a speed boat had sex with a armoir. It was probably 5-6 feet tall. Don't remember the cone size. 6 X 10's maybe? It's kind of funny, I had it for years and dragged it around to all sorts of stupid gigs. Can't remember what it was. I know it wasn't expensive. I had **** money back then.

Thanks!
Alec

JimmyM · #2 12-09-2010, 11:30 PM

sounds like kustom.

http://www.broadwaymusicco.com/kustom2.htm

fivestringgecko · #3 12-09-2010, 11:32 PM

You're probably talking about an older Kustom. Did it look something like this?

EDIT: Crap. Jimmy beat me to it. lol

5sg.

lbwdog · #4 12-09-2010, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

sounds like kustom.

http://www.broadwaymusicco.com/kustom2.htm

Quote:

Originally Posted by fivestringgecko

You're probably talking about an older Kustom. Did it look something like this?

EDIT: Crap. Jimmy beat me to it. lol

5sg.

Maybe Kustom but I don't think they had a 6x10. Did't Earth (or some such company) make a Kustom clone with "tuck and roll"?

lowphatbass · #5 12-10-2010, 01:27 AM

I seen some Univox rigs that were blue and sparkly, sorta puffy maybe.

rubato · #6 12-10-2010, 01:40 AM

Plush had an 8X10... I don't recall a 6X10. I had a metallic emerald green 2X15 that I finally sold a couple of years ago. I kinda miss seeing it sit in the garage waiting for St. Patty's day.

K2000 · #7 12-10-2010, 04:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lbwdog

Maybe Kustom but I don't think they had a 6x10. Did't Earth (or some such company) make a Kustom clone with "tuck and roll"?

Plush, Earth and Kustom all made gear with padded, upholstered ("tuck & roll) vinyl covering. Earth supposedly borrowed designs from Fender (tube amps) and Peavey (solid state). Not a Kustom clone except maybe in the looks dept.

Kustom: pleats look like 'hot dogs', no buttons on the vinyl
Earth: pleats are square
Plush: diamond shape pleats

Maybe this rings a bell with the original poster.

the mojo hobo · #8 12-10-2010, 05:54 AM

Kustom made a 3 x 15 cabinet that with head would easily be over 5' tall, possibly close to 6'.

**Lazarus.Bird** · #9 12-10-2010, 06:07 AM

How does Kustom stuff sound anyways? As hideous as it looks?

lbwdog · #10 12-10-2010, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lazarus.Bird

How does Kustom stuff sound anyways? As hideous as it looks?

I haven't heard one since the seventies but I always liked 'em back then. George Porter played one with the Meters.
I remember in 1974, I walked into a packed "Soul" club, and was digging the bass sound. I made my way up to the stage and saw he was playing an old Kustom 200 with a 2x15 cab. Had a big, full sound, and just enough breakup to feel the dirt.

ric stave · #11 12-10-2010, 06:20 AM

It's very difficult to set your beer on it.....

lbwdog · #12 12-10-2010, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ric stave

It's very difficult to set your beer on it.....

One reason why I never owned one!

jnewmark · #13 12-10-2010, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lbwdog

I haven't heard one since the seventies but I always liked 'em back then. George Porter played one with the Meters.
I remember in 1974, I walked into a packed "Soul" club, and was digging the bass sound. I made my way up to the stage and saw he was playing an old Kustom 200 with a 2x15 cab. Had a big, full sound, and just enough breakup to feel the dirt.

+1 Eric. I had that rig back in the day, and it was instant Motown, Stax, and Atlantic, all rolled into one ( loaded with JBL's , of course ! ) .

BuffaloBass · #14 12-10-2010, 06:35 AM

Yo kids, Kustom started their thing in the late 60's or early 70's. For the record.

treekiller · #15 12-10-2010, 06:51 AM

My school had a Kustom bass amp & cab "back in the day". Between the size and the metalflake naugahide that damn think looked like a refrigerator had sex with a couch on acid!!!

coreyfyfe · #16 12-10-2010, 06:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lazarus.Bird

How does Kustom stuff sound anyways? As hideous as it looks?

My drummer has a kustom 100 and 1x15 cab and it's actually not too bad considering. Pretty dirty for a solid state head. His is one of the earliest, has the Kustom by Ross badge which is supposed to be like 69-71 or something.

Nightlyraider · #17 12-10-2010, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ric stave

It's very difficult to set your beer on it.....

Liquid on top my amp stack scares me...

KJung · #18 12-10-2010, 07:50 AM

Tuck and roll baby! My first 'real' bass amp in the early 70's was a Kustom 100... silver sparkle. Absolutely nasty sounding stuff, but good for the time. I remember those 3x15 Kustom 200's... as kids, we were impressed. They were BIG!

Interestingly, from what I understand, John Fogerty's guitar tone was very much due to the Kustom bass amp he plays out of, and I believe he still uses them!

DanNowhere · #19 12-10-2010, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ric stave

It's very difficult to set your beer on it.....

but on the plus side, you could use the head for a pillow for sleeping on long van rides

John123z · #20 12-10-2010, 10:22 AM

My Plush Amp looks great in the house. You can't say that about most bass equipment.