Sunn 200S amp and cab

krafty · #1 04-03-2010, 08:35 PM

There's a Sunn 200S amp/cab combo that looks to be complete. It's been for sale for a while now and the seller is hovering around $1300 (using some blue-book value of $1700 from god-knows-where).

Provided it really is functional and sounds good, is the price reasonable? I know what the heads alone have been going for lately but I haven't seen many prices that included the cab.

I really do like the vintage sound and look of the tube amps (plus the reputation of the S200 itself is a real draw) but it's a big chunk o' change for me.

**B-string** · #2 04-03-2010, 09:38 PM

I think $1300 is why it has been around a while. Sounds like a "But honey, I have it listed for sale!"
Keep looking

#3 04-03-2010, 10:07 PM

A couple of years ago, the heads were fetching about $650 at best... Now? Maybe $450-500... Currently, cabs about $350-$450 in good condition. If you offered $950 and buy it for $1000-1100, it's a great amp! The OE 2x15 cab is the best match as well. It's one you "SHOULD NEVER SELL!!!" Wish I had the cash. I'd buy it myself! So sorry I ever sold my 60s Sunn gear!

These prices would assume the cab has the OE JBL 15" speakers, and unmodified head with KT88 power tubes as well!!

JimmyM · #4 04-03-2010, 10:15 PM

i'm sorry i never bought any old sunn gear now. wasn't really my thing at the time, and still would never be my main thing, but there really is only one place you can get the sound of those old sunn tubers, and that's from an old sunn. and they used to go so cheap it would make you cry! all of a sudden a handful of hippie druggie doom bands start using them and now they go for $1500 on ebay. there's a 2000s on there now for $1500. crazy! i knew a guy who sold his for $300 in the 80's and i turned him down. what an idiot!

fender should do a reissue. it would sell. make it in china so i can afford it, too

**B-string** · #5 04-03-2010, 10:30 PM

I sold my 2000S for $250 in 2003???????

(no pulling hair out smiley...)

Metal Matt · #6 04-04-2010, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

all of a sudden a handful of hippie druggie doom bands start using them and now they go for $1500 on ebay.

When I have the money, I'll be all over eBay looking for a 70's Model T. The price is absurd considering the age and all, but the way I see it, to get a comparable tube amp now, it would be the same price anyways.

Their solid state stuff is starting to go up in price a little bit too.

fdask · #7 04-04-2010, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

all of a sudden a handful of hippie druggie doom bands start using them and now they go for $1500 on ebay.

those hippie druggie doom bands probably grabbed them because all you old school cats were grabbing all the good ampegs.

To the OPs question, I'd pass on 1300. Maybe head there and play it and try to talk him down to about 800.

johnk_10 · #8 04-04-2010, 01:20 AM

IMO, a very clean and good running 200S head with the matching cab (also in good shape) is easily worth $1K these days. mostly because i think that you wouldn't be able to get anywhere near that kind of quality in any amp, old or new, for that kind of money.

Jefenator · #9 04-04-2010, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnk_10

IMO, a very clean and good running 200S head with the matching cab (also in good shape) is easily worth $1K these days. mostly because i think that you wouldn't be able to get anywhere near that kind of quality in any amp, old or new, for that kind of money.

This is very true.

Still, I'd start with a lower offer (cash-right-now never hurts). I hate to be a party to cool vintage gear inflation except where absolutely necessary.

edbass · #10 04-04-2010, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tifftunes

A couple of years ago, the heads were fetching about $650 at best... Now? Maybe $450-500...

The last eBay 200S sale I saw was $590.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tifftunes

Currently, cabs about $350-$450 in good condition. If you offered $950 and buy it for $1000-1100, it's a great amp! The OE 2x15 cab is the best match as well. It's one you "SHOULD NEVER SELL!!!" Wish I had the cash. I'd buy it myself! So sorry I ever sold my 60s Sunn gear!
These prices would assume the cab has the OE JBL 15" speakers, and unmodified head with KT88 power tubes as well!!

What is this sage advice based on? I follow the used/vintage gear market in general, Sunn in particular, and while the later Hartzell era 2X15's show up occasionally, I rarely even see a JBL loaded 200S cab on the market.
In all seriousness, please share as to where you are getting these sales results, or seeing these D140 loaded cabs for $350-$450 in good condition. Specific listings would be great, I'm sure I'm not the only TBer who would be interested!

Also, by KT88’s are you referring to the original GEC KT88’s?

krafty · #11 04-04-2010, 12:51 PM

The last response I got from the seller as to how well the combo worked was "i dont know". Pass.

The pictures I saw showed some serious dust and dirt on the amp, so chances are after paying too much I'd still have a bill with the local tube amp repairman.

edbass · #12 04-04-2010, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krafty

The last response I got from the seller as to how well the combo worked was "i dont know". Pass.

The pictures I saw showed some serious dust and dirt on the amp, so chances are after paying too much I'd still have a bill with the local tube amp repairman.

They are pretty easy to work on, the real important thing is that it hasn't been hacked on and it's all there.

Uhmmm... What area is it located in?

krafty · #13 04-08-2010, 09:27 AM

I received an email from the seller saying he'll take $1000 for the 200S. It's still a lot of coin for me, and I can't try it out until my new bass arrives (2-4 weeks yet, yikes!).

In the meantime, far be it from me to keep someone else from buying this vintage gear. Even if I don't end up with it, I'd rather see it played than sit in someone's basement. If any of you guys are interested and have $1k to spare (or the time to wait him down on the price) here's the link!

http://grandrapids.craigslist.org/for/1673861877.html

He's probably not received the hits on it he would like because he mis-posted it in the general category instead of musical instruments. The amp/cab is in Holland, MI, by the way.

johnk_10 · #14 04-08-2010, 10:23 AM

that's actually a nice one, and it still has its JBL D140's in it. it also looks like the tube rectifier is missing, so unless its been modified internally to a SS rectifier, you wouldn't be able to test it.

Walking · #15 04-08-2010, 10:48 AM

Judging from the surly nature of local music stores when I tried to put some items on consignment, I get the distinct impression that due to the recession, the music gear market is way down. So, forget the blue book and go for what would be a really good price.

Also one of the guys in the store referred to hopes that the vintage market would start coming back this year, so make of that what you will. I think vintage guitar prices are a bubble, and there are only so many people willing to pay $4000 for a guitar just because it was made before 1980.

For grins, just checked my local craigslist. Somebody has a sunn tube head and 4x12. Started out at $1800 and now asking $1300.

Jefenator · #16 04-08-2010, 11:00 AM

Yeah, well... I wish the guy luck with his scheme of getting top dollar for some stuff he probably got for almost free, has listed in the wrong section and is not sure if it works or not.

If someone wants to be a successful gear shark in this economy, they're going to have to put in a little more effort than that IMHO.

Din Of Win · #17 04-08-2010, 11:47 AM

Someone WILL pay for it too.

I'm AAALLLLLLL for sweet sounding old amps. But the Sunn bandwagon is more than overloaded these days.

Shoot.. i see Sunn Concert bass heads going for $800+ fairly frequently.