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1968 Sunn 200S

NKUSigEp

NKUSigEp

Supporting Member
Jun 6, 2006
5,232
208
Bright, IN
#1
What's the deal? Good, bad, or ugly?

I've searched a few threads and the general concensus seems to be they're a decent little (big) amp for recording, maybe even a great stage amp for guitar? But are there any other opinions on these? Looking for some fresh information - reliability, tone, anything else?
 
#2
I used to own one back in the late 60's. Great tone and reliable. The power isnt all that much and it struggled at some jobs but that was in a louder rock band. I especially liked the JBL D140's in mine. Dont know if their any good for guitar but they are a great sounding bass amp.
 
#5
Bassflute said:
by who?

Cheers,
Cameron
Click to expand...

By many. Noel Redding used them, Felix Pappalardi used them, Harvey Brooks used them in the Studio recording with The Doors, The Who used them, The Bassist in the Fleet Foxes uses one, The MC5 did, Billy Cox with the Band of Gypsies, etc. Lots of people used/still use them. Talk to Edbass or JohnK about them. They're held in very high regard amongst the old tube amps. I personally use a 2000s into four fifteens, it's a force to be reckoned with.

Regarding the initial post, they're generally not popular as guitar amps as the circuits are based off old Dynaco Hi-Fi stereo amps, so they stay very clean when turned up with guitar, and don't really distort (read about Hendrix's experience with Sunn amps). However, they do have their own niche because of this, as you can put pedals in front and be ungodly loud. For bass, with the right speaker setup, they can be plenty loud for small gigs, and you can always mike it to be louder.
 
#9
D.M.N. said:
...so they stay very clean when turned up with guitar, and don't really distort (read about Hendrix's experience with Sunn amps). However, they do have their own niche because of this, as you can put pedals in front and be ungodly loud.
Click to expand...

This is what I wanted to hear! The goal is to satisfy an urge I have to just stand in front of a massive stack of speakers blaring fuzz from a Sunn amp and a couple of pedals. I'm not a very practical person. :D

Thank you gentlemen!
 
#10
Bassflute said:
by who?

Cheers,
Cameron
Click to expand...

Generally by people who have experience with them.

johnk_10 said:
IMO a 2000S still sounds far better than all of the 'practical' amps made today, so it depends what best suits your needs, a great sounding amp, or a convenient/practical one.
Click to expand...

The old Sunns sound magnificent; they are heavy and cumbersome, but they deliver.
I gave up compromising tone for convenience a long time ago. ;)
The key to getting them loud is the cab(s), and making sure you have a healthy 40 year old amp.
 
#11
Yes the 200S was underpowered and heavy for its' power rating but....I loved the tone which was full, musical and well, just beautiful. I bought a new one in '68 with 2- 215 cabs with the JBL D140's.
The problem was not being heard in a loud rock band situation which was why I sold it and moved on to an SVT. That was way back when and these days my old joints, nerves and bones require the lighter stuff to haul around.

Giorgetto
 
#12
billfitzmaurice said:
It was probably the best bass amp made in 1968. But that was then. What took a big tube head and two JBL fifteens then you can do with a ten pound head and one twelve today. Cool yes, but short on practicality.
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I'm sorry, I normally read rather than write posts but gotta call BS on this. Of course. One twelve against two fifteens? That would work if you're playing treble but not if you're playing bass. Two D140's will part your hair.
 
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#13
NKUSigEp said:
This is what I wanted to hear! The goal is to satisfy an urge I have to just stand in front of a massive stack of speakers blaring fuzz from a Sunn amp and a couple of pedals. I'm not a very practical person. :D

Thank you gentlemen!
Click to expand...

Then what you need is a Sunn Coliseum and perhaps a Slave. And a fuzz box. With a Coliseum and a 'folded' 2x15 box, I rocked the back of the room. Back in the day. But the back (sound guy) could hear better than I could. He kept showing me his hand with his thumb pointed down. I never learned what that meant.;)
 
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#15
billfitzmaurice said:
It was probably the best bass amp made in 1968. But that was then. What took a big tube head and two JBL fifteens then you can do with a ten pound head and one twelve today. Cool yes, but short on practicality.
Click to expand...

Posts like this always make me chuckle. Heh. I mean, yes, both the big tube head and the fifteens and the ten pound head and the 12 can amplify electrical signals and produce musical notes, but that's not to say they "do" the same thing........
 
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#16
NKUSigEp said:
This is what I wanted to hear! The goal is to satisfy an urge I have to just stand in front of a massive stack of speakers blaring fuzz from a Sunn amp and a couple of pedals. I'm not a very practical person. :D

Thank you gentlemen!
Click to expand...

+1

I put a Les Paul Studio (with Dimarzio SD pickups with the bridge pickup on) through a tube distortion pedal through a 200s through an Ampeg 4x12 guitar cab with Celestion 75s.

Great clear tone w/o the pedal. Awesome sustain/volume with the pedal. Could hear it down the block.
 
#17
Old Fart said:
Then what you need is a Sunn Coliseum and perhaps a Slave. And a fuzz box. With a Coliseum and a 'folded' 2x15 box, I rocked the back of the room. Back in the day. But the back (sound guy) could hear better than I could. He kept showing me his hand with his thumb pointed down. I never learned what that meant.;)
Click to expand...

They're around the same price for the heads but then having to buy a slave and the fact that the 200S is a tube amp...the one's just got a lot more vintage mojo to me. It's not really something I'd play out with though I'd probably give a try or two.
 
#18
billfitzmaurice said:
It was probably the best bass amp made in 1968. But that was then. What took a big tube head and two JBL fifteens then you can do with a ten pound head and one twelve today. Cool yes, but short on practicality.
Click to expand...

Sort of...won't get the big 'size' of sound the 2x15's will. Tonally the modern 12's are probably better.

edbass said:
Generally by people who have experience with them.

The old Sunns sound magnificent; they are heavy and cumbersome, but they deliver.
I gave up compromising tone for convenience a long time ago. ;)
The key to getting them loud is the cab(s), and making sure you have a healthy 40 year old amp.
Click to expand...

I always thought the Sunns sounded like crap even back in the day... NEVER liked them...

Old Fart said:
I'm sorry, I normally read rather than write posts but gotta call BS on this. Of course. One twelve against two fifteens? That would work if you're playing treble but not if you're playing bass. Two D140's will part your hair.
Click to expand...

Depends what kind of fluffy, farty sound you're after I guess....

Old Fart said:
Then what you need is a Sunn Coliseum and perhaps a Slave. And a fuzz box. With a Coliseum and a 'folded' 2x15 box, I rocked the back of the room. Back in the day. But the back (sound guy) could hear better than I could. He kept showing me his hand with his thumb pointed down. I never learned what that meant.;)
Click to expand...

I remember the Sunn 215SH cab...absolutely horrible sounding thing, and about 200 lbs...it did sound louder two blocks away, but NOWHERE did it actually sound 'good'. A ridiculous thing.

Just because it's 'old' doesn't mean it's 'better'. The BEST bass amps ever are being made today.

Been there.

Cheers,
Cameron
An old guy
 
#19
NKUSigEp said:
What's the deal? Good, bad, or ugly?

I've searched a few threads and the general concensus seems to be they're a decent little (big) amp for recording, maybe even a great stage amp for guitar? But are there any other opinions on these? Looking for some fresh information - reliability, tone, anything else?
Click to expand...

If it's original, never been worked on, or "restored" it can be worth quite a bit.

It's like finding a vintage car that hasn't been rebuilt or had a new paint job.

People who write modelers are seeking out golden reference amps to confirm their models.

If it's been tweaked by techs, caps changed, etc, then it's just not the same amp. Conservation wise, it would hold up to the gold standard.

Same for 60's SS amps. There's probably a few still hanging around in attics.
 
#20
Bassflute said:
Just because it's 'old' doesn't mean it's 'better'. The BEST bass amps ever are being made today.

Been there.
Click to expand...

i guess that would be 'in your opinion'.

i've been there too, and i've yet to play thru a modern amp that sounds as good as an old SVT or a Sunn 2000S.
 
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