70's Kustom 2-15B... Keep it or sell it?

[AJ78bass]

Hey Everyone,

In a recent bulk-purchase of some guitar and bass gear, one of the things I found myself with is an old Kustom bass cab. Here is what I know: it's big and heavy, 8 ohm cab, has casters. Here is what I THINK I know: 200 watt power rating, some of these cabs had more desirable speakers, although I haven't verified what are in this cab.
I tried researching online but could only find very spotty input or reviews of these old cabs. My question is, for anyone familiar with them, are these cabs worth keeping around for playing any style of music along the lines of hard rock / metal etc or would it be easily out-performed by a newer 1x15?
Sorry if that's a dumb question, I'm more familiar with lead guitar rigs. I have a peavey 4x10, but wondering if this 2x15 would compliment it in any way? Or nah?

 

[Old Garage-Bander]

Hi. Welcome to Talk Bass.
Not a bad lookin’ cab for as long as it’s been around.

I’m not sure where you are located, but we have a place here in Omaha that has a few old Kustom cabs.
They kind of specialize in music gear from that era.
The place is called Rainbow Sound. They may be able to help you figure out something about your cab.

Good luck.

 

[AJ78bass]

I’m in Western NY, not a ton of music stores near me, but thank you!

Any other input before I put this cab up for sale? I don’t think it will really do anything my Peavey TVX 410 won’t do.

 

[wesonbass]

I have a 1-15 just like that. Came with a 50 watt head. Bought it new in the mid 70's . Used it throughout high school and until around 94. The cab is beat up but still solid. The speaker is obviously blown. Toughest cab I ever had and I've had a lot of um. Old friends ask me often, "still got your old kustom? " I'm glad you showed this. Brought back memories. I don't see the 215's often. Paul Goddard from Atlanta Rhythm Section played these. That's why I chose to buy that particular kustom. I would definitely use that for certain gigs it were mine. Lost my middle fingernail on the left hand loading mine into the back seat of my old 73 dodge . About 3 am. Could've done without that memory

 

[Cnivek61]

Hey Everyone,

In a recent bulk-purchase of some guitar and bass gear, one of the things I found myself with is an old Kustom bass cab. Here is what I know: it's big and heavy, 8 ohm cab, has casters. Here is what I THINK I know: 200 watt power rating, some of these cabs had more desirable speakers, although I haven't verified what are in this cab.
I tried researching online but could only find very spotty input or reviews of these old cabs. My question is, for anyone familiar with them, are these cabs worth keeping around for playing any style of music along the lines of hard rock / metal etc or would it be easily out-performed by a newer 1x15?
Sorry if that's a dumb question, I'm more familiar with lead guitar rigs. I have a peavey 4x10, but wondering if this 2x15 would compliment it in any way? Or nah? View attachment 3137506

May I ask what tells you it is 8 ohm? I'm looking at one of these but it isn't marked for power handling or ohm ratings. Thanks!

 

[voided3]

Based on my experience with previous ownership of several late 60's Kustom tuck and roll amps, that looks like one of their early to mid 70's offerings. All three of the tuck and roll 2x15 cabs from the K200 series I owned had 16 ohm drivers, so the 8 ohm impedance is most likely accurate assuming the cabinet is stock. I would definitely open it up to see what drivers are in it as Altec Lansing and JBL drivers were optional, with CTS or Eminence (depending on how old it is) as the standard offering.

 

[AJ78bass]

May I ask what tells you it is 8 ohm? I'm looking at one of these but it isn't marked for power handling or ohm ratings. Thanks!

HI There, based on my research these cabs were 8ohm. I also put a multi-metrr on the input jack and I believe it was like 7ohm, so much higher than a 4ohm cab. I will be opening up the cab to inspect the speakers. I will let you know !

 

[Jim C]

I found a 2x15 in metalic blue with decent new speakers for $100.
I was ready to jump in the car until I looked up the weight
BTW, they sound decent up to 100 watts for what they are.

 

[AJ78bass]

Yeah it’s not light, but it must still be lighter than my TVX 4-10, that thing must have a boat anchor hidden in it somewhere...

 

[Cnivek61]

Based on my experience with previous ownership of several late 60's Kustom tuck and roll amps, that looks like one of their early to mid 70's offerings. All three of the tuck and roll 2x15 cabs from the K200 series I owned had 16 ohm drivers, so the 8 ohm impedance is most likely accurate assuming the cabinet is stock. I would definitely open it up to see what drivers are in it as Altec Lansing and JBL drivers were optional, with CTS or Eminence (depending on how old it is) as the standard offering.

Thanks for the reply - I'll have to go see this cab the weekend and see what's what.

 

[nomaj]

If stock, this vintage Kustom 2x15" cab (likely with CTS speakers) would be easily outperformed by a modern 1x15" design.

To me, this Kustom cab is missing the only feature that would make it desirable at all, as long as the price was low: tuck and roll.

(Well, that or D140s, which it obviously doesn't have, either.)

 

[Stumbo]

No tuck and roll? No green for the goal.

 

[klejst]

Your choice. Guess it depends on if you need the cab and free space more or money and depends how much you would get for it.

 

[AJ78bass]

Thanks for the input, gonna sell it, just want to check to see what speakers are in it first. Whatever I can get for it will go towards my next guitar.