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JBL K140 and Sunn

Coolhandjjl

Coolhandjjl

Oct 13, 2010
11,124
14,244
Appleton
#1
Are the JBL K140's (if you can find them) the real holy grail of vintage tone? I just scored a Sunn 200S head and I've seen plans out there to do the matching 200S 215 cab as a DIY. But those drivers fall off like a rock after 2000Hz or so. What's with that?

I like the idea of no x-over, IE a one -way, and earlier was considering a sealed 2x12 build, but the Sunn 200S 215 cab has this horizontal port right between the drivers (with angled port shelves inside). Maybe I can scale that design down for 12" drivers. I'd look into this if there is a 12" that would work like the K140, what about the Eminence Beta 12A-2? Or do I need to look at Faital?
 
#3
There are indeed bright enough. Wait and find one. Played two JBL D140 speaks the other night in one of those way too small Fender Ferden cabs. It was capable of those warm phat mids!!! that rocked my world decades ago.

With a true 200s cab I would have had those lows and sweet highs. Get your head serviced to spec while you're looking.
 
#4
Coolhandjjl said:
Are the JBL K140's (if you can find them) the real holy grail of vintage tone? I just scored a Sunn 200S head and I've seen plans out there to do the matching 200S 215 cab as a DIY. But those drivers fall off like a rock after 2000Hz or so. What's with that?

I like the idea of no x-over, IE a one -way, and earlier was considering a sealed 2x12 build, but the Sunn 200S 215 cab has this horizontal port right between the drivers (with angled port shelves inside). Maybe I can scale that design down for 12" drivers. I'd look into this if there is a 12" that would work like the K140, what about the Eminence Beta 12A-2? Or do I need to look at Faital?
Click to expand...

Bill Whitehurst said:
JBLs seem to have a bit of an upper mid hump that comes off as plenty bright enough.
Click to expand...

chadds said:
Played two JBL D140 speaks the other night in one of those way too small Fender Ferden cabs. It was capable of those warm phat mids!!! that rocked my world decades ago.
Click to expand...

As noted above, the K140s are strong on mids while still having some fatness. I played a 215 k140 cab for years. Don't know if they could be called the holy grail of vintage tone drivers but I loved them and felt they were "my" tone. The only reason the cab is in semi-retirement is because of the 120 pound weight. A couple of 40 pound neo cabs now for this old guy now.
 
#5
McG said:
As noted above, the K140s are strong on mids while still having some fatness. I played a 215 k140 cab for years. Don't know if they could be called the holy grail of vintage tone drivers but I loved them and felt they were "my" tone. The only reason the cab is in semi-retirement is because of the 120 pound weight. A couple of 40 pound neo cabs now for this old guy now.
Click to expand...
Hmmmm...now I know who has some K140s sitting unused :smug:
 
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#9
Tone is in the ear of the beholder, that said to my ear K140's being pushed with a Sunn is sonic butter. This has been my gig rig for the past year or so;

200S%20Rig_zps1fsqgisc.jpg


It's a '68 200S and a '68 Sonic I-40 cab, which is a 200S cab cut in half. I replaced the factory D140F with a fresh K140, retiring the still strong D140 to an early 70's B15 where it isn't subjected to the pounding of the twice as strong 200S in gig settings. The band I'm in plays everything from private parties to outdoor festivals and has a dedicated sound company, smaller gigs like the one this picture was taken at the compact rig carries FOH, I'm always mic'ed to feed IEM's.
The 200S is still tube rectified, is modified with grounded AC, "polarity" switch is actually a ground lift, and gets annual pro checkups to check for drifting components, bias, soft tubes, etc.

This rig sounds phenomenal. I'm fortunate enough to be able to gig pretty much whatever rig I want, and traditionally I've brought appropriate "firepower" (often erring on the side of overkill...) for the stages I was playing, but nothing I have sounds any better, so this little Sunn/K140 rig gets the nod every time and I let the PA do the heavy lifting if need be.
 
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#11
Just bought a pair of K140s. That half stack looks cool. Seems like a pair of those is good for a lighter haul, but if I go for the full 2x15 reproduction, I'll put on bottom rear corner casters, top rear corner handles, and skid rails.

I like the grill cloth that allows those aluminum driver domes to show through.
 
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#13
Coolhandjjl said:
Just bought a pair of K140s. That half stack looks cool. Seems like a pair of those is good for a lighter haul, but if I go for the full 2x15 reproduction, I'll put on bottom rear corner casters, top rear corner handles, and skid rails.

I like the grill cloth that allows those aluminum driver domes to show through.
Click to expand...

Think about looking for a Sunn 215S cab. They are more plentiful and lighter than the actual 200S cabs, andI really can't tell the difference sonically. They also front load and are far easier to swap drivers in and out of.
Hartzell made a slew of them in the early 70's with various drivers, except JBL. Hartzell used Cerwin Vega as the premium driver in this series of cab, JBL by special order only. This was my go to rig before the 200S/Sonic I-40, a tad more "grunt" than my half stack on a stand...;

DSC000122011.jpg


It's a 215S loaded with EVM15L's. The Reeves C225 or C400 I use with that rig could have disemboweled my vintage AlNiCo JBL's waaaay too easily.
 
#15
Coolhandjjl, you'll be happy with that 200S head and a 200S bin. OEM of course. I'm no expert on Sunn or 15" speakers but have had a pair of Altec Lansing 412A's and a pair of EV SRO 15" in the 200S bins. No coffee can magnets covers can be used so the EV's Magnet covers were removed. The EV's sounded great, the 421A had a mid-range bite that sounded "raspy" to me. I prefer the JBL D140/K140 when using 15" speakers. I have 7 pairs of JBL D/K140's. Sold the 421A's and the EV's. When volume becomes an issue, my 200S head is swapped out for my 73 Model T. JBL all the way. The 200S bins are going for $300-500 depending on drivers and condition. Just buy an OEM one and make a pair of 115 bins when you just want one. These Sunn 115 bins were only $50 each unloaded! Good luck and good score. edbass, I like that 115 and 200S rig. My Sonics currently have D15S(D130) drivers and are killer monitors and guitar cabs.
small sunn front.jpg






All 15" JBL D or K 140. Some 16Ω, most 8Ω. Need one 200S to be 8Ω to accommodate my Showman. Ω something to consider when using only 1. Older 200S has 16/8Ω taps, newer ones 8/4Ω but the 16Ω tap is inside, taped up. So it's available. Ya, I love Sunn gear.
IMG_0552.jpg
 
#16
Wonderful collection!
There haven't been any used near me or I'd have some Sunn!
Nothing like a 2000s with one or two cabs. I used this gear when it was new so I speak from experience.
Thank goodness Jule gave us Monique. Only thing out there that sounds Sunn/Hiwatt. When the comparisons were made to Ampeg I mentioned to Jule that I heard Sunn in there. He said oh there is Sunn in there.
Back to vintage Sunn and JBLs. These bad boys actually flapped your pants and caused visual distortion if you played standing directly in front of them.
 

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