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Just got a Sunn 200s + Cab

P

peterpanwashere

Apr 24, 2010
28
0
#1
A local music store was selling a Sunn 200s + matching cab (2x15), and an amp cover (unsure if it's original) for a good price ($600 for all of the above). I picked it up today after trying it out. It's very dirty, and was probably stored in a garage for 30 years. But wow, it sounds sweet.

I have a few questions I'm hoping folks can help with:
1.) How can I date the head and cab? It's sporting KT88s, and the guy at the store thought it had the original JBLs (didn't confirm because I would have had to pull the back of the cab).
2.) What are some suggestions for cleaning it? The guy at the store suggested simple green.
3.) It's still rocking the old 2-prong power cord. I've heard horror stories about people getting shocked. Should I get a 3-prong installed professionally?

Anyways, here she is. For a 50W amp, this sucker is loud!

2011-07-27_19-34-08_508.jpg


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#10
That's an old one; probably late '66 - early '67, likely one of the first single chassis Sunns.

That numbered faceplate was changed in favor of numbered knobs sometime in '67.
However, the years aren't cut and dried on old Sunns, it seems that once a change was made they continued to use remaining parts; knobs, faceplates, etc., until they were gone, and some older amp features appear on newer amps well after the changes were made.

Almost like if they found some old faceplates squirreled away months after the change they would just use them anyway. Serial numbers are little help on old Sunns, they aren't sequential and are pretty much random.
The best way to tell the actual date is to look on the chassis itself.
Almost all of them had a date written in grease pencil on the chassis; some had inspection stickers as well.

Regardless, IMO you got a great score for $600.
And to echo John's sentiments, tonally that rig has very few peers; It will keep up amazingly well in a gig situation as well. If you keep her healthy it will put out an amazing amount of SPL for an amp rated at 60 watts, and tonally it finds its niche and sits very nicely in a band mix.
 
#13
Thanks for the info. I'll definitely get the 3-prong cord done, and get it a nice checkup.

Does anyone have opinions on Simple Green? I saw a thread with people talking about using it to clean the grill. What about the tolex and metal of the head?
 
#15
Amen to the Simple Green and after you have it all cleaned up an additional cleaning with Armor All wouldn't hurt, really spruces it up.
It looks to me that the grill cloth on the cab doesn't match the head. If you want to address that you might want to look at Mojotone's 6300001 "Aged Black/Silver/White" grill cloth.... I think it will match the head perfectly. Mojotone is a great source for vintage parts and there custom service is A+ (at least with me). Nice find! Ken

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#16
I forgot to address the power cord..... YES, YES, YES, have it changed. I remember playing a gig in 1971 (yup I'm a dinosaur) and looking over at my guitarist/lead singer just at the very instant an 8" BLUE SPARK jumped from his microphone to his WIRE FRAMED GLASSES as he played guitar! I almost crapped myself laughing...... but now I know how serious it could have been. We used the best gear available at that time too but it didn't help. Ken
 
#17
hifibass said:
Amen to the Simple Green and after you have it all cleaned up an additional cleaning with Armor All wouldn't hurt, really spruces it up.
It looks to me that the grill cloth on the cab doesn't match the head. If you want to address that you might want to look at Mojotone's 6300001 "Aged Black/Silver/White" grill cloth.... I think it will match the head perfectly.
Click to expand...

i wouldn't get armor all anywhere near any of my amps, unless you want it all greasy looking and feeling and WAY too slick and shiny (non-stock). armor all contains silicones and will eventually permeate the vinyl and breakdown the adhesives (a very bad thing).

if you want the vinyl (tolex) to have an original sheen and still be protected, i'd use vinylex instead.

BTW, while mojo is great, they don't carry any grill cloth like the stuff on your Sunn cab. the early Sunns used cloth very similar to ampeg's blue/silver cloth, only it was completely gray with no hue to it. i think i saw somewhere on the the Sunn amp forum that someone has the same type available that's on your head.
 
#19
The grill cloth that’s on your head is newer than the amp; it was used from 1969 forward. The grill cloth on your cab is period correct. Regretfully as John alludes to, it is unavailable. The later style is still available from the OEM, but I don’t know anywhere you can get less than a bulk amount retail, I think 4-5 yards x 72” wide. I’ve got some leftover from doing this rig;

DSC00114-1-1.jpg


However, I have more rigs that need new grills. There are probably some Sunn-o-philes at the Link Removed who would sell you enough to do the cab if you want a matching rig. I imagine that they would love to drool over your “score” also!
 
#20
edbass said:
......................... I’ve got some leftover from doing this rig;

DSC00114-1-1.jpg


...........................There are probably some Sunn-o-philes at the Link Removed who would sell you enough to do the cab if you want a matching rig. I imagine that they would love to drool over your “score” also!
Click to expand...

wow Ed. i'm busy drooling over your's! :D
 

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