I found a Kustom 200 with two 2x15 cabs. Its about 300 bucks. Should I buy this? A kid who played drums in jazz band also plays bass.(bass is pretty much his main axe since he was really little) . He got a kustom 250? from his uncle and said its a really great amp so that's why im looking at this Kustom. Also I found a Acoustic 140 head. Ive heard good things about these , should I shoot for it?
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Kustom 200
- Thread starter bassist15
- Start date
pharaohamps
Commercial User
- May 30, 2006
- 773
- 56
- Disclosures
- Owner, Disaster Area Designs / Alexander Pedals
Well, the amp is right around 100W, give or take. The speakers could be pretty decent, many Kustoms used either JBL's or Jensens (look at the jackplate on the back of the speaker cabs.) I've had several of those rigs, and can tell you that one head and two cabs probably won't keep up with a loud drummer AND stay clean. If you don't mind some grit you'll be fine. Two heads and two cabs would work for me, but YMMV.
BTW, the inputs on the channel inputs are somewhat reversed from what you might be used to: The "Low Gain" input has more gain than the "High Gain" input, so use Low Gain for passive pickups. Also, you'll be somewhat limited in tone controls with those amps, my 200's have Treble and Bass plus a Bright switch, and that's it. $300 is a good deal for that rig.
Matt Farrow
BTW, the inputs on the channel inputs are somewhat reversed from what you might be used to: The "Low Gain" input has more gain than the "High Gain" input, so use Low Gain for passive pickups. Also, you'll be somewhat limited in tone controls with those amps, my 200's have Treble and Bass plus a Bright switch, and that's it. $300 is a good deal for that rig.
Matt Farrow
bassist15 said:
A Kustom 200 was my first amp years ago and I loved it, Back in probably 1969 or 70 I paid $400.00 for mine, used.
It served me well for lots of years.
The Acoustic amp and the Kustom amp are both about equal in the power and control category.
They obviously sound different owing to different circuitry. I have found the Acoustic to be a little brighter. YMMV.
A Kustom 200 was my 1st loud amp. Mine had CTS speakers but like other have said some came with JBL D140's. They are probably about 100 watts solid state. Single channel with bass and treble. If it is in good shape using both cabs you should be OK at your run of the mill bar gig. One of the best bass sounds I ever heard was with a Kustom 200 with both cabs (cts) bass and treble on full and P-bass w/flat-wounds.
