Kustom Amps

[dhsierra1]

fun thread, I've never owned a Kustom amp but obviously have heard more than a few over the years. Always appreciated the simple control layout.

The other great amp from some splinter of Kustom were the Road amps, those I've played through and always liked them. Built like tanks and weighed about the same, but very cool looking. Was going to buy the 1-15 combo new back in the 70s but instead bought an old Standel 4-15 stack as I had to compete with a couple of Marshall half-stacks.

 

[gumshoe]

Found this old thread searching for info about Kustom. There is one being sold at a pawn shop here ... Vintage Kustom 150 Solid State Bass amp for sale. 70's lightly used. Great Condition. $250 or obo.

I know the standard advise that I should go try it out and see if I like it ... but just seeing if anyone has any input on whether long term this would be a good amp to have on hand. Pros, cons, whatever.

 

[gumshoe]

And I also found this in craigslist...

$300 Kustom Groove Bass Amp with 1200 Watts of Power... 3 10" Speakers all encased in a self contained amplifier on Wheels. This amp has a lot of punch and is surprisingly easy to move because of the self contained design and wheels.

Do either of these seem like good deals? Or should I just stay away from Kustom?

 

[Marko 1]

I don't see anything wrong with it, but I'd start a new thread...

People might not bother to read through it and find your question.

 

[Oren Hudson]

On the 70's Kustom, realize that it is 75 watts RMS. Not a ton for bass. Also check for type of speaker. Standard was CTS, an OK speaker. Optional were JBL's and Altec's. Huge difference with either of those over the CTS. That's assuming that some other speakers are not in it.

On the Groove amp. Those are powerful, but huge. Your age and load in vehicle or trailer would have a lot to say about that one.

 

[Johnny Crab]

Anyone run bass via a Kustom Defender 15H ?
Seriously thinking about getting one to play with for tubes on the cheap experiment with clean, run wide open, run wide open with a boost in front of it, etc. PLUS it has an XLR out.
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[Stevenk]

I have an old 70's Kustom II or III that I purchased when I was a kid. I dont know exactly which one it is, as the model is covered by an old Peace Sign sticker that was on the amp when I purchased it pre-loved. And since that Peace Sign sticker is the source of much mojo, I dare not remove it. What a killer old school tone that amp has. It sounds great with any cab.

Also, the studio I play at from time to time has a newer Kustom rack mount head. I Think its a Kustom Deep End, or something like that. It really sounds great! Its shocking how awesome the tone is on that thing. If I didnt have so many bass amps laying around, I would seek out a used one on the cheap and buy it.

 

[Stevenk]

I am composing some stuff with my guitarist neighbor. He has a Kustom 11 bass amp for me to use. I would give anything for it. He has his deluxe and some strat sand gibsons. I play a 63 precision and 67 fretlessed p as well. I keep trading in all this lighter SS stuff, as my 65 yo back couldn't move it around, but I just can't find anything that gets that sound. I play all bass, no treble. Im gassing.