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New bass amp help

J

Jordan6274

Jul 10, 2012
8
0
#1
Hey guys, I'm in a rock 'n' roll band and my 40something year old Sunn just died on me. I'm looking for something similar, and would especially like it to have plenty of bite to it. I loved the sunn because you could saturate the tubes easily using the boost switches or you could get a much smoother sound by turning them off. My budget is around $1500 for both a new cab and head, but it can be stretched if something perfect is found. Links to videos or recordings of the amp are much appreciated :) Thanks!
 
#3
Yeah neither of those had enough bite at all when I listened to them, thanks though I'm talking a real growl here, saturated tubes sound really good and still get distorted and bassy. I'm not looking for a pop rig, I'm not looking for good clean sound, I'm looking for a dirty sound.
 
#4
Jordan6274 said:
Yeah neither of those had enough bite at all when I listened to them, thanks though I'm talking a real growl here, saturated tubes sound really good and still get distorted and bassy. I'm not looking for a pop rig, I'm not looking for good clean sound, I'm looking for a dirty sound.
Click to expand...

I would go try both of them and get the gain pushed way up. I might also check out a Mesa M6/9.
 
#5
I think you'd be very happy with a used Orange AD200b. When you spoke of bite through early tube saturation or smoothness, I immediately thought of the Orange. Those are both sounds that I can get from my ad200b.

I've seen the Ad200b's for $1200-$1500 in the classifieds. That doesn't leave much for a cab but it's tough to find the authentic tube saturation that you're speaking of at lower prices. I've never played through the Peavey VB-2 but have heard very good things about it and you should be able to find one of those for $500-$600.

If you can tolerate going into the solid state world, you could try something like the Genz Benz Streamliner. That should give you what you're looking for or close at least. If you got the Streamliner used for around $600-$700 you could get 2 Acme flatwounds for $1000. A bit over budget but 2 flatwounds and a Streamliner is a heck of a combo for what you're looking for.
 
#7
Damn that ad200 would be sweet...thanks muckaluck! I think the budget could be stretched a bit as long as it still sounds that amazing when I go to test one out :)
I wish the sunn could be redeemed, but it was getting too quiet even while turned up to 10, so I think it's just time to move on :/
 
#8
Jordan6274 said:
Damn that ad200 would be sweet...thanks muckaluck! I think the budget could be stretched a bit as long as it still sounds that amazing when I go to test one out :)
I wish the sunn could be redeemed, but it was getting too quiet even while turned up to 10, so I think it's just time to move on :/
Click to expand...

If you dig that tone I would look at the Terror Bass 500/1000. Less expensive, Orange tone, smaller and lighter, more power. If I was looking at an Orange amp it would be the TB1000 and I would pair it with my 15/6. I got great tones from this set up when I took my cab down for some show and tell.
 
#12
Bump
Tubes are shot, have no idea where to start looking for new ones, the amp itself doesn't put out enough volume to keep up with the guitarist's and drummer's slightly increasing volume, and something else but I forget what because my bud diagnosed it and said that I need a new amp if I want to be heard. So is there much of a difference between the tb500 and tb1000 sound wise? I'm wondering if you have to really crank the 1000 to make it really growl since it won't have to work as hard to get the same amount of volume.
 
#14
Jordan6274 said:
Bump
Tubes are shot, have no idea where to start looking for new ones, the amp itself doesn't put out enough volume to keep up with the guitarist's and drummer's slightly increasing volume, and something else but I forget what because my bud diagnosed it and said that I need a new amp if I want to be heard. So is there much of a difference between the tb500 and tb1000 sound wise? I'm wondering if you have to really crank the 1000 to make it really growl since it won't have to work as hard to get the same amount of volume.
Click to expand...

They both have the same Pre as the AD200. Just work the gain for the grit you want, then volume for SPL. For the extra $100 I will take the head room.
 
#15
Dude, don't listen to your bud. Doesn't sound like he knows what's doing. Take it to an actual tech and get the Sunn fixed. The great thing about any tube amp made in the 60's and 70's is they can be fixed and brought up to speed easily enough for a reasonable amount of money as long as the transformers are still good. I seriously doubt there's much wrong with your amp past some tubes needing to be replaced and/or a cap job. And they ain't making amps that sound like those old Sunns anymore.

But if you still decide you want to bag it, let me know...I'll buy a broken Sunn tuber for cheap.
 
#17
Which model Sunn is it? As has been mentioned many times they are pretty easy to refurbish, and even if it's in need of work tube Sunns have a good resale value. There's nothing that can't be replaced in one, they are easy to work on and are built like a tank.

Also, add me to the list of potential buyers if you want to dump that old, broken down wreck of an amp... ;)
 
#19
Jordan6274 said:
Bump
Tubes are shot, have no idea where to start looking for new ones, the amp itself doesn't put out enough volume to keep up with the guitarist's and drummer's slightly increasing volume, and something else but I forget what because my bud diagnosed it and said that I need a new amp if I want to be heard. So is there much of a difference between the tb500 and tb1000 sound wise? I'm wondering if you have to really crank the 1000 to make it really growl since it won't have to work as hard to get the same amount of volume.
Click to expand...

While you're checking the orange and other filthy-awesome modern amps, why not see how much you're likely to get for the sunn (if it was working).
If it's a rare or prized version.... It could be worth a lot more than a check and overhaul... and is almost certainly worth looking into. I know I'd be keen to see if my 'old faithful (if I had one) could be brought back... for old times sake.
Maybe I'm sentimental, but those sunn amps are like any Iconic vintage gear. Not magical, just built to last, with delicious tone and a piece of history.

Make sure you sell it to someone who can restore it if you don't want to yourself... It'd be a shame to have one of these going unplayed :bawl:

Ok guilt trip over. :hiding: Sorry, I just am empathizing with how I imagine I'd feel. ;)
 
#20
I honestly think the tb500 has quite a bit of headroom. I got to play a show with it last weekend with my svt 410 hlf and i was louder than the guys using the 810 stacks. and i think i had the head on 3 for the volume. pretty darn powerful for such a little guy.
 

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