Old Sunn O))) cab

[Korladis]

So, at my band's rehearsal spot, there's this jankity old Sunn cab. It's very large, either a 6x10 or a 6x12 (I haven't figured out how to get the grillcloth off to know for sure yet), and about the size of an Ampeg 8x10 (I don't have one there for comparison, but it might be slightly less tall, though definitely wider). The cable jack is really jankity, the plate having come off and the wires held there by tape, obviously in need of repair. No indication of how much power it can handle, or of its impedance. I assumed it was 4 ohms because most cabs that big seem to be.

Because I couldn't resist, I tried it out. It was a lot more honky sounding than my ampeg 1x15, which is middy, too, but very round sounding. The Sunn cab had a bit more upper mid, methinks. I was suspicious that it might in fact actually be a monstrously huge guitar cab, but I listened carefully for any speaker farting, not wanting to break it, and it didn't sound like there was anything bad going on, just not a lot of lows.

Obviously the input jack needs to be repaired so that it's secure and safe, but besides that are there any reasons I shouldn't use it? Anyone know what it is? I wish I had some pics, and plan on taking some when I get the opportunity.

 

[Ric5]

probably 6x12.

Chris Squire used 2 of them for a while in the 70s.

They work good for guitar and bass.

 

[Korladis]

So quite capable of handling bass at high volumes then? Just standard be careful with boosting lows and turn down if I hear any nasty speaker noises? Other than my notes I mean.

 

[Deluge Of Sound]

Do you know who owns the cab?

 

[Korladis]

Originally, like the guitarist's rig, it was his dad's. It's sort of de facto the guitarist's/the band's now.

To clarify, this isn't a rented rehearsal studio or anything. I'm not plugging into other people's gear, the rehearsal space is ours.

 

[Deluge Of Sound]

I wasn't trying to imply that, just thinking about the likelihood of you being able to gig it/possibly buy it.

 

[Korladis]

I wasn't trying to imply that, just thinking about the likelihood of you being able to gig it/possibly buy it.

Likelihood of that is high. I don't like the sound quite as much as my 1x15/2x10 rig, but it is louder. And still sounds pretty awesome.

 

[edbass]

Take a pic, I can probably tell for certain, but...
If it measures 46" x 30" x 15" (without casters), and definitely has 6 drivers, it's probably a 1200S cab with un-bass friendly AlNiCo 12” Sunn Transducer guitar drivers.
If it is a 1200S, don't make yourself crazy trying to remove the grill cloth, it's wood screwed on from inside. Open up the back and look.
Use a power driver, I think it has 40 or so screws holding the back on also.

 

[Korladis]

Ah, yes, it does have a bunch of screws in the back. I couldn't figure out at all how to get the grill cloth off. The classic method of sticking the nail file of my pocketknife in there and prying didn't work at all, so I gave up.

 

[Din Of Win]

Ah, yes, it does have a bunch of screws in the back. I couldn't figure out at all how to get the grill cloth off. The classic method of sticking the nail file of my pocketknife in there and prying didn't work at all, so I gave up.

i use the nail file on my multi-tool as well!

 

[nysbob]

Ah, yes, it does have a bunch of screws in the back. I couldn't figure out at all how to get the grill cloth off. The classic method of sticking the nail file of my pocketknife in there and prying didn't work at all, so I gave up.

Kids... :scowl:



I used to have a sunn 6X10 cab that went with a sunn concert lead amp - the speakers were crap, but quantity sometimes simulates quality. I was using an acoustic 371/301 for bottom anyway.

 

[mellowgerman]

If they're guitar speakers, I would replace them. But Sunn cabs (even the older ones) are really really well made and sound terrific with the right speakers. I had an old Sunn 1x15, from the early 70's, with a not-so-amazing speaker in it and it still sounded really good. Waayyy better than any of the Fender cabs from that time.

 

[Korladis]

Problem is, if they're guitar speakers, replacing all six with bass 12" speakers is going to be expensive.

 

[edbass]

Problem is, if they're guitar speakers, replacing all six with bass 12" speakers is going to be expensive.

Maybe not as bad as you think, if it is a 1200S cab and it's got the original AlNiCo drivers, and they aren't blown up, you can probably sell them for $50 or so each on eBay.
Also, if it's a 1200S cab, it's just a baffle board and some ducting away from being a 2000S cab; IMO one of the most unwieldy and impractical; but best sounding bass cabs ever.

 

[Korladis]

Maybe not as bad as you think, if it is a 1200S cab and it's got the original AlNiCo drivers, and they aren't blown up, you can probably sell them for $50 or so each on eBay.
Also, if it's a 1200S cab, it's just a baffle board and some ducting away from being a 2000S cab; IMO one of the most unwieldy and impractical; but best sounding bass cabs ever.

A 2000S cab is just a 1200S cab with more bass-friendly speakers? What? I don't follow. Not that knowledgeable on Sunn stuff.

 

[edbass]

A 2000S cab is just a 1200S cab with more bass-friendly speakers? What? I don't follow. Not that knowledgeable on Sunn stuff.

The box is the same, but the baffle board is a 2X15 with a full width center port (actually two baffle boards, one 15 in each) and some internal port ducting.

Here's a 2000S without the grill or back for comparison;

 

[Korladis]

Yeah.... that sounds way too complicated for me to do. If the drivers turn out to be guitar speakers, I'll probably either just not use it, or replace them with bass speakers. Porting is too complex for my brain.

Though, making a new baffle board to make it into a 2x15" might be doable.


How'd the grill cloth come off the cab in the picture above?

 

[edbass]

How'd the grill cloth come off the cab in the picture above?

Just like I said.

If it is a 1200S, don't make yourself crazy trying to remove the grill cloth, it's wood screwed on from inside. Open up the back and look.Use a power driver, I think it has 40 or so screws holding the back on also.

If you look close at the picture I posted, you can see the 30 or so screw holes around the edge of the baffle board.
You have to open it up from the back anyway, even if you could just take the grill cloth off without completely destroying it; all you would see are the six speaker cones.
You need to see what kind of drivers they actually are.
If the cab is a unmolested and stock 1200S, they will be somewhat puny guitar drivers though. That cab was never manufactured with bass drivers.
Did you measure it? Is it 30" wide?

 

[KramerBassFan]

I also want to think it was a 6 ohm cabinet originally.

 

[Korladis]

Just like I said.



If you look close at the picture I posted, you can see the 30 or so screw holes around the edge of the baffle board.
You have to open it up from the back anyway, even if you could just take the grill cloth off without completely destroying it; all you would see are the six speaker cones.
You need to see what kind of drivers they actually are.
If the cab is a unmolested and stock 1200S, they will be somewhat puny guitar drivers though. That cab was never manufactured with bass drivers.
Did you measure it? Is it 30" wide?

I haven't been back to the warehouse since last weekend and won't be able to get back there until next weekend. So no, I did not measure.

The drivers must be less puny than one might think, because the bassist in the guitarist's other band mainly uses that cab, and it doesn't sound like any of the speakers are blown, to me.

I'll take the back panel off and look inside the next chance I get. Is it a sealed cab, originally? It's impossible to tell from the outside, as the grill cloth isn't transparent really.