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Old Sunn O))) cab

#81
The early SUNN cabs were all back panel access.The combination of the million screws(slightly exagerating)and wrapped around tolex sealed the cab from vibration.The front Baffle board (with grill cloth attached) can only be removed from the inside!lay cab on its face(grill side)then take the screws out around the edges and Viola!! your in buisness.By the By. The early sunn cabs with old style D140 15"JBL's sound like the hand of GOD!!!!
 
#82
Oh yes, I know. I chose to leave the grill cloth on the original baffle board, in case I ever want to convert it back. Hence the decision to use individual speaker grills. The original is leaning up against the wall in my closet, speakers still attached, with a sheet of plastic over the whole thing.

When I got it, the thing only had six of the five million screws that go on the back. So I procured some new ones. New wheels, too, since the originals were shot. New jack plate, and even new corners. All fancy.

The speakers are EV 15B's, rather than JBL D140's, as I could not find any JBL's even close to affordable.

Hopefully it'll be ready to fire up by this weekend.
 
#83
Here's a shot of the interior, and one of the back with bracing.
 

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#86
not to derail this thread, but i recently purchased a Sunn 2000S with the matching 215 cab in almost pristine condition. my guitarist has an original 612 1200S cab that hes probably not going to use as it does not fit his current setup. some of you have said that these 1200S sound bad for bass, but what if i were running both at the same time? so id be running the 2000S into the 1200S and 2000S cabs, id assume that would sound pretty beastly, but i definitely do not want to damage the 1200S nor do i want it to sound terrible. itll have tons of fuzz on it as well, so a little grindy-ness out of the 12s is no problem, but i just wanted some more in depth feedback on what sounds so poor about the 1200S for bass.
 
#90
Satori-Nice man, looking sharp.

Beebass-The main problem you'd have with the old Sunn 1200s 612 is that it is loaded with Sunn Guitar Transducer speakers. Some bassists have had no problems using these speakers (or rather, the 15" version) for years, but with the lower power (60w) bass heads. When it comes to massive lows that the 2000s puts out though, you may veryy likely run into those speakers limitations. If you were to take the old Sunn speakers out (store them to put back in if you ever want to sell it) and replace them with some more substantial speakers (I've heard the Celestion G12-75s or -100s can work adequately if you don't want to get bass specific drivers. I believe GodofThunder or Clammy uses them in Marshall cabs), it may be really cool. Just keep in mind, it'll be sort of like using a Marshall guitar 412, not a lot of bass as it's a sealed cab. It'll definitely be in the 60s-Noel-Redding-at-Monterey vein. I've thought of building a 612 to match my 2000s 2x15 (though I'll probably make a matching 215). Another issue though is the impedance of the 612 cabs. They come out at some funny in between rating I believe. Technically rated as 6 ohm, though are actually 5.33. I'm not an authority, but I have no idea how this would mate with the rating of the 215, or what your 2000s heads output taps are currently wired at (there's a 4, 8, & 16 tap off the OT). If you have an impedance mismatch though, it could result in one cabinet getting more power than the other, though it'd be best to consult high powers than I on that one. Just something to keep in mind. Oh, and congrats on the 2000s+215, it's an absolutely INCREDIBLE setup.
 
#91
D.M.N. said:
Satori-Nice man, looking sharp.

Beebass-The main problem you'd have with the old Sunn 1200s 612 is that it is loaded with Sunn Guitar Transducer speakers. Some bassists have had no problems using these speakers (or rather, the 15" version) for years, but with the lower power (60w) bass heads. When it comes to massive lows that the 2000s puts out though, you may veryy likely run into those speakers limitations. If you were to take the old Sunn speakers out (store them to put back in if you ever want to sell it) and replace them with some more substantial speakers (I've heard the Celestion G12-75s or -100s can work adequately if you don't want to get bass specific drivers. I believe GodofThunder or Clammy uses them in Marshall cabs), it may be really cool. Just keep in mind, it'll be sort of like using a Marshall guitar 412, not a lot of bass as it's a sealed cab. It'll definitely be in the 60s-Noel-Redding-at-Monterey vein. I've thought of building a 612 to match my 2000s 2x15 (though I'll probably make a matching 215). Another issue though is the impedance of the 612 cabs. They come out at some funny in between rating I believe. Technically rated as 6 ohm, though are actually 5.33. I'm not an authority, but I have no idea how this would mate with the rating of the 215, or what your 2000s heads output taps are currently wired at (there's a 4, 8, & 16 tap off the OT). If you have an impedance mismatch though, it could result in one cabinet getting more power than the other, though it'd be best to consult high powers than I on that one. Just something to keep in mind. Oh, and congrats on the 2000s+215, it's an absolutely INCREDIBLE setup.
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awesome info dude, thanks a lot. i guess ill try it out and see what happens, if im not feeling it ill just not use his cab and he'll sell it.

but about the 6 ohm impedance, we noticed that as well on the meter, but if im correct, these 612 cabs were sold in pairs with the 1200S guitar head, meant to both be run at the same time. the 1200S only had 4 and 8 ohm outputs, so how did this work back in the day?
 
#92
beebassdude said:
awesome info dude, thanks a lot. i guess ill try it out and see what happens, if im not feeling it ill just not use his cab and he'll sell it.

but about the 6 ohm impedance, we noticed that as well on the meter, but if im correct, these 612 cabs were sold in pairs with the 1200S guitar head, meant to both be run at the same time. the 1200S only had 4 and 8 ohm outputs, so how did this work back in the day?
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Yeah, you could only buy a 1200s with one or two cabs. I mean, 1200s is actually the designation for the entire system, just as a 2000s is the name of the head+the cab. So I don't really know how they used to run it. If I was to hazard a guess, I'd think that you'd put it into the 4 ohm tap? Don't quote me on that. I recommend heading over here for all your sunn-related needs: Link Removed

And he has the matching 1200s and cab and is contemplating selling just the cab? Madness! I'd kill for that set. Run it side by side with the 2000s rig.
 
#93
D.M.N. said:
Yeah, you could only buy a 1200s with one or two cabs. I mean, 1200s is actually the designation for the entire system, just as a 2000s is the name of the head+the cab. So I don't really know how they used to run it. If I was to hazard a guess, I'd think that you'd put it into the 4 ohm tap? Don't quote me on that. I recommend heading over here for all your sunn-related needs: Link Removed

And he has the matching 1200s and cab and is contemplating selling just the cab? Madness! I'd kill for that set. Run it side by side with the 2000s rig.
Click to expand...

from what i can tell is that the 1200S was the guitar flagship and the 2000S was the bass flagship. each came with 2 cabs, rated at 8ohms meant to be run at the same time from a 4 ohm tap, the guitar had the 2 612 cabs and the bass had the 2 215 cabs, each wired the same. i know the meter reads like 6, but thats close to 8 and i know the theres no way that 1200S has a 3 ohm or 6 ohm tap, ive never even heard of that.

and my guitarist bought the 612, but hes going back to straight 412s, and before he sells the 612 hes letting me try it with my stuff, if i like it and it works ill just buy it from him. hes got a full orange stack and a full matamp stack so hes not losing anything! lol
 
#95
beebassdude said:
from what i can tell is that the 1200S was the guitar flagship and the 2000S was the bass flagship. each came with 2 cabs, rated at 8ohms meant to be run at the same time from a 4 ohm tap, the guitar had the 2 612 cabs and the bass had the 2 215 cabs, each wired the same. i know the meter reads like 6, but thats close to 8 and i know the theres no way that 1200S has a 3 ohm or 6 ohm tap, ive never even heard of that.

and my guitarist bought the 612, but hes going back to straight 412s, and before he sells the 612 hes letting me try it with my stuff, if i like it and it works ill just buy it from him. hes got a full orange stack and a full matamp stack so hes not losing anything! lol
Click to expand...

Yes, the 1200s and 2000s were the flagships, along with the 1000s and 1500s setups for guitar. In the earlier production the heads had 4 & 8 outputs on their backs, with 8 & 16 jacks wired from factory on 1969 and later I believe (I may have this backwards), as the speakers in the 2000s cab were either 8 or 16 ohm D140s, meaning you could get one or two 8 ohm cabs (8 or 4 loads), or one or two 16 cabs (16 or 8 load). You could buy a 1000s setup (1000s series head+ one cab) and an additional cab. The 1200s used the same transformers as the 2000s, so yes, it has 4, 8 and 16 taps. The cabinets being 5.33 (6 ohms), I'm not sure which taps you'd plug into, but yeah, I would assume you'd treat it like a 8 ohm load.

Whooee, full Matamp stack? Jeez. As for getting the 612, if you don't like it with the 2000s+215, I recommend using a separate head with it in a biamp rig setup, using it as the highs or effected amp (if you use effects). How much is he selling it for?
 
#96
D.M.N. said:
Yes, the 1200s and 2000s were the flagships, along with the 1000s and 1500s setups for guitar. In the earlier production the heads had 4 & 8 outputs on their backs, with 8 & 16 jacks wired from factory on 1969 and later I believe (I may have this backwards), as the speakers in the 2000s cab were either 8 or 16 ohm D140s, meaning you could get one or two 8 ohm cabs (8 or 4 loads), or one or two 16 cabs (16 or 8 load). You could buy a 1000s setup (1000s series head+ one cab) and an additional cab. The 1200s used the same transformers as the 2000s, so yes, it has 4, 8 and 16 taps. The cabinets being 5.33 (6 ohms), I'm not sure which taps you'd plug into, but yeah, I would assume you'd treat it like a 8 ohm load.

Whooee, full Matamp stack? Jeez. As for getting the 612, if you don't like it with the 2000s+215, I recommend using a separate head with it in a biamp rig setup, using it as the highs or effected amp (if you use effects). How much is he selling it for?
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i already have a full SVT rig going as well so i dont wanna add another head. no clue what he'd sell it for, its in like pristine shape and the seller said it dates to around a 67. he bought it for 800 i think. dude who sold it had 2 of them and supposedly they had been sitting in a box for the last 10 presidential terms lol.

hopefully ill be able to test it soon, i pick up the head and cab tomorrow, but im gonna make sure i get the 3 prong grounded plug on first before i mess with the "death cap" lol.
 
#97
beebassdude said:
i already have a full SVT rig going as well so i dont wanna add another head. no clue what he'd sell it for, its in like pristine shape and the seller said it dates to around a 67. he bought it for 800 i think. dude who sold it had 2 of them and supposedly they had been sitting in a box for the last 10 presidential terms lol.

hopefully ill be able to test it soon, i pick up the head and cab tomorrow, but im gonna make sure i get the 3 prong grounded plug on first before i mess with the "death cap" lol.
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His is probably from 1968 then (first year of production). $800 is pretty good if it's in pristine shape with the original speakers and original grill cloth (not the later fender style). Too bad you're so far away, I'd be interested if he were to sell it.

Yeah, my 2000s (1969 with bass boost) has the original 2 prong cord and polarity switch still in there. I need to get around to having them changed, though so far they haven't been a problem. I did get mildly shocked using a SM57 once, but my normal mic (a 60s Unidyne 580 I believe {don't have it infront of me. An old unidyne, not 545 though}) does not cause any shocking issues because the metal pop screen is not directly attached to the metal body of the mic, so my mouth can touch it without a ground forming. Still should have it done though.
 
#98
D.M.N. said:
Yes, the 1200s and 2000s were the flagships, along with the 1000s and 1500s setups for guitar. In the earlier production the heads had 4 & 8 outputs on their backs, with 8 & 16 jacks wired from factory on 1969 and later I believe (I may have this backwards), as the speakers in the 2000s cab were either 8 or 16 ohm D140s, meaning you could get one or two 8 ohm cabs (8 or 4 loads), or one or two 16 cabs (16 or 8 load). You could buy a 1000s setup (1000s series head+ one cab) and an additional cab. The 1200s used the same transformers as the 2000s, so yes, it has 4, 8 and 16 taps. The cabinets being 5.33 (6 ohms), I'm not sure which taps you'd plug into, but yeah, I would assume you'd treat it like a 8 ohm load.
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The 1000S, 1200S, 1500S, and 2000S are the Sunn "1000 Series" amps. They all share the same output stages and transformers, and are pretty similar in the preamps as well, a few tone stack variations between the bass specific 2000S and the others and some of the guitar amps were available with reverb and tremelo.
The biggest difference was the speaker cabs, and as you posted the amps all came with a cabinet, an extension cab was optional but you couldn't buy a head ala carte.
The 1200S wasn't the flagship though. I'm not near my pricelists right now, but the 1200S with it's "Sunn Transducers" was less money than the 1000 Series amps that came with JBL's as OEM.
All of the Sunn amps from that era make pretty good bass amps with the proper cab(s), the 2000S came with the 2 X D140F cab from the factory.
 
#99
edbass said:
The 1000S, 1200S, 1500S, and 2000S are the Sunn "1000 Series" amps. They all share the same output stages and transformers, and are pretty similar in the preamps as well, a few tone stack variations between the bass specific 2000S and the others and some of the guitar amps were available with reverb and tremelo.
The biggest difference was the speaker cabs, and as you posted the amps all came with a cabinet, an extension cab was optional but you couldn't buy a head ala carte.
The 1200S wasn't the flagship though. I'm not near my pricelists right now, but the 1200S with it's "Sunn Transducers" was less money than the 1000 Series amps that came with JBL's as OEM.
All of the Sunn amps from that era make pretty good bass amps with the proper cab(s), the 2000S came with the 2 X D140F cab from the factory.
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Yep, all true, though I'd say all of the 1000s series were the flagships, just different variations. The 1500s came with a 2x15 cab with JBL D15S, while the 1000s originally had reverb and trem and came with a cab loaded with two JBL D15S and a JBL LE100S horn. The 1200s in 1968 was the same as the 1500s, but with a 6x12 (no verb or trem). In 1969, the 1500s was dropped, and the 1200s was the same as the 1000s (reverb and trem) paired with a 6x12. A midboost was also added. In 1970, the rectifiers were SS, so the amps were now 150w, and the 1200s came paired with either a 612 (Sunn transducers stock, or JBL 123s as an upgrade) or a 2x15 like the 2000s cab but loaded with JBL 130s.


I know this is really off the topic of Satori's cab, but I just love discussing sunn
 
#100
beebassdude said:
not to derail this thread, but i recently purchased a Sunn 2000S with the matching 215 cab in almost pristine condition. my guitarist has an original 612 1200S cab that hes probably not going to use as it does not fit his current setup. some of you have said that these 1200S sound bad for bass, but what if i were running both at the same time? so id be running the 2000S into the 1200S and 2000S cabs, id assume that would sound pretty beastly, but i definitely do not want to damage the 1200S nor do i want it to sound terrible. itll have tons of fuzz on it as well, so a little grindy-ness out of the 12s is no problem, but i just wanted some more in depth feedback on what sounds so poor about the 1200S for bass.
Click to expand...

If you split your signal, maybe, but what prompted the modification into a 2000s cab was the fact that even with the way I have my amp set (really low lows cut, mids boosted, D-180 set up for distortion), the poor speakers just couldn't handle it. I couldn't get loud enough to even be really audible with drums before hearing that horrible speakers farting in pain sound. They especially couldn't handle the clean, low heavy sound the other bassist who used the cab had.
 

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