If I ordered one I know what Beatles song I'd be listening to until it arrived.
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Return of Sunn?
- Thread starter FirewalZ
- Start date
It is interesting. The Sunn Colosseum and Sorado were true classics.
I just hope Fender does a better job with this reboot than they did with SWR or their first attempt after they acquired the Sunn brand. Because Fender tends to over promise and under deliver, and then rapidly lose interest if something isn’t an overnight smash success. They’re also capable of flat out lying about their intentions as evidenced by what they did with the Kaman/Ovation brand of guitars.
It’s also worth remembering that it was Fender who took down the original Sunn website and nuked the ton of good technical and user information it contained. Supposedly they either forgot to make a backup or simply chose not to. Either way, all that information is gone forever. So thank you Fender. That was really swell of you.
Fender has been coasting on its four cash cows for so long that I think they’ve forgotten how to develop a product and build a market for it like they had to do with the Precision Bass. So I’m going to allow myself to feel hopeful but still remain very skeptical based on Fender’s track record.
I just hope Fender does a better job with this reboot than they did with SWR or their first attempt after they acquired the Sunn brand. Because Fender tends to over promise and under deliver, and then rapidly lose interest if something isn’t an overnight smash success. They’re also capable of flat out lying about their intentions as evidenced by what they did with the Kaman/Ovation brand of guitars.
It’s also worth remembering that it was Fender who took down the original Sunn website and nuked the ton of good technical and user information it contained. Supposedly they either forgot to make a backup or simply chose not to. Either way, all that information is gone forever. So thank you Fender. That was really swell of you.
Fender has been coasting on its four cash cows for so long that I think they’ve forgotten how to develop a product and build a market for it like they had to do with the Precision Bass. So I’m going to allow myself to feel hopeful but still remain very skeptical based on Fender’s track record.
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I was under the impression that Fender has nothing to do with this venture other than licensing the name... am I wrong about that?
Passinwind
I know nothing.
- Dec 3, 2003
- 23,069
- 46,010
- Disclosures
- Designer/Toaster Tech @ Passinwind Electronics
That's correct. My understanding is that it's a ten year branding license and the clock is ticking.
- Feb 12, 2006
- 61,024
- 5
- 220,891
- Disclosures
- Development Engineer-Mesa Boogie, Development Engineer-Genzler (pedals), Product Support-Genz Benz
Correct, that’s another Fender rant yet it’s not Fender’s fault.
CosmicRay
Supporting Member
Wow, good thing I still have mine.....'68-69 vintage.
New KT88's and it cranks!
New KT88's and it cranks!
"Sunrise, and the new day's breaking through."
"Sunrise, bless my eyes.
Catch my soul, make me whole again.
(Repeat)
Sunrise."
(Uriah Heep - Sunrise)
Sunrise Lyrics by Uriah Heep
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IF I had to guess, here's what the business who's licensed the Sunn name is now facing:
Since this was announced the many costs of doing business have increased by several multiples.
I'd be very surprised that even if they have total, complete parts lists and blueprints/schematics and the like, building brand new ones right down to the screen printing duplicates of the originals is today likely impractical and probably impossible: I doubt that all of the electronic components that were used are still available, plus I imagine all the legalities in terms of certification have probably changed enough that those hurdles might be enough on their own to prevent modern duplicates.
Then, finalize what could be done today, build them, and once the few hundred Sunn diehards step up with their wallet, you're at the mercy of online experts who will grouse these AIN'T like the originals, they suck . . . and game, set, match, you're done unless you can fire-sale them to Musicians Friend, Sweetwater, maybe 'The Reverb SUNN Store'.
That's a game I wouldn't want to play.
Since this was announced the many costs of doing business have increased by several multiples.
I'd be very surprised that even if they have total, complete parts lists and blueprints/schematics and the like, building brand new ones right down to the screen printing duplicates of the originals is today likely impractical and probably impossible: I doubt that all of the electronic components that were used are still available, plus I imagine all the legalities in terms of certification have probably changed enough that those hurdles might be enough on their own to prevent modern duplicates.
Then, finalize what could be done today, build them, and once the few hundred Sunn diehards step up with their wallet, you're at the mercy of online experts who will grouse these AIN'T like the originals, they suck . . . and game, set, match, you're done unless you can fire-sale them to Musicians Friend, Sweetwater, maybe 'The Reverb SUNN Store'.
That's a game I wouldn't want to play.
Used mine at an outdorr gig the other night. She performed well, my guitar player said he loved the tone. Also had a bassist friend in the crowd and he said the same thing. Lots of headroom!
Shipping is still slow. Mine was number 001, got it 2 weeks ago or so. A week later, the person that ordered next, got theirs. Almost seems they are building on request and not in any full time production mode. Prob due to capital/funding issues, imo.
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What are your thoughts on the Beta Bass, doesn't it sound like the original, do you recommend the amp as far as worth getting, please my inquiring brain needs to know!!!!
Hi!
I didnt have an original beta back in the day for comparison. Had a friend with a model T (which was awesome but a different animal). This is no Model T I used her at a gig the other night and had nice headroom and was able to dial in a good tone. It is a little tricky as I am using both channels, so you can dial in each channel and then blend them. Will be playing around with settings at tonights gig. The BB seems to have tone similar to my AG700, bot not as much power as the 700 (700 W vs 400 W for the Sunn), but I am very happy with it. I got it to use at hot outdoor gigs.
Thanks John for your insight on the amp, I actually have a Aguilar AG700 that I use, I had a Sunn Beta Bass head back in 1983 w/ Sunn 215B cabinet and I only had it briefly cause I ended up getting a 1978 Ampeg SVT w/ 2 810 cabinets and that just RULED!!!!
