Show Off Your Sound City Amp!

[10cc]

I don't know what it is about Georgia. I keep seeing really nice amps being offered there.

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[dbase]

I'm on my second. Had an L120 for a time. Beast of an amp. Not what I was looking for really, but loud as hell for sure. Got this one more recently, but it's likely on the way out. I have other amps in the 50 watt range that I prefer to use.

I like the Brilliant inputs .. Is that used when you become really good at bass?

 

[beans-on-toast]

I like the Brilliant inputs .. Is that used when you become really good at bass?

Maybe they are supposed to be used when it's bright out. The normal inputs are darker, you use them at night.

 

[Korladis]

I've heard there are a couple different preamp designs in Sound City heads. Anyone know any more about that?

 

[ukulelelab]

I've heard there are a couple different preamp designs in Sound City heads. Anyone know any more about that?

The Mark 4 models have what many refer to as an "active preamp." The exceptions to this are the Mark 4-era 50R PA, 50 PA, 50 PA Plus, and 120 PA, all of which have passive preamps.

Mark 1, 2, or 3 guitar or bass amp, Mark 4 50R PA, 50 PA, 50 PA Plus, and 120 PA heads all have passive preamps.

But to know for certain, perform this simple test:

1. Set all tone controls to zero (off).
2. Gradually turn up the volume control(s).
If your amp still makes sound when you turn up the volume control(s), you have a passive preamp. (This is exactly opposite of the Sound City "active" (Mark 4) preamp, which provides no sound with its tone controls set to zero [off].)


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[Korladis]

The Mark 4 models have what many refer to as an "active preamp." The exceptions to this are the Mark 4-era 50R PA, 50 PA, 50 PA Plus, and 120 PA, all of which have passive preamps.

Mark 1, 2, or 3 guitar or bass amp, Mark 4 50R PA, 50 PA, 50 PA Plus, and 120 PA heads all have passive preamps.

But to know for certain, perform this simple test:

1. Set all tone controls to zero (off).
2. Gradually turn up the volume control(s).
If your amp still makes sound when you turn up the volume control(s), you have a passive preamp. (This is exactly opposite of the Sound City "active" (Mark 4) preamp, which provides no sound with its tone controls set to zero [off].)


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Ah, right. I'll keep that in mind if I ever get to try one.

 

[dancav]

Saw this thread so i thought i'd take the time to post. I've been playing this modified SC 120L for a while now. Love the tone / grit i get out of it. We are pretty aggressive and it meets my needs perfectly!

 

[keyofnight]

Saw this thread so i thought i'd take the time to post. I've been playing this modified SC 120L for a while now. Love the tone / grit i get out of it. We are pretty aggressive and it meets my needs perfectly!

Thanks for posting! So, what kinds of mods are on it? Also, do you play with your sensitivity switch on?

 

[Cheez]

Had a sound city 100 in the 80s. Got stolen by some idiot who ignored the really high dollar stuff (which was easier to replace than the SC, even back then). I'd like to find another.

 

[keyofnight]

Had a sound city 100 in the 80s. Got stolen by some idiot who ignored the really high dollar stuff (which was easier to replace than the SC, even back then). I'd like to find another.

That's a shame. I hope you find another.

 

[Kirk Bryant]

There is a SC 150 for sale locally for $900 ( I think ) if they weren't so heavy, or I was 20 yrs younger, I'd be interested.

 

[Korladis]

There is a SC 150 for sale locally for $900 ( I think ) if they weren't so heavy, or I was 20 yrs younger, I'd be interested.

What kind of preamp/EQ does it have?

 

[Kirk Bryant]

Gee Sartori, I don't really know but Steve Evans is in town tonite I could probably get him to drop it off to you when Roy Rodgers and co. head back down tomorrow! hahaha.

 

[Kirk Bryant]

It looks pretty much like the pics of the 120 pics here but no colored knobs. Honestly I didn't pay close attention to it as I didn't think anyone would ask me about it .....then I saw this thread.

 

[keyofnight]

Wow. Sound city amps are making a comeback?

 

[coreyfyfe]

Interesting. Steve Freyette has made some quality amps in the past, I'm sure he's done well with these designs too.

 

[Bassmec]

Here is another great amp also made in Southend on Sea Essex, 8 people ran the firm including the van driver don't know how many were ex Selmer Braintree and how many employees were ex hylite electronics IE Sound City or Hiwatt

4x12Ax7 pre amp so Lots of gain for a mid nineteen seventies amp, here is a demo of an Sr100 4 x el34.

My one is a Sr150 It gets some very serious dirty bass tone running 4 winged c KT88's, very like a Sound City 120 or some Hiwatt Dr201's it can run 6 el34's.X

 

[ukulelelab]

Interesting. Steve Freyette has made some quality amps in the past, I'm sure he's done well with these designs too.

they look good, I'm sure they sound good too but shame about the PCB circuit rather than PTP

 

[coreyfyfe]

they look good, I'm sure they sound good too but shame about the PCB circuit rather than PTP

I'll take a well laid out and constructed PCB over a poor hand wiring job like some of the old sound city stuff any day.

 

[Mr. Foxen]

This one worked its way back to me, sold it a few years ago. Picked it up cheap because a tech told the guy it needed all new valves. So I replaced the one dud valve and cleaned the sockets and it is good to go.

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