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Sunn Coliseum Lead question

Discussion in 'Amps and Cabs [BG]' started by blackholepun, Jul 28, 2009.

  1. Jul 28, 2009 #1
    blackholepun

    blackholepun

    Jul 28, 2009
    Just picked up a 1970 Sunn Coliseum Lead and got it home..
    It says on the back that it's rated at 500 watts, even though most of the info I'm finding online says that the Coliseum Lead is a 320 watt amp. I can't find any hard specs on it, except the schematics, which go for $20. Does anyone know about the details of this amp?
    I want to plug it into a SWR Megoliath, but wasn't sure if that would be wise. :confused:

    Any advice/info that anyone could give would be greatly appreciated!!

    :bassist:
    All my thanks...
     
  2. Aug 11, 2009 #2
    MIJ-VI

    MIJ-VI Inactive Supporting Member

    Jan 12, 2009
  3. Aug 11, 2009 #3
    Oren Hudson

    Oren Hudson

    Dec 25, 2007
    Gastonia, NC
    I suspect that what you are seeing is the rating for the electrical DRAW for the amp, not the power rating. The later heads were generally 300 watts RMS. Of course, a pic would help clear up for sure.

    As for the head and cab matching, that's not as big a problem as some think. Just start out with the volume low and play around with it. You'll know when you've reached the limits of the cab when the farting (distortion etc.) begins. Most better cabs can handle way more that you might think. IMO, as a general rule, you can't have too much power and you'll run out of power before you run of speaker. Just use common sense when setting up your rigs. For example, I recently ran a 350 watt Ampeg head through a '68 Kustom 2-15 cab with the standard CTS speakers that is normally matched up with a 100 watt Kustom head. Amazing how much louder and deeper I could go with the 150 additional watts of power without maxing out the speakers.
     
  4. Aug 12, 2009 #4
    BlacksHole

    BlacksHole

    Mar 22, 2000
    Rockville, MD
    Why a Lead instead of the Coliseum Bass? Anyway, as I recall their output is 300 to 320 watts RMS. While that may sound low by today's amp standards, these were really very loud amps (I used a Coliseum Bass for many years). I believe that the Coliseum Lead is a fairly sought after guitar head currently, and if it doesn't meet your needs, you might get a good deal selling it.
     
  5. Aug 12, 2009 #5
    KPAX

    KPAX Inactive

    Mar 22, 2005
    Yeah, the 70's Coliseums were 300W output.
    The Coliseum Lead is a great amp for bass.
    Squire used one in the 70's. That's what he's using live on the Yessongs album and film.
    Entwistle used one also (along with Coliseum Bass and Coliseum 880) in the early/mid 70's.
    Good amp.

     
  6. Aug 12, 2009 #6
    Pilgrim

    Pilgrim Supporting Member

    Jul 8, 2004
    Fort Collins, Colorado
    Advice: keep searching for the manual, and if you can't find one free, pay the $20.

    There is no substitute for having the owner's manual.
     
  7. Aug 12, 2009 #7
    Kirk Bryant

    Kirk Bryant

    Aug 23, 2004
    Aloha, ..Or., not nearly as tropical as it sounds!
    Hey Dude here is the link to Conrad Sundholm's current web site. He's a super nice guy very interesting to talk to and can tell you ALL about Sunn amps as it was his and his brothers company. He was the amp building guru behind the Co. and his new guitar amps and Bass pre's are world class. :cool:

    http://www.conradamps.com

    peace Capt Kirk
     
  8. Aug 12, 2009 #8
    BassScum

    BassScum

    May 1, 2008
    So Cal
    But for $20? I wouldn't pay that much. There sould be enough info on the internet without really needing a manual for that particular amp.