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The Kustom Club

#41
Your 2x15 CTS cabinet is probably 8 ohms - so the K200 amp is putting out only about 70 watts.
With two of these cabinets it would put out 100 watts.

A K200 is "loud", but it still is only 100 watts.

A speaker upgrade would be a good idea for more volume.
I put 12 inch S2012 Basslites in my 2x15 (due to the small internal volume plus the Basslite 15 is not available in 8 ohm).
http://www.flickr.com/photos/34116766@N07/3402574267/sizes/l/

Also, you said, "Anything beyond half volume and the distortion was/is awful."
This is normal - on most vintage Kustoms, full volume is around 10 o'clock or a little higher.

-Les S.
 
#43
LesS,
It appears that you are our TB Kustom expert. Yes, my cab is @ 8 ohms. Would it handle its' own power with another 2x15 cab, which would be @ 4 ohms, or would you recommend upgrading to JBL's? If JBL, then, should I use 2 @16 ohms, as my CTS speakers are?
Once, I used my Acoustic 370 with an early 70's Kustom cab, which had 4x15 JBL'S, in a column. Now that sounded great. I am recently aware of a tuck-n-roll Kustom folded horn. Ever hear one used? What ohmage is it?
I never ran it very long, but I have plugged my K200-B head into my old Sunn 1-18 vh folded horn @ 4 ohms. The purple power light dimmed, as though the cab was sucking the life out of it, then it regained it's composure and sounded fine.
Currently, the "bright' switch in the bright channel, kills all sound when activated and after 39 years, the light bulb has finally died. Any suggestions on the "bright" switch delimma ?
In 1970, believe it or not...I saw The Guess Who, as the opening act, when American Woman was their hit, open for Pink Floyd. The Guess Who used Kustom 400's. I have no idea what Pink floyd used, other than it was massive. I felt sorry for TGW,as it is the only time I have ever seen the opening act so overwhelmed by the following act.
Finally...I never understood the function of that RCA-type preamp output on the back..never used it. What is it for, and how do you "daisy chain" the amp to itself, for more power?
Thanks again.....zon6c-f.
 
#44
zon6c-f,
When you use 2 cabinets together, it’s better if that are matched.
Compare it to the other cabinet and if they are about the same efficiency, they will probably sound good together.
I would agree with you wanting to use JBL’s – but I don’t have any specific recommendations – try asking this question at VintageKustom.com – several people there prefer JBL’s.
Personally for bass guitar, I prefer a modern speaker like the BassLite or KappaLite – for example the xmax is high (that is how far the cone moves in and out.) More excursion will move more air. These speakers will take more wattage than most vintage speakers before they bottom out.

For the Kustom 1-18B folded horn bass cabinet, the nominal impedance of the speaker is 3.2 ohms. I have never used one.

You would need to have a tech look at the bright switch.
The bulb you need is a # 1829 (Grainger #6VF92) and is 28 volts 70ma (#1819 is 28 volts 40ma and will work but is not as bright as #1829. Also, don't use a 6.3 volt bulb like Fender amps use, it will make the resistor run too hot.)
The RCA jack is a preamp-out for recording.
You can daisy chain using the jacks on the front of your amp. Just connect your guitar to one channel and run another cord from that channel to the other channel. It will change your tone, not increase the amps power.
-Les S.
 
#45
Thanks, LesS.
I appreciate your advice and comments. Also, after I posted, I realized that my memory had failed me: The unique thing was that Pink Floyd warmed up for The Guess Who and overwhelmed the headliner, not the other way around. After The Guess Who's honcor, the crowd chanted, "Pink Floyd!!!," until they returned and played until Atlanta PD shut them down...Amazing..... But the Guess Who used all K-400'S.400s.
Thanks again, zon6c-f.
 
#48
Hey folks, I don't own a Kustom, but I'm shopping for a monitor type bass amp, at least 100 watts, that I can also use without running it through a system in small venues. I'm trying to stay at $300.00 and I see that Kustom seems to fit the bill. What kind of input can I get in here from your Kustom amps? Thanks

Jack
 
#49
My Kustom Groove 210c- 600 watts through two eminence 12's in a deep ported cab with DI, 3 band eq, graphic eq, and mid scoop "solo" feature. I love this amp-

100_0160.jpg
 
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#50
Im using this conglomeration to keep up with the 2 LOUD guitarists in the band im in. Cant afford more gear yet , so im running This Acoustic 360 pre-amp...into My Trusty Kustom series III into a Crate 2-15 cab ... also from said Acoustic into a Crate BFX220H into a Carvin RL118 Cab. Not exceedingly loud but between both amps (4 ohm cabs with each amp)...I get enough coverage to be heard.
 

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#51
I have an old Kustom Monitor III Amp.
130 watts, nothing too amazing. Got it for $35 on ebay... and i've been tracking down transistors.

I also have a 2x15 WOODSON cab.. which was more or less a KUSTOM made in Missouri, not Kansas. :cool:
 
#52
My band in the late 60s had a Kustom PA with 6-foot green tuck and roll Kustom speakers. Our drummer, who was the manager and “equipment acquisition agent”, thought that it didn’t have enough treble for outdoor venues so when I showed up for a gig one night he had added two 36” loud-hailer horns (US Navy “surplus”) on stands. As a final touch they were chromed! This PA plus five Fender Dual Showmans with 2X15 cabs… it’s a wonder I can hear anymore.

I’m liking the new Kustom DE 200-210 combo… has anyone played it? Can’t find a dealer near here.

Regards,
Dave
 
#56
'tis indeed a RB 5. It's my workhorse. Kinda heavy. Shoreline Gold with matching headstock. Wide range of tonal options and I'm always able to get to a good tone quickly. I have it set-up a little on the high side so I can dig in pretty good.
 
#57
I currently own a Kasino Lounge-B (a 25 watt combo with a 15" speaker), but still a loud amp. I formerly owned a Kustom K200-B head (silver tuck n' roll), but recently sold it. I'm a big fan of the Kasino, I'm attempting to get my hands on a JDI or a Countryman so that I can run the amp into a power amp and fire an additional Avatar 15" cabinet. I'll post pictures when the project is finished.
 
#59
I played a Kustom Groove Bass 1200 for about 5 years. Then it started to make a popping sound (sort of like a bad connection). I had a guy we solder the entire board and most of the other components. Got the head back and you guessed, it same thing. took it back two other times and nothing changed. So I then took it to a certified Kustom Technician. He found a cap. going out. Same thing! It makes a static pop sound when I touch the strings. I have been fighting this for over a year now. I love the way this thing sounds but cant get it fixed. Any suggestions??

Thanks
- J -
 

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