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The return of Sunn amps?
- Thread starter Steve Fox
- Start date
Well, I was curious, so I bought one of the footswitch and cable bundles and got to run it through the paces last week.
Bottom line is that it wasn't right for the application I was hoping for. That said, the amp, footswitch, and cable are all made in the USA, and the build quality is impeccable. I really wanted it to work out and the tones are incredible. I never owned one of the originals, but Sunn customer service said that the footswitch and cable work for the vintage amps as well as these new reissues.
The distortion / fuzz /overdriven tones are very unique and crushing. Both channels run together is an incredible sound and can create that two amps running in parallel sound that I prefer to a clean blended pedal etc. Depending on how you set A and B in relation to each other, it sounds like a pair of amps run clean and dirty, or it gets into sludgy mayhem if you overdrive both channels.
So why return it? I was hoping I could set one channel clean, one dirty, and then blend the two for three distinct tones. With my gear and my intended application (READ: really loud drummer), the channels run independently were not loud enough on their own. Or at least I couldn't get the clean clean enough for the three distinct gain stages I was going for, and of course, YMMV. I tried it at home with a passive p-bass, and at a rehearsal with a Ric 4004 Laredo, for reference.
The summed channels were HELLA loud, and if I was only going for one tone, that would be a killer tone to go for. The effects loops (one on each channel, plus a master) were a cool option, and had each channel had enough juice, I may have been able to play without a pedalboard, but it wasn't meant to be for me. If I was playing in the right kind of band, this would be a killer rig, and again, I can't speak highly enough about the build quality. I have paid $1k and gotten a lot LESS amp in the past…and that was with something made overseas.
Bottom line is that it wasn't right for the application I was hoping for. That said, the amp, footswitch, and cable are all made in the USA, and the build quality is impeccable. I really wanted it to work out and the tones are incredible. I never owned one of the originals, but Sunn customer service said that the footswitch and cable work for the vintage amps as well as these new reissues.
The distortion / fuzz /overdriven tones are very unique and crushing. Both channels run together is an incredible sound and can create that two amps running in parallel sound that I prefer to a clean blended pedal etc. Depending on how you set A and B in relation to each other, it sounds like a pair of amps run clean and dirty, or it gets into sludgy mayhem if you overdrive both channels.
So why return it? I was hoping I could set one channel clean, one dirty, and then blend the two for three distinct tones. With my gear and my intended application (READ: really loud drummer), the channels run independently were not loud enough on their own. Or at least I couldn't get the clean clean enough for the three distinct gain stages I was going for, and of course, YMMV. I tried it at home with a passive p-bass, and at a rehearsal with a Ric 4004 Laredo, for reference.
The summed channels were HELLA loud, and if I was only going for one tone, that would be a killer tone to go for. The effects loops (one on each channel, plus a master) were a cool option, and had each channel had enough juice, I may have been able to play without a pedalboard, but it wasn't meant to be for me. If I was playing in the right kind of band, this would be a killer rig, and again, I can't speak highly enough about the build quality. I have paid $1k and gotten a lot LESS amp in the past…and that was with something made overseas.
Sometimes you have to make your own return!
Here's my 1969 Sunn 200S:
I decided I wanted a small project and picked this amp up a few weeks ago. After some initial testing, I recapped the bias circuit and the first stage of the power supply. Replaced a few dropping resistors to keep the voltage on spec. Installed a three-prong grounded plug. Biased it into a reasonable zone. Pulled the original Mullard KT88s (one was red plating) for a pair of USA GE6550s.
She's a keeper.
Here's my 1969 Sunn 200S:
I decided I wanted a small project and picked this amp up a few weeks ago. After some initial testing, I recapped the bias circuit and the first stage of the power supply. Replaced a few dropping resistors to keep the voltage on spec. Installed a three-prong grounded plug. Biased it into a reasonable zone. Pulled the original Mullard KT88s (one was red plating) for a pair of USA GE6550s.
She's a keeper.
Has anybody else on here received a Beta Bass head yet and what are your reviews on it and has anybody else on here tried either the 212 or 215 cabinets and what is your reviews on this as well?
Same here, really in the cabs though. The 215 has me intrigued, but I'm leaning toward a smaller cabinet maker or a DIY project.
I reviewed the one I bought (and returned) three posts above yours #43. Did not try the cabs, but loved the tone through my vintage Fender 215
When I had the original Sunn amp, I did everything possible to get it to not sound like that
It could run pretty clean as I had the rack mounted preamp going into a Sunn power amp doing a bi-amp thing.
Whaddya mean??? It sounds great!When I had the original Sunn amp, I did everything possible to get it to not sound like that
(I mean that unironically.)
I also LOVE that sound. It's why I ordered one of these at release.
I think I need to amend my previous "review" as I had a studio session where I ended up bringing the new SUNN BETA BASS and gave it another try. I maxed the gain on the Sunn and made it my always dirty amp, and then had a second amp set clean. It performed wonderfully and the distorted tones made my usual dirt pedals superfluous.
Before the session I was playing around with the head in a live setting and think I found a way to balance the two channels. Unlike my unsuccessful prior attempt, this time I was able to better balance the two channels for one clean and the other dirty. Then I used the master volume to match the band's live level and I was happy switching back and forth between clean and dirty. When the two channels are bridged there is still a big jump in gain, but I used that as a boost. This is a power trio, so I often use a boost pedal when the guitarist goes to single notes to fatten things up. I used the bridge in lieu of the boost and I think it made this amp a keeper for me. Moreover, I think I may try and utilize the three independent effects loops as I am loving the breakup from the amp and may rethink my pedal situation.
Before the session I was playing around with the head in a live setting and think I found a way to balance the two channels. Unlike my unsuccessful prior attempt, this time I was able to better balance the two channels for one clean and the other dirty. Then I used the master volume to match the band's live level and I was happy switching back and forth between clean and dirty. When the two channels are bridged there is still a big jump in gain, but I used that as a boost. This is a power trio, so I often use a boost pedal when the guitarist goes to single notes to fatten things up. I used the bridge in lieu of the boost and I think it made this amp a keeper for me. Moreover, I think I may try and utilize the three independent effects loops as I am loving the breakup from the amp and may rethink my pedal situation.
[This invalid link has been removed] has a decent pre-order price right now. They are scheduled to ship 3/1
I have a recent reissue big boi and just jumped on the preorder.
I have a recent reissue big boi and just jumped on the preorder.
Wouldn't that be your Dad?This new Sunn is not your grandfather's Sunn.
I'm interested! The channel blending and switching could be very practical for my semi-Ric-O-Sound playing. I wish it could have a bit more power, though: 200 W is more than enough for doom guitar, but a bit more wouldn't hurt for bass especially since Class D power isn't exactly heavy.
this will tell you how old i am, i bought a sunn 2000s head for 125 dollars at musician's bargain basement in kenmore, OH, because I couldn't afford any ampeg
my friend sold his sunn beta head for 175 dollars, because he could afford an ampeg svt
i don't want to hurt anybody's feelings, but considering the price, i'd just slap a sunn sticker on a tc electonics head and call it a day
my friend sold his sunn beta head for 175 dollars, because he could afford an ampeg svt
i don't want to hurt anybody's feelings, but considering the price, i'd just slap a sunn sticker on a tc electonics head and call it a day
Playing these heads tho... I'm not wishing it had any more power.
