The sunn Forum
Sunn Musical Equipment => Q & A => Topic started by: stanner on September 05, 2012, 04:05:39 pm
-
I think I know there is no rhyme or reason in the serial numbers on T's. I have finally gotten all the numbers off my T's and would love to know the year of their creation. any ideas?
thanks if you do.
stan in san fran
-
well I guess I worded this wrong. OK let me try again:
"How do I find out the age of a 70s Model T?"
-
None of them have any stickers or a date stamp like the above??
From what I know, all Sunn serial numbers don't have any information on them (like a code or something).
It's an interesting question..
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-A8ERbdcp6IY/Tlv_kpBkpLI/AAAAAAAACAs/5iWbRdurgwQ/s640/20010523_Sunn_CheckedBy.jpg)
-
None of them have any stickers or a date stamp like the above??
From what I know, all Sunn serial numbers don't have any information on them (like a code or something).
It's an interesting question..
Inspection stickers, stamps or even on some earlier models a written date in grease pencil are the only ways I know to get an accurate date on an old Sunn. Pot and other component date codes are decent clues, however all they can tell you for certain is the very oldest model year the amp could be; provided of course that the component wasn't ever replaced in the last 40 years.
It’s pretty much been established that Sunn (as most manufacturers did/still do) often used up older parts stock in newer model amps, so there is no determining how long the pots, chokes, etc. in any particular amp were hanging around in inventory before the actual amp in question was built.
Heck, there could be leftover 2000S era components in there!
well I guess I worded this wrong. OK let me try again:
"How do I find out the age of a 70s Model T?"
Without any of the above clues, you need to find someone who really knows what the differences are between models. I must say that when it comes to Model T's I am not that person, but I've read about circuit changes between 1973 ('73 and '74?) and later years, and some mod to make one the other. Which circuit is yours?
Who can post with certainty what changed on the Model T from year to year, anyone?
-
First question: is it a first generation or second generation T? In general, first generation T's have no midrange selector switch and silver centers on the knobs. Second generation T's have a midrange selector switch and red centers. However, there are exceptions. My T has the midrange selector switch, but silver centers on the knobs. It is one of the first of the second generation T's.
-
This;
Second generation T's have a midrange selector switch and red centers. However, there are exceptions. My T has the midrange selector switch, but silver centers on the knobs. It is one of the first of the second generation T's.
Is most likely a prime example of this;
It’s pretty much been established that Sunn (as most manufacturers did/still do) often used up older parts stock in newer model amps, so there is no determining how long the pots, chokes, etc. in any particular amp were hanging around in inventory before the actual amp in question was built.
Which, along with no discernable serial number dating system, is what makes accurately dating old Sunns without the inspection date so difficult.
-
Yes, I think that is exactly what it is.
-
guess I have to do some exploring on my beauties:(http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm275/stanosaur/tight9Ts.jpg)
-
Nice! And a lot more fun than a savings account...
-
I like the red one!
-
NICE collection!!!
Definetly more fun than a savings account...
SOMA had one red.. Is this the same amp??
-
SOMA had a 1st gen red one-this is 2nd gen. the bottom right one belonged to sunn on their '09 tour.
http://stanosaur.com/
-
Mine looks just like the one on the upper left.
-
cool! I wonder how many of them transitional Ts were made. I guess the circuits are 2nd gen because of the mid switch-but-mine sounds different from the red knobs
-
I haven't traced out the circuits, but I wonder if mine has first generation tone controls.
My understanding is that the first generation (1G) models had traditional tone controls, which are boost only. 2G models have Baxandall tone controls on the bass and treble, which are boost/cut, like those on hi-fi amps. For a Baxandall circuit, flat should be the mid position, about 5 on the control. To me, 5 sounds significantly boosted on my amp. If I'm right about this, then the transitional amp (known for a little while as the Super T) with its tone controls on 0 should sound essentially the same as a red knob 2G amp with its bass and treble controls on 5 and the midrange controls matched. I have only the one amp, so I can't do the test.
-
Good article on tone controls here: http://www.duncanamps.com/technical/tonestack.html
-
And here is a technical description of the Baxandall circuit and how it works: http://www.duncanamps.com/technical/baxandall.html
-
Stanner your red model t I believe used to be mine. I sold it to a guy in North Carolina sometime in the mid 2000's. Does it still have JJ KT 88's? I included the original GE 6550's when I sold it too. That's a Marshall red elephant tolex. The black corners are from parts express. I'm thinking I had to make a new board for the back.The original tolex was tore up pretty bad. Should have new filter caps too. I bought it from a music store in Altoona, PA for $225. Man I was stupid to sell that one.
-
I own a silver/white badged Sunn Model T with a mid selector switch thats dated 1975 I'm thinking. I bought it from the original owner who lives in California. Thing is in mint shape. I use it with a 215s cabinet loaded with JBL D140F's. Both are reconed though. Remember Stanner I'm the guy who sold you that 415 cabinet from PA. Funny how stuff moves back and forth from east to west coast.
-
yes I remember those 4X15s-i had two-they gone now-too heavy for the sound they provided(for me anyway). that red T has 6550s in it-my teck checked it out and loves the insides and the sound. all good. lov the tolex-good job.