The sunn Forum
Sunn Musical Equipment => Q & A => Topic started by: pickinatit on January 21, 2007, 10:56:43 am
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OK, so I think I've finally located a 2 X 15 Sunn Bass cab. It's black Tolex with the silver grill cloth, Dimensions 24" X 42-1/2" X 15" Deep. and the speakers are labeled with "Sunn Transducer" label. Looks like a port across the middle of the cab between the two speakers (Barely make that out through the grill cloth in the pic. Does that narrow down what model cab this is likely to be? What would the possibilities be?
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The only horizontal port 2X15 with "Sunn Transducer" labeled drivers that I am aware of is the Sorado cabinet.
The Sorado was a lesser priced option to the 200S introduced to the lineup in 1969.
Same amp, no JBL's.
It's essentially the same as a 200S cabinet, just sans the D140's.
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Thanks Ed, 200S was the conclusion I had come to. I have a pair of D140F's to put in it if I choose to. I think I will try to buy this cab. In your honest opinion (anyone) what's the most you think I should pay for this cab in very good condition? Thanks again.
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The cab should sound nice with either drivers, but drop those D140's in there, and you'll have yourself a real thumpin' old school bass cabinet. Those old JBL's don't need/like a whole lot of power though, and IMO those old AlNiCo speakers like tube amps. They aren't usually as harsh with the power delivery as solid state amps, warmer, smoother and more musical, rather than the more sterile and abrupt nature of transistors. I'm not a tube snob, I personally prefer the sound of tube amps but I regularly use, and like, both tube and transistor rigs.
I think the best results come from matching the character of a speaker cabinet with the characteristics of a particular amp.
As far as I'm concerned, tone wise, pairing a healthy 200S amp with a JBL loaded 200S cabinet is about as sweet sounding of a bass rig as it gets!
Of course many would and do argue my viewpoint...
I think you should pay as little as possible, and if you ever sell it get as much as you can!
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Actually, I'll be playing a 2000S through it, and hope to find a second one so I have a dual 2 x 15 set-up. Thanks for the help & advice.
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Sunn bass cabinet on eBay. Looks like a 200S cabinet to me, and it looks as though it still has the D140 drivers in it. Hard to be sure, though.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Sunn-2x15-Bass-Cabinet-215-2-15_W0QQitemZ130071210451QQihZ003QQcategoryZ121159QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
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Yeah, it kind of looks like an aluminum dust cone peeking through the grill cloth on the top doesn't it? And it's dead center.
I emailed the seller on Saturday asking what it was loaded with, but haven't got a response.
If the tolex is salvageable and with a pair of nice D140's, I don't think $500 is too far out of line, $350-$400 would be a deal.
Until you have to ship it!
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Yeah, shipping could break the budget on that one. I lucked out when I bought my Beta Lead combo (even that is heavy, and it's only a 2x12), the guy was within pickup range.
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Yes $400 to $500 would be good if they are J.B.L.'s But no bids at $200 ?
Probably because seller does not give shipping fees!
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200s cab has the rear loaded horn, horizontal port. Sorado has two tube ports.
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I have a VERY similar cabinet to what this sounds like. Rear loaded, speakers centered, horizontal port in the middle between the speakers. It came with a brand new Sunn Sonic II head (approx 1969) and was loaded with JBL d-130's, not 140's. These are guitar speakers, so be sure this cab has the 140's if you want to use for bass. The 140's I have in a similar front loaded cab (dimensions are identical, port on the side, speakers off center) are all over the 130's, as far as the punch and tone go. Just make sure you know which speakers are in there!
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I also have the same disign cab. but it came with J.B.L.'s that are labled 15-S I've been told they are D-130's that were made for sunn,They sound Great for bass!!!
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I won't disagree with you. My Sonic II cab played a lot of bass with the d-130's and got through very well with the Sonic II amp. That head was not near the 2000s that I use with my cabs now. There is a big difference to me in the way the d-140's sound, when it comes to the punch and ability to handle to added power/volume of the 2000s through these cabinets. I came up with Berry Oakley of the Allman Brothers as my idol and he was a big Sunn freak back around 1970. All in what you want it to sound like.
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Yep, it's all in the sound you like.
True, the D130 was designed as a guitar speaker, but many bass players prefer it over the D140. Personal choice. As far as I know, the JBL 15S is exactly the same as the D130, other than name and cosmetics.
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I've been watching that item. Haven't quite been able to bring myself to pull the trigger for $ 500 + unknown shipping.
What do you guys think about this one?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&sspagename=ADME%3AL%3ARTQ%3AUS%3A1&viewitem=&item=320074155542&rd=1
I've asked the seller to provide detail as to what he means in his description about "Original except for speakers and wood guts. Relined with dense fiber board and sealed to spec". Think it's been gutted to make longer speakers work or something?
Is that a complete deal breaker ?
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I would think so. Sometimes plywood cainets develope cracks (from dropping?) and will buzz on different notes. Re-lineing as described was a fix. Cabinet will be extra heavy now as well!
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This is actually the cabinet the discussion was about
http://cgi.ebay.com/Sunn-2x15-Bass-Cabinet-215-2-15_W0QQitemZ130071210451QQihZ003QQcategoryZ121159QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
It appears to have J.B.L's and has no remarks about alterations or repairs,
it is still at $200 with no bids!The seller responded to an inquiry about shipping and quoted $60 to $70 to ship to Los Angeles Ca.
Very Tempting!!!!!!!!!!!
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http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=011&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=320074155542&rd=1&rd=1
Here's what the seller had to say about his "fix"/ modification:
"It is baffled and ported to the spec of the Laney british invaders in there now. the original baffle was a peice of painted ply wood and there was another peice of painted plywood the help support the baffle. I recieved the cab the baffle had separated from the brace a little, and noticed the stock staples were pulling out, and didnt seem very sturdy."
Anyone know anything about the 15" Laney British Invader speakers he has put in this cab? I can't find any specs. on them.
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Again I think we are talking about 2 different cabs. , The one I am refering to appears to have J.B.L.'s and still has no bids at $200,I think it is the much better deal than the one with a buy it now of $500
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You're right, we are talking about two different cabs, both up on E-Bay right now.
But CATASTROPHE HAS STRUCK my search for matching 2 X 15 cabs to go with my 2000S!! I found out that over the next several months I am going to have to have about $ 6,000 worth of Dental, oral surgery and periodontal work done (out of pocket, above and beyond what my Dental insurance will pay for).
That leaves me out for now. My cab search will probably need to be delayed indefinitely.
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Talked it over with my wife. I may take a shot at that cab on E-Bay after all.
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Howdy Pickinatit,
Just out of curiosity, if you have a 2000S head and you're building up a 2-2X15" rig, why didn't you hold out for the 48"H x 30"W x 15"D cabs that were designed for the 2000S head?
Pratt
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Howdy Pickinatit,
Just out of curiosity, if you have a 2000S head and you're building up a 2-2X15" rig, why didn't you hold out for the 48"H x 30"W x 15"D cabs that were designed for the 2000S head?
Pratt
Pure Impatience, Doug, pure impatience. And the only opportunity I've had at 2000S cabs was back before Christmas and I couldn't make an offer then. I recontacted the guy after Christmas and made an offer but he never replied to my e-mail. So it looks to me like the 200S cabs are more available & a 200S 2 X 15 is better then no SUNN 2 X 15 at all. I will not miss an opportunity at a 2000S cab in the meantime and I will replace the 200S cabs if and when I get a chance or just pair them up with my Concert Bass amp.
Does that make any sense ? It might not. I am blinded by the Sunn!!