The sunn Forum

Sunn Musical Equipment => DIY => Topic started by: Zulubilly on June 12, 2009, 02:07:43 pm

Title: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: Zulubilly on June 12, 2009, 02:07:43 pm
Does anyone build copies of the Sunn 200S cabinet (2X15), circa 1969 without speakers.  And if so what kind of cabbage would it take to do so.
Thanks,
Zulubilly
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: HRobert on July 04, 2009, 12:08:49 am
Zulu,

Right now I'm building a pair of the  Sunn 2 x 15 cabs that came with the 67/68 Sunn Sentura II amp.  The design is the same used for the Sunn 230-B-60 amp ( 36h x 24w x 11.75d) and with the offset 15" JBL's. [ Note: I'm using JBL K-130's instead of D-130's]. If you are interested, pleas let me know. When I'm finished with my cabs I'll try to estimate the cost of doing the 200S bass bottom.  Do you want the speaker baffle grilled, or do you wish to do it yourself.  You will have to tell me what type of grill cloth and vinyl covering you want.  I'll tell you right now that the Sunn style vinyl is no longer available.  I use a pebble grained vinyl, and a black/white/silver grill cloth that I get from Mojo Musical supply.

I used  17mm ( scant 3/4" ) 11 ply birch plywood with 3/4" x 1" custom cut clear pine rails for mounting the baffle and back.  The cabinet is assembled with full corner cleats that are cross screwed and glued with high strength wood glue for strength.  The mounting rails are also glued and screwed for strength.  I use a 2" caster that is almost identical to the one's used by Sunn and are mounted with T-nuts and insert Nuts.

I believe that there is a drawing of the 200s cabinet on Sunn Shack I.  The 200S cabinet was a front mounted bass reflex cabinet.  I will also need to know the type of speaker that you intend to use and it's dimentions.  Some 15" bass speakers are deeper that the D or K series JBL's.   If you use anything other than a JBL D or K 140, the horn of the bass reflex may need to be altered to accomodate the magnet of the speaker.

Let me know if you're interested.

Robert

Robnatgeo    at     A   O   L   dot  C  O  M
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: EdBass on July 04, 2009, 09:12:49 am
Forum member Spliffpfunk (Bill) was building clones in a cabinet shop a couple of years ago. He hasn't posted in a while, but if you can reach him I'm sure he has the whole rundown on costs, and may even be able to build one for you. As I remember, at the time his pricing was very reasonable.
I never bought anything from him personally, but it seems Soundmasterg has/had one of his cabs;

http://sunn.ampage.org/sdp/index.php/topic,3701.msg12705.html#msg12705
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: EdBass on July 04, 2009, 09:25:02 am
Right now I'm building a pair of the  Sunn 2 x 15 cabs that came with the 67/68 Sunn Sentura II amp.  The design is the same used for the Sunn 230-B-60 amp ( 36h x 24w x 11.75d) and with the offset 15" JBL's. [ Note: I'm using JBL K-130's instead of D-130's].

So the cabs are different than the dimensions shown in the '68 catalog posted here?
http://sunn.ampage.org/site/catalogs/1968/

I've run into few anomalies in the past, is this another one? If so, maybe you could make a notation on the mega catalog thread!
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: Ryan Phelps on July 04, 2009, 01:32:39 pm
RE: Sunn tolex......Angela Instruments in Maryland carries Fender-era Sunn tolex. Probably the closest thing you'll find to the original tolex. He has an eBay store or send him an e-mail via his website.

Ryan
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: HRobert on July 04, 2009, 09:27:59 pm
EdBass,

Yes, the cabs that came with the 1968 Sentura II were bigger than the cabs that came with the 1967 model. The cabinets that I'm building are based on the 1967 Sentura II speaker cabs.  They are the shorter cabs ( 24w x 36h x 11.5d ) with the 15's offset from the verticle center - the top speaker towards the right corner and the bottom speaker to the left corner.  The 1968 model Sentura II came with the larger sized cabinet - the same size as was used with the 200s, 100s and others ( 24w x 42h x 15d ).  The 1968 Sentura I still used the smaller cab but with only one 15" speaker.

My cabs are made of 11 ply birch plywood.  I decided to build mine 11.75" deep instead of the original depth of 11.5". That gives me a little over 190 more cubic inches of internal volume. Im using JBL K-130's . The K's are rated at 25W more music powerthat the D's.

I'm still trying to figure out how to post pictures to this site.  I'd like to post pics of the cabs and amp when I get done.

Rob
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: HRobert on July 04, 2009, 09:45:22 pm
Ryan,

Thanks for the info on Angelas Instruments.  The largest piece that they can get ot me is 72" long ( 6 feet ).  I use a one piece vinyl wrap when covering my cabs so that there is only one seam - and that's on the bottom...so with a 24 x 36 cab, I need a piece 10' long - plus a couple of extra inches for an overlap when I cut the seam.

Rob
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: arskas on September 02, 2009, 12:45:04 am
Hello.

I'm starting my own bass guitar cabinet project. I haven't mabe up my mind about what to make, two 200S size cabinets or one 2000S cab. What do you think? I would like to have the possibility of using one small cab and hook up another when needed. But then if I find that a single cab is too little, I will be using two cabs all the time. Would it be a good idea to just go ahead and build the 2000S?

Anyway, I was thinking about one technical question also: Is the port size same on both 200 and 2000 cabs
(Conrad's "dream measurements", 5" high, 3-3 1/2" deep and 9" baffle) ?
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: arskas on September 14, 2009, 01:23:57 am
Well. I have made up my mind. I'm building two 200S size cabinets. Does anyone know how thick is the board where speakers are mounted on? Is it 3/4" or 1/2" ?
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: HRobert on September 14, 2009, 08:06:41 pm
Well. I have made up my mind. I'm building two 200S size cabinets. Does anyone know how thick is the board where speakers are mounted on? Is it 3/4" or 1/2" ?
The speaker baffles are 3/4".  I would use a good grade of birch plywood for strength.  I'm almost finished with a pair of copies of the old Sunn 230-B / 67 Sentura II 2 x 15 cabs, and I used 11 ply Baltic birch from Lowes.  It's really good stuff for cabs.

Bob
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: HRobert on September 17, 2009, 10:39:33 am
Does anyone build copies of the Sunn 200S cabinet (2X15), circa 1969 without speakers.  And if so what kind of cabbage would it take to do so.
Thanks,
Zulubilly

There's one on Ebay right now.  Buy it now price of $499.00  It has 2 JBL D-140's like to original.  Could be a late 68 as it has the Fender style grill.

Bob
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: arskas on October 15, 2009, 03:23:11 pm
Here's my project:

http://picasaweb.google.com/ASaksala/Sunn200SKaappiprojekti# (http://picasaweb.google.com/ASaksala/Sunn200SKaappiprojekti#)

(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_iDSKxIyzbBY/StXUHcqqhoI/AAAAAAAAA7k/GU--2wU_uiM/s800/14102009402.jpg)
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: HRobert on October 15, 2009, 05:44:32 pm
Here's my project:

http://picasaweb.google.com/ASaksala/Sunn200SKaappiprojekti# (http://picasaweb.google.com/ASaksala/Sunn200SKaappiprojekti#)

(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_iDSKxIyzbBY/StXUHcqqhoI/AAAAAAAAA7k/GU--2wU_uiM/s800/14102009402.jpg)

The cabs look fantastic.  What kind of ply wood are you using - Pine?  How many plys and what thickness.

Rob
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: arskas on October 16, 2009, 01:19:32 am
The cabs look fantastic.  What kind of ply wood are you using - Pine?  How many plys and what thickness.

Thanks. It's pine and/or spruce. Not sure actually. It's intended for floor making. ½-price compared to birch. Lots of knots and fills. 7-ply 18mm really close to 3/4". The port peaces will be 12mm birch.
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: scotzoid on October 21, 2009, 12:22:16 am
Thanks. It's pine and/or spruce. Not sure actually. It's intended for floor making. ½-price compared to birch. Lots of knots and fills. 7-ply 18mm really close to 3/4". The port peaces will be 12mm birch.


It's been years ago since I read it, but somewhere I read that "Lots of knots and fills" are exactly the kind of plywood you don't want for any cab configuration - if you see fills on the outer surface, figure double that # on the inner plies, & they don't fill them - so there will be hollow spots causing bad vibrations throughout the cab structure. Some might get lucky & the hollows produce only desirable tones, but it seems like an expensive crap shoot to me. Add to that, the awful creaks & groans I hear from the floors of any house built in the last 30 yrs., I wouldn't use floor grade plywood for anything where tone is a critical factor. Birch is double the price for a reason.

FWIW, I'm not posting this to diss your work in any way; as one woodworker to another, it looks good from here. I'm just afraid you're not gonna be real happy with the end result when you pop some high-priced speakers in there...but for your sake, I hope I'm wrong.
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: arskas on October 22, 2009, 11:04:58 am
What does a bad sounding cab actually sound like? And for that matter, what is the price range for good and bad cabs?
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: scotzoid on October 22, 2009, 02:14:12 pm
That's like asking what's the difference between good music & bad music  :? It's all a matter of taste, I suppose...I was just passing along something I heard that might be germane to your project. Very much related to the fact that luthiers  don't use the cheapest woods they can get, they use woods with good tone; even solid body electrics are affected by the tonal quality of the wood. It stands to reason (at least to me) that speaker cabs would be just as sensitive to the grade of wood used, allowing for the fact that baffles are used to keep things from getting too lively. I assume your goal here is to replicate, as best you can, the beautiful tone of the early Sunn cabs, w/o putting yourself in the poorhouse with EvilBay's help; I feel safe in guessing that Conrad didn't cut corners by using the cheap stuff from 84 Lumber  :wink:

Not for nothing, I really do hope your project is everything you're hoping it will be; I'm not an expert, I'm not here to lecture, just sharing what little knowledge I have to spare  :roll: And if it doesn't work, hey, it's a learning experience... :mrgreen:
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: ROCKETBRO2 on November 03, 2009, 03:01:13 pm
So, how is the project going? Do you have any new photos?
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: HRobert on November 03, 2009, 04:53:28 pm
What does a bad sounding cab actually sound like? And for that matter, what is the price range for good and bad cabs?

I agree with scotzoid about the quality of the wood.  If you're building a box to hold a chassis for a piggyback head, or to hold a horn and driver which doesn't need and resonance air space, it's OK to use wood with knots.  Those types of cabs don't have to to have any resonance.  But once you start using inferior wood for speaker cabs you can possibly run into problems.  You can be sure that if there are knots on the surface plys that are visible, then there will be knots in the inner plys that you can't see.  These can cause dead spots, or even weak spots that can come apart and cause buzzing and vibrations.  That is why I spent the extra money and purchased clear birch plywood.  The least expensive route is not often the best.

I hope that your project goes well and that you do not have any of the above mentioned problems.  It would be shame with all the work and effort you're putting into the project.

Good luck,

Rob
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: arskas on November 08, 2009, 11:54:36 pm
So, how is the project going? Do you have any new photos?

They're not done yet. I'm affraid to post here anyway... :-P
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: scotzoid on November 16, 2009, 06:29:48 pm
So, how is the project going? Do you have any new photos?

They're not done yet. I'm affraid to post here anyway... :-P
Please, don't take anything I've said the wrong way...in no way did I mean to diminish what you've done. As I said, it looks good, & I really do hope the low grade wood DOESN'T come back to bite you in the a$$...just sayin'...seriously, don't take it personally, OK? I wanna see how the project turns out too...
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: D.M.N. on December 14, 2009, 06:09:06 pm
I've actually been prepping to build a 2000s 2x15 cabinet, I can get all the materials, but I need measurements. I know the cab is 48x30x13(?) or so, but I need the internal measurements for the vents/ports and such. I figured somebody might have access to them since a couple other guys are building these cabs too.
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: broiler on January 27, 2010, 08:20:18 pm
Sunn used regular plywood in the boxes I've seen. Nothing fancy. I've been inside Sorados, 2000s as well as some PA stuff and others, no Birch that I saw.
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: HRobert on January 29, 2010, 03:15:19 pm
So, how is the project going? Do you have any new photos?

They're not done yet. I'm affraid to post here anyway... :-P

How about an update on the cabs?  How close are you to haveing them finished?

Rob
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: arskas on February 04, 2010, 02:13:08 am
Hello there,

Slow progress. I've been working with them for only 3-4 hours/week since the start. But finally something is happening.
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_iDSKxIyzbBY/S2qQsDr9mPI/AAAAAAAAByE/rpw2HAHptFI/s720/03022010507.jpg)

The first cab is nearly done. Finished the tolex and corners last night. Two Fane speakers are in the post office waiting... Still need some damping and the F.silverface style front screen...And nearly a set of Ozzy era Black Sabbath songs rehearsed with the band.  :-D
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: EdBass on February 04, 2010, 08:36:36 am
The first cab is nearly done. Finished the tolex and corners last night. Two Fane speakers are in the post office waiting... Still need some damping and the F.silverface style front screen...And nearly a set of Ozzy era Black Sabbath songs rehearsed with the band.  :-D

That looks real sweet! I have a stupid question though; will the Fane drivers fit? My 200S cabs are pretty unforgiving as far as frame/magnet clearance.
Also, I don't know where you are planning to get grill cloth, but after searching extensively and trying myriad samples, I've found this to be the closest;
http://www.wendellfabrics.com/flame.html
#SF7005
I used it on this 2000S rig.

(http://i626.photobucket.com/albums/tt341/EdBass/Sunn2000S02.jpg)
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: CLD on February 04, 2010, 03:51:31 pm
Oh baby, EB, I wish I had a 2000S that pretty! Wow!
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: ROCKETBRO2 on February 04, 2010, 04:21:09 pm
Eye candy!
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: pickinatit on February 05, 2010, 09:08:50 am
Oh baby, EB, I wish I had a 2000S that pretty! Wow!

I know it's just a waste of forum space to be redundant, but...
I just have to second this.
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: CLD on February 05, 2010, 12:42:04 pm
Arskas, your cabinet looks good, too, and all of us look forward to seeing the finished product!
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: arskas on February 10, 2010, 01:01:00 am
will the Fane drivers fit?

(http://lh5.ggpht.com/_iDSKxIyzbBY/S3Jp8_f3TNI/AAAAAAAAByo/_KvqVXPnAEg/s720/04022010508.jpg)
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: CLD on February 10, 2010, 07:26:33 am
Nice!
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: EdBass on February 10, 2010, 07:43:54 am
Man, that looks great! I see you front loaded the drivers, that probably picked up an inch or so of magnet clearance for those Fanes.
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: arskas on February 10, 2010, 08:04:20 am
Yes I front loaded them speakers. I haven't really thought about that. I bet some might argue about this. I'm basicly just anxious the get some sound out... I think it would protect the speakers better if they don't stick out of the baffles.

...and thank you for the comments  :-)
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: HRobert on February 10, 2010, 05:37:26 pm
Excellent piece of work!! Great looking cabinet.  Lets see apic of it with the grill cloth and the amp head on top.

Rob
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: EdBass on February 10, 2010, 08:40:34 pm
Yes I front loaded them speakers. I haven't really thought about that. I bet some might argue about this. I'm basicly just anxious the get some sound out... I think it would protect the speakers better if they don't stick out of the baffles.

...and thank you for the comments  :-)

I don't think it makes much difference tonally, but will you have clearance for the grill cloth?
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: arskas on February 11, 2010, 12:47:54 am
Excellent piece of work!! Great looking cabinet.  Lets see apic of it with the grill cloth and the amp head on top.

Rob
I'm still searching for good amp. I have a small markbass on loan at the moment. You're not interested in that, right?  :-D

but will you have clearance for the grill cloth?
I shaped the grill frame a bit but there is clearance.
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: EdBass on February 11, 2010, 09:28:08 am
I'm still searching for good amp. I have a small markbass on loan at the moment. You're not interested in that, right?  :-D

There seem to be a whole bunch of tube Sunns on eBay lately, but they are still bringing pretty strong money. Over the years it seems to me that it's cyclical; prices go up, the amps come out of the woodwork, supply exceeds demand, they start going cheaper, people stop listing them, and the cycle repeats in a few/several months. I think it's at the "out of the woodwork" phase about now; anybody in the market should keep their eyes open!

Or, maybe out of kindness biltmore will sell you his new Sorado for $100... :roll: :-D
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: CLD on February 11, 2010, 03:22:32 pm
Sorado for $100? Heck, I'd pay $125!  :-D

The prices have been strong lately, that's for sure.
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: HRobert on February 11, 2010, 05:17:41 pm
I'm still searching for good amp. I have a small markbass on loan at the moment. You're not interested in that, right?  :-D

There seem to be a whole bunch of tube Sunns on eBay lately, but they are still bringing pretty strong money. Over the years it seems to me that it's cyclical; prices go up, the amps come out of the woodwork, supply exceeds demand, they start going cheaper, people stop listing them, and the cycle repeats in a few/several months. I think it's at the "out of the woodwork" phase about now; anybody in the market should keep their eyes open!

Or, maybe out of kindness biltmore will sell you his new Sorado for $100... :roll: :-D

Did you see the Coliseum PA head on eBay
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: biltmore on February 11, 2010, 05:25:32 pm
Or, maybe out of kindness biltmore will sell you his new Sorado for $100... :roll: :-D

HA! :-D

That was officially the first "super score" that I ever got in my life. I can only hope that it's happened to you all before.
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: arskas on February 12, 2010, 02:41:34 am
(http://lh3.ggpht.com/_iDSKxIyzbBY/S3UjTiLrS6I/AAAAAAAACA0/sghQSZF0_PM/s640/IMG_5320.JPG)

I never thought my "super-diy" 18Watt lite would work with bass. Incredible. First tests with band will be on sunday. Can't wait... 8-)
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: Addam on February 13, 2010, 06:06:07 pm
Looks pretty classy.  Nice work.
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: rllefebv on March 06, 2010, 09:15:38 am
(http://lh3.ggpht.com/_iDSKxIyzbBY/S3UjTiLrS6I/AAAAAAAACA0/sghQSZF0_PM/s640/IMG_5320.JPG)

I never thought my "super-diy" 18Watt lite would work with bass. Incredible. First tests with band will be on sunday. Can't wait... 8-)

Great work on the cab!

FWIW, I was amazed the first time I hooked my little Fender Musicmaster Bass Amp up to a 'serious' bass cab... 12 watts never sounded so good!!!

-robert
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: arskas on March 19, 2010, 06:49:39 am
Thanks all for nice comments. The evil twin (with black front grille  :-) ) is also finished but it will be left empty for now (I'm on layoff, "arts & crafts budget" is kinda low...). Pics will follow...
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: arskas on March 29, 2010, 05:50:00 am
A nice mail order badge:
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_iDSKxIyzbBY/S6-SRYhHoXI/AAAAAAAACNE/A7QY1hUAOjI/s800/28032010595.jpg)
...with some finnish wordplay  :-D
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: HRobert on March 29, 2010, 02:51:01 pm
A nice mail order badge:
(http://lh4.ggpht.com/_iDSKxIyzbBY/S6-SRYhHoXI/AAAAAAAACNE/A7QY1hUAOjI/s800/28032010595.jpg)
...with some finnish wordplay  :-D
Which means what in Finnish????????
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: biltmore on March 29, 2010, 10:20:00 pm
Which means what in Finnish????????

Aurinko = Sun

Aurinnko = Sunn


 :-D
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: EdBass on March 30, 2010, 07:44:40 am
Very clever!  :wink:
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: HRobert on March 30, 2010, 04:49:57 pm
Which means what in Finnish????????

Aurinko = Sun

Aurinnko = Sunn


 :-D
Yes, Very clever indeed.  Perhaps a new amp could be marketed with that name.  What do say about that, EdBass??
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: EdBass on March 30, 2010, 07:46:48 pm
Which means what in Finnish????????

Aurinko = Sun

Aurinnko = Sunn


 :-D
Yes, Very clever indeed.  Perhaps a new amp could be marketed with that name.  What do say about that, EdBass??

I actually had a different but not altogether dissimilar idea.  That project got a little side tracked due to some real estate issues, but I'm pretty close to picking up the torch again.
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: HRobert on March 31, 2010, 08:34:43 am
EdBass,

Im glad to hear that you're going foreward with the amp ideas.  After looking around at a number of higher priced beauteque amps, and seeing what the going prices are for such amps,  I'm sure that a nice <Sunn> 200S or such would sell.

How about going just the opposit and naming it Moon.  Use the same font..with all lower case lettering, and instead of the Sunn ((0))), use a stylized 1/2 cresent moon at the end of the lettering.

Robert
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: pickinatit on March 31, 2010, 10:36:30 am
EdBass,

Im glad to hear that you're going foreward with the amp ideas.  After looking around at a number of higher priced beauteque amps, and seeing what the going prices are for such amps,  I'm sure that a nice <Sunn> 200S or such would sell.

How about going just the opposit and naming it Moon.  Use the same font..with all lower case lettering, and instead of the Sunn ((0))), use a stylized 1/2 cresent moon at the end of the lettering.

Robert

Or a series of  1/2 crescent moons (two ahead and 3 behind the "moonn"  to keep it in tune with the original look.

Michael
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: EdBass on March 31, 2010, 10:55:33 am
We are getting waaay off topic here.  :wink:
I can't move the last few posts  to here;
http://sunn.ampage.org/sdp/index.php/topic,4961.0.html
But, I'm going to quote these few posts there and anything that continues along these lines should go there
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: Llwyt on April 01, 2010, 06:45:46 am
Very nice!  8-)
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: pickinatit on May 24, 2010, 07:09:05 am
Hello.

I'm starting my own bass guitar cabinet project. I haven't mabe up my mind about what to make, two 200S size cabinets or one 2000S cab. What do you think? I would like to have the possibility of using one small cab and hook up another when needed. But then if I find that a single cab is too little, I will be using two cabs all the time. Would it be a good idea to just go ahead and build the 2000S?

Anyway, I was thinking about one technical question also: Is the port size same on both 200 and 2000 cabs
(Conrad's "dream measurements", 5" high, 3-3 1/2" deep and 9" baffle) ?

At one time (and even still) I was considering building my own 2000S cabs,  but the thought of trying to move them was daunting.  I had/have pretty much made up my mind to make (4) 115 cabs modeled
on the  2000S  or  200S cabs so that they would be easier to handle.
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: D.M.N. on May 26, 2010, 06:32:26 pm
I actually just finished construction of a 2000s cab. It's such a beast, but I'm young and stupid enough to handle it. Now I'm just speaker shopping, then saving to buy the grill and tolex. But the damned things built, which was probably the hardest part. And in all reality, it probably only took about 8 hours to do, tops. That doesn't include sanding or anything, but ripping the wood only took on the outside, 3 hours, and assembling it took maybe 5, but me and my old man were also doing other stuff, so that wasn't working straight through. It's a beautifully simple design. I'll have to post some pictures when I find my damn camera.
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: D.M.N. on June 16, 2010, 10:05:02 pm
Here we are. Me and my current bass head (Fender Bassman 300) with the in-construction cabinet. My k140s arrive monday or so, so it should be operational sometime next week.

This was about a week and a half ago, casters are now on it as well.
(http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac202/DMaynardNelson/Photo28.jpg?t=1276747822)
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: D.M.N. on June 23, 2010, 07:59:11 pm
Alright, here it is. Put the speakers in about 30 minutes ago. Physically, everything is done. I need to order the grill cloth and tolex (I like the stain, but I like the classy black and silver look even more). The only bit I'm waiting for are the wire and jack, which should be here Monday. Any questions, feel free to ask.

The Interior (I tested the stain on the bottom, poured a bit too much in there)
(http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac202/DMaynardNelson/2x15sunn001.jpg?t=1277344525)

Cutting the holes for the speakers
(http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac202/DMaynardNelson/2x15sunn002.jpg?t=1277344527)

Sanding the router cuts
(http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac202/DMaynardNelson/2x15sunn005.jpg?t=1277344685)

Admiring some work
(http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac202/DMaynardNelson/2x15sunn007.jpg?t=1277344693)
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: D.M.N. on June 23, 2010, 08:13:44 pm
With the JBL K140s in and the Bassman 300
(http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac202/DMaynardNelson/2x15sunn010.jpg?t=1277345377)
(http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac202/DMaynardNelson/2x15sunn015.jpg?t=1277345384)
(http://i900.photobucket.com/albums/ac202/DMaynardNelson/2x15sunn013.jpg?t=1277345312)
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: Addam on June 24, 2010, 12:46:29 am
The stain looks really good.  I love stained cabinets.
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: buzzsunn on June 26, 2010, 12:29:47 pm
Hey nice constructions here!! Congrats.
Is there a possibility anyone to have any pics from inside of a sunn 2x15 without the bass reflex system??
(Spectrum or Sentura 2x15 I think...) Thanks in advance.
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: Jeff Troy on June 29, 2010, 01:43:22 pm
Great work. Brings back lots of memories. I had four of those cabs back in the 70's, driven by two 2000S heads.

Hope you enjoy yours as much as I did mine.

Really nice woodwork.

Warmest regards,
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: D.M.N. on June 30, 2010, 05:05:12 pm
Thanks for the compliments!

Hey-zeus Jeff, 4 of these cabs and two 2000s? DAY-UM, that would move some serious air! I currently can't justify a second 2x15, but having two would be pretty sweet, and I may build another in the future. I've also contemplated building a 1200s 6x12 to complement this 2x15, but I'm incredibly satisfied with the sound of this cab.

Took it to two gigs this weekend, and all I can say is WOW. What a sound! I haven't played any current production cabs that could match this thing. It has such a well-balanced sound. Not booming booming lows, or super honky mids and piercing highs, just a flat response. I've actually changed the EQ on my Bassman 300 to better suit this cab, by more or less setting the graphic EQ flat with a bump in the mids, and a small raise in the lows and highs, and it sounds so fat and powerful. The only way I can describe the sound is "...like standing in front of a brick wall of sound, just solid." I'd love to pair it up with a 2000s one day.

It's a pretty straight forward build, and if you really set to it, and went straight through, it may take, on the outside, 3 days, if you have all the materials gathered in one place, and don't have to wait for supplies. I think, once I finally buy tolex and grill for it, the cost will be about $600, and without speakers, the cab itself (if you include tolex and grill) will probably be about $300. I consider that a pretty good deal for a brand new cabinet made of baltic birch, especially when compared to what's currently widely available (re: Ampeg 8x10 is $999 and made of particle board or cheap ply.) The other plus is that the cab is pretty easy to handle. It can be a bit unwieldy with one person, but it is by no means impossible. I can easily get it in and out of my truck by leveraging it on the tail gate. With two people, there's no problem carrying it up stairs. Overall, I cannot recommend one of these cabs enough.

P.S. I now fully subscribe to the story that putting two of these cabs together facing each other and playing an open E could put out a match. You could probably do it with just one cab if you were playing loud enough. This doesn't just move air, it makes air it's B*tch.
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: HRobert on June 30, 2010, 09:45:26 pm
Excellent Job on the cab.  Looks great, and good choice in using the K -140's.  I really like the sound of the "K" series speakers.  I have two 2x15 cabs - each with 2 K130's for my Sentura II.  Love the sound.  Happy playinjg,

Rob
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: arskas on July 01, 2010, 01:37:59 am
Nice work Demon  :-D

I wish a had a heavy weight tube amp also. My cab shakes so bad a light weight Orange bass terror slides of the top...
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: D.M.N. on August 01, 2010, 11:42:31 pm
I keep spacing on taking new pictures of the cabinet. It's not like I'm doing anything, I just always forget. Anyways, here's some pictures from a recent party where we (me and my guitar player) played a rather impromptu set with a drummer friend.
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs163.snc4/37472_1506207144096_1501827204_1284328_6031935_n.jpg)
(http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs003.snc4/33503_1508463960515_1501827204_1290083_3082432_n.jpg)


I'm not quite as metal as some of the folks on here..........but I have sideburns! Oh.......and a Sunn cabinet.
Title: Re: Sunn 215 cabinet
Post by: sturoc on April 06, 2011, 07:22:43 pm
What year is the 215S with the ports on the right side ?