The sunn Forum

Sunn Musical Equipment => Q & A => Topic started by: dratsabinc on August 10, 2010, 04:21:10 pm

Title: Sunn rig ID
Post by: dratsabinc on August 10, 2010, 04:21:10 pm

I just picked up a vintage Sunn Coliseum Bass and two 2x15 Sunn cabs this weekend.

I think the cabs are pretty old. One of my buddies told me the pre-'69 cabs didn't have the "restricted" circle R stamped on the insignia. Is this true?

Also I really want to get an age on the CB as well. It was made in Tualatin, OR by Sunn Musical Equipment Company (not Fender or otherwise). There is a number stamped on the back, upper left corner of the amp. It reads: 001181. There is also a round, yellow sticker with "HH906219" printed on it. Not sure if either of these is the serial number but thought I would check in here.

Any info you may have would be great. Thanks!

Title: Re: Sunn rig ID
Post by: loudthud on August 10, 2010, 06:11:28 pm

No way to tell age from the serial number. There is usually a date on the inside of the amp either on a sticker or just written on the chassis with a grease pencil. Other than that there will be date codes on some of the components.

The (R) logo started around mid 1969. It's for Registered trademark.

Title: Re: Sunn rig ID
Post by: dratsabinc on August 10, 2010, 07:08:02 pm

Registered trademark yes. One of mine is missing the "R."

Thanks, brother. Got these suckers for cheap and the guy who sold 'em didn't have any insight on them except that they were played by some guy in the band Moon Around Uranus.

Title: Re: Sunn rig ID
Post by: CLD on August 11, 2010, 07:21:49 pm

If you open up the amplifier, you should be able to find somewhere on the chassis a green-and-white inspection sticker with a handwritten date on it.  Regarding the speakers, the best bet is to look for the manufacturer and date codes, which might be visible and might not be. Good luck!

Title: Re: Sunn rig ID
Post by: NsubUlysses on August 13, 2010, 04:41:07 pm

Coop I already told you to take the head apart and find the sticker. The sticker on my concert lead reads 5/31/73. Yours is probably from right around the same time and should be a white and green sticker that has the date and also says "inspected by" with some scribbley signature.

No circle R means pre-1969 according to comments I've read on this here messageboard. It's plain to see because the font is different from the font with the circle R which, again, according to people posting on this board started in 1969, dog.

Title: Re: Sunn rig ID
Post by: dratsabinc on August 16, 2010, 01:47:15 pm

Thanks again, people..

I'm gonna crack it open the next chance I get to find the serial number.

Will report back with my findings..

Title: Re: Sunn rig ID
Post by: NsubUlysses on August 16, 2010, 02:33:24 pm

If it's too hard to open with a screwdriver you can just go on ebay and get a grenade or a missile

Title: Re: Sunn rig ID
Post by: dratsabinc on August 16, 2010, 02:46:52 pm

Quote from: NsubUlysses on August 16, 2010, 02:33:24 pm

If it's too hard to open with a screwdriver you can just go on ebay and get a grenade or a missile

Haha.. wow.

I wonder if homeland security knows you can buy these arms on eBay..

All jokes aside, the ColBass is a tank.

Title: Re: Sunn rig ID
Post by: CLD on August 16, 2010, 06:50:09 pm

Quote

All jokes aside, the ColBass is a tank.

That's part of its charm! (And the ridiculous power, of course.)

 :-D