Sunn Model-T (Vintage compared to Fender Reissue)

[Muad'Dib]

I'm in the market for a Model-T. I played a vintage 70's model in a stateside shop a few years back and I was floored by it but couldn't afford it at the time. I also had a friend with a vintage model that he let me play through on occasion. Since then I've pined everyday for one.

Here's my problem. I live in Japan and Sunn equipment of ANY kind is near impossible to come across. The only source I have readily available to me is Ebay and even then what with inflated prices due to newfound Sunn popularity plus the shipping cost to my U.S. address and THEN to Japan, the prices are usually more than I'm able to deal with but I'm almost willing to pay it.

I've recently found a Fender Reissue Model-T here in Japan and the price is good, damn good but I'm not sure if I want to fork over money I could be saving for a vintage on a reissue or not. I've read and heard that the Fender reissues are crap compared to the vintage, original Sunn amps. Does anyone here have first hand comparison knowledge? Having played and then desperately wanted a vintage Model-T for 5+ years, am I going to be horribly disappointed if I buy a reissue? From what I've read they're basically the same amp, wiring, components, set-up and all. I'm assuming that some of the reissue nay-sayers only do so out of "vintage pride". I just want the sound I experienced before without the hassles of paying $300+ shipping to get it.

Any advice and information on this subject would be beautifully appreciated. I did a search through the forum to see if this topic had come up before or not. I couldn't find one so if there's already a thread on this subject I apologize for starting a new one.

Paul

[hipfan]

I have one of the newer, Fender-made Model T's, but I've never played through one of the original models. From what I understand, the "new" Model T is *not* a re-issue - it is a whole new amp design and does not sound like the originals. I think it is a great, great amp in its own right, but it is not a fair comparison with the old one.

I think that if you were looking for the original's sound in the new one, you might be disappointed. However, you might also discover some new sounds that would be a pleasant surprise!

[RichBriere]

Hi Paul,

The NEW FMIC Model T was never meant to be a reissue and should not in any way be looked at as such. The two amps have NOTHING in common except for the logo that they wear. While they're both top-notch amplifiers, they serve an entirely different purpose and player.

Bass-ically Yours,
RB

[Muad'Dib]

Wow!! Now that's some interesting information. I was severely misinformed then. From what I had read and hear it was the same make only with a effects loop added in. What the hell is Fender doing calling it a "Sunn Model-T" if it's so different from the original!?

Thanks for the heads up! I'm going to have to think a little more on purchasing that amp head now if it's a completely different beast altogether.

[((Ohiosunno))]

I will add that the FMIC Model T seems to universally have a noisy gain channel.  I've been harassing Fender with questions, and they claim that although the amp has very modern features the amp is, in fact, based upon an old circuit design.  This doesn't mean it's based upon the old SUNN design, but that in the attempt to make a vintage "sounding" amp they utilized an older, and noisier gain design.  
Some folks have solved this by swapping the exisiting 12AX7's for quieter JJ tubes, but others (like me) are considering making some warranty-voiding mods by replacing/adding some metal resistors to/from the preamp tubes.  

I've been on this hunt for MONTHS trying to fix an otherwise SOLID machine.  I love the sound of this amp, it's just that it makes alot of white noise.