SUNN SONIC 1 what years were they made? For Bass??

[nycfenderbass]

I just got one and need to know. steve

[EdBass]

I have a factory schematic dated '67, but only the Sonic I-40 appears on the '68 pricelist, so it seems pretty short lived. It seems to have been marketed as sort of a "jack of all trades" amp in this brochure;

http://www.dangpow.com/~sunn/brochures/67brochure.jpg

[nycfenderbass]

It seems it's a 65?? One of the first Sunn amps? Any comments?

[EdBass]

With all the urban legends and internet mythology surrounding vintage gear, I personally prefer to stick to things I can actually access when it comes to dating. I actually have factory '67 schematics and brochures, and a factory '68 price list, so I stand by my post.
The first (1965) Sunn amps were Dynaco Mark III amps and modifed PAS pre-amps seperately mounted in a box.

As far as I can tell, this is a '65;
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7399850059&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

Does your Sonic resemble this one?

I believe, but can't verify, that the change from top control to single chassis amps started with the '66 models, and the logo changed from the "smiley face" the same year.
If you have Sonic I manufactured in 1965, I'd be very interested to see some photos to expand my knowledge on early Sunn gear.

[nycfenderbass]

I just copied this from Conrad Sundholm's interview, or something like it.
Sonic I
1965 - Like the 60-watt Sunn Amp, could be used for bass and was the
inspiration for the 200S, the 40-watt Sunn Amp would be the logical
predecessor of the 40-watt bass amp with a single 15" rear-loaded
folded-horn bottom.
1966 - Updated to the three-knob, two-switch front control panel and
became known as the Sonic I.  Discontinued by '68 catalog.
EL-34 power tubes

[CLD]

Just noted your reference to "cleanest Sorado on earth" ... when did you get it?  Mine's pretty darned clean, I bought it new in '71.  Still have the 215 cab, too.

[nycfenderbass]

I opened the NOS Sunn box from my small town music store after the old owners son lost the lease, and the box was discovered when cleaning out the inventory.. Smelled like a new car.

[EdBass]

From this post, it seemed like you were looking for information.

I just got one and need to know. steve

But.....

I just copied this from Conrad Sundholm's interview, or something like it.
Sonic I
1965 - Like the 60-watt Sunn Amp, could be used for bass and was the
inspiration for the 200S, the 40-watt Sunn Amp would be the logical
predecessor of the 40-watt bass amp with a single 15" rear-loaded
folded-horn bottom.
1966 - Updated to the three-knob, two-switch front control panel and
became known as the Sonic I. Discontinued by '68 catalog.
EL-34 power tubes

Excellent cut and paste skills! Maybe you are the one who should be enlightening the rest of this forum on Sunn history.

[nycfenderbass]

Perhaps, you would learn something if I so desired to enlighten. But I would  never move in on another man's turf.

[AdmiralB]

You beat me on that auction (I was 3rd bidder).  That looks like a '67 to me - numbered panel.  It sure looks clean.

I have a head-version Sonaro - same amp, different name.  They're rather puny compared to the 60W chassis, but sound the same - just less of it.

[nycfenderbass]

Hey AdmiralB, I'll let you know if it gets here in one piece, from a seller who's real young, and shipping his first Ebay deal. When I saw "late 70s" in his naive description, I knew he was not informed. I'm taking a chance based on the photos and his ignorance. But It's good to have an early clean tube amp none the less, for tone alone.

[Sunn_Tubeamp_Revival]

Here is the progression of the bass amps for Conrads S' interview from the Sunn Shack

By comparison you can see what it was by the bottom to which it was married.

Sunn bass heads and cabs (non-effects
1965 - While there wasn't a separate amp for bass in the original line,
the original Sunn Amp (see above) could be used for either guitar or
bass.  Second split-chassis version preceded the 200S.

200S
1966 - Single-chassis version 60-watt head for bass with volume, treble
and bass controls, plus hi-boost and low-boost switches.  Two D140s were
placed in separate folded horn sections of the 42" X 24" X 15" bottom
(same size as 100S).  This was one of the company's most enduring
designs, revered to this day by bass players of the era.  A true classic
in bass amp history!
1969 - Change to 6550s.

Sonic II
1966 - A short lived model that was essentially a 200S with D130s.  The
large folded horn cabinet and three knob/two switch 60-watt head appear
to be identical to the 200S.  Discontinued by '68 catalog.

Sonic I
1965 - Like the 60-watt Sunn Amp, could be used for bass and was the
inspiration for the 200S, the 40-watt Sunn Amp would be the logical
predecessor of the 40-watt bass amp with a single 15" rear-loaded
folded-horn bottom.
1966 - Updated to the three-knob, two-switch front control panel and
became known as the Sonic I.  Discontinued by '68 catalog.

Sonic I-40
1967 - Half of a 200S bottom coupled to a three-knob, two-switch 40-watt
head.  These are great bottoms, with the rear-loaded folded-horn D140
frequency response but not as cumbersome as the 2 X 15" model.
Otherwise, identical to Sonic I.
1969 - 60 watts from two 6550s.

Sonaro
1967 - Combo bass amp with the 40-watt Sonic I head and a 15" Sunn
speaker.  Same size as the Solarus.
1969 - 60 watts from two 6550s.

Sorado
1968 - Like the Sonic II it replaced, the three-knob/two-switch 60-watt
Sorado was essentially a 200S with cheaper speakers, this time
heavy-duty 15" Sunns.  6550s by early '69.


2000S
1968 - If there's one amp that represents Sunn's best qualities, it's
the 2000S.  Just about everyone agrees Sunn made good-to-great-sounding
bass rigs, and this was their piece de resistance.  There's the bottoms
- twin D140s in an oversized rear-loaded, folded-horn cabinet measuring
a whopping 48" X 30" X 15".  Place two of these side-by-side and you can
put out a match with a thump on the E string (or so legend has it).
These cabinets are efficient and get loud at all frequencies, something
many of the smaller miracle cabs can't.  Couple that with four KT88s and
a simple set of controls with a bass boost switch and you're ready for
just about anything.

Regards,
Chuck

[AdmiralB]

Here is the progression of the bass amps for Conrads S' interview from the Sunn Shack

Sonaro
1967 - Combo bass amp with the 40-watt Sonic I head and a 15" Sunn
speaker.  Same size as the Solarus.
1969 - 60 watts from two 6550s.

That's only a guideline, though.  For example, my Sonaro is a head, and it's got a 10/69 date, but it's the EL34 40W model.