sunn loudness?

[lumburgur]

Hi,
I've never had the opportunity to play through a SUNN (or any tube bass head for that matter) but find myself wanting to try - what sort of tube wattage rating would come through in a small to medium size show (probably nothing more than 2500 ft^2) with a mix of 2 loud guitars (Fender hot rod deluxe: 40W, and Orange rocker 30: 30W) and a drummer who likes to play LOUD? (when we want to play p, he doesn't seem to understand, we have to tell him "ok, but play quieter... no, not slower; quieter",
Any reccomendations as to what SUNN model to keep an eye out for?

I'd be running it through an ampeg 4x10 4 ohm impedence
thanks in advance,
-shaft

[basiklybass]

The 200S series produce 60 watts or slightly more. This series include the Scpter, the Sentura, Sorado and other (The later yeasr when they all used KT 88's or 6550).

The 1000 series, 1200, 1500 and 2000, all were 120 watts. These are all tube amps and set the standard for bass amplification.

Later models went to transistors and produced anywhere from 150 to 300 watts. They include the Concert, the Coliseum and the Beta Bass.

All of the above can run 4 ohm cabinets. The transistor amps can go lower, the tube amps don't like to.

With what you list as the amps being used by the guitarists, I suggest the 1000 series for tube amps and the Concert or Coliseum for transistor amps. I also would suggest using at least one 15" speaker with your 10's. The 200S cabinet with 2 JBL's 15's and a 200S haed may very well hold it's own...but you are talking some fairly large money here to get something in decent shape. I like the later 215 cabinets myself.

[meltdown]

I have only had the sonic II and the 2000s, both with 2x15 cabs in my time with sunn.  My most recent bandmates had Peavey Blues Classic 15" and Line 6 w/2x12" and both liked to play loud.  I never ran the 2000s over 3-4 volume and never lacked for cutting through the drums and guitar mix.  The Sonic II was much more likely to be driven harder and just couldn't match the 2000s.  The other post was right that you will have to reach a bit deeper for that head, but it is worth it for this amp. 

[JoeArthur]

And there is always the model T.

[EdBass]

(when we want to play p, he doesn't seem to understand, we have to tell him "ok, but play quieter... no, not slower; quieter",

Now THAT'S funny...

[djc]

my 200s and 215 cab can keep up at those volumes but I am pushing the outerlimits of this amp.  a 2000s or T would probably suit better, but, on the otherhand, some soft tube overdrive could be desireable.  my guitarist has a Fender blues deluxe 40 watt guitar amp and my drummer is loud with a large, beautifully sounding Yamaha beach kit. my 200s just makes the grade.

funny thing is once I switched to a 215 cab (from a 410) my guitarist told me I was too loud.  he just doesn't like me taking over his solo parts.

I used a 410 for punch, slap and pop.  my 215 (I think) does even better, which I didn't expect.

[Oli]

Hi,

I use a SUNN Sorado (=200S) with a sold state reciver. Runs fine with 1 (or 2) 4X10" Fender / Sunn box with our lound (I mean xxx lound drummer.... when we did the first gig with him his only aim was to be that liud that we would be the last band playing in the club....so U know waht I men).

The Sorado produces a fine attack with it's 65W and gives the sound a nice, creamy overdrive. It fits 100% with the guitarsound and the B3 when I'm gonig up to "seven" (depending on base etc. etc.). When I would need "eight" it sounds like an minimoog with an overdrive. I used it once on a bigger open air stage, though the power was not enough so I did put 90% of the stagevolume onto the monitor. Didn't work out that good , so for Open air or bigger stages i would prefer the 2000S etc.

The 200S is great for recordingpurpose aswell...geat tubetriven sound with not too much volume!

Greetings from inner SUNN

 

[Isaac]

Speakers are much more important than watts in determining loudness.
Gotta watch for impedance issues, though.