Author Topic: Sunn Stage 115 Bass  (Read 4895 times)

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Offline kfthompson79

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Sunn Stage 115 Bass
« on: February 09, 2015, 08:49:32 am »
OK, so I have only found one person on these threads and on the internet that appears to have the same amp as I do. The Stage 115 amp. Mine does not say bass any where, but given the design of the cabinet, I made the assumption it was a Bass. Philvanv asked questions about a replacement speaker for his and then the conversation kind of trailed off with no definitive answers. When I inherited the cabinet, the original speaker was blown, and for a number of years it had a random 15 in it. I then acquired a peavey black widow 15 that I put in the cab. The peavey never really liked that cab. It would fart out on the low end and mediocre volumes (about seven on the volume) which I didn't think it would do with 50 watts pushing it. It can handle quite a bit more. So i am have found a replacement speaker that is equivalent to the fender suggestion-the Eminence CA154. I was just trying to get some input as to if that speaker will do better in the cabinet than the black widow. I remember days of the amp sounding fabulously fat at high volumes, and I would like to return to those days. I realize this is a long winded request, but I am trying to make sure I get the right speaker. I work hard for my money, and try to research as much as possible before a purchase. In the case of this amp, i have found few leads. Also, how much batting should the cabinet have? It looks like half of the fridge sized 200s cabinet. I am just trying to get it as close to original as possible.
Thanks in advance for all the time of those that I hope will impart knowledge of the great Sunn to a willing Neophyte,
kfthompson79

Offline loudthud

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Re: Sunn Stage 115 Bass
« Reply #1 on: February 09, 2015, 12:00:25 pm »
The main thing to look for is a speaker with a 4 Ohm impedance. WIth an 8 Ohm speaker you only get 25 Watts.

Offline Ryan Phelps

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Re: Sunn Stage 115 Bass
« Reply #2 on: February 09, 2015, 02:20:13 pm »
I have this same amp with a re-coned original Sunn speaker. If the amp is farting out on low notes, it could be a sign that the filter capacitors need replacement. If they are the original caps, they are now 40 years old and definitely need replacement. I can't help you with suggestions for a proper speaker replacement, but the filter caps could be part of the problem. If the filter caps are shot, no speaker is going to make the amp sound right.

Offline kfthompson79

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Re: Sunn Stage 115 Bass
« Reply #3 on: February 09, 2015, 03:52:54 pm »
What is a reasonable price to replace the caps? Would that cause hiss from the presence as well?

Offline Ryan Phelps

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Re: Sunn Stage 115 Bass
« Reply #4 on: February 09, 2015, 09:11:36 pm »
I'd say $100 to $150 to replace all the electrolytic capacitors (parts & labor). Should be easy to find them at Mouser or Digi-key.

Offline kfthompson79

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Re: Sunn Stage 115 Bass
« Reply #5 on: February 09, 2015, 09:17:25 pm »
Let me make sure we are talking about the same farting out. It just sounds like the speaker is distorting weird. Not solid and tight. Kind of flubbery. Are we on the same note here? Is that the same thing you are talking about? If so, any amp tech should be able to test ans see if the caps are bad right? I had it in the shop a long time ago after it was completely dead, and they cited a cap. I don't now if they replaced them all. If i am pushing 50 watts to a 450 wat speaker, could that be the problem? I really appreciate all of the info. You have been a great help, I am getting closer to the original state of my amp

Offline Ryan Phelps

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Re: Sunn Stage 115 Bass
« Reply #6 on: February 11, 2015, 05:26:18 pm »
Yes. As I recall, there is a 3400uf x 75V, 1000uf x 50V and a 250uf x 64V filter cap in this amp. Low bass notes require the amp to pull greater current from the power supply. If the filter caps are old and failing, farting out on the low notes is a common symptom, as the old caps can't deliver the necessary current. The power supply is the engine that delivers the clean, DC to all the stages of the amp. If the power supply is not working correctly, the other stages can't do their job.

Offline kfthompson79

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Re: Sunn Stage 115 Bass
« Reply #7 on: February 12, 2015, 07:39:14 am »
Thanks for the input, it really helps.
Also, what is the best way to find a good amp tech? I have not had very good luck in the oklahoma city area. Either they say they know what they are doing and don't-I have a bassman ten that I sent off for work and they wired the 8  ohm speakers like the 32 ohm speakers and ended up blowing three of four replacement speakers. Or they take forever to get the work done. Is there some kind of tech guild or reference information that I could find? I hope all of my questions aren't too much. I just like to make sure all bases are covered.