1969 Sunn 1200s for Bass?

[D.M.N.]

Hello everybody! (Dr. Nick voice),

Just wondering what people opinions are on using a Sunn 1200s for bass. I dig a big, full sound, but really push my midrange, and these have the Mid-boost, so I'm wondering how useful that would be. It's between that or a 2000s eventually, and I'm just wondering which one could give me big fat crunch with some tasty midrange. Maybe a Biamp rig eventually?

[paco)))]

Hey man, I'm selling my 1200s & a 4x12 right now & it's great for bass. I run my ric through it with my bass muff pedal & it sounds awesome. I ran it through my 2x15 & 4x15 for lower end. I've never played through a 2000 but I've heard there's not a lot of difference but I could be wrong.

[D.M.N.]

Yeah, I actually saw your listing on eBay just before posting this thread. Too bad I don't have the clams! I'd heard the same thing, that there wasn't much difference between the 2000s and the 1200s, and if I ever do get one, I'd run it through a Sunn 2000s 2x15. How's the midrange with a bass? Pretty massive sound overall? Thanks for the input!

[D.M.N.]

Just broadening the discussion, but has anyone used the 612s that came with the 1200s for bass? I'm not sure if the drivers could really handle the excursion, but what if you popped in bass speakers? I'm contemplating building a 612 cab for bass, and wondering about people's opinion.

[D.M.N.]

Just reviving this for a second go round. I recently played a Sunn with reverb and Trem (either a Sentura I or II), and loved the effects. The 1200s features the same effects, so I'm pretty interested in it, but does the 1200s have the same EQ points as the 2000s, or are they centered more for guitar?

[Isaac]

I can't comment on the big dogs, but I have used a Sceptre and a Sentura II for bass (same amp) and a 200S as well. I think the preamp sections are the same as for the 1200S and 2000S.

They sound a little bit different. The Sceptre/Sentura II has a 6 dB mid boost built into the circuitry. I don't remember the frequency. This gives them a bit more presence. The 200S has a 6 dB/octave rolloff on the low end. It's at 80 Hz, IIRC, but is pushed down to 40 Hz by the low boost switch.

As I say, I've used them both, and like them both. Picking one over the other is, for me, just a matter of mood.

[Ryanx]

i've read on here somewhere in the times i was searching all threads on the 1200s that it has a small difference in the preamp section from the 2000s.  personally, i would go for the 2000s for bass as i'm not partial to the bass sound with the 1200s.  Very good for guitar, i just noticed that when i used it for bass, it was good, but not as good as the sound for guitar.  i think for what you're looking for in your description, you'd have to hit a sweet spot on the amp and not quite have a lot of ground to work on with EQing it to sculpt different tones out of.  If you're going to pedal it, you're better off getting something cheaper and possibly a bit more bass specific.  I notice too that the midrange boost adds treble as well in your signal and in my experience on the bass with the 1200s, it would be better for a punchier bass sound, not quite the thick and fuzzed out sound you're after.  In all reality i was completely blown away by the bass sounds of a 1st gen T with 12at7's in it. 

[matto)))]

In all reality i was completely blown away by the bass sounds of a 1st gen T with 12at7's in it. 

me too.  i had always heard that 2nd gens are best for bass but recently i plugged my 1st gen into my ampeg 8x10 and was astounded at how clean the bass sounded and how smooth every note just rolled out. 

[Ryanx]

i'm pretty sure that opinion is associated with the mid selector switch, which makes a lot of sense, but personally i've never played through a red knob.  traded my T for my 1200s thanks to this site and i'm happy about it

[EdBass]

The 1200S and 2000S are pretty close as far as the tone stack. The biggest difference is the bass boost that the 2000S has, which gives it a pretty serious thump in the bottom over the "guitar" amps.
Of course, as far as tone stacks go neither amp is very sophisticated compared to modern bass amps.

[Isaac]

me too.  i had always heard that 2nd gens are best for bass but recently i plugged my 1st gen into my ampeg 8x10 and was astounded at how clean the bass sounded and how smooth every note just rolled out. 

I don't agree at all that 2nd gen (2G?) is better for bass. That bump in the mids seems made for guitar to me, while the generally flat response of the 1G works very well for bass. I know I like my 2G much better for bass since I did a couple of mods, making it more like the 1G.

[D.M.N.]

The 1200S and 2000S are pretty close as far as the tone stack. The biggest difference is the bass boost that the 2000S has, which gives it a pretty serious thump in the bottom over the "guitar" amps.
Of course, as far as tone stacks go neither amp is very sophisticated compared to modern bass amps.

The simplicity is not problem to me, I rather prefer only a few knobs (if I had one wish, it'd probably be for a real mid-knob). As far as the bass switch, doesn't the 2000s put out a ridiculous amount anyways? Is the switch really necessary? And how much of a boost does the mid-boost on the 1200s offer?

[Ryanx]

my last bit of advice over anything i've previously wrote you, is don't ignore advice and make a large purchase only to wish you'd have listened.  save the frustration and just grab the 2000s for your needs.