Sunn 118V bass cabinet

[rpprice49]

I have one of these. What year were they made and how much did they sell for? Also does anyone know how to date them by serial No.?  Mine is C004481  in great shape

[CLD]

Check the catalog thread but I think they were available from 1971 through at least 1974. The best way to date them would be to look for manufacturer and date codes on the speakers.

If it has the "old-style" rubbery handles, that would indicate 1971.

Anyone have additional pointers?

[biltmore]

does anyone know how to date them by serial No.?  Mine is C004481  in great shape

Most of the guru's here don't think there is any correlation between the serial numbers and model or year. I think there was some talk a long while back about a book containing some stuff, but nothing ever came to fruition or it was lost or something. I think Don T. was that guy, and he hasn't been on here in a very long time.

[loudthud]

You are talking about the 30x30x15 cab right? In 74 it was called the 118M.

[CLD]

Based on my 1972 catalog and the fact that I have two '71 cabs with original Vegas in them (based on speaker codes and the fact that the head purchased with them was dated '71), I'm guessing Sunn used the Vegas in '71 and '72 as the primary speaker or made them optional.

The '74 and '75 catalogs both list the 118M.

My mid- to late 1970 brochure describes the 118 speaker as a "Sunn 18" special design transducer" (whatever that means).

Has anyone ever seen catalogs from '71 or '73? I haven't.

[EdBass]

Also, in the '72 catalog under "cabinet nomenclature" they list the cabinet decoding as;

First number = number of speakers
Second number = size of speakers

Letter =  type of speaker
"S" = Sunn (transducer?)
"V" = Vega (it seems that Cerwin Vega replaced JBL as the "brand name" driver upgrade)
"M" = Magna (higher power handling than the "S")

It also states in the catalog that "last year" (from this I assume 1971) was the first year you could "mix and match" sound system components, but that 1972 was the first year that you could "mix and match" musical instrument components.