how watts does a sceptre 4x12 handle?

[cosmic erosion]

I just picked up a 69 sceptre and matching staggered tall 4x12. Guy said it has the jbl's in it. I know its 16 ohms, doesn't say how many watts it handles? Even if its the sunn transducers, what would the total wattage be able to throw into it? I only ask bc I put the sceptre in the shop n we have a show coming up and I have a coliseum pa id run into it. Prob is, I dime that beast for od. Thinkin of runnin it into the 4x12 for the show. Thoughts n opinions? Thnkx!

[loudthud]

How do you know it's 16 ohms? If you didn't know or couldn't tell it had JBLs, why would you trust the guy selling it? Is there a black spot in the center of the aluminum domes? Any vintage cabinet should have the back taken off so the speakers can be inspected and tested to make sure they are in good working order. If you don't do this, hope you have a backup for your gig.

A Coliseum PA will more than likely smoke the speakers.

[cosmic erosion]

Ya. Ill just take it to my tech n have it measured. I'm just trying to. Save a trip lugging it up n down the stairs. I live on the third floor n my stairs are super narrow. But I guess it beats blowing a head up or worse. Damnit I'm lazy. Haha. I figured the coliseum would blow it. Maybe ill just run my studio pa into it then.

[loudthud]

The tube type Studio PA is an excellent choice. Real close to the Coliseum PA in overdrive characteristics but low enough power for the 4x12. You still should have the cabinet checked out though.

[cosmic erosion]

Ya. My techs gonna check it tmrw. I love my studio pa. The one ill never sell. I like the coliseum bc of its volume, but it has nowhere near the balls of the studio. The studio has nos ge 6550s and what I believe are the original amperex 12ax7s in there. People can't believe how sheer angry it sounds. I had a model t for like 3 yrs and after many cabinets and tube changes, sold it bc it wasn't what I wanted. But this studio, bought it on a whim and it still inspires me when I plug it in. Excited to hear this sceptre up and running. Thanks for the advice!

[EdBass]

I think the Sceptre only came with Sunn Transducers, and I don't know what they were rated for but they aren't very stout looking.



If I were to guesstimate I'd say 20-25 watts each max. My Sceptre head is the one the cab came with and is a later SS rectified model rated at 80 watts. I don't think that Sunn would put out an amp/cab that would self destruct, so it's probably a 100 wattish cab. Also, it's rated for 8 ohms.
As loudthud says though, I wouldn't use the Coliseum wide open with it.

[cosmic erosion]

Ok, out of sheer curiosity, took the back. My speakers don't look like edbass's speaker. My frames are black. They do say sunn guitar transducer. So bummed. The numbers on the frame are 220916. Then there's another set that say c12n,c8735-2. Actually, the bottom two speaker codes are 220915, not 220916. I'm more confused now. Help? Also, my heads speaker outs are labeled 16 ohms and 8 ohms. So I assume the cab would be 16 ohms so if u got two cabs at 16 ohm, the head would switch to 8 ohms. 

[EdBass]

I know that there were "Sunn Transducers" that had both AlNiCo and ceramic magnets. The ones in my cab are AlNiCo, yours may be ceramic. Besides the frames being black

So bummed. The numbers on the frame are 220916. Then there's another set that say c12n,c8735-2. Actually, the bottom two speaker codes are 220915, not 220916. I'm more confused now. Help?

I'm not the speaker code expert that some here are, but I think the 220915 would mean that they were Jensen speakers manufactured the 15th week of 1969, I don't know about the other code. Also, I wasn't aware that Jensen made speakers for Sunn, although I think they made speakers for just about everybody else in that era.
 

Also, my heads speaker outs are labeled 16 ohms and 8 ohms. So I assume the cab would be 16 ohms so if u got two cabs at 16 ohm, the head would switch to 8 ohms. 

Yes, that’s how it works. This has been covered several times before, but you have a choice of 16/8 or 8/4, and it’s simple, easily reversible surgery to convert your amp from one to the other.

On a different note, you don’t have any gut shots of your Coliseum do you?

[cosmic erosion]

Thanks for the help edbass. When he sent me the pix of the inside of the cab, and I saw they were black,  and he told me they we're jbls, I just assumed they were. Interesting they're jensens. When I get to our practice spot tonite, I'll grab some gut shots for ya. I got a deal on that. Its dead mint. No scratches, rips, stains, etc. Looks like it was made yesterday. Original tubes, only changed caps and ower cord. How do I post pix here?

[EdBass]

Well, the K series and later JBLs were black, but they should be pretty obvious beyond the color; cast frames, crinkle paint, etc.

I'm interested to see the layout of a 4 output tube Sunn in a 24" wide box, the biggest problem I see with that is heat dissipation but apparently it isn't an issue with the Coliseum PA.
I've got probably way too much invested in vintage Sunn amps; if I could steal one I'd just buy it, but that isn't very likely and I really don't want to sell another of my old Sunns to rationalize paying fair market value for a Coliseum PA just to get a "look see".

To post pictures I usually use photobucket and insert the image link into the text, but if you click on "additional options" and use the "attach:" function it will put them on your post as an attachment.

[cosmic erosion]

Haha. Ya, I had to sell off quite a bit of my record collection to get this coliseum last yr. Worth it tho. Ill def get a lot of detailed pix for ya. I'm on the hunt for a smiley face next myself. That'll have to wait till next year tho, if I can find one. Lol.

[scotzoid]

I wouldn't be too sure that the Sceptre cab is 16 ohm, unless you've taken a meter reading off of it. My 412 cab (& every other Sceptre cab I've seen) is/was rated at 8 ohm. I'm with Ed on the wattage ratings too.

I'm mystified by the Jensen codes as well, that's a new one to me. 

[Isaac]

Obviously, we need pics of the drivers.

[cosmic erosion]

bump with pix. sorry it took so long. blew a speaker and just said eff it, respeakered the cab.