Author Topic: Spectre Owners Group  (Read 7337 times)

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Offline Fred Cook

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« on: September 09, 2001, 11:55:00 am »
I just acquired a 1969 Spectre in excellent condition. Would like to swap notes with others using this amp or its twins.

Issues might include: grounding, effects, modifications, overdrives, modern speakers, 6550 vs. KT-88 etc.

From the land of Bolivar
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Offline Isaac

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« Reply #1 on: September 09, 2001, 04:05:00 pm »
Of course, Sunn never made a Spectre. Typo?

Does using any of the electrically identical amps qualify one for membership? Specifically, I use a Sentura II.

Isaac
Isaac

Offline Fred Cook

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« Reply #2 on: September 09, 2001, 05:47:00 pm »
OOOPS! Would you believe a "Sceptre?"

(Been a long week!)

And yes, that would apply. If I understand the Sunn architecture correctly, we really only talking about one amp - 60w, big output transformer, effects.

FBC
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Offline Isaac

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« Reply #3 on: September 14, 2001, 11:04:00 am »
That's the beastie, all right. I even offered my kids $5 if they could find a difference between the schematics. Didn't have to pay. Bottom line? Same head, different names, and, I think, different speaker cabinets.

Isaac
Isaac

Offline Fred Cook

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« Reply #4 on: September 14, 2001, 02:32:00 pm »
I owned a Solarus from '67 to '68 when it was "stolen" by a "friend." I loved it.

I have gotten the Sceptre head and it works. Because of the size of the 4x12 cab, it is taking a bit of effort to get it to Venezuela.

If I read the various histories correctly, the 4x12 cab was an effort to compensate for the fact that Sunn was losing sales to dirtier amps like Marshalls. (Hendrix, of course, being a famous case.)

I would love to hear from folks who are actually gigging with these beasts. What tricks are you using to get a slightly dirtier sound, etc.

FBC
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Offline Greg Z

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« Reply #5 on: September 14, 2001, 06:24:00 pm »
I,ve got a 1200s. basically the same amp 'cept two more 6550's, bigger transformers.
Been toying with the idea of putting in a
UL-Triode switch. If I get around to it I'll
post the results.
Greg Z
to thine own sound be true
 gmz79-at-aol.com

Offline Isaac

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« Reply #6 on: September 21, 2001, 04:47:00 pm »
Greg, that sounds like a very good idea. How much output with four 6550's wired as triodes? Would you need to re-bias the amp, or could you just switch between them?

Isaac
Isaac

Offline Fred Cook

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« Reply #7 on: September 25, 2001, 07:53:00 pm »
There does appear to be one difference between some Sceptres and other Sunn guitar amps; some had a mid boost switch. Mine does not. Does anyone have a schematic of the mid boost? And, better yet, does anyone who has the switch use it?

Similarly, any techie types explain to those of us who can't really read a schematic how the "contour" knob works. I note that it appears to be wired across the bass control and acts a bit like a master tone or even a briteness control.

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Offline Leftee

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« Reply #8 on: October 02, 2001, 05:17:00 pm »
How 'bout a Sentura I? Does it fall in this group?

Offline Fred Cook

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« Reply #9 on: October 02, 2001, 08:57:00 pm »
I suspect that this group really comes down to giggers vs. collectors. Soooo, if you drag your Sunn up on the stage of your local arena or coffee shop, you qualify.

More seriously, I believe that a Sentura I is more like a Sceptre than not.

Might actually be interesting to ask Conrad to comment on the evolution/philosophy of the Sunn guitar, as opposed to bass, line. E.g., when/why the move from 15'" to 12" speakers? Was the mid boost an attempt to create a more Marshall sound?

FBC
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Offline Greg Z

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« Reply #10 on: October 02, 2001, 09:08:00 pm »
Fred
check your hotmail,theres a schematic with the midboost. Yes I use the mid-boost on
my 1200s. kinda like a lead channel switch,
really cuts thru. Haven't really studied the
contour circuit,however to my ears it seems
to control the effectiveness and rolloff points of the tone controls. I really don't
play a whole lot with the tone knobs.This
amp is pretty much a loud ballsy,peel the paint,clean,chunky rock and roll machine
that does a real sweet surf too. And thats
through my 4-10 Cab, with a full stack of 12's its downright painfull. :smile:

Greg Z
to thine own sound be true
 gmz79-at-aol.com

Offline Isaac

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« Reply #11 on: October 07, 2001, 10:11:00 am »
Quote

On 2001-10-02 16:17, Leftee wrote:
How 'bout a Sentura I? Does it fall in this group?


I think the Sentura I has the same front end, just a different power amp.

My Sentura II has the midboost switch. Yes, I use it. I love it! Better than a distortion pedal, it puts that growl in. I've never heard anything else like it.
Isaac

Offline Leftee

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« Reply #12 on: October 07, 2001, 10:25:00 am »
I'm about to put a new pair of EL34's in mine. This amp does sound great. The reverb is another story, though. Very nasel. Don't know if there's a problem, or if it's by design.

Offline Fred Cook

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« Reply #13 on: October 10, 2001, 08:53:00 am »
Leftee,

I use just the slightest bit of reverb, usually just under "2" on the knob. At that level it sounds fine. (Does set of an interesting sympathetic "ruffle" sound if you hit Bb on the lower "E" string.)

At higher, "surf" levels it does not do so well. See other posts on reverb in the forum. Reverb does not seem to be Sunn's strongest point - but you might try some of the contact cleaning/wire replacing strategies outlined.

Hope this helps.

FBC


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