Conference napalm::guitar

    
    Sunn started up in the late sixties in Oregon. They began making
    all-tube gear, then gradually moved into solid-state.  In the late
    sixties their bass amps were very popular, probably more so than
    their guitar models.  Many of these amps like the Sonaro and 200S
    are still kicking ass in garages and basements if not concert stages.
    
    In the early seventies they introduced the huge Colliseum series
    amps which were used by the likes of John Entwistle, Geddy Lee and
    Chris Squire.  Big, loud and expensive.
    
    In the late seventies they came up with some lower wattage amps
    such as the Alpha (50 watt combos) and Beta (100 watt, combos and
    stacks) series and expanded into PA and lighting gear.  
    
    Finally falling on hard times, they were bought up by Fender a few
    years ago.  Since then they have only sold PA and lighting equipment
    under the Sunn logo. 

    They were innovative in many respects, being the first to use CMOS
    circuits in the preamp to produce tube-type distortion and one of
    the first companies to offer extensive patching capabilities in
    their amps.
       
    Sunn bass amps tend to be reliable workhorses, I used an Alpha 112PR
    for a few years and it was very nice, wide range of tones and pretty
    quiet.  I also use a friend's Sonaro tube head at practices and
    it is pretty impressive, sounds a lot like an Ampeg with that super
    low end punch.
    
    

    
    I used to play in a band with a guy that had a Sunn Colliseum
    340watt bass head with a Sunn 2x15 cab. He used an additional 
    2x15 cab with it for a total of 4 15" JBL D140's. What a punchy
    sound he got out of this rig, especially with his Jazz Bass.
    
    From what I understand, Sunn now builds all the tube amps sold
    under the Fender name, but the Fender solid state amps are made
    in Japan. I have one of the new Fender Twin Reverb amps, and it
    sounds great. According to Jim at Mr. C's music sunn has been
    making guitar amps set up like the new twin for quite a few
    years (tri-mode operation, buffered effects loop, output impedance 
    selector, etc.). 
    
    I wouldn't overlook any used Sunn equipment, especially Sunn tube
    amps.
    
    Mark Jacques
    

    Back in the late 60's, I played with a bass player who used a sunn
    head and some sort of 4X15 bottom (lots of fun to move).  Got a
    real big sound, even with the Fender 6-string bass he used to use.
    More recently, I played with some people who were using a 200W Sunn
    PA system.  It seemed to be a pretty solid unit - did what it was
    supposed to do & appeared to be well made.  I think an older Sunn
    could be a great buy, since they don't have the rock-star attraction
    of some other brands, but, for that same reason, you can probably 
    anticipate a long wait if or when you decide to sell.

    
    	Anyone know the actual power rating for a SUNN concert bass
    head?
    
    	Tomg
    

    
    The Sunn Concert Bass (and Concert Lead) amps of the late seventies
    were rated at 200 watts into a 4 ohm load.  Don't know if there
    was an earlier version.
    
    

    Another vote strongly in favor of Sunn. I bought a 100 watt Beta
    Bass combo, about a year ago. I am amazed at the amount of clean
    volume and punch I get out of its' single 15. 
    
    I've also wired some extension cabs with it to run a total of 3
    15"s and 1 12". Man, she goes like stink then.
    
    Barry 

    
    
    First,Thanks for all the help!.
    
    I wound up buying the Sunn concert bass amp that was advertised
    somewhere in this notesfile.I got a good price too!
    
    I havent had a chance to 'crank it up' yet,but the bit of fiddling
    I've done with it,it sounds great!.That 18" cab is a little big,though
    :-).!
    
    Now a final question: 
    
    What kind of cleaner can I use to clean the "tolex" covering on
    this (or any) amp?
    
    Tomg

    Try using car upholstery cleaner, and then try using Armorall
    to put a nice protective shine on after. 
    
    Enjoy,
    
    Mark 
    

    
    Re: .-1
    
    	Thanks,Mark. The cleaner (and a soft brush) solved the problem.
    
    	I now need info about covers for this gear.Is is possible to
    get covers for this stuff still? 
    
    	Any ideas?
    
    Tomg