Sunn bass amp with pedal steel

[Bob Sykes]

This is more about amplifiers than steel guitar technique so I reckon it Belongs here. Many of us have seen those signs that say "Better musicianship with louder amplifiers". Well, it just ain't so.

We played a multi-act event Saturday afternoon and this amplifier was provided by the PA guys. I had totally forgotten about these.



It was parked in my usual spot and I knew that our bass player wasn't going use it (he's vintage Ampeg). I thought "that might make a good steel amp" and being basically lazy I decided to take a chance on it and leave mine in the truck. We had another 3 hour gig later that day. Conserve energy.

I'm guessing it was 100W Solid State with 2 X 15" closed back cabinet. You could seriously hurt somebody with it and a steel. I really liked having that much power but it exposed every flaw in my PSG playing. Every VP miscalculation, clacky pick attack, donk or other clam was front and center. Nobody else noticed of course, but with that speaker right behind my head I sure did. Once I got it dialed in with pedal board EQ etc. the tone wasn't bad.

I usually play through a BF Deluxe or Bassman 50. We mic everything so I can hear them fine. I used the Bassman/open back 12" Saturday night (also outdoors) and noticed I was drving it hard enough to put a little hair on it (which I like) but I don't remember pushing it that far before.

Could be an excuse for buying another amp. It will help with my technique.... yeah that's the ticket.

[Joe Bill Moad]

Man those Sunn amps are the ticket! My favorite Rock and Roll band Grand Funk Railroad made Sunn amps noticeable and popular! They definately carry the mail. I bet if you got to play on that amp a few times you wouldn’t trade it for anything? They are top shelf tone and volume! Thanks for the post! Haven’t seen a Sunn in years.

Respectfully;

Joe Bill Moad
Oklahoma

[Dave Grafe]

Con Sundholm's legacy lives on

[John Larson]

Sunn amps are amazing

[Bob Sykes]

Con Sundholm's legacy lives on

I didn't have any experience with Sunn, only seen pictures. Dave's message got me interested, so I went looking. It looks like the Concert Bass amp I used is 150W (200W rated consumption). Later blackface models were 200W output but made in mexico and had quality problems. Looks like some models sell for "vintage" price$$$$.

The "official" company history is interesting, expecially when they decided to move out of Oregon. The Sunn brand name was brought out of (20yr+) retirement last year by a conglomerate of music industry executives. https://sunnamps.com/history/

The legacy lives again (at least in name)

[John Larson]

Con Sundholm's legacy lives on

Looks like some models sell for "vintage" price$$$$.

The "official" company history is interesting, expecially when they decided to move out of Oregon. The Sunn brand name was brought out of (20yr+) retirement last year by a conglomerate of music industry executives. https://sunnamps.com/history/

The legacy lives again (at least in name)

The prices on amps like the legendary Model T shot up because an experimental band named themselves after the amps and uses a wall of them for maximum DB wall of sound. They are an extremely sought after amp in the doom/stoner metal genre. My understanding is they are essentially heavily beefed up Fender Bassman type circuit that has very nice power amp distortion when played loud. The story goes that were dirt cheap, due to everyone going lighter rack gear in the 80s, in the late 80s early 90s Pacific Northwest when a lot of what became grunge and other heavy alternative bands were getting started. Definitely an amp design of a bygone era before PAs got good enough to fill stadiums.



Sunn O))) - Rig Rundown

I really wonder what level of clarity a pedal steel would get through a wall like that. Especially since the Model T is known for its huge headroom, huge bass response and that it doesn't break up until it's damagingly loud.

I believe Sunn was also the first to use CMOS transistor tech in an amplifier with stuff like the Beta Lead. A particular favorite of Washington bands like The Melvins.

[Joe Bill Moad]

Uhhhhh I beg your pardon:
Doom Stoner times? Give them to us again! Jimi Hendrix, Gand Funk Railroad, Jerry Garcia, Grateful Dead, Eric Clapton, all the LOUD bands used them one time or another! Cream, even ole Doom and Stoner (Pure Prairie League, Vince Gill) I bet he would appreciate hearing that classification of his musicianship? There is always one of those pointing fingers at Great Gear and don’t know squat about SOUND in every crowd.

I will buy every SUNN PA and Bassman amp (In Good Shape) that I come across! Nothing made like them to this day!

Respectfully

Joe Bill Moad
Let the Good Times Roll!
Oklahoma