Sunn Amplifier for Steel??

Andrew Buhler · Post by **Andrew Buhler** » 16 Nov 2004 4:28 pm

I am looking to purchase a tube head along the lines of a Dual Showman Reverb. However, after reading several posts about Tom Brumley using Sunn amplification in the 1970s, I am curious about amps such as the Sunn Sceptre. Has anyone ever used a Sceptre for steel application? It seems like a cheaper alternative to the DSR. Thanks.

Donny Hinson · Post by **Donny Hinson** » 16 Nov 2004 4:59 pm

I've used a Sunn (HUGE tube model head...don't remember the model), and they have plenty of power, but not enough EQ (middle control) to suit me. I suppose if you played like Brumley did in the '60s, though, with a lot of highs, it might be okay.

Note: A small equalizer pedal, with as few as 6 or 7 bands, will work wonders to "re-voice" an amp that really wasn't designed for steel.

Jay Fagerlie · Post by **Jay Fagerlie** » 16 Nov 2004 5:13 pm

I had a Sceptre briefly awhile back and it definately had lots of clean power. I never plugged a steel into it, but with an eq pedal mentioned above, you could probably get a good sound out of it.
Those 6550's put out lots 'o power!

Jay

Dave Grafe · Post by **Dave Grafe** » 16 Nov 2004 5:20 pm

Hi Andrew, bear in mind that the Sunn amps of the '70's (Solaro, 100S, 200S, etc.) are an entirely different breed from what came after. The 200S had a two-way speaker system with JBL D130 15" and 2425 1" drivers set up with a passive crossover, gave great clean highs and big fat lows. We had one at Giant Music on Columbia Pike in South Arlington in 1973, I imagine it's not there anymore (is Giant Music even there anymore?).

After that they went to solid state for a few years with the Coliseum series, then back to tubes (Ted Nugent plays through one of the big tube heads but hides it back behind the Marshall stacks) but they are set up for overdrive, not clean sounds. The Sceptre I have not seen so cannot comment on it. Try it out, if it gets you what you want....[This message was edited by Dave Grafe on 16 November 2004 at 05:21 PM.]

Darvin Willhoite · Post by **Darvin Willhoite** » 16 Nov 2004 7:00 pm

I used a Sunn Solarus for several years for steel and guitar both. Mine had two Standel speakers in it. I don't know who made the speakers, but they had huge magnets. The best I remember, it sounded really good but didn't have a lot of power. I sold it when I bought my first Peavey amp, an LTD-400, in 1980. The LTD was everything I needed, I still have it and it looks and works like it did when I carried it out of the store.

------------------
Darvin Willhoite
Riva Ridge Recording

Andrew Buhler · Post by **Andrew Buhler** » 17 Nov 2004 5:00 am

Thanks for the response. I am going to keep on looking around in the area to see if I can find an early 70s all tube Sunn head. However, I think I may go with a DSR given that it is much more common and serviceable.

Dave, Giant Music on the Pike is no longer. In my opinion, the best used music store in the area is Atomic Music in College Park, MD. They often have sweet deals for lesser known amps, so I usually keep my eyes peeled for such amps when I go up there.

Michael Brebes · Post by **Michael Brebes** » 17 Nov 2004 8:47 am

The Sunn Sceptre is a great amp. There were actually two versions of the amp. The standard Sunn sound of the time did have a bit more scooped mids. The later ones had a slide switch that would contour the mids to sound more like a Fender. Great sounding spring reverb and tremolo, I think actually better than Fender. For the 60 watt amps, there were really just two models, one with reverb/tremolo and one without. The nameplate changed depending on which cabinet was used with the amp. The Sceptre came with a 4x12 cabinet. The earlier ones were a staggered configuration while the later ones were mounted on a V-shaped baffle.

Michael Brebes · Post by **Michael Brebes** » 17 Nov 2004 8:51 am

Another tube amp that is a lot of bang for the buck is Traynor. Usually you can get a great deal on a Mark III, which has about 100 watts. I've had the same one since the early 70's, after my Sunn Sceptre got stolen.

James Cann · Post by **James Cann** » 17 Nov 2004 10:01 am

Back in the 70s and 80s, I used a Sunn 112PR with my old MSA: plenty of power for whatever gig, lightweight, and no apparent deficiences in tone quality, but then, I'm not a sound engineer.

James
Sho-Bud LDG