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A Newbie - My Kustom Epiphany [message #5840] Thu, 09 June 2005 10:09 Go to next message
seadog is currently offline  seadog
Messages: 4
Registered: June 2005
Location: Massachusetts
Junior Member
So, here's what happened:

I'm playing bass in a combo that for now plays mostly "interpretive" versions of cover tunes. We had a gig last night in a local bar and I was on my way there when I got a phone call from the guitar player letting me know that the drummer somehow neglected to load my bass amp in his van when he left his house. With no time to head out to his place and recover the gear, I stumbled into my local guitar shop, thinking I would take advantage of their "5-day no-questions-asked" return policy (OK, slightly unethical but I buy a lot of gear there so I could rationalize this at some level).

Arriving there 10 minutes before closing time, I made a beeline for the back where they keep the used & consignment gear . . . and there, staring me in the face like a visitor from another planet was a blue metal-flake Kustom K200-B1 head sitting on top of a silver Kustom 2X15 ported cabinet. Dust in the grooves, a couple of tears in the naugehyde, but both in outstanding cosmetic shape considering their age. I had seen Kustom amps in pictures but never in person . . . and this thing called to me! Seeing that this was the only used amp in the shop that could serve as a bass rig, I plugged it in, fired it up . . . and 5 minutes and $350 later I was muscling it into the back of my pickup and heading for the bar.

When I wheeled this baby into the room you could almost hear the jaws of the rest of the band hitting the floor. Rolled it up on stage, parked it next to the drum kit, mic'd it up, and away we went (OK, there were some iterations while I futzed around with the ground so I wouldn't get shocked . . . a three-prong cord is next on my to-do list)

Anyway, I don't know if it was the glow of the yellow pilot light in the center of the plexiglass face or the reflection of the stage lights off of the silver and blue metal-flake tuck-&-roll, or what -- but something about that amp fired us up that night and we rocked the house like never before . . . crowd was pumping, groove was flowing, mojo was on the high peg. Needless to say there's no way I'm taking this baby back to the shop. There is nobody else in town with a rig like this.

The funny thing is I can't even really tell you how it sounds as I haven't had time to screw around with it but who the hell cares -- I'm sure there are some solid tones in there somewhere and believe me I will find them.

So, add another convert to the Kustom Kongregation . . . this beast is here to stay!
Re: A Newbie - My Kustom Epiphany [message #5842 is a reply to message #5840] Thu, 09 June 2005 11:22 Go to previous messageGo to next message
voided3 is currently offline  voided3
Messages: 200
Registered: July 2004
Senior Member
Hello and welcome to the forum! What a great story and a nice amp combo. I think once you have time to play with the tonal aspects you'll like it a lot; I own one and it sounds close to my SVT, except with less wattage (but it gets close volume wise). At higher volumes, you may also get some distortion on the lower notes, but that is normal for these amps (and sometimes can be desired, especially with guitar). What brand of speakers are in the cabinet (might say on the jack plate, otherwise try posting a picture for fun)? Good call on the three prong; I recently converted my second K200 to a three prong and now i'm not getting zapped (I made a post called "grounded power cord buzz" since I found with mine you have to remove a capacitor between the on/off switch and the chassis once you install a three prong). Good luck with an awesome amp!
Re: A Newbie - My Kustom Epiphany [message #5844 is a reply to message #5840] Thu, 09 June 2005 11:33 Go to previous messageGo to next message
seadog is currently offline  seadog
Messages: 4
Registered: June 2005
Location: Massachusetts
Junior Member
plate on the back of the cab says "jensen." No idea whether or not the originals are in there . . . but a few minutes with a screwdriver should clear that up
Re: A Newbie - My Kustom Epiphany [message #5847 is a reply to message #5840] Thu, 09 June 2005 21:06 Go to previous messageGo to next message
edforgothispassword is currently offline  edforgothispassword
Messages: 202
Registered: July 2004
Senior Member
welcome Seadog...to the greatest bunch on the planet...and yeah..there is nothing cooler than a kustom...ever....and being unique goes a long way too... I live in a fairly large town...but even guys who can't always remember my name...know me for my kustom illness and have all learned to appreciate the gear all over again...now what ya wanna do is get the whole band playing on tuck n roll...the clubs and crowds will remember you for it...you'll sound great..and look even better...anyone can play a top 40 cover...its all about attitude....go give em some...n Play Loud! ET
Re: A Newbie - My Kustom Epiphany [message #5848 is a reply to message #5840] Thu, 09 June 2005 23:07 Go to previous messageGo to next message
rodak
Messages: 513
Registered: October 2001
Location: Georgia
Senior Member
What a great story! Try it with a purple jewel next time (www.tubesandmore.com, part# P-L121 , $2.25+shipping) - I bet it sounds even better!

www.combo-organ.com
Re: A Newbie - My Kustom Epiphany [message #5849 is a reply to message #5840] Fri, 10 June 2005 02:49 Go to previous message
voided3 is currently offline  voided3
Messages: 200
Registered: July 2004
Senior Member
Hello. If you do in fact have the stock Jensens in there, you have a guitar cab, not a bass cabinet. I own a Jensen cab, and they are voiced nicely for bass, but they don't push nearly the low end of a CTS, Altec or JBL bass speaker that the 2x15's were also offered with. The speakers should be capable of handling it though and if it sounds good, why stop? Good luck!
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