| K200B2 update [message #4297] |
Thu, 03 June 2004 13:03  |
moogyboy
Messages: 9
Registered: January 2004
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Junior Member |
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hi all
It has been a while since I've posted, but of course I've been busy busy...you may remember that several months ago I'd come across an appx 1968 K200B3 head on eBay, bought it, tested it with a 15" stage monitor cab, and couldn't wait to give it a full workout with a proper cabinet. Well, recently I picked up a nondescript homebuilt 4x12 for $99 (I assume 8 ohms), plugged the Kustom in and started wailing. My impressions:
1) LOUD. Starts at LOUD and works its way up to APOCALYPTICALLY LOUD. There has to be a way to get more of a range out of the volume pot. Besides, it seems to have some dirt at the 0 position.
2) The Harmonic Clipper is without a doubt the meanest, wickedest distortion I've ever had the pleasure to kick on.
3) The Low and High inputs seem to sound different, on both channels. I believe High has less bottom end, and is slightly lower in volume. Do Low and High refer to frequency response or input level? Or both? I love my guitar sound through the Low input, but it's just too dang LOUD.
4) On the channel without all the Harmonic Clipper and all, the Bright switch not only doesn't really work (kills all the volume) but the switch itself feels mushy.
5) It has its hummy days and its hissy days, but lately just that gentle, reassuring Kustom hiss. Otherwise clean and clear as a crystal bell.
6) It still has that dreaded 2 prong plug...need to replace. Where can I find one that long, though?
All told: through this cheapo 4x12 cab, the Kustom sounds KILLER. I only miss having a reverb built in, but that's what outboard gear is for. Once I get these anomalies fixed (if they are indeed fixable) I'm rarin' to deploy this bad boy on stage and watch the faces of all the Fender and Marshall snobs out there.
Any thoughts on my thoughts would be welcomed. Thx...
Billy S.
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| Re: K200B2 update [message #4506 is a reply to message #4297] |
Thu, 15 July 2004 11:25  |
C4ster
Messages: 686
Registered: June 2001
Location: Mukwonago, WI (Milwaukee...
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Senior Member |
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Every thing oyu said is true about Kustoms. They start loud and just get louder. The scratchiness at 0 is typical. Kustom uses a very different volume control scheme from ALL other amps. If you notice, at 0 there will be a small amount of signal getting through, but just slightly above that the output will drop to 0. Just an observation. Also, buy a 25' black extension cord and cut the female end off. It will actually be cheaper than trying to find a replacement cord for it. My new floor cleaner has a grounded cord and I believe it is a Bissel. Maybe Bissel repair center would have a replacement cord. The cord has the integral cord holder like the Kustom cords.
Conrad
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