Home » VintageKustom.com » Comment Board » Starting Again (New Life in the old stuff)
Starting Again [message #15113] Fri, 21 January 2011 01:37 Go to next message
70-Vette is currently offline  70-Vette
Messages: 8
Registered: November 2010
Junior Member
Although I am a new member, I have been visiting this site off and on for about 5 years. Back 5 years I hadn't been playing for about 20 years so going to this site kind of let me relive the old glory days so to speak. Eventually I decided to just get back out and do it. I dug out my old stuff a blue 2x15 CTS, a black 3x15 with original D140f's and my K250 bass head. Hooked up with some old guys and started banging it out. They all were nuts about the TnR look, they hadn't seen any in years! When I used to play, the old 250 was good enough, but I didn't feel it was going to take me where I wanted anymore. As you know all bass players are always hungry for more power, and I was no exception. I had to keep the TnR and name so looked at some of the old Kustom v stuff, but eventually set my sites on a groove head! I hope I don't offend any of the purists here but I went a bit radical; I pulled the k250 guts out of the case and built a "kustom" support for the groove to sit inside. I then replaced the CTS in the Blue 2x15 with E140's.

I cant even tell you the power this combination creates, same TnR look and all still kustom! These speakers "even the D140's" can soak up that heads power, and even though the cabs might be a bit challenged internally for volume spec wise, that low b on the bass gets attention!

First gig out in a large hotel banquet room both cabs were total overkill, most times now I just take the Blue 2x15. Use them both when outside - and no need to run through the board most times.

Anyway, here is a link of my stuff - thank you all for keeping me enthused and educated!

Jim
http://www.flickr.com/photos/58594913@N06/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/58594913@N06/

[Updated on: Fri, 04 February 2011 11:56]

Report message to a moderator

Re: Starting Again [message #15114 is a reply to message #15113] Fri, 21 January 2011 08:38 Go to previous messageGo to next message
C4ster
Messages: 686
Registered: June 2001
Location: Mukwonago, WI (Milwaukee...
Senior Member
What I would do and have done is, use the 250 as a preamp and send it into the Groove. Hide the Groove and no one will know the difference.
Re: Starting Again [message #15115 is a reply to message #15113] Fri, 21 January 2011 10:32 Go to previous messageGo to next message
cassent5150 is currently offline  cassent5150
Messages: 341
Registered: August 2009
Senior Member
Nice to have you back. Good job on the head, I dont think it would be offensive to anyone after all the trouble you went through to keep it KUSTOM. Mounting a Yamaha, Barringer,Crate and so on would of been different. Although the metal slant face amp heads aren't as collectable as the plexy face ones they still have the same COOL look and now you have the punch to go with that Vintage appeal!! I've got a couple of 250's myself posted on flicker, just clickon the picture Kustom Collection 013 to get the full discription on them at this link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/57807996@N04/sets/7215762577891 2252/
Like you its not just for looks, I use the stuff all the time. Steve C


Steve C

[Updated on: Fri, 21 January 2011 10:38]

Report message to a moderator

Re: Starting Again [message #15117 is a reply to message #15113] Fri, 21 January 2011 12:23 Go to previous messageGo to next message
70-Vette is currently offline  70-Vette
Messages: 8
Registered: November 2010
Junior Member
Thanks guys for the response. I once borrowed an SWR amp to drive the cabs, but it made me feel kinda dirty Embarassed Originally I did run the 250 through the groove when i got it via the module out. But I just didnt want to carry all that around after while. That is what got me to put in in the TnR case. The guys didnt even notice at first, most of em key in on the TnR. I thought about the Plexi case but I gained about 2 inches of depth with the slant. The groove is rear heavy so I was concerned about balance overall.

So overall yes it is a working rig, but beautiful all the same. I was originally concerned about hurting those old D140's, but I think the clean watts delivered make them go! I also have a couple blue 4x12 columns with CTS in them (no handles). They make excellent stage monitors tilted back on the floor. So Kustom still has a major presence both visually and functionally with the band.

[Updated on: Sat, 29 January 2011 12:35]

Report message to a moderator

Re: Starting Again [message #15122 is a reply to message #15117] Fri, 21 January 2011 23:12 Go to previous message
BC
Messages: 583
Registered: March 2000
Location: Kentucky
Senior Member
Welcome back! Long time bass player here. Started collecting Kustoms in 99 after selling my original amp in 74. Until that time I would never have been convinced you could play bass without at least 200 watts RMS and most of the amps I had used through the years were in the 300 range. I now know I can take a Kustom 200 and cover any venue I would play. I took a 250 with original 3x15 KEI loaded cabinet to the convention in Chanute in 2009 and it was killer. If you want to try to use the Kustom by itself experiment with the controls and the old Kustom may suprise you. Back off the bass tone a little and boost the volume then shape it with tone again. Either way, welcome back to the coolest amps ever built!BC Cool
Previous Topic: Setting Bias
Next Topic: Date my Frank
Goto Forum:
  


Current Time: Fri Mar #d 09:25:28 EDT 2024
.:: Contact :: Home ::.

Powered by: FUDforum 3.0.9.