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Replacement module for 2X15 bass cab? [message #17076]

Fri, 11 May 2012 08:08

Rich Rice
Messages: 13
Registered: May 2012
Location: Chicago 'burbs

Junior Member

I have a K250 with a 2X15 cab, which works perfectly. I bought second matching 2X15 cab, but somebody stripped the power module out of it. The factory hole was covered with a plate with a 1/4" jack- nothing else. It looks like the rest of the cab and speakers are unmolested and original, CTS square magnet speakers in there.

I'm trying to locate a proper power module to bolt into the cab, but having trouble locating such an amp. Has anybody mounted a different power amp with good results? If so, which one and did it fit in the factory hole? Sound good?

Thanks!

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Re: Replacement module for 2X15 bass cab? [message #17078 is a reply to message #17076]

Sat, 12 May 2012 07:23

stevem
Messages: 4730
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY

Senior Member

Hello.
You do not have many options here!
You stand a better chance of flapping your arms and getting to the moon than finding a original power module!
You really have two basic ways to go, one expensive and one somewhat cheap.
(1)
The expensive way would be to buy a beat to hell K250 head who`s power supply and output stage still works and then removing the front panel, unpluging the two preamps and then cutting the chassis way way down to fit in the cabinet.

(2) buying a used power amp and just setting it up on the floor behind the cabinet.
Kustom power amps are drivin by alot of signal voltage from the preamp section, what this means to you is that if you go the seperate power amp route the amp you pick would need to be rated for about 300 watts rms into 4 ohms to end up with the 125 watts rms that the orignal power module would have had on hand.

You may also be able to find a one of the seperate bi-amp power modules that kustom used for their latter PA serise of mixers.
These had a high frequency and low frequency power amp section and can sometimes be found on ebay for 250 like the one I picked up last year!

A outside third way to do this would be if you had electronics ability and you built yourself a custom power stage out of the many self contained 40 to 100 watt intergrated output ICs that can be had these days.
A simple two rail power supply is all that is needed to get this done.
Let us know how and what you do?

[Updated on: Sat, 12 May 2012 07:38]

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Re: Replacement module for 2X15 bass cab? [message #17080 is a reply to message #17078]

Sat, 12 May 2012 07:41

Rich Rice
Messages: 13
Registered: May 2012
Location: Chicago 'burbs

Junior Member

Thanks for the reply. I've been doing lots of research on various power amps, as I realize the rarity of the original power modules. I was really surprised to see one on ebay, and it went for something like $27.00.. I bought the cab after that auction had closed, so I now feel like I missed the bus...

Anyhow, I have several very high power amps to use, but don't really want to drag extra stuff around. I have a feeling I'll try to find a class D bass amp that's small enough to mount to the floor of the cab, fly the ins and outs to a back panel, and use an effects return to bypass the pre section on the auxiliary amp.. Seems like the easiest solution in the long run.. I'll definitely post some pics/info here when it comes together. It may be a while, and I'll keep looking for an original power module. I just hate the idea of cutting into a nice old cabinet...

Piss me off.. http:// www.ebay.com/csc/i.html?_sacat=See-All-Categories&_from= R40&_nkw=kustom+module&LH_Complete=1&rt=nc

[Updated on: Sat, 12 May 2012 07:57]

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My solution.. Not too bad. [message #17083 is a reply to message #17078]

Sun, 13 May 2012 08:42

Rich Rice
Messages: 13
Registered: May 2012
Location: Chicago 'burbs

Junior Member

I thought things through, and ended up buying an Ampeg PF350 head. It delivers 350 watts into 4 ohms, has a very small footprint, and much more versatility than I bargained for. I was going to install it inside the cab and just use the effects return straight from the "module out" jack on the Kustom. However, after trying it outwith the cab I decided it was too useful an amp to bury in the speaker box.. I have other uses for it, as I can plug my pedal steel into it and an external source (like a computer or ipod) and mix the signals together, then listen to the combined output through headphones- thus enabling silent practice. This unit can be run without speakers. So..

The Ampeg will remain external, it powers the second cab via the effects return and has a volume control to balance the levels of the two cabinets. Another added benefit is the XLR direct out, which makes mains support super easy.. It looks great, sounds great, and weighs less than 8 lbs. It fits in a laptop case, and can be gigged with any cab I choose. I don't have to butcher the Kustom, and can bide my time trying to find a power module. In the meantime, I can shake the windows with both of the bottoms. Great solution, but it did cost me more than I wanted to spend- the versatility, portability, and end result warranted the extra expense. I can go play small gigs with one trip load-in and one trip out. The Ampeg head and a Bag End bottom fill a room in short order, and sound great!

http://www.ampeg.com/products/portaflex/pf-350/

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y168/dabluzeguy/S7300430.jpg

[Updated on: Sun, 13 May 2012 09:49]

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Re: My solution.. Not too bad. [message #17084 is a reply to message #17083]

Sun, 13 May 2012 09:47

stevem
Messages: 4730
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY

Senior Member

Good thinking!! I forgot about these small class D switching type power supply heads.
Low end wise for bass your better off without a power amp in there hogging up the needed room to tune the cabinet anyway!

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Re: My solution.. Not too bad. [message #17085 is a reply to message #17084]

Sun, 13 May 2012 09:51

Rich Rice
Messages: 13
Registered: May 2012
Location: Chicago 'burbs

Junior Member

This thing is just killer now!! I LOVE the way it sounds. Wink

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Re: My solution.. Not too bad. [message #17091 is a reply to message #17085]

Tue, 15 May 2012 16:01

Rich Rice
Messages: 13
Registered: May 2012
Location: Chicago 'burbs

Junior Member

OK, here comes the backpedaling.. It sounded great until played with a 6 piece band. I returned the Ampeg this morning. 350 watt digital amp doesn't keep up with the K250 head. I'm guessing that their 350 watts are clean power, and then they just cut it off on the top end. Digital distortion is not pretty, so they would have to do that. It was good, but not $300 good. For that, it should keep up with the original, in my opinion. So yeah, it worked, but a little disappointing in hard use. I guess I'll keep looking for a module and power the second cab with my GK 800RB until I either find an old module or buy a second K250 head.. It was worth a try, anyway.. Wink

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Re: My solution.. Not too bad. [message #17093 is a reply to message #17091]

Tue, 15 May 2012 20:03

pleat
Messages: 1452
Registered: June 2004
Location: Belding, Mi

Senior Member

Another thought is to buy a rack mount Kustom lll monitor amp. Same output as the power module and I've seen them on Ebay for 100.00 or less. I think you could stuff that amp in the 2x15 cab.
Kustom also made a mono 130 watt rack mount along with a stereo version. If your handy, the K300 PA heads don't bring much money and could be be adapted as well.
pleat

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Re: My solution.. Not too bad. [message #17094 is a reply to message #17093]

Tue, 15 May 2012 20:51

pleat
Messages: 1452
Registered: June 2004
Location: Belding, Mi

Senior Member

I had another thought, the old Peavey Musician guitar heads and the Bass heads from the 70's era, the power amp is the back panel of the amp. Those could easily be mounted on the floor of the cab or a side wall. Even the old Standard Peavey PA heads could be used as well.
pleat

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Re: My solution.. Not too bad. [message #17122 is a reply to message #17094]

Thu, 24 May 2012 18:24

Rich Rice
Messages: 13
Registered: May 2012
Location: Chicago 'burbs

Junior Member

Thank you for the great suggestions! I wound up buying a Peavey Century head, which is actually a pretty cool amp in its own right. I powered the second cab with the Peavey for a few days. It is rated at 100 watts (solid state), but I have also read it produces about 120 watts RMS. If I used the Peavey as a full range amp, it has a very good sounding parametric eq and preamp section. Then I was running the Kustom as the slave, as I was liking it better driving the Peavey. I got along fine with it for a few dys, and then a kind forum member contacted me through my wanted ad on here. He had a new old stock power module that had never been mounted, and was willing to help me out. Hell of a nice guy, he shipped it to me and it arrived overnight. Talk about a difference.. I just shook my house with the 250 and the powered cab (both cabs) and this is what I was expecting. Great sounding pair now, limited by the original CTS speakers in both bottoms... Guess I need some JBL D140F's in there to get it up to snuff..

This never ends, ya know.. LOL

Thank you my friend for the module and advice.

As an aside, I'm going to hang on to the Peavey- just because..

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