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Information for a new Kustom owner... [message #1748] Mon, 05 August 2002 23:37 Anonymous I have a Kustom amp I would love to get more information on from someone who could offer it. I have a K 200B 1 bass amp head. I also have a D140 cab and a CTS cab, both of which are 2x15". The serial number on my head is #41167. I would love to know how old my amp is and also any information about the difference between the two cabs. I also was wanting to put a line out on the head and wondered if this was a good idea. And I was wanting to replace the 16ohm speakers in the CTS cab (since it is in way better shape than the D140) with some 8ohm Carvin subs. I have only recently been able to gig with this set up and I'm in love. It sounds so great it isn't even funny. Goofing around at home on the rig I was under the impression it wouldn't get very deep but once I got it in an open room on stage it really is super warm and I couldn't be happier. I also would love to get my hands on some schematics if anyone has access to some. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!!! Nutt Report message to a moderator

Re: Information for a new Kustom owner... [message #1750 is a reply to message #1748] Tue, 06 August 2002 12:56 ET Messages: 146 Registered: October 2000 Location: Charlotte NC Senior Member most importantly...Welcome Nut...glad to have you here with us....and having said that I've given the best 2 cents that I have to offer..there are others on the site however that can answer each and everyone of your questions and yes they have the Schems. Your 200B was the later, and more stable of the kustom "plexi" face rigs and the JBL cab was obviously the upgrade although talk to different folks and you'll find plenty CTS lovers out here and it was fun to hear your comments on your tone in a live room environment cause that is really where these cabs shine..they just need some space to fill up and its amazing what they'll do.. you also have the coolest looking rig a bassist could ever hope to own with a pair of those ported cabs up there so be proud, watch for your answers from those that know what they are talking about...n Play Loud! ET Report message to a moderator

Re: Information for a new Kustom owner... [message #1751 is a reply to message #1750] Tue, 06 August 2002 14:13 Anonymous So the CTS and the D140 refer to what brand of speaker came originally in the cab??? Because my CTS only had one 15" in it so I took one of the D140 speakers out and put it in the CTS because it was the better looking cab. The D140 cab was very worn with some vinyl damage. I'm really wanting to put some new 15's in the CTS cab anyway because I just want to run one cab because it would be easier than totin' two of those heavy suckers around and I could actually run the amp at 4ohms which is what I've been told is it's desired rating anyway. (since both cabs with the 16ohm speakers would get a 4ohm rating. And I read on this webboard that Carvin's subs are pretty good and very affordable. Thanks for your response ET I appreciate it. Report message to a moderator

Re: Information for a new Kustom owner... [message #1752 is a reply to message #1751] Tue, 06 August 2002 22:42 KustomBlues Messages: 490 Registered: June 2001 Location: Michigan Senior Member Nutt, welcome!! Put some carvin Ps15 speakers in that cab and wire it parallel, and you will have the 4 ohm load that you desire. You will also find a full and wonderful sound with these carvins. I love them! (No surprise, huh guys.....) They will have you hooked for sure! :-) Deb Report message to a moderator

Re: Information for a new Kustom owner... [message #1754 is a reply to message #1751] Tue, 06 August 2002 22:56 C4ster Messages: 686 Registered: June 2001 Location: Mukwonago, WI (Milwaukee... Senior Member This is where the disagreement starts. I prefer ANYTHING JBL. The D140's were the high line speakers that Kustom offered. The D series speakers are still available on ebay for about $100 to $150. Buying from ebay can be risky though. The speakers I have loaded into a 3x15 are E140's The magnet structure is huge and they add lots of pounds to any cabinet, BUUUUUTTTTT, what a sound. Carvins are cheaper new, but there are always JBL's available. The D and K series JBL's are very similar, but that is older technology. And if you only use 1 cab, then load it with 8 ohm speakers for a total of 4 ohms. As far as a line out, the simplest way is to add a new jack in the lower right hand corner. If you have a K200-B1 amp, the hole will already be there. Then connect a 4700 ohm resistor across the jack terminals and then feed the jack with a 100,000 ohm resistor directly from the speaker output jack. The result will be a 1 volt RMS signal at the full 100 watt power output. Good Luck and keep in contact Report message to a moderator

Re: Information for a new Kustom owner... [message #1755 is a reply to message #1754] Wed, 07 August 2002 01:59 Anonymous So is there any difference between the cabs or is the code; D140 and CTS only a speaker discription of whats in the cab? The cabs would appear to me to be duplicates but the back states that one is a D140 and the other is a CTS. Although the speakers in both appear to be the same. Nutt Report message to a moderator

Re: Information for a new Kustom owner... [message #1756 is a reply to message #1755] Wed, 07 August 2002 09:07 C4ster Messages: 686 Registered: June 2001 Location: Mukwonago, WI (Milwaukee... Senior Member The cabs are the same no matter what speakers are loaded. If the speakers are similar, then maybe they have already have been changed. Speakers are changed more often than underwear. (in some cases). CTS speakers are generally unmarked except for numbers and have a large square magnet, while JBL D140's are grey and have a cast aluminum basket with a magnet structure about 6" in diameter and are marked JBL D140F with a serial number. Also, JBL D, E, and K series speakers have an aluminum dust cover that is visible through the grill. You are going to need to match the speaker types in any cabinet or the sound will be compromised. If you think the sound is good now, if the speakers are mismatched the sound is incredible when all the speakers are working together. By the way, set up a user account, it is free, so we will know you by name. Conrad Report message to a moderator

Re: Information for a new Kustom owner... [message #1778 is a reply to message #1756] Tue, 13 August 2002 23:38 BC Messages: 583 Registered: March 2000 Location: Kentucky Senior Member Just for the record....I have a D140 2x15 cabinet from the Kustom by Ross period. The speakers are definitely JBL...but there are no JBL markings on them. Just a few numbers penciled on them....(Those of you who were at Nashville will remember Bud was a master with that pencil!) sorry I do not remember what they were, and I am not taking the back off again to find out! I like my JBL cab....but so many Kustoms were out there with CTS bass rigs the JBL's just do not seem to have the same punch! Maybe mine are just old and mushy. I have been using 421A Altecs in my 250 bass rigs and like them for the additional bottom. Deb hates the Altecs....so as you can see....opinions vary! I have heard Carvins in Roy's bass amp and they sound nice. So, look around until you find the 15s your ears prefer!BC Report message to a moderator

Re: Information for a new Kustom owner... [message #1784 is a reply to message #1778] Thu, 15 August 2002 22:45 KustomBlues Messages: 490 Registered: June 2001 Location: Michigan Senior Member Brad, I don't hate Altecs! I just find them to be a "flavor" that leaves me asking "what was that?" They are too flat (tone wise)for me, I like speakers with more punch and bass response. But, all of us desire different things. It depends too on what instruments we are using, and what head and effects too. That's what makes this forum fun--hearing all the opinions. Report message to a moderator

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