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K400B-1 output jacks...??? [message #19526]

Fri, 11 October 2013 05:05

yegor721
Messages: 4
Registered: October 2013
Location: San Diego

Junior Member

Hi all,

I'm new to Kustoms, and i've scoured this forum for a few weeks trying to get to the bottom of this, so i figured it's time i ask you pros...

First off, I came across a vintage Gold sparkle TnR K400B-1 head in the garage of a foreclosed house my parents bought. I had no idea what it was, but it looks cool as hell! Now i'm aware that it's a bass head, solid state, Mono-Stereo modes, and that it's really 2 K200's put together into one. I've also gleaned from this site that each "K200" is generally rated at 100W/4ohms. Cool.

My questions stem from the fact that the rear panel has absolutely no markings around the jacks. Can someone please walk me through a potential setup process?

there's 5 jacks in total, 2 on each side, and one in the middle by the fuse and power switch.

my questions are:

-what is the jack in the middle for?

-are the 2 jacks on each side parallel outputs for each channel?

-there are also 2 RCA jacks per side... i think i read they are recording outputs? how would those be used?

- if there are 2 channels, why are there 4 sets of inputs on the front? (bright and normal for each)

-lastly, how does the stereo mode operate? by separating or combining the output signal to one or both channels on the back?

sorry for the rambling questions, i really did my best to look this up myself before trying to burden others. any amount of help/knowledge would be greatly appreciated!

also, i'll post pics when i get a chance.
EDIT: Here are some pics! http://imgur.com/a/g2zY8

thanks!

[Updated on: Fri, 11 October 2013 11:34]

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Re: K400B-1 output jacks...??? [message #19527 is a reply to message #19526]

Fri, 11 October 2013 06:49

stevem
Messages: 4730
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY

Senior Member

These amps are as you noted 2 K200s in one, meaning two channels and one output stage on each side if you will.

Two speaker jacks for each side, 4 ohm normal load, when set in mono whatever signal is going into any of the 4 channels will come out of both twin sets of speaker output jacks.

Reel to reel tape decks where the thing to have back then and that is what those RCA jacks where ment to feed, they work the same way as the speaker jacks do when switching from stereo and mono.They can also be used to feed signal to a seperate power amp, although they only output a max of .750 volts so they will mot drive any modern power amp to its full output.
You could also use these RCA jacks as a effects loop feed by getting a RCA to 1/4" adapter and feeding the signal into pedal, or rack mount unit and then feed itd output back into another channel.
That is not a Bass head, in Kustom world its just a non-effects head with the tone available ? sectiom just like all the other kustoms of that B serise.
Thats a nice amp find for free!!

[Updated on: Fri, 11 October 2013 06:52]

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Re: K400B-1 output jacks...??? [message #19528 is a reply to message #19527]

Fri, 11 October 2013 11:41

yegor721
Messages: 4
Registered: October 2013
Location: San Diego

Junior Member

Okay cool. follow-up questions: in stereo mode, do those output stage jacks run in parallel? (i.e. i need one 4 ohm cab, or two 8 ohm on one side of the amp?) and in mono, does that mean all the outputs are wired together? (i.e. if you plugged in three or four 8 ohm cabs, would it overload?)

great info on the RCA outs, thanks for that!

also, here are some pics i just took. http://imgur.com/a/g2zY8

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Re: K400B-1 output jacks...??? [message #19529 is a reply to message #19526]

Fri, 11 October 2013 12:09

chicagobill
Messages: 2005
Registered: April 2003

Senior Member

Welcome to the place.

There are two separate power amps in the head. So each one needs its' own set of speakers. Just think of them as right and left sides.

Each side needs a minimum 4 ohm load, so a single 4 ohm or two 8 ohm or four 16 ohm cabinets, whatever you have or want to use.

There are two separate preamps in the amp, one for each power amp. If you have a stereo signal like from a chorus pedal or something, you can feed each channel with one side of the stereo signal and get the effect of having two completely separate amps, with a wide stereo mix. Or two players can each use one channel just like using two separate amps.

When you switch the head to mono mode, the two preamp signals are mixed together and sent to the two power amps, so both left and right speakers get the same signal and produce the same sound. This was a way for a single player to double the sound output using one amp head.

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Re: K400B-1 output jacks...??? [message #19530 is a reply to message #19526]

Fri, 11 October 2013 12:18

sunnhead
Messages: 221
Registered: June 2010
Location: Minnesota

Senior Member

Hey, Love the 400 series amps! What you got is actually the Charcoal color, it may have yellowing form over the years gives it the golded out look. I have a Black 400B-1 with two 3x15 cabinets, A Blue 400B-4 with two 3x15 cabinets, and a Black 400B-5.

Those are great amps and you found your self one! Its beat up a bit, but that means it saw some action in its day! LOVE IT!!!

-S

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Re: K400B-1 output jacks...??? [message #19531 is a reply to message #19530]

Fri, 11 October 2013 13:30

yegor721
Messages: 4
Registered: October 2013
Location: San Diego

Junior Member

wow, great info guys, thanks for the responses. i'm definitely happy i came across this monster, can't wait to put it to good use.

sunnhead, those are some great looking setups! do you know what the 5th 1/4" jack does on the back of the 400B1? the one in the middle by the powerswitch?

that's good to know about the separate power amps... i was planning on building a stereo splitter for my friends Rickenbacker bass and playing that through this head... the only thing i need now is some cabs to run through.

i'd like to get my hands on some Kustom cabs in the future, but it's not likely to happen any time soon... does anyone have any experience running a Kustom head through other types of cabs? Ampegs, GKs, or Fenders, perhaps? What about just plain old monitor speakers?

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Re: K400B-1 output jacks...??? [message #19532 is a reply to message #19531]

Fri, 11 October 2013 17:17

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

Senior Member

When the amp is mono mode, any signal from any of the 4 channels goes to both power amps. In Stereo mode, any signal from the left side channels goes to the left output amp, and any signal from the right side channels goes to the right output amp. Running mono and using a cab on each amp, could be used for guitar on one side and bass guitar on the other side for example. It would be just like have two seperate amps on stage, but housed in one head.
The 1/4" jack near the power switch is not factory, and you'd have to remove the amp from the case to really determine what it is. Also Kustom did not have a external fuse holder, so that, was added at some point. That in itself, scares me as to why? Kustom amps either work or if a fuse blows, simply replacing it, won't fix the problem.
pleat

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Re: K400B-1 output jacks...??? [message #19533 is a reply to message #19526]

Fri, 11 October 2013 18:34

sunnhead
Messages: 221
Registered: June 2010
Location: Minnesota

Senior Member

That 1/4 jack im the back by the power switch is not factory like pleat said. as far as things being modified, who knows why people do what they do. I would say just check the inside to see what kind of work was done. some people ad things to suit what they need in their application. I have seen some weird things. I wouldn't worry about the new additions unless they have some really bad idea's in the amp. I bout a few amps where people undo some connections trying to do who knows to the amp. you can put any cabs to the amp, just make sure they are 4ohm on both sides.

-S

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Re: K400B-1 output jacks...??? [message #19534 is a reply to message #19526]

Sat, 12 October 2013 07:32

stevem
Messages: 4730
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY

Senior Member

Yea, I forgot you asked about that miidle jack thing.
If you have not used the amp yet leave it that way and open it up and let us know what that extra jack is wired to.In this way we may be able to tell if its safe to turn that on and play thru it without causing damage!
With the amp unplugged from the wall and left off for 3 minutes there will be no harmfull voltages you need to be concerned about when you slide the amp out of its cabinet.

[Updated on: Sat, 12 October 2013 07:35]

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Re: K400B-1 output jacks...??? [message #19535 is a reply to message #19534]

Sat, 12 October 2013 10:59

yegor721
Messages: 4
Registered: October 2013
Location: San Diego

Junior Member

haha okay, well i already hooked it up to the speakers in my Fender Twin a few days ago to test the channels (one power amp sounds dead/very quiet when in stereo mode, all pots need some contact cleaner), but i'll refrain from doing that again.

to slide the amp out, i just unscrew those flathead screws on the back, right?

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Re: K400B-1 output jacks...??? [message #19536 is a reply to message #19526]

Sat, 12 October 2013 11:14

sunnhead
Messages: 221
Registered: June 2010
Location: Minnesota

Senior Member

There will be 6 Screws on the bottom of the amplifier. Then it should slide out of the case. If you need any help with whats inside, as far as what is connected to what that's not stock take pictures and post them.. we can try to help you .

-S

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