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Back in the saddle again [message #26269] Thu, 24 August 2017 15:49 Go to next message
Dukie Babe is currently offline  Dukie Babe
Messages: 5
Registered: August 2017
Location: Louisville, ky
Junior Member
I had a Kustom 500 (4-15) bass rig back in 1971. I ended up selling it in 1980 and have regretted it ever since. Yesterday I found a Kustom 150 bass head a 2-15 cabinet in blue sparkle. I didn't buy it but I did buy a Kustom 250 Guitar head and 2-15 cabinet in silver sparkle.
I played through it with a bass and it sounded great. I'm thinking it'll work but I'd really prefer a Kustom 250 bass head. Any recommendations on where to locate one?

Thanks!

[Updated on: Thu, 24 August 2017 15:50]

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Re: Back in the saddle again [message #26271 is a reply to message #26269] Thu, 24 August 2017 15:57 Go to previous messageGo to next message
chicagobill
Messages: 2005
Registered: April 2003
Senior Member
Welcome to the place! And welcome back to the world of Kustom.

The 500 that you had was basically the same head as a 250 with an additional powered speaker. What is more important is the type of speakers in the cabinet that you have. Is the tag marked with a speaker brand? Over the years the original speakers may or may not still be in the cabinet.

Which model head did you get?
Re: Back in the saddle again [message #26273 is a reply to message #26271] Thu, 24 August 2017 16:11 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Dukie Babe is currently offline  Dukie Babe
Messages: 5
Registered: August 2017
Location: Louisville, ky
Junior Member
I don't know the exact model. I bought the rig from a local music store and since they just purchased them from another party, they have a policy to hold onto them for 7 days before releasing them to me.

The head is a 250 with the standard Volume, Bass, Selectone, Treble and Volume, Bass, Middle, Treble on the left. There are also controls for the reverb (Intensity & Tone) and the Tremolo/Vibrato (Tremolo, Speed Vibrato). The front plate on the cabinet says Kustom Electronics, Inc.

I know my original 250 bass rig had CTS 15s. I know how to recognize those and will pop the back lid off when I pick it up. I they're CTS I'll keep it as is. If not I'll replace them with Eminence that's similar in specs.

I didn't buy the Kustom 150 for two reasons. (1) Not enough power and (2) it seemed to be a mismatched set.
Re: Back in the saddle again [message #26274 is a reply to message #26269] Fri, 25 August 2017 02:18 Go to previous messageGo to next message
chicagobill
Messages: 2005
Registered: April 2003
Senior Member
You have a K250 Model 2 with reverb and trem/vibrato. I assume that the model that you used to have was a K250 Model 1 with no effects.

Basically these two amps are very similar internally. They both use the same two preamp circuits and the same power amp and power supply. The only difference is that the model 2 has the additional reverb/trem board added and of course a reverb tank.

One of the problems with old amps, is that over the years the heads can be mixed and matched with cabinets that were not originally sold with them. And as was mentioned before, the speakers in any cabinet could have been changed many times in the past.
Re: Back in the saddle again [message #26275 is a reply to message #26269] Fri, 25 August 2017 06:00 Go to previous messageGo to next message
stevem is currently offline  stevem
Messages: 4728
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY
Senior Member
Welkome to our friendly Kustom place!
Like Bill posted to you your 250 -2 is the same is the same as the 250-1 that you had, the difference in the -2 of the added effects circuit only makes for a slight loss in output wattage due to the added current load.
You had a thick wallet back in the day to afford the 500 model if you got it all in one shot?
Re: Back in the saddle again [message #26277 is a reply to message #26275] Sun, 27 August 2017 22:31 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Dukie Babe is currently offline  Dukie Babe
Messages: 5
Registered: August 2017
Location: Louisville, ky
Junior Member
Definitely no thick wallet. I was in the Air Force and was fortunate to have a friend who was working the summer as an intern at Kustom. I sent him the money. He purchased it and shipped to me. I got it for 1/2 price.
Re: Back in the saddle again [message #26294 is a reply to message #26277] Mon, 11 September 2017 23:00 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Dukie Babe is currently offline  Dukie Babe
Messages: 5
Registered: August 2017
Location: Louisville, ky
Junior Member
Here's an update on my purchase. As was brought to my attention I have K250-2 head and I actually have a bass cabinet K30051 2-15B. Obviously a mismatched pair but in extremely good condition.
I've yet to remove the back panel but will in the next week or two. If it doesn't have original CTS speakers I'll be trying locate a couple of them.
Re: Back in the saddle again [message #26295 is a reply to message #26294] Tue, 12 September 2017 06:01 Go to previous messageGo to next message
stevem is currently offline  stevem
Messages: 4728
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY
Senior Member
Save yorself sometime and a worn out screw driver!
If you have or can borrow a small extension type mechanics mirror stick that thru one port with a flash light in the other and you then can see what drivers are in it!
Even with my big hands I can do this.
Re: Back in the saddle again [message #26299 is a reply to message #26295] Wed, 13 September 2017 00:30 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Iowa Boy is currently offline  Iowa Boy
Messages: 767
Registered: June 2014
Senior Member
I have both the guitar heads and the bass 250 heads and I use the guitar head most of the time with my 2-15's just because of the reverb effect. Gives it a nice depth of sound I think.

I just picked up a blue sparkle 2-15's bass cabinet with the amp in it for $119 in Wisconsin. I could care less about the cabinet since I already have 3 of them, but wanted it for the amp. I picked up another speaker cabinet amp off of ebay for a song as well and am building new cabinets for them with some additional updates like a new grounded cord, fuse, switch and a cooling fan. Now instead of dragging 2 250 amp heads around, I can use just the one and the additional slave amp. Boy I sure would have killed to have had this setup back in the days. I'm really surprised that Kustom didn't offer the slave amp alone as an option. Sure would have made the speaker cabinet a little lighter.

Check out Musicgoround.com They have several of the bass 250 heads around the Midwest and reasonably priced and freight isn't too outrageous. Guitar Center occasionally has them as well but will run you more money. Forget Reverb.com since it seems that everyone on there has an inflated idea of what their equipment is worth. Craigslist in your area might have one now and then as well.

Also welcome aboard; this site has nothing but the best for its members. Your in good company.

[Updated on: Wed, 13 September 2017 00:42]

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Re: Back in the saddle again [message #26300 is a reply to message #26299] Wed, 13 September 2017 05:57 Go to previous messageGo to next message
stevem is currently offline  stevem
Messages: 4728
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY
Senior Member
Now and then you can still find one of the Kustom Bi amps from there mid 70s PA stuff on eBay and thete low section was 125 watts RMS also.
If you get one of these you can just use it low amp and put a block off plate on the cabinet back with a jack and then have easier travels!
Re: Back in the saddle again [message #26302 is a reply to message #26269] Wed, 13 September 2017 09:36 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Iowa Boy is currently offline  Iowa Boy
Messages: 767
Registered: June 2014
Senior Member
Lol..........never had thought of that; I have 3 of those also.
Re: Back in the saddle again [message #26303 is a reply to message #26302] Wed, 13 September 2017 12:12 Go to previous message
stevem is currently offline  stevem
Messages: 4728
Registered: June 2004
Location: NY
Senior Member
Out of site out of mind?
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