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Kasino U200-1 Head Info? [message #28674] Sun, 17 July 2022 07:12 Go to next message
MrShake is currently offline  MrShake
Messages: 22
Registered: August 2021
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Hello Kustom experts. I just purchased a Kasino amp head online as a fixer upper, and was wondering if anyone could give me some information about it.

It's labelled a U200-1 model, with the silver trim face style, single channel with Hi and Low inputs, and including the Selectone and Selective Boost functions.

I'm familiar with most models of Kustom 100/200 heads, but can't find this model as a standalone head in any of the available Kasino literature, nor an equivalent model in the Kustom lineup. The only similar chassis I've seen appear to be the ones built in to the massive striped combo sets.

Can anyone enlighten me as to when these were available and what configuration they were typically sold in?

[Updated on: Sun, 17 July 2022 07:13]

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Re: Kasino U200-1 Head Info? [message #28675 is a reply to message #28674] Sun, 17 July 2022 12:23 Go to previous messageGo to next message
MrShake is currently offline  MrShake
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Edited to add: what load does the Kasino U200-1 want to see, since there's only one speaker output jack (along with the two "module" outs for other powered cabinets from the series.)
Re: Kasino U200-1 Head Info? [message #28701 is a reply to message #28674] Mon, 25 July 2022 09:12 Go to previous messageGo to next message
MrShake is currently offline  MrShake
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https://i.ibb.co/S7dqr1r/IMG-20220725-084704685-2.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/vmWZFJ2/IMG-20220725-084738069.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/86YfkHV/IMG-20220725-084931900.jpg
Re: Kasino U200-1 Head Info? [message #28702 is a reply to message #28701] Mon, 25 July 2022 12:48 Go to previous messageGo to next message
chicagobill
Messages: 2005
Registered: April 2003
Senior Member
I don't really have any info regarding the amp, but I like it. I also like the Woodson cabinet.

I've got that very same Jazzmaster in olympic white.

Congrats on the new amp.
Re: Kasino U200-1 Head Info? [message #28704 is a reply to message #28674] Mon, 25 July 2022 15:42 Go to previous messageGo to next message
stevem is currently offline  stevem
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Registered: June 2004
Location: NY
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How the heck did you get pictures to post up here?

These amps used k200B type power supply's and output stages.

[Updated on: Mon, 25 July 2022 15:45]

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Re: Kasino U200-1 Head Info? [message #28707 is a reply to message #28704] Mon, 25 July 2022 16:40 Go to previous messageGo to next message
MrShake is currently offline  MrShake
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Registered: August 2021
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Awesome, thanks! I've got the Woodson wired to 4 ohms, so glad it won't be too low for the head!

I uploaded the pictures to a free image hosting site (I prefer imgbb(dot com) but there are plenty of others - I used to use Flickr or Photobucket), and then when it offers you a code, copy the "BBCode Full Linked" code in the box it gives you, and paste into your post.

https://i.ibb.co/c3nNdZg/IMG-20220725-163619496-HDR.jpg

Here's my growing Kustom Korner, one more head on the way next week, to join the Kasino, the Woodson monitor cab, the 1969 K200B-1 somebody painted black, and the (probably) '66 "Broken Saw No-Port" Frankie CTS 2x15 cab.
Re: Kasino U200-1 Head Info? [message #28708 is a reply to message #28674] Mon, 25 July 2022 16:41 Go to previous messageGo to next message
MrShake is currently offline  MrShake
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Also, the forum seems to have a setting requiring 10 posts before it lets you post a link in the body of your post, but I recently passed that, so it seems to work just fine!
Re: Kasino U200-1 Head Info? [message #28709 is a reply to message #28674] Mon, 25 July 2022 17:07 Go to previous messageGo to next message
MrShake is currently offline  MrShake
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Registered: August 2021
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Is it safe to assume that since this has a K200-style power section, that the preamp is just the "Bright/Effects" channel of the rather uncommon K200B-6 with it's Selectone and Selective Boost options? I was only inside long enough to change the power cord, will examine PCB numbers soon.

Part codes date this one to likely mid/late 1971. Since standalone amp heads like this aren't in the surviving literature, I'd venture a guess the head form factor was a late addition to the line, just prior to the shift to the slanted 'n" striped heads like the Natural or Snake Eyes, paralleling the move from Kustom's 100/200 heads to the 150/250.

[Updated on: Mon, 25 July 2022 17:08]

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Re: Kasino U200-1 Head Info? [message #28711 is a reply to message #28674] Tue, 26 July 2022 08:49 Go to previous messageGo to next message
MrShake is currently offline  MrShake
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https://i.ibb.co/FH1NFkX/IMG-20220726-083403555-2.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/L6qG8pV/IMG-20220726-083438701.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/b1Yhh41/IMG-20220726-083546659.jpg
Re: Kasino U200-1 Head Info? [message #28712 is a reply to message #28674] Tue, 26 July 2022 09:17 Go to previous messageGo to next message
MrShake is currently offline  MrShake
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Examining a little more this morning, I've noticed that the U200/100W chassis installed in the big combo Kasinos have the inputs three-in-a-line, and have 4 power outlets and module outs.

This head, and others I've found online, have the jacks in a triangle shape (like some of the smaller combos) and only have 2 power outlets and module outs.

Whether or not it has anything to do with the head vs. combo form factor, I suspect the difference between the U200-1 and U200-2 may come down to how many modules it could run?

[Updated on: Tue, 26 July 2022 09:21]

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Re: Kasino U200-1 Head Info? [message #28713 is a reply to message #28712] Tue, 26 July 2022 15:07 Go to previous messageGo to next message
pleat is currently offline  pleat
Messages: 1452
Registered: June 2004
Location: Belding, Mi
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Kasino made your amp in two configurations. The 22" Wide model with the triangle input jacks. Footswitch on the left and High and Low inputs vertical. The wider 26" with all three inputs set horizonal, footswitch, High and low inputs all in line. On units that were combo amps there were twist AC outlets to connect additional Kasino powered speaker cabs. Each power module use the twist AC receptical for both AC in's and twist AC output to power additional cabinets. The Module input jacks feed the signal to additional Kasino powered cabinets. Since your amp is the piggyback model, there is no AC twist plug. In the combo units and using the additional powered speaker cabs. The on/off power switch of the amp turned the powered modules on and off.
Comparing your amp with the Kustom K200B-6 that has selectone, I'd dare guess the preamp is the same as the lead channel or left channel of the K200-6.
Re: Kasino U200-1 Head Info? [message #28714 is a reply to message #28713] Tue, 26 July 2022 18:12 Go to previous messageGo to next message
MrShake is currently offline  MrShake
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Pleat, thank you for your insight! I appreciate the wealth of knowledge archived here from you and all the other posters, it's the most comprehensive bank of Kustom knowledge on the planet.

All of that is awesome to know, and clears things up. Although, I was a bit confused by one thing, which I may misunderstand you:


pleat wrote on Tue, 26 July 2022 15:07
On units that were combo amps there were twist AC outlets to connect additional Kasino powered speaker cabs. Each power module use the twist AC receptical for both AC in's and twist AC output to power additional cabinets. The Module input jacks feed the signal to additional Kasino powered cabinets. Since your amp is the piggyback model, there is no AC twist plug. In the combo units and using the additional powered speaker cabs. The on/off power switch of the amp turned the powered modules on and off.
This unit has two locking AC sockets for output to powered modules, but most of the combo versions of the U200 I've seen have four. Certainly not disputing you, just happened to notice, and maybe I misunderstand your meaning.
https://i.ibb.co/KGY1dNf/IMG-20220726-180758969-2.jpg

pleat wrote on Tue, 26 July 2022 15:07

Comparing your amp with the Kustom K200B-6 that has selectone, I'd dare guess the preamp is the same as the lead channel or left channel of the K200-6.
Sounds about right, even though I'd only be guessing. The Selectone is neat and actually kind of useful. I built a shorting plug to activate the Selective Boost and if anything, I find it a bit tame. But I might feel differently at band volume next week!
Re: Kasino U200-1 Head Info? [message #28715 is a reply to message #28714] Wed, 27 July 2022 16:45 Go to previous messageGo to next message
pleat is currently offline  pleat
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It makes sense that your amp would have the AC twist outlets as it's the same chassis used in other Kasino amps. Kasino is very confusing with their model numbers.

For instance the model 802 front panel states 200 driving 8 10" speakers but is the same amp/speaker combination as the 1608 with the two side wing speakers. Yet the 1608 front panel states 800. The only difference is the 1608, the amp chassis drives the top 4 10" speakers and in the lower half of the speaker cabinet is a 200 watts peak power module. Each wing speaker cabinet houses it's own 200 watt peak power module.
So you have the chassis with it's 200 watt peak power driving 4 speakers, the lower power module driving 4 speakers and each wing's power module dedicated to driving 4 speaker for 800 watts peak power.

With the 4 twist AC outlets, 3 of them connected to the power modules, the master on/off power switch turns all the amps on or off.

The selective boost is a 6 or 7 fixed position tone switch with the higher number producing more treble and does thin out the gain.
On the Kustom K250 series, Kustom included a simple volume type pedal that sweeps thru all the fixed positions giving it a wah type effect.

Kustom also incorporated the power module design in the K250 series amps. Head and one cab, if more power is needed, add the second cabinet that contained it's own power amp. The only drawback is you have to physically un plug the powered speaker cabinet.
Re: Kasino U200-1 Head Info? [message #28718 is a reply to message #28715] Thu, 28 July 2022 08:45 Go to previous message
MrShake is currently offline  MrShake
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Registered: August 2021
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As always, pleat, thank you for sharing your knowledge! I didn't realize some of the combos had a secondary power amp built in for the bottom half - these really were the Wild West years of design expansion!

So far, this thing has worked flawlessly, no crackle in the pots or jacks, very impressive!

When I was in changing the power cable, I was a bit surprised at how close the power line cables were to the outer wall of the chassis. I put some non-conductive 3M sticky tape on the chassis to hopefully add an extra layer of protection.

I was also surprised to see that the fuse for the amp is located after the power switch, rather than before, as on the K200B-1 I restored last year. Not quite as easy to update the switch in this one, but worth it!

[Updated on: Thu, 28 July 2022 08:46]

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