| Does my K200 sound alright? [message #4226] |
Thu, 20 May 2004 07:38  |
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Hello all. I'm another bassist who has only recently discovered the joys of vintage Kustoms and I'm now the proud owner of a black K200, which is in excellent physical condition.
There's a couple of questions I have. First of all, the sound seems to distort quite easily. I have the bass control set to full, the treble set to the 1 o'clock position and volume at around 11 o'clock. I use a Warwick Thumb bass with the tone controls evenly balanced around the middle position. This gives me a lovely warm, crisp, and fat sound until I apply I tiny bit more pressure to the strings and then it distorts. Don't get me wrong, the distortion sounds great too, it's really gutsy and dirty and makes it fun to play...but, I'm scared I might be doing it damage? I've read on other posts that you should replace the caps because they wear out after about 10 years. Do I have some sort of electrical problem or is this another feature of Kustom amps? Like the tremendous thud you get when you switch these beasts on?
Also, the blue power light doesn't work, I've noticed this is connected to one of the caps. Is this just a case of replacing the bulb?
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| Re: Does my K200 sound alright? [message #4229 is a reply to message #4228] |
Thu, 20 May 2004 14:50  |
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Thanks for your prompt reply! The only reason I've got the bass boosted so high is because of James Jamerson (so blame him!), I read that's how he had his Kustom set up. I've not played around that much with different positions as I've not had the amp for that long, only a few weeks. Some of them were spent replacing the transformer to run off UK voltages.
The speakers are Eminence Delta's. I think they're 4 ohms each, wired up to give 8ohms. One of them was wired out of phase when I bought the amp so I had to put that right too. Apparently, these were installed to give more 'punch' than the originals (would these have been Altec Lansing's? I would've liked to have heard the amp with those fitted).
I was impressed by the 'sound of power', I feel the need to intimidate guitarists by asking them to stand in front of my amp when I turn it on!
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| Re: Does my K200 sound alright? [message #4230 is a reply to message #4228] |
Thu, 20 May 2004 15:04 |
rodak
Messages: 535
Registered: October 2001
Location: Georgia
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Senior Member |
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I have a memo sent from Kustom to dealers about some issues with the Kombo organ. The cover page (or perhaps it was the envelope - it's photocopies that I have) had the tag line "The Sound and Appearance of Authority" under the Kustom name. I think I like that even better than the "Sound of Power", even though it's more of a mouthful.
www.combo-organ.com
www.combo-organ.com
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| Re: Does my K200 sound alright? [message #4231 is a reply to message #4230] |
Thu, 20 May 2004 15:36 |
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Agreed! Perhaps just "The Sound of Authority" though?? It's less of a mouthful. :-)
I know I'm straying from the subject matter somewhat but I had a look at your website too. This might sound really naive of me (I am new to Kustom's) but I didn't realise Kustom was a Bud Ross company. My previous amp was a Ross amp and I really liked the tone of it but it's worn out now and looks a bit shabby. I was looking for something 'a bit different' and discovered Kustom's! Perhaps its destiny....?
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| Re: Does my K200 sound alright? [message #4234 is a reply to message #4231] |
Thu, 20 May 2004 22:53 |
LesS
Messages: 479
Registered: December 2002
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Senior Member |
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Stevie J,
You should re-check your speakers and wiring if you are not sure about it. If each speaker is 4 ohms, wiring in parallel would result in 2 ohms which could damage your amp. If you have or can borrow a multi-meter, you can measure the impedance. Two 4 ohm speakers wired in series results in 8 ohms. You would get more power with two 8 ohm speakers wired in parallel which results in 4 ohms.
Original speakers could have been CTS, Jensen, Altec, or JBL.
You probably just have a burned-out bulb. The correct bulb is #1829 which is 28 volts.
If you can’t find one of those, a #1819 is 28 volts and will also work but is not as bright as #1829.
Do not use a 6.3 volt bulb, it will make the resistor run too hot.
I had one in my Kasino Club PA head, and when it was “on”, it had a burning smell until I changed it.
Are Kustom amps very popular in the UK?
-Les S.
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| Re: Does my K200 sound alright? [message #4235 is a reply to message #4231] |
Thu, 20 May 2004 23:37 |
rodak
Messages: 535
Registered: October 2001
Location: Georgia
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Senior Member |
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I presume you were looking at my combo organ web site? Yes, Kustom was a Bud Ross company - the older amps say "Kustom By Ross", if I'm not mistaken. But the key word here is "was" - I believe Bud's involvement ended about 30 years ago - others here can elaborate on exactly when.
www.combo-organ.com
www.combo-organ.com
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| Re: Does my K200 sound alright? [message #4236 is a reply to message #4234] |
Thu, 20 May 2004 23:39 |
rodak
Messages: 535
Registered: October 2001
Location: Georgia
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Senior Member |
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And if you find that replacing the bulb doesn't help, the socket assembly may be bad - get a new one from www.tubesandmore.com - they have a nearly identical replacement for about $3. And pick up an assortment of colored jewels while you're at it - about $2 each. (they have a minimum order fee, so you might as well get something useful for your money). That way you can have the right color to suit every mood!
www.combo-organ.com
www.combo-organ.com
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| Re: Does my K200 sound alright? [message #4239 is a reply to message #4234] |
Fri, 21 May 2004 05:39 |
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The speakers are 4ohms and wired in series resulting in 8. Like I mentioned in an earlier post one of them was out of phase when I bought it (from eBay) and was probably one of the reasons why the seller got rid of it? Someone had told me though that it may have been wired up like this on purpose as some old amps were intended to be wired like this, I don't know how true this is but can't see the logic behind it myself.
Do you think it'd be worth me replacing them again with some 8ohm speakers?
I'm not sure how popular Kustom amps are in the UK, I'd certainly not seen any before and neither had anyone I know. I'm sure I'm not the only one...?
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