My new to me Sunn Coliseum 880

jeffcycles

jeffcycles

Dec 30, 2017
13
45
4,551
Portland, OR
#1
I just wanted to take a moment and share my latest amp purchase, this beautiful old Sunn. It's been in storage since 1990, and this one was built in 1974 not far from its home in Portland. I'd say its very clean for a 43 year old, definitely cleaner than me at about the same age! Now, I just need to compliment it with the perfect cab. All I've currently got is the Rumble 410 and I think this head deserves something different. I'd love to hear some recommendations from everyone on here.
 
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#2
Here’s some pics.
 

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#10
Run through Sunn 1-18 VH or better yet two! Will read @ 2 ohms and full power of 880 head

I-18 front loaded will have plenty of punch but pair your 880 with 1-18VH and it will stand against a Marshall stack

As 1-18VH is a horn the sound will throw exponentially ; increasing further away from stage
I played my AC 370 paired w/ 1-18VH in a historical train depot in Atlanta. Volume was equal at far end of depot as on stage

For your head it’s perfect. Finding one is the issue or finding one you can afford shipping is a dilemma

For me there’s Acoustic and Sunn for old school Power and clarity
 
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#11
jeffcycles said:
I just wanted to take a moment and share my latest amp purchase, this beautiful old Sunn. It's been in storage since 1990, and this one was built in 1974 not far from its home in Portland. I'd say its very clean for a 43 year old, definitely cleaner than me at about the same age! Now, I just need to compliment it with the perfect cab. All I've currently got is the Rumble 410 and I think this head deserves something different. I'd love to hear some recommendations from everyone on here.
Click to expand...


Essentially it’s ... What Oren said
 
#13
jeffcycles said:
I ended up with an almost new Ampeg 810 for about half of what it should have cost.
Click to expand...

Ok And when you can find a Sunn cab with either 2-15jbl or Sunn 1-18 front loaded or better a 1-18 VH Then you will Really hear what your 880 is capeable of

Imoh you have sacrificed tone for a bargain cab ..But .. whatever works I mean no disrespect I am in awe of your 880 and want what seems to me to be the best

SVT cabs are common and easy to find and afford Not so much with vintage Sunn and Acoustic

Such heads are front loaded with power
You’ll probably never need to turn volume beyond 3 and you don’t double output volume when you turn to “6”

Vintage Sunns are slightly louder than vintage Acoustic: Sunn = Volume @ 2 snd AC @ 2.5 or thereabouts

I hope you enjoy making great music and quality sounds from your 880
 
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#17
Hey jeffcycles, you're gonna LOVE this. I still have mine from 1972. Bought it along with 2 Vega folded horn cabs. Later ran it through a front loaded Vega 18 cab and a 4-12. Finally used it with two 8-10 SVT cabinets for most of professional career. It's a REAL beast. It was easily the solid-state equal of the all tube SVT. I preferred it because it could get so loud but remain clean, unless I turned on the distortion circuit. Enjoy.
 
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