Impedance 'Tolex' Kustom III & IV [message #3234] |
Wed, 12 November 2003 10:34 |
jandeman
Messages: 1 Registered: November 2003
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Junior Member |
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Hi, I'm Jan from Belgium. Recently I've bought a Kustom III Bass Amp Head and a Kustom IV B 2-15 Bass Cabinet. I love the sound of this gear but I have no technical information at all. Can anyone help me out here?
1. How many power has the Kustom III bass amp head? Is it 200 Watts?
2. And the B 2-15 bass cabinet (designed for the Kustom IV Bass amp head)? 300 watts?
3. ??WHAT ABOUT IMPEDANCE?? Does anyone know the ohm rating of the speaker cabinet?
If it's 8 ohms, can I connect an amp head which has an impedance of 4 ohms?
Greetings from Brussels,
Jan
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Re: Impedance 'Tolex' Kustom III & IV [message #3235 is a reply to message #3234] |
Wed, 12 November 2003 23:14 |
LesS
Messages: 478 Registered: December 2002
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Senior Member |
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Hi, Jan,
Hopefully someone will jump in with a more complete answer but this will get you started:
Kustom III is 130 watts.
I have seen it with 2x15 and 4x12 so it probably runs fine at 4 ohms.
I don’t know the Kustom 2-15 bass cabinet impedance (it is probably 4 ohms) but if you can’t find out, open the back – the impedance is sometimes printed on the speakers, or you can check it with a meter. Keep in mind that the speakers and/or wiring could have been changed since it was new.
A Kustom “8 ohm head” (such as K100 series) will run at 8 ohms through 16 ohms (or even higher).
A Kustom “4 ohm head” (such as K200 series) will run at 4 ohms through 16 ohms (or even higher)
So, yes, if the amp head will run at 4 ohms you can connect it to speaker that is 8 ohms.
Also, you might want to see how hot the amplifier gets - if the impedance of the speaker cabinet is too low for the amp, the amp will run very hot.
Hope this helps.......
-Les from Connecticut, U.S.
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Re: Impedance 'Tolex' Kustom III & IV [message #15368 is a reply to message #15360] |
Sat, 05 March 2011 14:25 |
KUSTOMBASS
Messages: 15 Registered: July 2007 Location: NL
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Junior Member |
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Here are some (crapy) pictures i'd just made. Haven't had the time to open the amp up. http://i1118.photobucket.com/albums/k618/MVD1974/IMG_2679.jp g
http://i1118.photobucket.com/albums/k618/MVD1974/IMG_2674.jp g
But i was wondering, isn't it the same story with other tops from the same decade (Peavey etc.). They have also 2 speakeroutputs. The story sometimes told is that you can only get the full power of the amp by using 2 speakers. Top = 200 watt, but when you use 1 speaker, you'll only get 100 watt. But that's not true. As far as i can hear is the Kustom IV, with just one cabinet far louder than the Kustom IV.
Interesting stuff! Like it a lot.
How are they made, the top contains 2 x Kustom III, but there's also 2 chanels. Is one channel 130 watts?
And i was thinking (argh, it's hard to explain in english!), it is possible to change my Peavey 215 cab in a way that i can connect the two ouputs to the speakers. I like the Peavey 215. The Kustom 4-15 is really bizar.
[Updated on: Sat, 05 March 2011 14:33] Report message to a moderator
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Re: Impedance 'Tolex' Kustom III & IV [message #15374 is a reply to message #15371] |
Sun, 06 March 2011 12:21 |
KUSTOMBASS
Messages: 15 Registered: July 2007 Location: NL
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Junior Member |
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pleat wrote on Sat, 05 March 2011 16:27Very interesting amp! I see it is a export model from the photo on the back that shows the speaker outputs and voltage requirements. You have what we call the Big K model.
My advise was based on the model previous to yours was labeled the same lVB and had two two channels, a 7 band graphic EQ, and two 130 watt rms power amps housed in the chassis and you had to use two speaker cables to the 4x12 speaker cabinet so each pair of speakers were driven by each internal amp. (think of it as a stereo amp that runs as a mono amp.)
Your model has two 1/4" speaker outs and what we would call XLR jacks. I am looking at my literature on your amp, and it states 300 watts RMS into 4 ohms. From your photo's it appears to be one power amp. The catalog shows your amp is sitting on a 2x15 cabinet. My literature does not show your cabinet. If your speakers are 16 ohms and wired in series, you would have a 4 ohm cabinet and there would be no need to add a second cabinet.
I left selling Kustoms in late 1979 and your cabinet may have came out after I left the music store.
The blank metal plate on the front panel was a cover plate that you could buy two options and plug into the amp. A 5 band rotary EQ and a patch panel to insert effects and choose what channel you wanted the effects to run to.
As far as any amp. If the amps states 200 watts into a 4 ohm load, if you have a 8 ohm load, the amp will not produce the stated 200 watts.
pleat
Hey thanks a lót for the info. I just got my Peavey 215 cab and is sounds really good together. The cab is 200 watt @ 4 Ohm, so i'm fine. The head is realy brutal. It is even broader than the 215 Peavey cab. Within a couple of weeks we are doing some gigs, i'm really anxious to hear the sound at a serious volume. Well, scared that is...
Before the time i need to clean and check the head for is has a hiss when it's used.
So. I'll keep you lads (male / female) informed.
Regards from a cold but sunny place in the Netherlands!
[Updated on: Sun, 06 March 2011 12:22] Report message to a moderator
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Re: Impedance 'Tolex' Kustom III & IV [message #15375 is a reply to message #3234] |
Mon, 07 March 2011 11:50 |
chicagobill
Messages: 2010 Registered: April 2003
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Senior Member |
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Wow, that's one massive power amp! I did a quick review of the photos, and here's my 2 cents.
The XLR jacks were added after it left the factory, definitely not original.
The photo shows that the current speakers are wired in series. You need to check the impedance of each of the individual speakers and see how you can wire the cabinet to take full advantage of the power of the head.
And Pleat erred in his last post, if all four 16 ohm speakers are wired in parallel they will equal 4 ohms, not series.
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Re: Impedance 'Tolex' Kustom III & IV [message #15376 is a reply to message #15375] |
Mon, 07 March 2011 14:21 |
KUSTOMBASS
Messages: 15 Registered: July 2007 Location: NL
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Junior Member |
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chicagobill wrote on Mon, 07 March 2011 11:50Wow, that's one massive power amp! I did a quick review of the photos, and here's my 2 cents.
The XLR jacks were added after it left the factory, definitely not original.
The photo shows that the current speakers are wired in series. You need to check the impedance of each of the individual speakers and see how you can wire the cabinet to take full advantage of the power of the head.
And Pleat erred in his last post, if all four 16 ohm speakers are wired in parallel they will equal 4 ohms, not series.
Jep, it's really a monster. I like it a lot. Also because of the complete lack of design whatsoever. It's just what it is, a box with knobs.
About the 4-15, i'm getting rid of it. I'm going to take out the speakers (those are not original), and keep them for "just in case". A guy i know is a HUGE Kustom fan/freak. Blue Cheer lover, Stoner etc. and very serious, and with a tremendous amlifier collection. Also a lot of vintage Kustom gear. A couple of the 3-15 collums for example, you name it, being there is like a dream. Sunn tops piled up. Well, you get the picture. Anyway. He can have the cabinet, and that gives me a good feeling, it's in good hands.
I tried the top on my Peavey 215 cab, who looks pretty small next to the Kustom 415, and it sounds splendid. So i'm happy. I was looking for this top (a bit ashamed, but almost on a daily basis) eversince i bought my Kustom III bass in 2003. It's so extreme loud and warm. Wow.
[Updated on: Mon, 07 March 2011 14:22] Report message to a moderator
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Re: Impedance 'Tolex' Kustom III & IV [message #15379 is a reply to message #15356] |
Tue, 08 March 2011 08:23 |
cassent5150
Messages: 341 Registered: August 2009
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Senior Member |
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I've had both of my K-IV Bass and Lead heads opened and there is not two 5065 boards in them. There is a single massive board. This is the later 400 watt version with the voicing control. I found this out the hard way while playing Bass one day. I had just paid a couple bills getting this cab rated at 300 watt reconed and it played four songs and quit. Smoke rolling out of the ports told me the whole story. I went to the web site to find there were two versions of that amp and the first ones were 270 watt and the later versions with voicing control were 300 or 400 watts. These later IV's are very serious amps and wont have mercy on under rated speakers. Steve C
Steve C
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Re: Impedance 'Tolex' Kustom III & IV [message #15381 is a reply to message #15379] |
Tue, 08 March 2011 10:01 |
KUSTOMBASS
Messages: 15 Registered: July 2007 Location: NL
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Junior Member |
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cassent5150 wrote on Tue, 08 March 2011 08:23I've had both of my K-IV Bass and Lead heads opened and there is not two 5065 boards in them. There is a single massive board. This is the later 400 watt version with the voicing control. I found this out the hard way while playing Bass one day. I had just paid a couple bills getting this cab rated at 300 watt reconed and it played four songs and quit. Smoke rolling out of the ports told me the whole story. I went to the web site to find there were two versions of that amp and the first ones were 270 watt and the later versions with voicing control were 300 or 400 watts. These later IV's are very serious amps and wont have mercy on under rated speakers. Steve C
Ehrm, sorry, i thought you said 400 Watt...
Hm. This means i have a litte problem because my Peavey 215 cab is rated something like 200 watt. O.k. Is there a way to rate the wattage of speakers? Maybe i can place two of the speakers from the Kustom 415 in the Peavey 215.
Thanks for the info! You saved me a lot of money!
[Updated on: Tue, 08 March 2011 10:02] Report message to a moderator
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Re: Impedance 'Tolex' Kustom III & IV [message #15382 is a reply to message #15381] |
Tue, 08 March 2011 11:31 |
cassent5150
Messages: 341 Registered: August 2009
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Senior Member |
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If those 15's are the black widow in your Peavy Cab theres no worry about blowing them, it should be good for at least 4 or 5 hundred watts. Most standard 15's are good for 100 to 150 watts with a 2 1/2 to 4" copper voice coil unless its got an aluminum voice coil I would say the lower of the two. I don't know what IV model you have and what kind of speakers your using so I couldn't say if your safe or not. Its just some issues to consider that I learnd the hard (expensive)way when dealing with the IV model with voicing control. They are truly a beast, I've run four 4X12 cabs with mine at one time. These babys are the bomb for outdoor gigs, but a little, wait! no! way over kill for indoors unless its like the TEXAS STATIUM !! "Just say'n" Steve C
PS: I have run it with two 8 ohm K215B cabs indoors with some success, but even at low volumes when my bass guitarist was really getting into those strings the headroom it has would step on everyone elses toes.
Steve C
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Re: Impedance 'Tolex' Kustom III & IV [message #15386 is a reply to message #15382] |
Tue, 08 March 2011 15:18 |
KUSTOMBASS
Messages: 15 Registered: July 2007 Location: NL
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Junior Member |
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cassent5150 wrote on Tue, 08 March 2011 11:31If those 15's are the black widow in your Peavy Cab theres no worry about blowing them, it should be good for at least 4 or 5 hundred watts. Most standard 15's are good for 100 to 150 watts with a 2 1/2 to 4" copper voice coil unless its got an aluminum voice coil I would say the lower of the two. I don't know what IV model you have and what kind of speakers your using so I couldn't say if your safe or not. Its just some issues to consider that I learnd the hard (expensive)way when dealing with the IV model with voicing control. They are truly a beast, I've run four 4X12 cabs with mine at one time. These babys are the bomb for outdoor gigs, but a little, wait! no! way over kill for indoors unless its like the TEXAS STATIUM !! "Just say'n" Steve C
PS: I have run it with two 8 ohm K215B cabs indoors with some success, but even at low volumes when my bass guitarist was really getting into those strings the headroom it has would step on everyone elses toes.
Haha, thanks for the info. The Peavey 215 is loaded with BW's, but i'm going to check them just to be sure. Blowing out a speaker is no fun at a gig, i know by experience.
We play at the most unusual places, from very big venues to verry small venues all without PA-systems, so a decent backline is very nessecary. It's good to know that wherever we're going to play, i will always have my sound ánd enough power to blow everything to pieces (if needed). I don't think i will ever cranck the IV 'til the extremes, but júst louder than the Kustom III, that's good.
The last years i used a Peavey Musician MK III (1980) and a Peavey MKIII bass (1980), very good, loud and decent stuff. But not as warm as the Kustom. So, as i told. I'm a happy man.
[Updated on: Tue, 08 March 2011 15:20] Report message to a moderator
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Re: Impedance 'Tolex' Kustom III & IV [message #15387 is a reply to message #15386] |
Tue, 08 March 2011 15:50 |
cassent5150
Messages: 341 Registered: August 2009
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Senior Member |
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Your absolutly right "A whole lot warmer". Its good to have the headroom like that when you need it, thats my thinking. Its a bad thing to grab a good lead and just tear it up right and later hear "Man that was awesome but we couldn't hardly hear you out here. Like I said I have both voicing control models, the bass and the lead and both are awesome beasts. I used two 412 cabs on my lead head one time for an outdoors gig and my ears had a ring for a couple days afterwards,"now you dont get that kind of thing from just any amp". Your 2 black widows will be at minimum 300 watt rms each, thats 600 for the pair and thats good for 1000 watt peaks easy. At 300 or 400 watts rms you'll never come close to hurting those Black Widows. Your safe there. Steve C
PS: That low B on a five string bass will massage your feet right there on stage with that thing!!!!
Steve C
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Re: Impedance 'Tolex' Kustom III & IV [message #15577 is a reply to message #3234] |
Thu, 28 April 2011 09:39 |
KUSTOMBASS
Messages: 15 Registered: July 2007 Location: NL
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Junior Member |
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Hm. When i first used my Kustom IV top at home, the volume was massive (Volume 2, Master 6), turning the volume above 2 gave an intense increase of sound. But now i can easily turn the volume above 5 without getting the "i'm gonna blow everything to pieces" sound. I think something is wrong, mabe one of the amps is broken (the top contains 2 Kustom III amps)?
I always use the "B" channel. The "A" channel is very soft, i can easily turn the volume up to 7 at home. So is think maybe that part of the amp needs to be fixed.
The speakers in the Peavey 215 are o.k. by the way.
Anybody?
And again, excuses for my somewhat crappy english.
Thanks!
[Updated on: Thu, 28 April 2011 09:40] Report message to a moderator
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