HawkeyeKane
1423 posts
Jan 25, 2013
2:14 PM
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On top of everything else I'm trying to accomplish right now, I've begun compiling a personal database of all current production harp-friendly amplifiers and botique harp amps. Sonny's site is down and I'd expect it to remain that way. If anyone here who can help me get some specs on the later models, owners or otherwise, I'd appreciate it.
I need the following:
Model name (and number if applicable)
RMS wattage
Preamp tubes
Rectifier tube
Power Tubes
Controls or other features
Speaker make & models
I have the specs for the SJ1 and SJ2. I'm looking more for the Avenger, Cruncher, Super Cruncher, etc....
You can email me if you don't feel like posting on here.
Thanks in advance!
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Hawkeye Kane
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ReedSqueal
351 posts
Jan 25, 2013
2:42 PM
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Hey Hawkeye, if you really want to glean information from the Sonny Jr. website, dig though the Wayback machine at archive.org.
Sonny jr archive
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Go ahead and play the blues if it'll make you happy.
-Dan Castellaneta
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HawkeyeKane
1424 posts
Jan 25, 2013
2:59 PM
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Or I guess I could just go to the webarchives myself and get the info there.....
LOL! Thanks Reed!
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Hawkeye Kane
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HawkeyeKane
1425 posts
Jan 25, 2013
3:37 PM
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Well...I tried the web archive. But unfortunately, Gary listed very little in terms of specs. Speaker configuration and capacitors were the most detail he disclosed. My request for info from the masses stands.
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Hawkeye Kane
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rbeetsme
1080 posts
Jan 25, 2013
4:35 PM
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It's all a secret. You could call Gary, I bet he'd talk your ear off! Maybe give you a Sonny Terry lesson.
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JD Hoskins
540 posts
Jan 25, 2013
5:37 PM
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Even though these amps don't come up for sale on eBay everyday, they do show up, and there are always the completed listings that may show some specs. I'd message sellers, they will tell you everything they can.
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Rick Davis
1221 posts
Jan 26, 2013
6:39 AM
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Tim, put your amp database online and I'll link to it from the Blues Harp Amps Blog, or I can host it for you there. It gets about 500 hits a day mostly from people Googling for info on harp amps.
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-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
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HawkeyeKane
1426 posts
Jan 28, 2013
7:56 AM
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@JD
I've gotten a little infor from eBay already. Got the full specs on the SJ2 from the seller of that one I posted about a couple weeks ago.
@ Rick
It may be a while before I get it to that point. Right now I'm just compiling all my info into three seperate Word documents with one or two images for each entry. The three divisions I'm doing are the Peewee Division, (amps 10W or less), the Cruiser Division (15 to 35W), and the Beast Division (40W or higher). I'm about done with the Beast Division, save for the Sonny Jr. info I'm trying to track down.
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Hawkeye Kane
Last Edited by on Jan 28, 2013 7:58 AM
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Greg Heumann
1963 posts
Jan 28, 2013
8:23 AM
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Gary always held speaker config and tube choice pretty close to the vest. I know for a fact that he would often tune an amp using these variables based on what he thought that particular customer would need/want. In other words, there was no single tube combo or speaker combo for any of his amps that I know of - that would be the four-ten, super sonny, cruncher, super cruncher, and avenger. I CAN tell you that he is a believer in blending speakers within an amp.
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/Greg
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HawkeyeKane
1427 posts
Jan 28, 2013
9:06 AM
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@ Greg
Yeah, I'm quickly discovering Gary's panache for mixing and matching components from amp to amp. Seems like the SJ1 and SJ2 were pretty consistent. Still, I wouldn't mind a sounding from anyone who owns a Sonny as to what came in their own amps.
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Hawkeye Kane
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Willspear
275 posts
Jan 28, 2013
9:08 AM
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The avenger is probably the crowning achievement when it comes to what I think he was building towards. Those 2x8s really take the amp somewhere special. The magnet size of those two speakers I think is the magic of that amp. Not to talk down the rest. That particular combination has incredible presence in a loud live setting if you want the sonny jr sound.
I have heard and played through a few of the models so I am not the end all of sonny jr knowledge but out of the ones I have, that amp is brilliant. Not to say his other models are anything but great.
As for specs Im sure others know more but if sonny is in fact out of the amp business he left on his highest note.
Is it the greatest amp in the world for harp is a question with no answer but for some it is.
Last Edited by on Jan 28, 2013 9:09 AM
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6SN7
268 posts
Jan 28, 2013
11:39 AM
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@HK: I sent you an info sheet on my Sonny Jr amps, hope it helps. If not, tell me and I will send again. I an tell you the specific tube brands on board if you wish.
Greg is right , tube configurations and brands changed from amp to with the 4x10 and Cruncher. Whether it was a cost issue or whether it was what sounded best, I don't know, but I imagine it was a combination of both. I know Groove Tubes were supplied in my amps, but I heard of other amps being offered Tungsol 6L6 for an up charge. I know in my Cruncher there are two different brands of 12AU7 tubes. Gary tinkered with these two amps for over the course of their production: speakers, tubes, panels, transformers.
I am in the process of checking the status of tubes and retube where necessary. I am exploring the option of using a 5751in place of a 12ax7 and also how a 12AV7 sounds in place of a 12AY7. The 2AU7 tube is a pretty important tube in any Sonny Jr amp and I have bought some RCA clear tops to see how they work.
Last Edited by on Jan 28, 2013 11:47 AM
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HawkeyeKane
1428 posts
Jan 28, 2013
12:24 PM
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Many thanks 6SN7. I'll be on the lookout for the email!
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Hawkeye Kane
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HawkeyeKane
1429 posts
Jan 29, 2013
7:30 AM
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6SN7...I didn't receive an email from you...or maybe it went to my spam folder and I deleted it, I don't know. Can you try resending?
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Hawkeye Kane
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