Pockets
16 posts
Feb 21, 2013
9:12 AM
|
General question: I have a chance at perhaps picking up a 2nd hand Sonny Jr.
As i do not know the seller.... how do i know its the real deal.
Serial Number(location of Serial #)?/Sonny's Signature somewhere?
|
bluemoose
850 posts
Feb 21, 2013
9:23 AM
|
Well...if it's got the 'Sonny Jr' name plate and looks like the best quality build you've ever seen...it's probably the genuine article.
MBH Webbrain - a GUI guide to Adam's Youtube vids
FerretCat Webbrain - Jason Ricci's vids (by hair colour!)
|
HawkeyeKane
1492 posts
Feb 21, 2013
10:28 AM
|
I can't pull up the posted image, but I'd agree with bluemoose. If it has the Sonny Jr. plate, it's pretty safe to bet that it is a genuine SJ. To date, I don't recall ever seeing or hearing of a counterfeit Sonny Jr. amp.
----------
Hawkeye Kane
|
6SN7
270 posts
Feb 21, 2013
11:03 AM
|
Well, thats an original name plate.
He signed my 4x10, but I can't remember whether he did it after I bought it. My Cruncher was signed when I bought it. His signature is on the bottom left inside corner, cant miss it. Both done with a wide tip black marker, not a Sharpie marker.
I have never heard of a counterfeit SJ.
Is this the one currently on ebay for sale for 1700?
It doesn't look like a Super Sonny from the front. The kit to "superize" it came with a new nameplate, different from the one above.
At one point, these amps cost a lot, over 2000$.
Personally, I think these original 4x10 models are good guitar amps, with a tube swap.
I used my Super Sonny for a gig last weekend for the first time in a long while as I have playing smaller venues and have used my Cruncher or Fender tweed deluxe. The amp sounded great. I forgot it doesn't break up as easily as the Cruncher, and the two sound pretty different.
Sugar Ray Norcia also played through it with another act and told me it worked very well. Ray sounded awesome thru it. Certainly a lot better than when he played directly thru the PA and a Shure SM58.
Last Edited by 6SN7 on Feb 21, 2013 11:06 AM
|
tmf714
1503 posts
Feb 21, 2013
11:10 AM
|
The amp pictured is a Sonny 1 model-4x8in speakers.
Sonny may not have sigend the early models-I own the first Sonny 2 ever made-his signature is on the bottom left,but some of these models he did not sign either.
|
MJ
574 posts
Feb 21, 2013
11:21 AM
|
If I am not mistaken, There should be a label on the inside of the cabinet that gives the date, tube lineup and amps production # also a possible Sonny Jr. signature. However, all of these things (including the nameplate) are easily forged. You can buy nameplates most anywhere, saying whatever you wish. If you're not sure or have little nagging doubts, Ask an amp tech to check it out with you. Most likely it is the real thing.
|
HawkeyeKane
1493 posts
Feb 21, 2013
11:30 AM
|
My buddy Brad has an SJ1. It's signed in the same place as tmf's I do believe. Also signed by the cabinet builder.
----------
Hawkeye Kane
|
Rick Davis
1337 posts
Feb 21, 2013
11:54 AM
|
Gary Onofrio told me he sometimes put the SJ nameplate on Bassman amps he modified early on. But that is not what is happening in that picture.
----------
-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
|
Pockets
17 posts
Feb 21, 2013
12:25 PM
|
thanks all! I appreciate it. Yes, i saw it was a Sonny 1 model-4x8in speakers. I will check in the places you all noted, to see if it has a signature/initials/tube lineup.
I'm pretty sure it's not a fake... but have not saw it up front and personal yet.
I'll let you all know, if i end up picking it up.
|
6SN7
272 posts
Feb 21, 2013
12:56 PM
|
I intiially thought it was a Sonny Jr #1 as the color is more yellow or wheat straw than the 4x10 or Cruncher. My SJ #1 also did not have a finish on it like his more recent models. Probably because the SJ #1 cabinet were made by Sam Huff (dont recall him signing mine, #99) while the more recent ones came from another mfg (Mojo?)
The 4x8 is very different from the 4x10 (duh.., but just saying...)
Good luck.
I had that scripted nameplate on both my SJ#1 and SJ 4x10. I removed them as they took away from the amp look, the more recent plates are better looking.
Last Edited by 6SN7 on Feb 21, 2013 12:58 PM
|
CarlA
266 posts
Feb 21, 2013
1:29 PM
|
Just buy it and hope for the best!! What ever happened to a sense of adventure??!?? Lol!
(NB). Actually, last time I purchased an amp without knowing all the details, I ended up spending $500 MORE than I would have if I had purchased it brand new!! So, you might not want to take the above advice-lol
-Carl
Last Edited by CarlA on Feb 21, 2013 1:29 PM
|
rbeetsme
1107 posts
Feb 21, 2013
1:44 PM
|
The SJ-1 was made by Cotton amps I think, and may say so inside. They used 8" Pyle Driver speakers. The ones' I've seen on Ebay sold from 550.00 - 800.00 depending on condition. Good luck!
|
tmf714
1504 posts
Feb 21, 2013
2:06 PM
|
The Sonny 1 and 2 were joint ventures between Sonny and Cotton amps-the late great Sam Hutton manufactured the cabs and installed the tweed on the cabinets.
The tube chart label includes the model,tube line up and on the very bottom,Cotton Amplification.
Last Edited by tmf714 on Feb 21, 2013 2:07 PM
|
6SN7
273 posts
Feb 21, 2013
3:19 PM
|
Tom Stankeweiz is the genius behind cotton Amps.
He designs space suits for NASA as his daytime job.
|
Pockets
18 posts
Feb 22, 2013
8:05 AM
|
So i got a response back from the seller.... but apparently its only a SJ 4X8in speaker cabinet. The seller said "not an amp". I didnt know that Sonny did just speaker cabinets.
Grant it.... they did a speaker swap and put 4 1950/1951 vintage Jensens 8" speakers...which is nice.
Maybe it's my ignorance....or maybe... someone did a chop job?
kinda bummed out :-(
|
jordan1397
8 posts
Feb 22, 2013
8:58 AM
|
Here's something that's definately not a "cab". It's in Northern California.....
http://sacramento.craigslist.org/msg/3624424202.html
Edited to add it's a 6x10 Harp King....Red, as if the color matters....
Last Edited by jordan1397 on Feb 22, 2013 9:00 AM
|
Willspear
297 posts
Feb 22, 2013
9:52 AM
|
Do you mind hitting me with info if it is the sonny jr 4x8 cab and not the amp.
Assuming you don't want it that is
Will.spear@gmail.com
|
Frank
2016 posts
Feb 22, 2013
10:19 AM
|
IF the price is to good to be true, I'll bet you $500 bucks there is no amp included...look closely at the picture - all you would be buying is the cabinet...buyer beware!
|
Pockets
19 posts
Feb 22, 2013
10:54 AM
|
i sent him an offer.... i'll see if he takes it.
@ Willspear - If he does not take my offer.... i'll fwd you the info for sure!!!
|
6SN7
275 posts
Feb 22, 2013
8:59 PM
|
Jeez, there's no leather handle on the top....weird.
I never knew he offered cabinets.
Last Edited by 6SN7 on Feb 22, 2013 9:02 PM
|
schaef
24 posts
Feb 23, 2013
9:15 AM
|
Pockets,I know someone in the burgh that might be selling a sonny jr.If your interested ill check into it for you
|
Pockets
20 posts
Feb 23, 2013
5:25 PM
|
i talked the guy down to $230 for the cabinet. Think thats a fair price?
|
Rick Davis
1344 posts
Feb 23, 2013
5:35 PM
|
With speakers? Yes.
----------
-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
|
Pockets
21 posts
Feb 23, 2013
5:44 PM
|
yes, it has 4 8inch speakers (1950/1951 vintage Jensen's) . dunno if it's wired for 4 or 8 ohms
|
Rick Davis
1345 posts
Feb 23, 2013
6:05 PM
|
real vintage Jensens from that era are highly coveted. If they are authentic and they work they are worth the price by themselves.
----------
-Rick Davis
The Blues Harp Amps Blog
The Mile High Blues Society
|
Pockets
22 posts
Feb 23, 2013
6:16 PM
|
Thanks for the help Rick.
|
HawkeyeKane
1502 posts
Feb 25, 2013
1:52 PM
|
Looks like that SJ2 from a while back is up for grabs on eBay again.
Sonny Jr Junior 2 100 Watt All Tube Handwired Harmonica Amplifier Quad 6L6's
----------
Hawkeye Kane
|
