Sunn Model T-clones

[avgrund666]

I'm sorry if this is in the wrong sub forum.

I'm looking for a Sunn Model T or a clone of it.

I'm in Northern Europe, any of the old Sunn stuff is so extremely rare and sought after that they practically don't ever go on the used market around here. The handful of people that own these amps won't ever let them go. (Unless they pass away)

This has me thinking of getting a clone, but that seems to be easier said than done.

I know some builders that build clones, but there's always some things about their clones that bother me.

The ones I know about are Hex, Reval, Jessup and Verellen.

I tried contacting Hex some time ago and haven't heard from them at all.

Reval looked promising at first, their sound demos sound very good. I heard from a guy who claims to have owned a Reval and now owns a 1st gen Model T, he says they sound very much the same but the Reval doesn't even come close in output volume and the tolex work also kinda sucked, apparently. I mailed Reval about the volume thing, and they gave me the predictable answer that they haven't heard about lower perceived volume from their amplifier before.

Jessup, I've seen demos of, and in Jessup's demos, he used some fuzz that sounded very bad so it's impossible to tell how the amp actually sounds.

Now, I know about Ben Verellen and his amps. He's known for making some very high quality builds and I've read about his take on the Model T, called the Model V. What bothers me is that there are no videos of the amp, so naturally, I'm extremely hestitant to order one based on that.

What would you guys do?

Edit: I've looked in Swedish, Norwegian, Danish and German sites if I could spot any but without success.

[doommeow]

Ceriatone. AFAIK spotless rep, ships worldwide, prob strong resale.

[Olin]

I've played a Verellen Model V and they're good amps. Very heavy, very loud, quite expensive, shipping would cost an absolute fortune without even considering import fees.

I would recommend trying a few more times with Hex/trying to contact them through different methods, theirs is easily the most cheap, they're really well built and all the people who have them seem to love them.
Never understood that Jessup guy's stuff, it looks decent but he charges a lot and doesn't really do anything to demonstrate it.
Also try joining amp groups of Facebook and asking there, especially FCoAW, also try The Doom Room right here on this forum, someone will either know the guys at Hex or one of them will see it themselves, or better yet, a used one might come along.

[avgrund666]

I've played a Verellen Model V and they're good amps. Very heavy, very loud, quite expensive, shipping would cost an absolute fortune without even considering import fees.

I would recommend trying a few more times with Hex/trying to contact them through different methods, theirs is easily the most cheap, they're really well built and all the people who have them seem to love them.
Never understood that Jessup guy's stuff, it looks decent but he charges a lot and doesn't really do anything to demonstrate it.
Also try joining amp groups of Facebook and asking there, especially FCoAW, also try The Doom Room right here on this forum, someone will either know the guys at Hex or one of them will see it themselves, or better yet, a used one might come along.

Shipping any tube amp from NA to EU costs a fortune. How much cheaper would a Hex Model X be compared to a Verellen? Aren't both around the 2k dollar range?
I tried to contact Hex both on Facebook and through email. Do they frequent these forums or are they rare occurances?

Most people who sell these amps second hand are from the US and are simply not willing to ship them to Sweden.

I would've gotten a Reval if I didn't hear about the loss of volume (and headroom because of that) since Reval is based in Tallinn, Estonia. It's pretty much a boat over.

I'm kinda considering the Ceriatone for now, until something else pops up. I have time.

EDIT: The Hex Model X could be the coolest amp in existence. I like Eagle Twin a lot, I've heard these amps, and in a perfect world, I would get one.

Thanks for the replies

[Olin]

The difference is in size and weight. I should have specified that I'm referring to the Hex Micro T more than the Model X. It's 5w and lunchbox size but absolutely don't let that deter you. Most people with that had a slave amp or power amp to give it real big boy volume. I know skullservant here has 100% had one so he might be worth reaching out to. User cantremember also has some Model T experience I believe. I don't know how much has changed, but two years ago a Micro T cost $699USD and had about a one year wait list.

On FCoAW there are just a bunch of people that know Gentry and might know what's going on with him and would be able to tell you if he's active or not.

As for shipping stuff (especially if you're gung-ho set on getting a full size one), participate more here , someone might just help you out.
There might be a North-American willing to have an amp shipped to them so that they can ship it to you. I've shipped guitars from Ontario to Sweden fairly recently and would have no issues doing that stuff again.

[avgrund666]

Of course. I don't see the point of doing so, though. Wouldn't a Model T preamp pedal do the same thing as the Micro T if you plug it into the power section of an amp?

[ibarakishi]

Of course. I don't see the point of doing so, though. Wouldn't a Model T preamp pedal do the same thing as the Micro T if you plug it into the power section of an amp?

no

[Olin]

Yeah, like above: no, not really.

The Micro T is a proper amp that runs on an EL84 but can also be used separately as a preamp via a dummy load, but will operate independently just fine and sound as you'd expect a Model T to. IIRC Sunn O))) used these Micro T's alongside SVT's live and in the studio. It's not a Model T preamp, it's a 5w Model T.

[jirodreamsofdank]

I got on the list for a Micro T... 2-3 years ago but never heard another word after they confirmed I was on the list.

[cantremember]

Yeah that would be crazy to see sunn with the micro t/svt combo.

I have used mine with a few power amps and it sounds good. Its missing a little something with a power amp but it gets you pretty close. I love it by itself as just a low watt amp. It sounds very close to a real T when used that way but without the volume.

I got on the waiting list and was told a few months then really never heard anything back. That was probably 4-5years ago. I ended up grabbing one off reverb. I talked with a guy who hit up Ned Clayton (dude who builds the actual amps )and he built him a micro t and model x without the hex aesthetics. I think that might be yr best option if you want to get one of those amps because I don't know how much luck you'll have trying to go through the Hex dude.

[Olin]

That's pretty cool to know. Do you know how much they paid for the amps built for them?

[cantremember]

I can't remember what he told me he paid but I believe it was actually a little less than it was from hex.

[Olin]

I can't remember what he told me he paid but I believe it was actually a little less than it was from hex.

In hindsight I see the irony of asking cantremember if he could remember something. You're morally obliged to not remember even if you can.

That is cool though, this guy should do that.

[ibarakishi]

I can't remember what he told me he paid but I believe it was actually a little less than it was from hex.

In hindsight I see the irony of asking cantremember if he could remember something. You're morally obliged to not remember even if you can.

That is cool though, this guy should do that.

i thought the same thing reading this, but let it slide as a joke possibly only i would find funny

[cantremember]

To be clear, its been a few years since I was actively looking into these. Definitely not trying to side step that.