Well guys,
you all know that I am a big JE fan and that I do my best with my WHO tribute band and Tears for John to keep the memory in John alive. To be honest I like most his Alembic era sound and not the over-processed later one.
I was on the hunt for one of those for more than 4 years now and today I got the chance to buy one of the german made Stramp 4120 preamps that John used in the Alembic era.
So I will build up Johns classic downsized rig that he used mainly in the studio (consisting of the Stramp preamp, 2 Sunn Poweramps and an Alembic IN-1 router.
So the Stramp is now bought, next to come in will possibly be one of the rare IN-1 input routers and then I have to find two old Sunn Power Amps.
I think I got luck, lately.
 
Oliver (Spyderman)

Congratulations Oliver! You prove that persistence does indeed pay off! Since I can't hear it from here I can't wait to hear your report on what you hear from there when you get the rig together!
 
JP

Now thats an ultilmate tribute!  The guitar and rig. Very Cool !  Did John ever play tarus pedals?

Hi Oliver,
 
the Stramp stuff is absolutely rare to find here.
Great luck, congratulations!
 
Harald

senmen
So what is the year of that amp, looks very 70's, say mid 70's.
Although I like the modern gear(reliabilty, cost etc) there is something about older gear, maybe because it has history, now even the old trace elliot stuff is becoming desirable.
It does look very funky, very retro indeed, good to reinforce the tribute band image. Look forward to pics of the complete rig
Well done on a rare find

Terry,
yes you are right. It is mid seventies.  
John used these preamps in his Alembic
era from the mid 70ies to mid 80ies.  
Oliver (Spyderman)

Well Guys,
just came home after I have picked up the 4120. It is the complete amp mounted in an aluminium flightcase with the preamp mounted in the cover and a 100 watt amp mounted in the case. Well I will only need the preamp. Just tried it at low volume here at home with Tears for John and the sound is awesome. It is in near mint condition and was played by a jazz guitarist. It is more than 30 years old!!
As said, the sound is awesome. Just THE one. There are two channels and you can run one side bass while having the other chancel distorted like John did.
Well I am eager to see how it will sound when I have the chance to find two old Sunn poweramps and possibly cabinets...
I am happy....
Oliver (Spyderman)

senmen
Some of the old Peavey gear of around the same era has the same look, especially the big EQ sliders.
You could have some fun with the tremolo section.
There must be some Sunn amps somewhere, I guess you have tried ebay??

Terry,
of course, I am constantly lurking there......
 
Oliver (Spyderman)

sorry, double post...
 
Oliver (Spyderman)
 
(Message edited by senmen on July 28, 2008)

Hi Oliver. Have you checked out www.rockstarsguitars.com? They have some of John's actual Sunn cabs for sale (page 11 of the Entwistle collection). I think they will be pretty expensive, but can you imagine...actually having John's 70's speakers? On page 12 they also have his Stramp gear and Sunn amps in one flight case.
Gareth.
 
(Message edited by garethnh on July 28, 2008)

amazing find...and none more deserving,
congrats Oliver...
 
keep up the quests

Gareth, indeed they are expensive and they don?t get any information if the things are still working.
I am now on the hunt (and closes) to an Alembic Input router, then two old Sunn Coliseum Slaves and a custom buildt rack. This then is what John played in the studio and really enough for me.
 
Elwood, also to you: thank you!
Oliver (Spyderman)

Oliver,
what kind of sunn power amp are you searching for...there is a concert slave here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Sunn-Concert-Slave-RARE_W0QQitemZ27026563912
 
...if you post some specifics I'll keep my eyes peeled.
 
cheers

Elwood,
I am looking for two Coliseum Slaves in as good as possible condition. There is actually one on Ebay besides the Concert Slave.
Many thanks for your help mate
Oliver (Spyderman)