Kustom 72 Coupe

[Randy Van Sykes]

I was at a music store the other day and they were selling a brand new 2x12 combo for cheap ($799).
I plugged into it...the clean and gain channels sounded so nice that I plopped a deposit down for them to hold it for me.
This is a great sounding amp if you want Fender clean and Marshallish gain.

Does anyone here own one or have experience with one?
Any known reliability issues other than it runs hot? ...thanks.

 

[Rockyrollercat]

I have a 36 coupe and it sounds great. The only thing about these amps is the shared EQ which is not that big of a deal. I put a G12T75 in mine and with a V30 in an extension cab it sounds fantastic for any kind of rock. I've never used it but they say these amps have a fabulous XLR output for recording or going straight to the board. Very underrated amp, I dig it because I had a Kustom with full tuck and roll back in the day.

RRC

 

[gravy]

way cool rigs, other gtr player in the band has a 1 12", sounds great in the studio and stage plus easy to haul! great choice

 

[Randy Van Sykes]

I have a 36 coupe and it sounds great. The only thing about these amps is the shared EQ which is not that big of a deal. I put a G12T75 in mine and with a V30 in an extension cab it sounds fantastic for any kind of rock. I've never used it but they say these amps have a fabulous XLR output for recording or going straight to the board. Very underrated amp, I dig it because I had a Kustom with full tuck and roll back in the day.

RRC

I've been reading that about the direct out. Some say there's no need to mic it as it sounds really good simply direct. Will be interesting to try that out.

 

[Davidg1974]

I have a 72 koupe that I have had for about one year. Killer amp-very versatile and actually sounds good at low volume. Also the only amp I have had that sounded best with all tone controls at 12 o'clock not boosting or cutting anything. There have been some issues reported with heat but I think they have been overblown-One report I saw on a HC review was the guy sent it back because the tubes were too hot to touch,DUH! I thoght mine was new when I bought it but was actually used but I didnt find that out until it tore up. But Kustom was good enough to have one of their service techs repair it at no cost to me even though the amp was used and a few years old to boot.That is a GREAT company! Found out while the tech had it the amp had been dropped at some point and hsd some broken parts but had still been running on two tubes the whole time I had had it.Sounded killer after I got all 4 working! And like the other guy said the speakers may not be to your liking and I would definitely make sure u had good tubes because that makes a big difference in these amps( I recommend JJs from EUROTUBES or NOS). Good Luck with it and be prepared to spend a few hours to really see what she can do.

 

[dinglehopper]

I had a 36 coupe. sounded great. one day, the volume dropped out. had it checked under warranty, they had to replace a board. the tech who did the work broke the preamp tube guard and left some unidentifiable black goop on it. Kustom, to their credit, agreed to replace the entire chassis. worked just fine after that. sold it to try other amps. went through a series of really nice amps. heard a coupe the other day, sounded fantastic, different but certainly not any worse than my other amps. If the only reason for having an amp was to play out with nice sounds (as opposed to ruminating over gear possibilites), could have just stayed with the coupe.

the tube guards were a bit of a pita to deal with.

 

[Randy Van Sykes]

I have a 72 koupe that I have had for about one year. Killer amp-very versatile and actually sounds good at low volume. Also the only amp I have had that sounded best with all tone controls at 12 o'clock not boosting or cutting anything. There have been some issues reported with heat but I think they have been overblown-One report I saw on a HC review was the guy sent it back because the tubes were too hot to touch,DUH! I thoght mine was new when I bought it but was actually used but I didnt find that out until it tore up. But Kustom was good enough to have one of their service techs repair it at no cost to me even though the amp was used and a few years old to boot.That is a GREAT company! Found out while the tech had it the amp had been dropped at some point and hsd some broken parts but had still been running on two tubes the whole time I had had it.Sounded killer after I got all 4 working! And like the other guy said the speakers may not be to your liking and I would definitely make sure u had good tubes because that makes a big difference in these amps( I recommend JJs from EUROTUBES or NOS). Good Luck with it and be prepared to spend a few hours to really see what she can do.

I know what you mean with it sounding nice with all the eq set at noon. It had a nice smooth grind that way. I tried it also with the mid and treble at 2:00 and the bass backed off to 10:00 and it was getting some great grindy, cutting Marshall tones. It's very versatile and the eq really changes things up a lot, plus the bright switch for each channel.

Just wanted to check in here to make sure I wasn't going crazy. This amp sounded too good for it to be under $800. A real sleeper for sure. If I hadn't seen the low price I never would have even plugged in. It really surprised me.

Wish there was more You Tube clips of it to tide me over while I wait to take it home. Something comes in, something goes out...time to sell.

 

[Randy Van Sykes]

I had a 36 coupe. sounded great. one day, the volume dropped out. had it checked under warranty, they had to replace a board. the tech who did the work broke the preamp tube guard and left some unidentifiable black goop on it. Kustom, to their credit, agreed to replace the entire chassis. worked just fine after that. sold it to try other amps. went through a series of really nice amps. heard a coupe the other day, sounded fantastic, different but certainly not any worse than my other amps. If the only reason for having an amp was to play out with nice sounds (as opposed to ruminating over gear possibilites), could have just stayed with the coupe.

the tube guards were a bit of a pita to deal with.

Well that's cool they helped you in the end. Those tube guards are a real pain to take off and put back on are they?
I'm a fan of Mr Brown's work, I've always liked the Peavey Classic series and this 72 Coupe is much better sounding to my ears for what I'm looking for.

 

['63-Strat]

I know what you mean with it sounding nice with all the eq set at noon. It had a nice smooth grind that way. I tried it also with the mid and treble at 2:00 and the bass backed off to 10:00 and it was getting some great grindy, cutting Marshall tones. It's very versatile and the eq really changes things up a lot, plus the bright switch for each channel.

Just wanted to check in here to make sure I wasn't going crazy. This amp sounded too good for it to be under $800. A real sleeper for sure. If I hadn't seen the low price I never would have even plugged in. It really surprised me.

Wish there was more You Tube clips of it to tide me over while I wait to take it home. Something comes in, something goes out...time to sell.

I use the 1X12 '36 coupe at rehearsal for one of my bands (other guitarist's, he also has a '72 coupe head that he doesn't use). I dial it pretty much exactly like you do, actually. I think it sounds very good and they are very cheap for what they sound like, agreed.

 

[Randy Van Sykes]

I use the 1X12 '36 coupe at rehearsal for one of my bands (other guitarist's, he also has a '72 coupe head that he doesn't use). I dial it pretty much exactly like you do, actually. I think it sounds very good and they are very cheap for what they sound like, agreed.

OK, it's not just my imagination....it did sound that good.

Did the 36 that you played have the stock speaker with the aluminum dust cap? I thought that sounded rather good in the combo.
With the adjustable boost for soloing and the good sounding reverb, I think I could gig with this amp with just a guitar and a cable (which would be nice)

 

[grizdeluxe]

I gigged with a 36 Coupe 1x12 for over a year with zero issues. The clean channel reminded me of a good blackface Fender, and the gain channel was very versatile. I loved the FX loop and the XLR out. I always ran an EQ in the loop for an added midrange boost that worked well on both channels. That combined with the amps onboard adjustable boost made for a very versatile rig that could do ultra clean to heavily overdriven. I used the XLR straight in on two gigs with no mic and it was impressive sounding.

Swapping out the stock preamp tubes also improved the amps clarity quite a bit.

As far as speakers go I preferred my old English V-30 in it over the stocker but it wasnt a bad speaker at all.

 

[Davidg1974]

Another thought Randy-make sure u get an owners manual with that.U can download one from Kustom if they dont give u one. It really helps when u try to dial in your sound. And I have to say it is the only non- botique amp I have had that could Really get a fender clean and Marshall dirty.That EQ is interactive if u boost something it cuts something else out -Stuff like that os where the manual really helps. IF ANYONE READING THIS HAS A SCHEMATIC FOR ONE OF THESE I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE IT--THANKS

 

[Chicago Slim]

Congratulations. I think that you'll love the amp.

I've used a '36 Coupe as my main amp, for about six years. I've also owned the '72 Hardtop head, and Defender V15. All were great amps. I had played vintage Fender amps for over 20 years, before getting the Kustoms. I liked the sound better. It's easy to make small EQ changes off of 12 O'clock, to get the sounds that want. With the EQ flat, it sounds like a Fender, only with a lot more Mids. I go for a tweed sound, with more clean headroom. In the studio they would MIC the front of the amp, and also use the XLR Out, to thicken up solo's.

I have put my '36 Coupe through hell. Some years I would travel 100 to 400 miles, at > 70 mph, per week. My amp has been bounced around so much, that the power indicator bulb broke. It was easy to fix.

For week points, I would say be careful with the handle. I wasn't crazy about the speaker, so I replaced it with an Eminence Legend Lil' Texas. The neodymium speaker also helped reduce the weight. Which has help the handle last, over the years.

 

[Rama]

These are great amps period, regardless of price.

I played through one for a year and restlessness set in. I miss it and may just get another one.

There is a uniqueness to the sound....it definately has its own thing going on.

 

['63-Strat]

OK, it's not just my imagination....it did sound that good.

Did the 36 that you played have the stock speaker with the aluminum dust cap? I thought that sounded rather good in the combo.
With the adjustable boost for soloing and the good sounding reverb, I think I could gig with this amp with just a guitar and a cable (which would be nice)

Yeah I could gig it with just a cable if necessary, and yeah also the stock speaker. If it was mine I might try a different speaker just for kicks but it sounds good as is. I use it regularly at practice due to the convenience of just having to bring my guitar

 

[Randy Van Sykes]

Thanks for the informative responses all....I am now at ease with picking this amp up and look forward to cranking it up on some gigs soon and experimenting more with it.

 

[Randy Van Sykes]

Eagle has landed...very cool amp, it's going to see a lot of gigging this year.

 

[Randy Van Sykes]

Here's a quick clip I made using the line out with cab simulation, no microphone used. I just added reverb on the computer.
Like others have suggested I think I clould gig with this amp using the direct out without miking. Pretty cool.

http://www.soundclick.com/bands/page_music.cfm?bandID=475550

 

[Chicago Slim]

Sounds great! I'm glad that you like the amp.

 

[Randy Van Sykes]

Sounds great! I'm glad that you like the amp.

Like it? I love it!

Thanks.