Sundown SD1000H Artist Head

EARLY EIGHTIES HAND BUILT TUBE AMP. PURCHASED A YEAR AGO IN MINT CONDITION. VERY VERSATILE WITH CLEAN AND LEAD CHANNELS FT SWITCHABLE. 2 EFFECTS LOOPS. PLENTY OF POWER FOR CLUBS TO ARENAS. 2-6550 POWER TUBES-6 12 AX7 PREAMP TUBES.

THESE AMPS ARE ABSOLUTE GEMS. HAND BUILT IN THE 80'S BY AMP GURU DENNIS KAGER. 2 FULLY INDEPENDENT CHANNELS EACH WITH OWN EQ AND GAIN SETTINGS. FEATURES A BUILT IN ATTENUATOR {GOVENOR} FOR FAT TONE AT ALL VOLUMES. THE CLEAN CHANNEL IS WONDERFULL, EASILY THE MATCH OF A FENDER BUT WITH ITS OWN UNIQUE TONE QUALITY. TONS OF HEADROOM. THE LEAD CHANNEL IS FAT AND RICH WITH SUPER PUNCHY LOW MIDRANGE. VERY ARTICULATE. NOT A SUPER HIGH GAIN AMP, USE A TS9 THROUGH THE FRONT END FOR ALL THE GIAN YOU WOULD EVER WANT. UNBELIEVABLY QUIET. YOU CAN TRULY GO FROM JAZZ-BLUES-CLASSIC ROCK AND ABOVE WITH THIS AMP. VERY SWEET!!!

I HAVE OWNED THE AMP FOR OVER A YEAR AND HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH IT. THE BUILDER DENNIS KAGER STILL SERVICES THEM AND CAN BE LOCATED ON THE NET.

I HAVE NEVER HAD TO HAVE THE AMP WOKER ON. IT IS BUILT LIKE A TANK.

PLAYING FOR 20 YEARS PRO. IF IT WAS LOST OR STOLEN I WOULD LOCATE ANOTHER ONE. IF THIS AMP WAS BUILT TODAY I AM SURE THE COST WOULD BE IN THE $2,000-$3,000 RANGE, SUPERB BUILD QUALITY AND BOUTIQUE TONE. I HAVE OWNED VIRTUALLY EVERY DECENT AMP MADE AND THE SUNDOWN RIVALS ALL. TRULY GREAT AMP.

Built in 12/84 by Dennis Kager of Technology, Inc. This is by far the most versatile all tube amp I have ever played. The only amp that I am aware of that can rival it is Mesa's Road King II. I play rock & roll, from classic to hard. You can literally spend hours on this baby just dialing in different sounds using the amp and guitar controls.

Here's the specs: All-tube signal path. 2 channels, clean and dirty - dirty has a "boost" feature. Clean channel has 2 ch. EQ, dirty has 3 ch. EQ. Separate gain adjustment for each channel. Master volume. Dirty channel has midrange boost feature. Governor to limit output. RMS to control amps from 10-100 watts. Reverb. Presence. 3-position ground. 4 or 8 ohm speaker out. line level out. Convenience outlet in rear. 2 inputs, low and high. Single latching footswitchable. 2 6550 power tubes, 6 12AX7 pre-amp tubes. 2 series effects loops (not buffered); clean loop is between 1st & 2nd gain stage, dirty loop is between 2nd and 3rd gain stage.

A lot of hiss with everything dialed in at max, but other than that it's da bomb. From the cleanest clean to the dirtiest dirty, and everything in between. I play single coils and humbuckers through a 4x12 with Celestion V-30's. I will caution you, it takes some time to bond with this amp because it's so versatile, but the courtship is well worth it. My favorite thing about this head is that you can dial in the perfect mix of preamp gain and power tube gain for the perfect tone, AND at any volume level - try that with another amp! The trick is to adjust your gain (preamp) and master volume (power amp) first, then dial in your volume using the governor and RMS pots. The only reason why I didn't give it a 10 in sound quality is because of the Road King offering the ability to pick different tubes to further diversify the tone.

A friend of mine played (abused) this head live (hard rock & punk) for several years before he killed it. He gave it to me and I got it running again (he had blown the external fuse and replaced it with the wrong type and amperage, which blew the internal fuse). I retubed it and sent it to its maker for a once-over and to open it up. Cost me $220 for the service and shipping, plus the tubes - well worth it. I feel comfortable gigging with this head, but only a moron would play live without a backup. It seems to be built solidly and with good quality components, but I'm no engineer.

Dennis Kager is awesome. If you have a Sundown head you can reach him at Central Jersey Music Service in Edison, NJ. His # is 732-572-1911. Dennis is an engineer AND a player, so he knows his stuff. He's also a nice guy and really takes pride in his product, which was decades before its time. The only reason why Dennis doesn't get a 10 here is because he doesn't take credit cards.

I challenge you to find a better head for the money. For that matter, good luck just finding a better head. I would definitely replace it, but they're hard to find. I would like a buffered effects loop between the last preamp and power tubes, but Dennis will do that for $75. I guess the only thing I really wish for is a third channel; perhaps Dennis can put in another footswitch jack to control the dirty boost. I've played the Peavey Valve King, Peavey 6505+, Marshall Vintage-Modern, B-52 AT-100, plus various others at Guitar Center. Sundown is my personal fave - no contest. If you have one of these heads and want to unload it, drop me a line.

I bought this amp in 1996 or 1997 at a local guitar shop. It's a early to mid-eighties 100w amp (serial number 607023). It's incredibly versatile and doesn't sound like any other amp I've heard. On the front it has two channels: clean and distorted. There is a Governor pot (think Mesa Boogie) and an RMS pot for more control (aggression). Lots of gain pots and EQ for both channels. There is a large spring verb with the attenuator in the rear. Also in the rear: 4 or 8ohm speaker load option, full effects loop, footswitch, and an "in - out". I don't use the effects loop and I'm not sure what the "in - out" is for. It has MORE than enough power! This sucker is loud for such a tiny head (although it weighs a ton - seriously one of the heaviest heads I've held). This is the Sundown head with four 6L6 tubes and five 12AX7's. This is one of the heads that its maker, Dennis Kager, hot-rodded back to his original specs. It's absolutely stunning! I give the features a 9 due to I don't use a few of its features.

I've used everything from a 60's Les Paul to a 74 SG to a 70's Tele... I record bands for a living and the amp gets used in many different ways and environments. When we need texture, this is my "go-to" amp. It delivers almost every-time. I'd probably say I don't use the clean channel very often, I have a Fender Bassman for that, so the Sundown gets most of the "dirty" work. I guess I have overdriven the clean channel for some jangle dirt. The distortion is brutal and sometime out of control but that's what I want, normally. It can sound like someone smooching your eardrum. Reminds me if I put two Big Muff's in a row into a JCM800 and turned it all the way up. It can get that huge Melvins tone without a problem or extra pedals. Also can sound like a Queen Adreena buzz-saw guitar tone with speaker saturating tone - without having to saturate your speakers!

I have replaced the tubes but that's about it, not cuz they went bad, it's just something I do periodically. The amp has worked great with no problems. The only thing that concerns me is how incredibly hot it gets but I've had it on for hours at a time without any serious issues. One of the front knobs cracked, does that count? The knobs are of brittle plastic. I'd give it a 10 (regardless the knobs) but the heat dissipation could be a concern to some.

I've never dealt with the company (Dennis Kager) but I've heard great things. My amp was but back to Dennis' specs before I purchased the amp. So, I have no direct opinion.

It makes me want to own every Sundown amp made (one of each of the models). Everyone that has played one, wants one. They should be selling for at least $900 to $1200 (like the used first production run of the Naylors I've seen)... so, these amps are a diamond in the rough. It's played thru a JCM1960 4x12 cab w/celestion speakers. I bought it on a whim (I knew NOTHING about it at the time other than it sounded CRUSHING in the music store) and I'll never part with it.

Amp made in the early 80's, 2 channel, blah, blah, etc...Most everyone below already covered the general features of the amp. <Fast forward> Ok, I run mine through a 2x12 with Eminence Wizard and Legend speaks. Plenty of power, plenty of gain, plenty of EQ variation. If I could add anything at all I would like tube buffered effects loops. I've not found a good configuration that works in the red channel loops. Having said that, the only thing I sacrifice is time effects on stage on the distortion channel. Given my overall love for this amp, it's a tolerable sacrifice. There are tons of great amps out there that don't have effects loops, so I feel I'm in good company...I can add delay at the board. I use this amp Live and in the studio. I own a head and a combo and I use them both exclusively.

I use every kind of guitar: strat/tele/225/paul/jazzbox/flyingV and play all styles from Bebop to GrungeMetal to Country and Blues. I also use a compressor, booster and Wah pedal. Basically, this amp covers EVERYTHING. Plus, at higher gain settings, it is remarkably quiet, which makes for a great recording amp. As for types of sounds, I set on channel for smooth clean, the other for a chimey breakup. These are my 2 "butter" sounds. That's all I need and this little amp nails it for me. Tons of headroom. I can't count the number of times other players remark on the "awesome" tone and are dumbfounded that it's coming from that little amp with the orange glowing sun-light. "What IS that thing???"

It's a brick. This amp seems to run really hot, though. In spite of the heat, I've had remarkably little trouble with it. Mostly tube issues, and occasionally a blown fuse (I carry plenty of spares) but never component failure. Bruce Egnater (Egnater Amplification) is local here, so he takes care of my Sundowns for me. I might add a cooling fan on my next visit.

Dennis has been great. I've spoken with him several times and consider myself a pseudo-authority on the Sundown saga...
****SPECIAL NOTE: If you have one of these, you owe it to yourself to talk to Dennis at Central Jersey Music. Reason: His distribution deal with Ibanez in the 80's required him to "tame" the amp for "broader marketing appeal". I found out that I had one of those "tamed" amps. Dennis had me send it back to him so that he could "unleash" it. WOW. Truly reborn right from the creator!!! Significant improvement!!! And at a VERY reasonable cost.

Hands down, IMHO, Sundowns are the ultimate Pawnshop amp-prize. Prices stay pretty low because of their lack of "name" status and short production run, but the value is amazing. I've been playing for 30 yrs., 20 of them on a Sundown. I originally bought it because of the amount of air it moved when I hit a chord. I could feel it. I currently own 2 and am looking for another. (See my original H-C review of the 1012 combo from 1997). Nothing has changed since that review. If anyone has a head for sale, definitely give me a shout! These are my amps, this is my sound - period. I ran with a rack system for many years live (for convenience), but kept the Sundowns for studio and practice. I recently sold my entire rack arsenal and have gone back to the Sundowns full time. The only reason I give it a 9 and not a 10 is the effects loops. If you'd like to hear Sundown's in action, there are clips and links to more clips at. I recorded 2 full CD's on this amp. Feel free to check it out. (An invitation with NO obligation...)

Probably the most overlooked Hi-Gain amp on the market, it is loaded with features . It is a 2 channel amp with independent eq and a shared reverb. The clean channel is among the best I have heard and the gain is very even across it's sweep. The gain channel on this amp is AMAZING..tonally and range-wise, it has made all my other modern Hi-Gain amps expendable. The Governor feature is actually a built in power attenueteur that works very well at keeping your tone at lower volume. Very useful for small venues . The RMS feature works in conjunction with the Governor to keep the tone from thinning out when soaked down. Gain channel also features a gain boost and a pull mid-boost which afford even more tonal range.

Tonally...I can not say how much I like this amp. It has such a range of useable tones.. from crystal clean, to crunch on the clean channel, to super-overdriven tone that is not overly midrange-y nor too flsbby and loose. The 6550 powered output section never seems to lose the tight bottom. Coupled with it's matching 12" EV cab, it blows away my 2X12 JCM 900...not even close. It loves to have the front end pushed with a P-() or humbucker...but does not muddy up. When using single coils, it doesn't smother the bell tones like other amps can.

This is my seconds of these, and aside from basic periodic maintenance..i.e. cleaning ? re-tensioning tube sockets, etc.. I have not had any performance issues.

Exemplary support. Desiger Dennis Kager is always available for consultation, and readily will take a Sundown in for check-up, etc.

I have owned over 100 amps at one time or another...currently 30+...and this one would be in my top 5 and definitely would go in the bomb shelter with me. Although I prefer vintage amps over more modern amps , this amp has something most other "Boutique, Hi- Gain amps...i.e. Boogie, " usually do not have...a USABLE CLEAN TONE !! Also the overdrive is very usable across the sweep of it's contols. The only down side I can attest to is that it is difficult to set balance the two channels at higher volumes...hardly a liability in my book. I bought this head with the matching 1 X 12 EV cab for 450.00 in very near mint condition and will not ever part with it. Note : For Sale..one JCM 900 2 X 12 combo

The amp was built in the Mid 1980s. It has 2 channels, 5 12AX7s in the preamp section, and 2 6550 power tubes making 100Watts. It does have channel switching, and separate effect loops for each channel, but I've never used these. Among the unique features of this amp are an RMS control, which lowers the output power (I'm told) from 100 to 60W), and a governor, which seems to be a second master volume control. The governor can be applied either channel, but not both at once. I use this amp at home and playing out. It's definitely a LOUD amp! This is actually the second one I've owned. The first was a 100W combo with an EVM12L. This one was originally a head, but I built a solid maple combo cabinet for it which I equipped with a JBL E-130 15" speaker. The sound is absolutely awesome. I also use it with a 2X12 extension cabinet with 2 Celestion G12Hs.

I use both Humbucker equipped and single coil guitars, and this amp sound great with both. The sounds run from sparkling clean for jazz or even surf sounds, to heavy overdrive. In fact, the 'red' channel has a bit more gain than I generally prefer, and I'm planning on bringing it to Denis Kager, who designed the amp, and having him lower the gain on the lead channel a bit. The clean channel is one of the nicest I've heard. Running it at about '7' gives a nice Marshall-50 kind of sound (I had the head modified to use EL34s in place of the original 6550s.)

Well, it's a good 20 years old and still working, so I guess that has to say something about its quality.

Although the company is long defunct, the designer, Dennis Kager, still works on amps out of Edison, New Jersey, and has been very helpful when I have had to contact him. Hence, I would have to say that this constitutes excellent customer support (better than many companies that are still in business!)

I've seen these on Ebay going for ridiculously low prices. In my opinion, they're every bit as good as a Mesa Boogie (and I've owned Mesas) at a fraction of the price. They're an absolute bargain when you can find them. I'd like to pick up another for a spare.

These amps were built in the mid-eighties by Dennis Kager. I wanted an all-tube amp with channel switching and reverb for a decent price. I cover mostly modern rock and some classic rock with a few originals thrown in. This is my main gigging amp and I use it with a Sundown 1X12 cabinet loaded wiht an EVM12L speaker.
I use a Rocktron Replifex on the front end. I agree with other reviews in here that one weak point on the Sundown's is the effects loop. I tried to make it work for me, but I'm better off avoiding the loops.

I have a couple electrics, a Jaros and a Hamer. Both have humbuckers and are in a Les Paul double cutaway style. I do get some hoise on the red channel that can pretty much be attributed to the Replifex and it is at a level that is acceptable. I had tried a TC Electronic G-Major and the noise it generated in the red channel was significanly more and could be unacceptable in a live situation. I use "Humfrees" on my rakc gear to eliminate the problem I had with some ground loops.
The clean sound out of this amp is very chimey, not quite a Vox, but close. The distortion channel works well and I have found the tweaking the EQ judiciously makes a bid difference. The 6550A ouitput tubes and large transformers means this amp can put out some solid bass, you have to be careful to not overdo it.

I think not having a backup is a very stupid thing to do if you plan on makign money with your music. Even if you have a Pod or Pod Pro in the back wings, t least you are covered. I have two of these amps, so I am lucky in that regard.
I've been inside both of my Sundown heads. Very will laid out and packed with components. Having the output tubes mounted on sockets in the chassis and using cloth vintage style wire is a sign of build quality. I think Dennis made a point to use quality components throughout this amp. Everything from the potentiometers and switches seem to be top notch.
If I had issues I could probably trust this to a quality tube amp shop. One of my heads was serviced by Dennis Kager around 1994 in Edison, NJ and FWIW it is slightly better sounding than my "backup".
I have already used it on quite a few gigs and all is well.

I can't rate this since Sundown is long gone. Dennis Kager is still around as far as I know with his last affiliation being Reverend.
I did change the #47 bayonet style pilot lamp on one of these myself.

After playing the modeling game for the past year (VOX AD120VT), I got the itch to go back to an all tube amp, preferable something with two channels. Based somewhat on Harmony-Central reviews and what was available on ebay I took the dive into a lesser known out of production amplifier. I was so impressed with the first one I obtained that I snagged another one more a month later.
All in all a nice amp head for the price. I honestly think it is a lot better built than a lot of the junk I have seen elsewhere.