- KUSTOM
- chevron_right KUSTOM IDENTIFICATION AND OVERVIEW
Correctly identifying a Kustom amp can be very difficult. They used several different numbering systems for the same amp. Chassis numbers, model numbers, and catalog numbers have all been used to identify Kustom amps. In the Blue Book of Guitar Amplifiers, we use the model number because it seems to be the most straight-forward, and most people seem to be familiar with this system. Often times, the chassis number will be used, but we do not use catalog numbers anywhere in this publication.
All models start with the letter K, which represents Kustom. The following two or three numbers indicate the power of the amp (i.e. 25, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 400, etc.). For models produced between 1966 and 1972, the number is approximately twice the amount of RMS power (and possibly numbered after peak power). For instance, the 100 has 50W RMS and 100W peak and the 200 has 100W RMS and 200W peak. Remember these are approximations and there may be some variations in the system. This number is followed by a dash and another number. This last number indicates the configuration of the amp. The following chart displays what each number represents.
1 - No effects (reverb, tremolo).
2 - Reverb and tremolo.
3 - Harmonic clip and boost.
4 - Reverb, tremolo, harmonic clip, and boost.
5 - PA application with reverb
6 - Combo with Selectone.
7 - Combo with reverb, tremolo, and boost.
8 - Combo with reverb, tremolo, and boost.
This model number system applies to head-units only. Speaker cabinets are named with chassis numbers. This system is based on the number and size of the speaker, the brand of the speaker, and the configuration in relation to the head-unit. The first three numbers are separated by a dash and indicate how many and what size speakers the cabinet consists of. Kustom used several different speakers in their cabinets including Altec Lansing, CTS, JBL, Jensen, and Kustom. These are all indicated by the first letter of the speaker name. The last number corresponds to head-unit the cabinet was sold with. This number will range from 1-4, but there is not any difference between speaker cabinets. For example, 1-15L-1 is a 1-15 in. JBL cabinet meant to be teamed up with a standard amp with no effects. A 3-15A-2 is a 3-15 in. Altec Lansing cabinet meant to be teamed up with an amp with reverb and tremolo.
Identifying series of Kustom amplifiers is a bit easier because they usually changed their entire lines all at once. Amplifiers can be grouped into general years if you don't know the exact specifications.
1966-1967: The Frankenstein Model. The early Kustom amps are easy to recognize because the heads have a large top covering in relation to the rest of the material. It makes the amp look like it has a forehead similar to Frankenstein. Models during this era do not have a number on the front. They simply read "Kustom" and the only model produced during this time was the K200.
1967-1971: This era of amplifiers are what most people are familiar with. They have a front face of equal size (no more forehead) and have the number of the amp underneath the Kustom logo. The 100 and 400 Series were introduced, and the 200 Series continued in production. These amps are generally the most desirable and collectible of Kustom amps.
1971-1974: The covering did not change, but the control panel did. It received a slanted design and the panel was divided up into different sections by white lines.The number followed the Kustom logo, instead of going under it. The models changed numbers as well. The 100, 200, and 400 were all discontinued and the 150, 250, 300, 500, and 600 were introduced. The speaker cabinets remained the same for the most part.
1974-late 1970s: The end of the Tuck and Roll models. After ownership changed in 1975, they dropped tuck and roll and opted for the more popular (and bland) black vinyl. The control panel was also changed to look more traditional. Models from this era are a bit similar to the Fender Silverface. All previous models were discontinued at this time and replaced by the Kustom I, II, III, and IV lead, and Bass I, II, III, and IV bass amps.
Late 1978-mid 1980s: The amp line completely changed again in the late 1970s and black tolex was introduced - very similar to Fender. The logo was also changed to a large K. Kustom kept the same model nomenclature from the previous series, but they did change them a bit.
1994-present: New amps were introduced in 1994. In 1999, they tried a new line of Tuck and Roll amplifiers in a tube version, but they only lasted for a year. Currently, they have a entire line of amplifiers, including tube and solid-state models and another Tuck & Roll Series.
Naugahyde is the material used on Kustom's Tuck-n-Roll models from 1966 to 1975 and it came in many different colors. Black was the standard covering and brings the least in value. Black Tuck-n-Roll covering to Kustom amplifiers is like Sunburst finish is to Stratocasters. Optional coverings include Cascade (a blueish-green color), Silver, Gold, Red, Dark Blue, and Charcoal (a dark gray). Optional colors command a premium in the used market. Gold might be the rarest color seen.
All models start with the letter K, which represents Kustom. The following two or three numbers indicate the power of the amp (i.e. 25, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 400, etc.). For models produced between 1966 and 1972, the number is approximately twice the amount of RMS power (and possibly numbered after peak power). For instance, the 100 has 50W RMS and 100W peak and the 200 has 100W RMS and 200W peak. Remember these are approximations and there may be some variations in the system. This number is followed by a dash and another number. This last number indicates the configuration of the amp. The following chart displays what each number represents.
1 - No effects (reverb, tremolo).
2 - Reverb and tremolo.
3 - Harmonic clip and boost.
4 - Reverb, tremolo, harmonic clip, and boost.
5 - PA application with reverb
6 - Combo with Selectone.
7 - Combo with reverb, tremolo, and boost.
8 - Combo with reverb, tremolo, and boost.
This model number system applies to head-units only. Speaker cabinets are named with chassis numbers. This system is based on the number and size of the speaker, the brand of the speaker, and the configuration in relation to the head-unit. The first three numbers are separated by a dash and indicate how many and what size speakers the cabinet consists of. Kustom used several different speakers in their cabinets including Altec Lansing, CTS, JBL, Jensen, and Kustom. These are all indicated by the first letter of the speaker name. The last number corresponds to head-unit the cabinet was sold with. This number will range from 1-4, but there is not any difference between speaker cabinets. For example, 1-15L-1 is a 1-15 in. JBL cabinet meant to be teamed up with a standard amp with no effects. A 3-15A-2 is a 3-15 in. Altec Lansing cabinet meant to be teamed up with an amp with reverb and tremolo.
Identifying series of Kustom amplifiers is a bit easier because they usually changed their entire lines all at once. Amplifiers can be grouped into general years if you don't know the exact specifications.
1966-1967: The Frankenstein Model. The early Kustom amps are easy to recognize because the heads have a large top covering in relation to the rest of the material. It makes the amp look like it has a forehead similar to Frankenstein. Models during this era do not have a number on the front. They simply read "Kustom" and the only model produced during this time was the K200.
1967-1971: This era of amplifiers are what most people are familiar with. They have a front face of equal size (no more forehead) and have the number of the amp underneath the Kustom logo. The 100 and 400 Series were introduced, and the 200 Series continued in production. These amps are generally the most desirable and collectible of Kustom amps.
1971-1974: The covering did not change, but the control panel did. It received a slanted design and the panel was divided up into different sections by white lines.The number followed the Kustom logo, instead of going under it. The models changed numbers as well. The 100, 200, and 400 were all discontinued and the 150, 250, 300, 500, and 600 were introduced. The speaker cabinets remained the same for the most part.
1974-late 1970s: The end of the Tuck and Roll models. After ownership changed in 1975, they dropped tuck and roll and opted for the more popular (and bland) black vinyl. The control panel was also changed to look more traditional. Models from this era are a bit similar to the Fender Silverface. All previous models were discontinued at this time and replaced by the Kustom I, II, III, and IV lead, and Bass I, II, III, and IV bass amps.
Late 1978-mid 1980s: The amp line completely changed again in the late 1970s and black tolex was introduced - very similar to Fender. The logo was also changed to a large K. Kustom kept the same model nomenclature from the previous series, but they did change them a bit.
1994-present: New amps were introduced in 1994. In 1999, they tried a new line of Tuck and Roll amplifiers in a tube version, but they only lasted for a year. Currently, they have a entire line of amplifiers, including tube and solid-state models and another Tuck & Roll Series.
Naugahyde is the material used on Kustom's Tuck-n-Roll models from 1966 to 1975 and it came in many different colors. Black was the standard covering and brings the least in value. Black Tuck-n-Roll covering to Kustom amplifiers is like Sunburst finish is to Stratocasters. Optional coverings include Cascade (a blueish-green color), Silver, Gold, Red, Dark Blue, and Charcoal (a dark gray). Optional colors command a premium in the used market. Gold might be the rarest color seen.