The Fender Super Bassman 300 thread - Page 7

tombowlus · #**121** 01-18-2013, 08:43 AM

As I reflect back on the Super Bassman after wrapping up my review, I keep asking myself, "Would I be content to use this rig, and this rig only, for the rest of my gigging days?" And I keep telling myself, "Absolutely! .... but you might need roadies at some point..."

This is a truly impressive head. I mean, my expectations were justifiably high, coming from Fender and knowing that they would do it right. But even with the bar set pretty high, the Super Bassman and the Bassman 610 Neo both exceeded my expectations.

husky123 · #**122** 01-18-2013, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tombowlus

As I reflect back on the Super Bassman after wrapping up my review, I keep asking myself, "Would I be content to use this rig, and this rig only, for the rest of my gigging days?" And I keep telling myself, "Absolutely! .... but you might need roadies at some point..."

This is a truly impressive head. I mean, my expectations were justifiably high, coming from Fender and knowing that they would do it right. But even with the bar set pretty high, the Super Bassman and the Bassman 610 Neo both exceeded my expectations.

Great to hear Tom especially from a man that has played A LOT of gear. I'm no slouch in the gear acquisition department either and man, I tell ya, this head just flat slays....so impressed with it.

BTW - I cannot wait to read the review in the upcoming Bass Gear mag issue!

bkbass2000 · #**123** 01-19-2013, 07:51 PM

Oh man, you guys are killing me!!! If everything goes well for me, I'll be able to get one in a few months. Until then, I am loving reading about everyone's experiences and trying to contain myself. Patience........

Tim1 · #**124** 01-25-2013, 05:02 PM

I see that that Fender has a sample run of these in white tolex at NAMM. Looks cool but black is easier to keep clean I reckon.

Tim1 · #**125** 01-26-2013, 11:18 PM

Great review of the Super Bassman and neo 610 cab in the latest edition of Bass Gear Mag just out. And a great mag anyway - I have subscribed to it finally after doing the free online viewing for the past nine issues. Tom Bowlus is doing a superb job.

rodl2005 · #**126** 01-27-2013, 12:13 AM

Definitely Tim. It's the ONLY mag I actually believe a review in

If I didn't have a YBA300 & be real happy with it, I'd be saving for a SB300!

&, in white!

Tim1 · #**127** 01-27-2013, 12:34 AM

Hi Rod, not sure about the white but I am feeling quite proud after reading Tom's review - especially the comparison with the Berg NV610 which pretty much goes along with my earlier (and more amateurish

) posted observations.
Yep, Bass Gear Mag pretty much has it all sewn up for me, can't see much point in reading any other - especially when you compare the quality, thoroughness and depth of their review of the Super Bassman with the earlier review in another well known magazine.

tombowlus · #**128** 01-28-2013, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim1

Hi Rod, not sure about the white but I am feeling quite proud after reading Tom's review - especially the comparison with the Berg NV610 which pretty much goes along with my earlier (and more amateurish

) posted observations.
Yep, Bass Gear Mag pretty much has it all sewn up for me, can't see much point in reading any other - especially when you compare the quality, thoroughness and depth of their review of the Super Bassman with the earlier review in another well known magazine.

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed the review! Here is a direct link to the Super Bassman and Bassman 610 Neo review.

StrangerDanger · #**129** 01-28-2013, 05:09 PM

Blonde/Oxblood looks HAWT!
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SupBassMHDBO/

GregC · #**130** 01-28-2013, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StrangerDanger

Blonde/Oxblood looks HAWT!
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/SupBassMHDBO/

Hell yeah it does! I know it'll get dirty, but I want it anyway.

**WoodyJ** · #**131** 01-28-2013, 06:36 PM

Don't be afraid of the blonde Tolex...I've had this one nearly 15 years and it still looks new. A bottle of Simple Green and a padded Tuki cover is all you need.

tombowlus · #**132** 01-28-2013, 09:48 PM

Yes, the blond option did look pretty nice. The Fender folks say that they are gauging reaction to decide if they keep this in the lineup.

rodl2005 · #**133** 01-28-2013, 10:58 PM

How different is this Super Bassman 300 compared to tho older Bassman 300PRO?

Anyone compared the 2two ??

Tim1 · #**134** 01-28-2013, 11:07 PM

I have not compared the two, Rod, and am not particularly familiar with the 300Pro. However, I allowed another bassist to use my Super Bassman 300 at a gig and he said it was clearly superior to his 300Pro, and felt quite different. I didn't have a long chat to get into the finer points, but he was very impressed with the preamp and its tonal variety. The Bass Gear Mag review was very positive about its build and output. The odd time I have had to go through a 300Pro it as never seemed as intuitive to me as the Super. The Super is pretty much plug and play but with a huge variety of sounds when you get the time to experiment.

rodl2005 · #**135** 01-29-2013, 02:59 AM

Thanx Tim1:thumbup:
Anyone else?
I thought the 300 pro a great amp, but, compared to a SVT or even my YBA300 quite tight & not real tubey sounding

tombowlus · #**136** 01-29-2013, 07:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodl2005

Thanx Tim1:thumbup:
Anyone else?
I thought the 300 pro a great amp, but, compared to a SVT or even my YBA300 quite tight & not real tubey sounding

I've never gigged with a 300 Pro, but these are entirely different designs, and IME/IMHO, they are not very similar, at all.

eyeballkid · #**137** 01-29-2013, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodl2005

How different is this Super Bassman 300 compared to tho older Bassman 300PRO?

Anyone compared the 2two ??

I have a 300pro, and had a 100t, which is very similar to the super 300 but with lower wattage. I found the pro to be more my style. I like The vintage channel on the new line, but feel limited by the eq in the all important mid range. I could get similar tones out of both, but preferred the pro and sold the 100t.. I really wanted to like the new linen better because my pro is sooooo heavy, but alas.

DerekP · #**138** 01-29-2013, 02:58 PM

Can somebody please clear this up for me? I recently read the review of the super bassman/6x10 neo by bass gear magazine (great job btw)

Tom states "Note: the manual cautions that a speaker must ALWAYS be connected to the main speaker jack when the amplifier is on."

But as you see below I have copied and pasted directly from the PDF of the owners manual and if you read the last couple lines of section 'Q' and then section 'R' you'll see why I'm confused

Q. SPEAKER OUTPUT SWITCH — Select the MUTE position if you want to disable the MAIN and EXTENSION speaker outputs {R} but not the XLR OUT {AA} output. This allows for "silent" recording by keeping the preamp active, while protecting the power amp if the speaker is disconnected, and to reduce wear on the power amp tubes.

R. MAIN SPEAKER / EXTENSION SPEAKER —
A speaker must ALWAYS be connected to the MAIN SPEAKER jack when the amplifier is ON or damage may occur to the unit. Switch the amplifier to STANDBY {N} or switch SPEAKER OUTPUT {Q} to MUTE while changing speaker connections.

tombowlus · #**139** 01-29-2013, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DerekP

Can somebody please clear this up for me? I recently read the review of the super bassman/6x10 neo by bass gear magazine (great job btw)

Tom states "Note: the manual cautions that a speaker must ALWAYS be connected to the main speaker jack when the amplifier is on."

But as you see below I have copied and pasted directly from the PDF of the owners manual and if you read the last couple lines of section 'Q' and then section 'R' you'll see why I'm confused

Q. SPEAKER OUTPUT SWITCH — Select the MUTE position if you want to disable the MAIN and EXTENSION speaker outputs {R} but not the XLR OUT {AA} output. This allows for "silent" recording by keeping the preamp active, while protecting the power amp if the speaker is disconnected, and to reduce wear on the power amp tubes.

R. MAIN SPEAKER / EXTENSION SPEAKER —
A speaker must ALWAYS be connected to the MAIN SPEAKER jack when the amplifier is ON or damage may occur to the unit. Switch the amplifier to STANDBY {N} or switch SPEAKER OUTPUT {Q} to MUTE while changing speaker connections.

I agree that it is confusing. Part of this may be explained by the fact that on the 100T, it is safe to run without being connected to a speaker (and with the Speaker Output Switch muted), as it has a dummy load. The Super Bassman does not have a dummy load option (too powerful). When in doubt, if one part of the manual warns you to keep a speaker connected, then that's what I would do.

DerekP · #**140** 01-29-2013, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tombowlus

I agree that it is confusing. Part of this may be explained by the fact that on the 100T, it is safe to run without being connected to a speaker (and with the Speaker Output Switch muted), as it has a dummy load. The Super Bassman does not have a dummy load option (too powerful). When in doubt, if one part of the manual warns you to keep a speaker connected, then that's what I would do.

Fair enough. Thanks Tom! I'm going to call fender and see what they have to say.