Fender Super Twin Bass Head

[nomeX]

NAD!

Got mine!

Fender Super Twin Reverb

• nomeX
• Apr 24, 2017
• amp

Newly acquired Super Twin Reverb before head removal.

Brought it home, pretty low output and distortion for a 180 watt amp, so I figure something is up with it. All tubes are "Fender" marked, so maybe the tubes need replacing. I don't have another 4ohm cab to test it with. I ran the output through another the input of another amp (the Maverick Bass behind it) I did get sound. I figure it's off to the amp tech for a run through.

 

[jumbodbassman]

will work fine with a 8 ohm cab too.

 

[nomeX]

will work fine with a 8 ohm cab too.

Thank you, I've been reading up all on Ohm and Amp compatibility the past couple of days. Unfortunately, I don't have an 8 cab, or a combo with long enough speaker cables! I'm guessing this old gal needs a recap, since I can turn both volumes to 10, dime all the eq's and still be in the same room. If the speakers are okay (blue Fender Special Designs - 285 code makes it a Rola from '78, first week?) I was thinking of reusing the cab with a similar sized head.

Super Twin Reverb Speakers

• nomeX
• Apr 25, 2017
• speaker

Super Twin Reverb Speakers

2x12"

 

[pfschim]

Thank you, I've been reading up all on Ohm and Amp compatibility the past couple of days. Unfortunately, I don't have an 8 cab, or a combo with long enough speaker cables! I'm guessing this old gal needs a recap, since I can turn both volumes to 10, dime all the eq's and still be in the same room. If the speakers are okay (blue Fender Special Designs - 285 code makes it a Rola from '78, first week?) I was thinking of reusing the cab with a similar sized head.

Super Twin Reverb Speakers

• nomeX
• Apr 25, 2017
• speaker

Super Twin Reverb Speakers

2x12"

it's entirely possible the amp needs a tech/check and a recap job. That cab is open back, right ? that is going to be part of the volume issue too.
you need to get it running through a proper bass cab to hear whats going on.

great score, once she is buffed/scrubbed and up to spec, you won't be disappointed.

 

[nomeX]

it's entirely possible the amp needs a tech/check and a recap job. That cab is open back, right ? that is going to be part of the volume issue too.
you need to get it running through a proper bass cab to hear whats going on.

great score, once she is buffed/scrubbed and up to spec, you won't be disappointed.

It's a low volume, fizzy, distorted sound, almost like a ring modulator. I was playing the skinny sixer through it and thought, "cool, some early breakup!" Then I looked and saw the volumes were dimed. Is it bad that I am looking at another already?

 

[marsbel]

... Is it bad that I am looking at another already?

First, have it checked by a tech and then decide. The way I see it, you need to change tubes and recap. Any other issue (except a broken transformer, which I don't think it is) can be easily solved on these amps.
If you'd buy another amp, it probably needs a retube and recap as well.

Mark

 

[nomeX]

.... Any other issue (except a broken transformer, which I don't think it is) can be easily solved on these amps.
If you'd buy another amp, it probably needs a retube and recap as well.

Mark

Transformer would be unfortunate especially these. In looking for another, I mean acquiring a second for the collection. I'm covered in the low watt tube amp department, so finding these at the cost of a Blues Jr. Is pretty cool, given the wattage and volume (potential on a healthy specimen). The retube and recap is gonna hurt, though.

My plan it to re-cab the heads and acquire some speaker cabs. I've only been using a GK MB115 since I started playing at the end of 2011. I just went off the tube amp deep end a couple months ago.

Twin twins atop their respective cabs...

 

[Jeff Roller]

Bought mine last year, finally getting around to posting a picture, a 75 Super Twin with Bergantino NV412. Crazy tube goodness, I have only the Ampeg SVT-AV and Fender Bassman 300T PRO to compare it with, I sure love it's weight compared to the other two!

 

[takeout]

Anyone have any spare chassis clips laying around? I had one snap rather than bend.

 

[bassdrop]

Picked up one of these bad boys back in December and got it installed into a Mojotone head cab. Finally getting it back from a full cap job next week just in time for the season's first dock bar gig! What do you guys prefer for a padded soft shell case for the Super Twin for around $100? Looking at LeCover and Tuki so far, I like the Studio Slips stuff too but they get pricey fast.

 

[Jeff Roller]

I discovered by happy accident I can use the same anvil case that fits my bassman 300 PRO.

Yeah, it's smaller, but with the lid clamped down it doesn't move.

 

[pfschim]

Picked up one of these bad boys back in December and got it installed into a Mojotone head cab. Finally getting it back from a full cap job next week just in time for the season's first dock bar gig! What do you guys prefer for a padded soft shell case for the Super Twin for around $100? Looking at LeCover and Tuki so far, I like the Studio Slips stuff too but they get pricey fast.

I have the same Mojotone head case version of the Studio Bass (same as the Super Twin, but with no Distortion control and more bass centric EQ points).
I don't put mine in a case at all. It's built like a tank already. I never put any of my Fender Bassman heads (70 and 135) in cases either FWIW, and never had a problem with them on gigs or on the road.

Don't these amps sound great thru those sealed Berg cabs. Mine most often powers an NV610.
Such a great combination.

 

[bassdrop]

I have the same Mojotone head case version of the Studio Bass (same as the Super Twin, but with no Distortion control and more bass centric EQ points).
I don't put mine in a case at all. It's built like a tank already. I never put any of my Fender Bassman heads (70 and 135) in cases either FWIW, and never had a problem with them on gigs or on the road.

Don't these amps sound great thru those sealed Berg cabs. Mine most often powers an NV610.
Such a great combination.
View attachment 3035188

I've only played a Bergantino 4x10 about 15 years ago with an Eden head, that sounded glorious, so I'm sure the NV series also sounds boss. I'm using mine with a Barefaced Compact (Gen 2) which is the loudest 1x15 on God's green earth. I've only played the SuperTwin on one gig so far and it had a tube socket arc right at the end of the first set, so I'll be able to provide a full gig report after next week when I get it back. In the meantime, I can say that it has slightly more punch in the lows than my Orange AD200 and a bit more clarity on top. Very different through the midrange and the gain structure is also very different. The drive sounds in the Orange are smoother but I may prefer the SuperTwin overall---time will tell.

 

[jumbodbassman]

I discovered by happy accident I can use the same anvil case that fits my bassman 300 PRO.

Yeah, it's smaller, but with the lid clamped down it doesn't move.

interesting......i have both heads also.............

as well as the orange........

 

[pfschim]

I've only played a Bergantino 4x10 about 15 years ago with an Eden head, that sounded glorious, so I'm sure the NV series also sounds boss. I'm using mine with a Barefaced Compact (Gen 2) which is the loudest 1x15 on God's green earth. I've only played the SuperTwin on one gig so far and it had a tube socket arc right at the end of the first set, so I'll be able to provide a full gig report after next week when I get it back. In the meantime, I can say that it has slightly more punch in the lows than my Orange AD200 and a bit more clarity on top. Very different through the midrange and the gain structure is also very different. The drive sounds in the Orange are smoother but I may prefer the SuperTwin overall---time will tell.

please report back after the next gig with your SuperTwin.
Aside from being a very stout all tube amp, and having a pretty standard Fender tone stack (with the addition of the presence control in the main tone shaping section - at least on the Studio Bass) .. the real tone magic in these amps is in the rotary EQ controls. I have found them to be very effective in managing the tonal character of the amp. The fact that this additional EQ section is footswitchable, allows 2 voices to be set for the amp ... something I find to be very useful.

enjoy!

just for fun, here is another pic of my Studio Bass on top of an LDS 2x15 (loaded with Faital 15PR400's) that I had made to match the silverface look of the head (added a spare Fender badge to keep the look consistent)

 

[bassdrop]

3 gigs so far on the SuperTwin. Sounding good but I think I can get a bit more volume out of it if I bias it hotter. I checked with the tech and he went for a 37ma on the bias, which I think is probably more than a bit cool, seeing typical ultralinear 70's Fender Twins are closer to 42ma or so. Curious where you guys that have biased your SuperTwins and Superbass's set your bias. Also, here's a pic from one of the gigs:

 

[pfschim]

3 gigs so far on the SuperTwin. Sounding good but I think I can get a bit more volume out of it if I bias it hotter. I checked with the tech and he went for a 37ma on the bias, which I think is probably more than a bit cool, seeing typical ultralinear 70's Fender Twins are closer to 42ma or so. Curious where you guys that have biased your SuperTwins and Superbass's set your bias. Also, here's a pic from one of the gigs:

I believe my tech biased my Studio Bass around 40ma .. which I think is midline, not too cool, not too hot.
you can also switch your power tubes to Tung Sol 7581A's and get a bit more out of it too .. although the tranny stays the same. I did that to mine and I definitely seemed to be getting more out of it.

great amp, enjoy!

 

[jumbodbassman]

very good to know.....

 

[bassdrop]

I believe my tech biased my Studio Bass around 40ma .. which I think is midline, not too cool, not too hot.
you can also switch your power tubes to Tung Sol 7581A's and get a bit more out of it too .. although the tranny stays the same. I did that to mine and I definitely seemed to be getting more out of it.

great amp, enjoy!

I had my eye on those 7581A's; they seem to be well reviewed by the V4 crowd as well. The tubes that are in there are Phillips/Mesa STR451s, but they only seem to be putting out about 150 watts clean so it may be time.

 

[pfschim]

yeah, its not magic or anything because the Output Tranny efficiency is going to be the real limit. But the 7581A's provide 35w plate dissipation vs the 30 or so of the 6L6GC's.

My experience is that switching to the 7581A's definitely gave the amp more overall clean volume (not that it was lacking in the first place). These tubes also seemed to make the low/low-mids more robust and defined ... no science to back this up, just my ears.

And as far as stability in the Super Twin/Studio Bass, I've had TungSol 7851A's in mine for 3 years and often run it at 4ohms (tap says 8ohm) and I have not had any problems at all.