Super 300 Owners Society

[kevmac]

I'm so tempted by either the Super 300 or the Broughton SV Pre. I just want some of that Ampeg goodness as an option in my sound again but don't need another amp necessarily (too many already). So to the pre amp route I go (can never have enough of those )! My question for people here is: is the Super 300 as close to that Ampeg sound in a box that you can get? I've watched videos of Ampeg's Classic pre amp pedal and thought it sounded good but a little sterile in comparison to the Super 300 which sounded really fat and warm. The SV Pre runs very close in terms of sound too but I'm obviously here for Super 300 opinions

The Super Vintage sounds as close to the SVT sound as any preamp I've heard.I also own an ME Super 300 and it is very good also and a bit cheaper.

 

[BklynKen]

.="RickenTalker, post: 26769460, member: 179005"]Anyone running their Super 300 straight into the power section of their amp or into a power amp?
Thoughts?

I've run it both into the FX loop of a bass amp and into a Crown power amp.Sounds good any way I do it.[/QUOTE]
Same here with my 800, with excellent results. What I'm still trying to figure out is how to get a good sound with it through the input of a crap house amp with no FX loop.

 

[kevmac]

="BklynKen, post: 26871185, member: 189361"]I've run it both into the FX loop of a bass amp and into a Crown power amp.Sounds good any way I do it.[/QUOTE]
Same here with my 800, with excellent results. What I'm still trying to figure out is how to get a good sound with it through the input of a crap house amp with no FX loop.[/QUOTE]
You only have the option of through the input then.If the amp is crap along with the speakers there isn't much you can do unfortunately.

 

[sunbeast]

I'm so tempted by either the Super 300 or the Broughton SV Pre. I just want some of that Ampeg goodness as an option in my sound again but don't need another amp necessarily (too many already). So to the pre amp route I go (can never have enough of those )! My question for people here is: is the Super 300 as close to that Ampeg sound in a box that you can get? I've watched videos of Ampeg's Classic pre amp pedal and thought it sounded good but a little sterile in comparison to the Super 300 which sounded really fat and warm. The SV Pre runs very close in terms of sound too but I'm obviously here for Super 300 opinions

No box of transistors is gonna nail the sound (and more importantly, the feel) of a full tube amp, they are just using different iterations of the same basic Ampeg preamp building blocks into some sort of basic overdrive circuit. I know this isn’t what you want to hear, but really the only way to know what will work for you is to test it with your own ears/hands/gear. I played SVTs (old and modern) for years and definitely the basic tonal vibe is there in the Super 300, certainly moreso to my ears than the Sansamp VT (or any of the Tech 21 products) or many of the SVT plugins I have played through. Still everyone is attracted to different aspects of what an SVT can do, so for certain uses different options will have advantages over others. I do find the Super 300 to tend more towards the “SVT CL with preamp Gain pushed” type of sound, but I’d expect that to a degree as the original circuit just didn’t get this gritty on its own in most reasonable use cases. I’ve yet to try any emulation of an SVT that gives that same feel of endless headroom that the real thing can (a result of pleasant soft-clipping combined with the reserves of large transformers), but that feel part is why people still buy tube amps!

I can’t speak to the Broughton or other more pricey options (like the Origin Effects Super Vintage, which is the new cool SVT pedal on the block), but the Super 300 fills my occasional need for that Ampeg sound well enough that I don’t really have any GAS for other options (it generally isn’t the sound I want, which is why I moved on from those amps a long time ago but sometimes it is definitely a good familiar option to have on hand). My biggest critique is how quick the Gain breaks up (even my lowest output bass is pretty gritty by 10 o’clock on the Gain knob), but apparently this is something improved by swapping an audio-taper pot in for the stock linear pot which isn’t a big deal (just not something I’ve gotten around to yet).

 

[Murph_Orpheus]

No box of transistors is gonna nail the sound (and more importantly, the feel) of a full tube amp, they are just using different iterations of the same basic Ampeg preamp building blocks into some sort of basic overdrive circuit. I know this isn’t what you want to hear, but really the only way to know what will work for you is to test it with your own ears/hands/gear. I played SVTs (old and modern) for years and definitely the basic tonal vibe is there in the Super 300, certainly moreso to my ears than the Sansamp VT (or any of the Tech 21 products) or many of the SVT plugins I have played through. Still everyone is attracted to different aspects of what an SVT can do, so for certain uses different options will have advantages over others. I do find the Super 300 to tend more towards the “SVT CL with preamp Gain pushed” type of sound, but I’d expect that to a degree as the original circuit just didn’t get this gritty on its own in most reasonable use cases. I’ve yet to try any emulation of an SVT that gives that same feel of endless headroom that the real thing can (a result of pleasant soft-clipping combined with the reserves of large transformers), but that feel part is why people still buy tube amps!

I can’t speak to the Broughton or other more pricey options (like the Origin Effects Super Vintage, which is the new cool SVT pedal on the block), but the Super 300 fills my occasional need for that Ampeg sound well enough that I don’t really have any GAS for other options (it generally isn’t the sound I want, which is why I moved on from those amps a long time ago but sometimes it is definitely a good familiar option to have on hand). My biggest critique is how quick the Gain breaks up (even my lowest output bass is pretty gritty by 10 o’clock on the Gain knob), but apparently this is something improved by swapping an audio-taper pot in for the stock linear pot which isn’t a big deal (just not something I’ve gotten around to yet).

Oh I know for sure it can't emulate the feel of the real thing, nothing can. I more so just mean if that classic Ampeg vibe really sounds like it's there when playing. The videos all sound good but it's nice to hear real world opinions on it so I appreciate all the info!

 

[Kendescending]

I personally feel like the Super 300 does a great job of getting the SVT tone, and I still have and use mine (had it for over a year now). I like it so much, that I have no desire to try any other of the SVT pedals anymore. I've tried many of the top brands, but not the Broughton or Origin Effects Super Vintage, so I can't speak for those.

 

[Fuzzbass]

Oh I know for sure it can't emulate the feel of the real thing, nothing can. I more so just mean if that classic Ampeg vibe really sounds like it's there when playing. The videos all sound good but it's nice to hear real world opinions on it so I appreciate all the info!

I haven't tried many of the SVT emulators, but have owned a number of Tech 21 devices (BDDI and a few VT units) and I'd say the Super 300 is as good or better for capturing SVT preamp tones. Note that I'm a Tech 21 fan; in particular, I appreciate the power tube emulation of their devices (although no pedal will capture tube amp feel, as sunbeast said).

My early version Super 300 will get really dirty... far more than I want or need, but that's OK, I can run it clean-ish with overdrive on transients, which is how I preferred to run my 70's SVT back in the day -- when I was able to turn it up that loud. A nice benefit to the 300 is the extra midrange frequencies, which of course aren't vintage-correct, but it would have been nice if my real SVT was that versatile.

 

[johnk_10]

i've owned 15 SVT's over the years including a couple of '69's. due to their weight i no longer own any but the origin super vintage is the best pedal version that gets it's tone and responnse that i've owned yet and i personaly owned the super 300 which i modded with an audio taper pot for the gain control (which was very good) and the sushibox SBVT tube pedal which i didn't like as much as the other two.

here's a pic of the last 3 SVT's that i owned:

and here they are with various cabs:

 

[75Ric]

I'm so tempted by either the Super 300 or the Broughton SV Pre. I just want some of that Ampeg goodness as an option in my sound again but don't need another amp necessarily (too many already). So to the pre amp route I go (can never have enough of those )! My question for people here is: is the Super 300 as close to that Ampeg sound in a box that you can get? I've watched videos of Ampeg's Classic pre amp pedal and thought it sounded good but a little sterile in comparison to the Super 300 which sounded really fat and warm. The SV Pre runs very close in terms of sound too but I'm obviously here for Super 300 opinions

I've owned both and both give a good SVT sound. I found the 300 much easier to dial in compared to the Broughton. The Broughton got sold.

 

[cusar5]

I'm so tempted by either the Super 300 or the Broughton SV Pre. I just want some of that Ampeg goodness as an option in my sound again but don't need another amp necessarily (too many already). So to the pre amp route I go (can never have enough of those )! My question for people here is: is the Super 300 as close to that Ampeg sound in a box that you can get? I've watched videos of Ampeg's Classic pre amp pedal and thought it sounded good but a little sterile in comparison to the Super 300 which sounded really fat and warm. The SV Pre runs very close in terms of sound too but I'm obviously here for Super 300 opinions

I did a lengthy shootout with the SV-Pre and Super 300. SVP is very good, and obviously more compact if that's what you need, but the S300 sounds closer to a real SVT.

 

[Warpt]

I did a lengthy shootout with the SV-Pre and Super 300. SVP is very good, and obviously more compact if that's what you need, but the S300 sounds closer to a real SVT.

Did you happen to take a video?

 

[cusar5]

Did you happen to take a video?

No, sorry. But, the shootout was part of this thread if you want to read a lot more discussion about the SVP, Super 300, Sansamp, etc.
THE Pedals for the SVT Sound
I'd love to try the Origin Super Vintage, but they're pricey.

 

[Warpt]

No, sorry. But, the shootout was part of this thread if you want to read a lot more discussion about the SVP, Super 300, Sansamp, etc.
THE Pedals for the SVT Sound
I'd love to try the Origin Super Vintage, but they're pricey.

Yeah I read all that before I bought my S300. I was considering getting the SV-pre but lack of availability and the option to use the S300 as a DI really made my decision for me. I'm very happy with my S300 but I still would love to hear a video comparison of the two side by side in the same room. Maybe even a video comparison of all the SVT based pre amp pedals(Sansamp BDDI, Tech 21 VT, Broughton SV-Pre, Master Effects Super 300, Sushi Box SBVT, Origin Effects Super Vintage) would be expensive but amazing.

 

[kevmac]

IOTE="Warpt, post: 26875898, member: 371772"]Yeah I read all that before I bought my S300. I was considering getting the SV-pre but lack of availability and the option to use the S300 as a DI really made my decision for me. I'm very happy with my S300 but I still would love to hear a video comparison of the two side by side in the same room. Maybe even a video comparison of all the SVT based pre amp pedals(Sansamp BDDI, Tech 21 VT, Broughton SV-Pre, Master Effects Super 300, Sushi Box SBVT, Origin Effects Super Vintage) would be expensive but amazing.[/QUOTE]
I own both the Super Vintage and 300 just because I'm a gasaholic.To answer your query the SV is an excellent repro of the SVT.Is it $200 better than the ME take? That's tough to say because they're both about the best I've heard imo.The SV does have a very good DI and cab sim however,but if you don't need those features the 300 should suit you.

 

[Deleted member 360599]

I think Hondo has a video of both the Super 300 and SV-Pre.

 

[Warpt]

I think Hondo has a video of both the Super 300 and SV-Pre.

I looked for one a few months back before I bought my S300 and never saw a video posted of a comparison. I'm looking for a video of the two pedals being played one after the other through the same amp or into an interface.

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

How does the Super 300 react when the front end is pushed by a boost?
The Borughton does not seem to like it, it becomes hmmmm “brittle”?

Does not react at all like a tube amp would being pushed, the VT bass on the other hand is crazy cool when slammed by a boost just before it.

 

[Warpt]

How does the Super 300 react when the front end is pushed by a boost?
The Borughton does not seem to like it, it becomes hmmmm “brittle”?

Does not react at all like a tube amp would being pushed, the VT bass on the other hand is crazy cool when slammed by a boost just before it.

this past weekend I just did a/b test with my Tech21 VT bass DI and my S300 into the effects return of a orange terror bass. The very next day I put the tech 21 up for sale. In my experience, yes the s300 reacts like an amp when placing overdrives/distortion/fuzz in front of it. Pedals I played in front of the S300 and VT bass DI:
Morley Fuzz/wah 2020, EQD Zap Machine, Catalinbread SFT. All sounded great going into the S300 and definitely better than the T21 VT. But your experience may vary. Also the S300 sounds way more like an ampeg than the VT bass.

 

[ugly_bassplayer]

this past weekend I just did a/b test with my Tech21 VT bass DI and my S300 into the effects return of a orange terror bass. The very next day I put the tech 21 up for sale. In my experience, yes the s300 reacts like an amp when placing overdrives/distortion/fuzz in front of it. Pedals I played in front of the S300 and VT bass DI:
Morley Fuzz/wah 2020, EQD Zap Machine, Catalinbread SFT. All sounded great going into the S300 and definitely better than the T21 VT. But your experience may vary. Also the S300 sounds way more like an ampeg than the VT bass.

Ever try just a clean boost in front of the S300, just like pushing the front end of an SVT into overdrive???

 

[cusar5]

How does the Super 300 react when the front end is pushed by a boost?
The Borughton does not seem to like it, it becomes hmmmm “brittle”?

Does not react at all like a tube amp would being pushed, the VT bass on the other hand is crazy cool when slammed by a boost just before it.

My S300 is very nice with a boost or light overdrive in front. I love the sound of it combined with the Fuzzrocious Li'l Fella, and I've also gotten good results with the Damnation MBD-2 and Fairfield Barbershop.

Now that I think about it, I really enjoyed the sound of the SV-Pre with the Xotic EP Booster after it, but I never tried the EP with the S300. That might be an interesting combination.