Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
The Fender Super Bassman 300 thread
- Thread starter Tim1
- Start date
The more I use my SB, the more I'm so glad I went for the SB over any other head. Wen your SB shows up, I hope you like yours, as much as I like mine.
Yeah, don't worry. You aren't making it any worse at this point. I'm fully aware of what I missed out on. It had been on Reverb for a week, and I had his counter-offer waiting for me to respond. I thought I ought to just do my due diligence and see what Talkbass had to say about it. It was literally the first time I searched for it, so I assumed that was a normal used price.
When I started playing bass in college, the first rig I saved for and bought was an SVT-4 Pro and 610 cab. I foolishly traded that head for a '66 Guild Thunderbass and 2x15 cab. Super cool (when I works) and tons of mojo and nice overdrive--but at 50 watts it wasn't even keeping up at half of our rehearsals.
Now I'm playing through a TC Electronic RH 450, which I got a good deal on... But am desperately missing both the tube warmth and the absurd power of the SVT-4. I was looking at the new Mesa offerings recently, but the SB 300 really seams like the amp I've been waiting for. I guess I'll keep waiting!
I played a scuffed up demo at Sam Ash. They had zero new SBs in the entire chain. Fender had zero in stock but were about to receive a shipment. I can't wait.The more I use my SB, the more I'm so glad I went for the SB over any other head. Wen your SB shows up, I hope you like yours, as much as I like mine.
I know! Not like I'm suffering with my D800, but still.Hang in there, The Super Bassman is worth it!
The D800 just kills. The SB is a different flavor of awesome. A much heavier flavor. I sold my Orange AD200 and was happy with the D800, as I remain. But, I miss my tube tone.Yep the D800 is my back up to the SBM or for smaller venues and lots of stairs .
I had the D800 as well.. but I liked the Super Bassman 300 so much, I sold the Mesa amp and bought another tube amp.. it is the SVT-CL.. though there is a different flavor than the SB300 and as for how I feel about it, the SB300 just slays that SVT in tone, right now the SVT is a lil louder due to the brand new tubes that I put in the amp.. But as I say, the SB300 is my number one when it comes to amps.. I have gone full circle, from tubes back to tubes.. shouldn't have never left them! I thought that I needed to ride the wave like so many around here on this site feel the need to do.. but no more.. just keep my tube amps maintained and in fine condition, treat them well and they should do the same for me.. plus.. the SB 300 is much lighter than that SVT.. it is good thing that I only use it for practice.. therefore I don't have to move it any at all!
The Orange is all pillowy bass and clear mids and highs. Nice subs. Cannot get a bad tone. A beautiful tone. It also does a nice over drive. However, that is it. And I always ran out of clean volume running two Trace 15s. The SB is clean and less colored that the Orange but you can EQ different tones with the second channel. No shortage of clean volume either. What sold me on the SB was the ease with which I could dial in a Duck Dunn sound, a Jamerson sound, an SVT sound, and a Hiwatt sound really easily. It's a winner even if I just use it for recording.
This is where I have to agree! Your assessment is right along with the lines I am feeling. I have a pair of rare Fender Custom Shop Rumble 410 cabs.. I have not tried them at volume in the band that I am with at the moment.. why you say? Well the Epifani 15's work so well with the tube heads, I have not been moved to try the 410s.. but I think that I will on the next practice.. I will use the Ampeg first, only because I already know.. that if they sound good with that head.. it will most deff sound great with the SB300!
Isn't it funny how many of have both the D800 & SB300?? (In some cases, I know, 'had', but still).
I still have to check out the DI on the SB. The Mesa's DI is just killer, my hard rock band plays mic'd into mixer out to buds, I just go DI no live sound, they love my tone with the D800 and so do I.
I still have to check out the DI on the SB. The Mesa's DI is just killer, my hard rock band plays mic'd into mixer out to buds, I just go DI no live sound, they love my tone with the D800 and so do I.
Just got home from a 3 hour gig. Still haven't run any of my pedals through this thing live at a gig yet as I feel I might not ever need to.
This head just slays. 5 months in with it and I can't say enough.
This head just slays. 5 months in with it and I can't say enough.
Yep, used mine this afternoon with Neo 410 and Reggie Hamilton CS PJ5 and got a stack of compliments on my tone.
I think the D800 is an incredible amp. Not for its size/weight, not for the price, and not for a Class D amp. Just as an amp, it is incredible. The SB and other tube amps have a different character, which I love. They are a nice compliment.
i am going to check out the Neo 410 and the 15, but I think my Trace cabs will be fantastic. They weigh about 55 pounds. They are really open cabs. They sounded great with my old Ampeg and my Orange.
I received my SB today. A great amp. The dual channels is awesome. It is like a "tubier" Mesa 400+. Very similar but richer.
There is no question, the SB 300 is the best sounding tube amp I have ever owned.. I wished I had discovered it sooner before spending so much money on other amps!!!!!
Your going to really like it with the report that have thus given!
Your going to really like it with the report that have thus given!
Ok, we have a problem. Sounds great. LEDs all solid green. However, the volume will drop out and crackle then comes back, then drops again. Happens in both channels.
I suspect it's the driver tube(s). Any experience?
I suspect it's the driver tube(s). Any experience?
