The Fender Super Bassman 300 thread

[jdubbass38]

I'm a long time user ( and lover) of the Ampeg 810. Much prefer the sound of my Fender 610 neo. I have used the Super Bassman, Trace Elliot V6, and Orange Terror 500 through both.
The Fender somehow manages to fill the room with sound and makes subtle changes in eq more articulate than the Ampeg.

I've been hearing a lot of good things about the 610...I wish I could try one! Im just not impressed with my 410 neo cabs, again they sound thin and lack thickness and when turned up they get boomy. It may be I'm just used to the more vintage and darker sounding ampeg cabs. I'm not giving up on the SB just yet, I ran it thru my ampeg 610 and seemed to be what I prefer.

 

[Paul M]

I have the 610 Neo but I must admit that I didn't choose it after a careful side-by-side comparison with other cabs in the line. I just wanted my first really big rig and the 810 wouldn't fit in my car, so I "settled" for the 610. I have no complaints, (except that I don't have the bragging rights of owning an 810 fridge). The 610 is more than enough for me and it sounds great. It's nice to see that some people think the 610 is the best of the line.

 

[bdeaux]

I love my SB rig: two SB300's and two 810 cabs. I didn't initially like the neo speakers, so I asked Fender to send the cabs with regular speakers. All good when you have roadies. The first time I moved the cab myself for a local gig, I decided to only bring one

 

[rodl2005]

Somethings up. I have nothing BUT super thickness outta the SB into any cab. I've use Berg NV cabs, Fender Neo 115s, Berg Neo. Ampeg 810. All I get a far THICKER punch outta than my V4B thru any of the same cabs. Have you checked all 4 10s or 8 of em are wired correctly? Long shot. ..but. ..

 

[jdubbass38]

Somethings up. I have nothing BUT super thickness outta the SB into any cab. I've use Berg NV cabs, Fender Neo 115s, Berg Neo. Ampeg 810. All I get a far THICKER punch outta than my V4B thru any of the same cabs. Have you checked all 4 10s or 8 of em are wired correctly? Long shot. ..but. ..

Yeah, I'm not sure at this point. My SB is making a low hum/ buzz when idel but guessing this is not the problem. Not sure, it may be the feel I'm getting when compareing the neo speakers to ceramic.

 

[Bill Bohlen]

Nice SB300 rig in this video from up and coming UK boogie rockers The Riven.

 

[azwhofan]

Took my SB300 out of mothballs the last couple of gigs. Both times my kbrd-ist said "I'm really happy to see that amp again." and you know, he wasn't the only one

 

[rodl2005]

I've said it a thousand times. ..but this is the ONLY amp that let's a (eg) high E up on the G string punch with enough "fatness" that I don't 'lose' anything by playing up in those nether regions!
I've tried MANY other amps (including those that lotsa others state that this amp has much heft/phat/grunt/weight behind each note etc) & just haven't found it.
A SVT-VR is the closest (& I'd no doubt have one if it wasn't for a very reliable source who suggested I try the Fender Super Bassman ) & the SVT-CL /IIPRO/ II non pro all being right up there with the SB. BUT ...... and for me, that's a big but (& I DO like big butts) ..... they're all about 20lbs heavier than the SB. And, again, for me, that 20lbs is a big difference.
I've also tried compression on pretty much every amp too...and while it helps some. ..it still doesn't fill the room like the SB does. ..up high- I'm still talking about.
I LOVE being able to play up on some high notes. ...or harmony notes. ..and STILL retain the punch factory
If ya catch my drift.



I s'pose. ...basically. ..
I just love tubes. ...in the power section. .. and 6x6550s "seem" to do it like no other (in a weight I can manage etc etc etc)

 

[Rocksolid]

Went and saw Green Day last night. Was super excited to see Mike Dirnt with his 6 x 610s and 3 x SB300s. I stood at the sound desk, and TBH - his tone thru the PA was disappointing. I know I'm hearing his rig - it lacked girth, and was quite middy/sizzle. The Kick was huge.

Great show, generally everything sounded good. But a little bummed about the bass tone.

 

[TinIndian]

I've been thinking more seriously about getting a SB300 and I would like a 610 cab to go with it. I've been considering the Fender 610 Neo cab or a Berg NV610. I love the look of the Fender and the lighter weight should make it a bit easier to live with. My question is How tight is the bottom end on the Fender? Those of you that have used both how do they compare to each other?

 

[rodl2005]

Went and saw Green Day last night. Was super excited to see Mike Dirnt with his 6 x 610s and 3 x SB300s. I stood at the sound desk, and TBH - his tone thru the PA was disappointing. I know I'm hearing his rig - it lacked girth, and was quite middy/sizzle. The Kick was huge.

Great show, generally everything sounded good. But a little bummed about the bass tone.

Bummer when this happens hey? !?!?
Saw George Clinton and the P-funk All Stars a cuppla yrs ago here in Hobart. Outdoor show at MONA... which is a great stage but altho he had a SVT-VR (& 4PRO as back up) & 2 810s ....the (bass) sound out front was mushy. In fact the whole FOH PA system was either operating at its maximum. ..or slightly above that. .. or the S.E. wasn't that great.
Right up at the stage front, it sounded great - bass AND rest of band- but once I moved back to get the FOH sound. ... slightly distorted n mushy.

Was STILL a great show and I enjoyed it plenty. But. ....

 

[rodl2005]

I've been thinking more seriously about getting a SB300 and I would like a 610 cab to go with it. I've been considering the Fender 610 Neo cab or a Berg NV610. I love the look of the Fender and the lighter weight should make it a bit easier to live with. My question is How tight is the bottom end on the Fender? Those of you that have used both how do they compare to each other?

@Tim1 would be a good info'er here.
I've not used the 610 Bassman. I had a NV610. . now, as far as Bassman cabs go, I've got 2 of the Bassman Pro Neo 115 cabs And love em. Nice tight bottom end. .not boomy at all.
I've also got a Berg NV215 and this is superb with any amp. Again- tight ass end.
I also find the versatility of the 2 115s to be handy. As the SB with just one Bassman 115 is a beautiful combo. With 2 it's YOOOOOJ!!! YOOOOJ I tell ya! So don't discount the 115 coz it's a 15...and 15s can't be as tight as 10s or 12s etc. . Go with what YOU like. .and if possible, try em with a band before making a final decision. I couldn't do this, so was lucky I loved the Bassman 115 I 1st bought.

 

[Tim1]

I have owned them all, although not necessarily concurrently, but from memory the Berg 610 has a tighter bottom end and more midrange punch than the Fender 610. That said, the Fender 610 is an incredibly versatile cab with a superbly natural integrated tweeter and the bottom end is not boomy and does go lower than the Berg - the caveat being that this does impact slightly on the midrange. If it was me I would go with the Fender 610 for the SB300 - they look killer togehter, it is an amazingly light cabinet with a very wide and controlled frequency range which matches well with the verstility of the SB300 preamp section.
My all time favourite cab remains the Berg NV215.

 

[TinIndian]

Thanks guys. I appreciate your thoughts. Sounds like the Fender cab would be my best choice then. 77lbs is crazy, but then my 1st 410 weighed about the same as the Berg cab does. But 20lbs is 20lbs! At the end of the night that would be really appreciated! As far as 15's go, I love them too and perhaps a stack of 15's would work for me as well but I am really thinking I want a single cab. I have other cabs that I could use if I want something a little smaller for other gigs, an old MESA RR115 and a Genz NeoX 212t.

 

[azwhofan]

any advice on using an outboard preamp with the SB300? I have a API TranZformer LX Transformer on the way and was thinking of using it via the Power Amp In input. Looking at the schematic it appears that this method bypasses the SB300 preamp section altogether? Is that the case? Is there anything I should be on the lookout for?

 

[azwhofan]

so I managed to answer my above questions When using the power amp in, everything on the front panel is dis-abled. That includes the MV, and the MV mute switch!

I wasn't overly impressed with the Tranzformer. It seemed to prefer passive pickups over active. It does add a subtle flavor and heft, but for my needs (used live) it doesn't add anything any of my other comps don't already cover. I did not use the XLR out, perhaps I should spend some time messing with that before I return it ....

 

[rodl2005]

1. Used this again last weekend. Wow! Just with 1 x 115. Amazing thick. ..ooomphy punch. I've been using my V4B or B-Amp with various cabs... and nothing. .NOTHING comes close the the solidity of this. ..even with just a single 115.
   Even the (very good bassist) sound engineer stated that it was the best bass sound he's ever heard.
   Gibson EB '13 model
   
   
   into
   Fender Super Bassman into 1 Fender Bassman Pro Neo 115.
   
   
   
   
   After not using it for a few gigs/weeks. .. omg... it just blows me away. Of course, is double the volume with this set up
   
   
   
   But, with just the one 115 cab. ..I can push the SB300 power tubes a bit harder and it REALLY shines. .. I think the 115 driver in the Bassman Pro Neo cab likes being pushed. ..coz IT sounds glorious the louder it goes too.
   If every Club we played had good access as this particular place did - & I could simply wheel the cab with the amp on top in. ..my bass bag on my back and leads in it too..... so, even WITH a 300w all tube amp. ...it was a one trip load in/out.
   Glorious all round. .... then I think I'd get rid of all my other amps and just use the Super Bassman.... it's just that good! Btw.... I did use my Warwick $$5 in the last set.
   
   ..just for a change. ..& those low register B string notes when desired
2. Sounded amazing too. I just like the passive bass with flats. ..as my main thang!

 

[InnerBass]

I've been thinking more seriously about getting a SB300 and I would like a 610 cab to go with it. I've been considering the Fender 610 Neo cab or a Berg NV610. I love the look of the Fender and the lighter weight should make it a bit easier to live with. My question is How tight is the bottom end on the Fender? Those of you that have used both how do they compare to each other?

I say go with a Berg NV610T.

It's tone heaven!

 

[armybass]

I also run the SB into the Berg NV610T. Can't imagine a better sounding rig. But I can't move that joker. I normally gig my Bassman 100T and a Neo 410. I've give serious consideration to the Neo 610 to gig with my Bassman 100T.

 

[Rocksolid]

Love the 610 Neo. Had a Berg NV412 loved that too, but the 610 Neo stayed. 410 Neo for smaller gigs, 610 Neo when I can really open it up.