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The Fender Super Bassman 300 thread
- Thread starter Tim1
- Start date
Well, here's a somewhat short review, of the SB300, I just acquired, I used it at the gig Sunday afternoon, and the fullness is just right, I guess it has to do with the power section, I have a Bassman 800, and it has the same preamp, as the SB300, but the fullness, of the SB300 is ... well, not the same, when you compare, both amps, through the same cabinets ( Berg HS410 ) and the same bass (Fender P-Bass, loaded with Pure Vintage 63 pickups, and strung with TI flats), I'll say that the Bassman 800 has a certain amount of heft to each note, which I like, but it just doesn't have the rich fullness that the SB300 has, I also have a Ampeg SVT-CL, and their similar, but not the same, to be fair, I can get the SVT-CL to sound very similar, but it's not a plug and play, like the SB300 is, will I keep the other amps, yup, like them all, they all have there sonic place and I'll use them as the gig requires .... All this is just my Humble opinion, take it for what it's worth, the next quick review, will be with the Berg NV610
Anyone really love the vintage channel, but also like a little dirt in their sound, so using a light overdrive drive pedal rather than switching to the modern channel?
- Apr 3, 2003
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- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
I don't get to bring out the SB 300 often, as most of my gigs tend to be smaller jazzy type things, but I was able to bring it out for a blues gig this past Saturday. No PA support for bass, none needed. I had Barefaced Four10 and Two10 under it, to make a 6x10 configuration. Had a little trouble dialing up the tone I wanted when setting levels before the gig. However, by the time the tubes were warmed up and running warm toward hot at gig volumes, the tone was blissful. It was a pleasure.
Regarding vintage vs overdrive channel, I tend to use the OD channel even though I run it clean for the most part. I am accustomed to having a sweepable mid freq control, which the vintage side lacks. I do find a HPF works wonders with this amp which can put out some serious bottom end as a "signature" sound.
I also believe the SB 300 sounds best in the southern hemisphere, based on the number of players from New Zealand and Australia who seem to be partial to this amp.
Regarding vintage vs overdrive channel, I tend to use the OD channel even though I run it clean for the most part. I am accustomed to having a sweepable mid freq control, which the vintage side lacks. I do find a HPF works wonders with this amp which can put out some serious bottom end as a "signature" sound.
I also believe the SB 300 sounds best in the southern hemisphere, based on the number of players from New Zealand and Australia who seem to be partial to this amp.
Twin! I had my first gig with a new hard rock band, and I used my SB300 and Barefaced Four10, no PA support, and none needed. My Two10 should show up before too long. Can't wait.
I totally agree with all this. Set flat, the vintage channel has a nice plumpness to the sound that the overdrive channel doesn't. But in the mix that gets lost. Also I really really really hate the Fender tone stack, it kind of feels like having no eq at all. The mid control is great, and boost/cut bass and treble are really nice.
I was going through my Helix HX, which I use to add a tiny bit of compression, HPF, and general aggressiveness in the highs and high mids. Cranked up to volume, I was still struck by how serious the SB300's bottom end really is. I thought it might be because I was standing right in front of the cabinet, but it comes through in the recording too. It sounds incredible, but for this band I think I want an angrier and less bottom-heavy sound. Thankfully, I can cut the bass since I'm using the overdrive channel.
But overall, the feeling of fullness and power was amazing, especially coming out of such a small cabinet.
You're upside down... and it ain't coz you may be in the Antipodes, coz I'M here!
Perhaps that's why the SB sounds so good with the Bassman cabs, particularly the 115s that Ive got.
They're more like a sealed cab imo, they seem to roll off the lows pretty nicely.
Perhaps that's why the SB sounds so good with the Bassman cabs, particularly the 115s that Ive got.
They're more like a sealed cab imo, they seem to roll off the lows pretty nicely.
By “set flat” do you mean all knobs on 5, or something along the lines of 2-8-2? Can’t say I’ve ever had a problem getting lost in the mix with the vintage channel.
FWIW, on my Bassman 500, I can get that slightly overdriven sound by cranking the volume on the vintage channel all the way up to 10 and backing down on the master. I can also get a similar very slight breakup by using input 2 on the overdrive channel and bringing the gain all the way down to 1, and the blend at max. Very versatile preamp.
You could also try using a clean boost into the vintage channel, I’m not sure if that would give you the dirt that you want.
I was talking 2/8/2, all knobs at 5 is way too bassy and scooped for me. I said “flat” when comparing the two channels, because once I use the eq on the overdrive channel, I prefer it to the vintage channel. Yeah my logic doesn’t make much sense there, sorry.
And to be clear, I was not saying that I would get lost in the mix, that wouldn’t happen with this amp. I was saying that the slight tone advantage that the vintage channel has over the overdrive channel doesn’t IMHO make much of a difference in the mix. But the eq on the overdrive channel really makes an audible difference.
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Ok Super Bassman 300 owners I have what I believe is a Pre tube Issue. So my question to anyone here that has changed out tubes . What is the best way to get at them ? Take off the front grill or through the back?
For preamp tubes go through the front. For power tubes go through the back.
Well ... Here is a view of the SB300 and my Berg NV610
That whole setting, with the railroad tracks in the background, and the P bass and Super Bassman, just make me wanna listen to some Johnny Cash. I hear that train a'comin', comin' 'round that bend....
Took the SB300 out to a gig last weekend. It's been a while since it's seen any real action. the verdict is I'll be taking it out a lot more often!! . i ran it through a pair of Fearless F112's. Def a match made in heaven!!!
For giggles I ran it through my Moogerfooger MF-103 phaser and teased the band with the opening riffs to Have A Cigar between tunes lol. they loved it!!
. i ran it through a pair of Fearless F112's. Def a match made in heaven!!!For giggles I ran it through my Moogerfooger MF-103 phaser and teased the band with the opening riffs to Have A Cigar between tunes lol. they loved it!!
After a summer’s worth of outdoor gigs with mine (every weekend, 1-3 gigs per weekend), I can honestly say that I’m 100% happy I made the switch from class D amps to the Super Bassman 300.
Never thought I’d be as big of a fan of 15” cabs as I’ve become, but this Fender Neo 115 has made it happen. As a stand-alone, I’ve come to prefer it to my 410 Neo.
You might consider putting it on top of the 410 when using both.
