Played this amp for the first time with the band and . Bandmates noted the depth of sound and the clarity compared to the old SVT pro we were using. Paired it with an old fender BXR 410 that we have at our jam spot and all my “magic ” was coming through. Nothing muddy etc. to anyone sitting on the fence on this head, don’t
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The Fender Super Bassman 300 thread
- Thread starter Tim1
- Start date
Sexy! Might be overkill for 150 people but that’s what a volume knob is forSB300 and matching "modular" 8x10first gig with it this weekend 100-150 people. Trying with both the my Fender Ultra P and the Ultra Jazz to see which one I like better.
way overkill
but I got the second cab for my outdoor gigs, but can't pass up the opportunity to show up with the full stack and see the face on my guitar players 
Around 4 years ago I bought my first Mesa/Boogie rig… I thought Mesa was soooo cool (and still do, Mesa is rad) but it took me 3.5 years and many Mesa amp/cab combos to realize that they are not the amp company for me… of course I could get a good sound, just not “my” sound. So I sold it all off and, without playing through it but with ample research, I got my first Fender Bassman head (it was a 100t but now a SB300 (a whole other story)) and matching 410 neo cab and now have MY tone.
Because of what happened to my 100t (and it seems like the thing to do when one uses a tube head for gigs) I decided to look around for a backup head. I found a great deal on a Mesa D800+. Not a Mesa I’ve owned but one that I knew I liked and figured I could flip it easily if it doesn’t work out. I grabbed it yesterday while on the way to rehearsal so I was able to A/B it and my SB300 in a band setting. It was easy enough to get a great tone because I had spent some time dialing one in during my Mesa years. It was plenty loud enough through my Bassman cab and sounded great… given some more time I’m sure I could get MY tone out of it through my 410 Neo but when I went back into the SB300 I was in heaven. The tubes make all the difference. No matter how much bass or low mids I added to the Mesa, it didn’t make up for the girth that the SB300 has.
So, needless to say, I’ll probably be moving the D800+ along since it’s unfair to waist its talents as a backup. Truly it is a great head and if I ever HAVE to go light weight I’ll probably get another (thought Bassman 500/800 don’t weigh much) but the Bassman isn’t going anywhere any time soon!
(Pic from a different night so the Mesa isn't in the pic, sorry)
Because of what happened to my 100t (and it seems like the thing to do when one uses a tube head for gigs) I decided to look around for a backup head. I found a great deal on a Mesa D800+. Not a Mesa I’ve owned but one that I knew I liked and figured I could flip it easily if it doesn’t work out. I grabbed it yesterday while on the way to rehearsal so I was able to A/B it and my SB300 in a band setting. It was easy enough to get a great tone because I had spent some time dialing one in during my Mesa years. It was plenty loud enough through my Bassman cab and sounded great… given some more time I’m sure I could get MY tone out of it through my 410 Neo but when I went back into the SB300 I was in heaven. The tubes make all the difference. No matter how much bass or low mids I added to the Mesa, it didn’t make up for the girth that the SB300 has.
So, needless to say, I’ll probably be moving the D800+ along since it’s unfair to waist its talents as a backup. Truly it is a great head and if I ever HAVE to go light weight I’ll probably get another (thought Bassman 500/800 don’t weigh much) but the Bassman isn’t going anywhere any time soon!
(Pic from a different night so the Mesa isn't in the pic, sorry)
Honestly, The reason I ended up with the SB300 was after playing my last gig with a Mesa 400+ and 2 4x10 cabs (Fender Neo 410 Cab and Mesa Powerhouse 410) the Fender was at my ear level so I could hear it very well, Although the 400+ was borrowed from a friend and not "the sound in my head" it made me realize that life is too short not go all balls out. We have our own PA so, I will keep this beast on a leash until our outdoor gigs come, and then release the Kraken. 
I admire your ballsHonestly, The reason I ended up with the SB300 was after playing my last gig with a Mesa 400+ and 2 4x10 cabs (Fender Neo 410 Cab and Mesa Powerhouse 410) the Fender was at my ear level so I could hear it very well, Although the 400+ was borrowed from a friend and not "the sound in my head" it made me realize that life is too short not go all balls out. We have our own PA so, I will keep this beast on a leash until our outdoor gigs come, and then release the Kraken.
And your amp
Update from the weekend gig. Oh glorious tubey goodness. Use the OD channel for the whole gig. Used my Ultra Precision. Filled the room. Even with IEM, I could not help but take one out to get the full effect. Did have the amp DI going into FOH, so found a good balance of loudness, without overpowering the PA. Next week, trying just one of the 410 (smaller place, don't need the bottles at the bar rattling)
)Attachments
Update from the weekend gig. Oh glorious tubey goodness. Use the OD channel for the whole gig. Used my Ultra Precision. Filled the room. Even with IEM, I could not help but take one out to get the full effect. Did have the amp DI going into FOH, so found a good balance of loudness, without overpowering the PA. Next week, trying just one of the 410 (smaller place, don't need the bottles at the bar rattling
That SB 300 head actually has a really good onboard DI. I've used it to record direct and been happy with it.
One thing is interesting about the DI, I have both the Bassman 800 and the SB, and they are supposed to have the same preamp, but I recorded both of them on the same setting, and the Bassman 800 seemed to be more scooped and bass heavy, where the SB was warmer. Not sure why if they are supposed to have the same preamps. both are stock. no changes on the Preamp tubes.
That'll rattle the bottles for sure,, and everything else.Update from the weekend gig. Oh glorious tubey goodness. Use the OD channel for the whole gig. Used my Ultra Precision. Filled the room. Even with IEM, I could not help but take one out to get the full effect. Did have the amp DI going into FOH, so found a good balance of loudness, without overpowering the PA. Next week, trying just one of the 410 (smaller place, don't need the bottles at the bar rattling
When you can push the amp a bit, or even when you can't, the vintage channel is great fun too
That’s a tower of power if ever there was one
Saw Kenny Wayne Shepherd last night with Kevin McCormick playing bass . Kenny was great , never seen him before , and the rest of the band was too . It was in an old 30's movie house that just got remodeled and put back in use as a concert venue and the sound crew did a great job . The weird thing was I could hear the bass guitar pretty well after the first couple songs . He was playing a couple of P basses and I could hear his tone very well . I haven't been to a concert for a while that I could hear the bass that well .
At one point he did a bass solo , just good fingerstyle , and it sounded to me like he had a blown speaker but it must have been a pedal or just the overdrive channel on his amp . It did sound knarly but it fit and he did a great job . All the amps were Fenders and I'm 90 percent sure his was a Super Bassman . That's why I'm posting it here .
Great show !
At one point he did a bass solo , just good fingerstyle , and it sounded to me like he had a blown speaker but it must have been a pedal or just the overdrive channel on his amp . It did sound knarly but it fit and he did a great job . All the amps were Fenders and I'm 90 percent sure his was a Super Bassman . That's why I'm posting it here .
Great show !
The vintage channel will sound pretty ragged (in a good way) when up in volume.
Sounds like it was a great sound.
Saw Buddy Guy last year and his band had a terrific sound
Update from last night gig using the SB and fender Neo 410. I missed the 8x10 but the 410 alone did great. from Classic Rock, Tool to some pop stuff. Delivers every time. I'm done searching for amps . For back up I have a Fender Bassman 800 and worse case, my Quad cortex using the SVT amp in it.
Outdoor gig in 2 weeks, and will be ready to kill all small animals in the vicinity
. For back up I have a Fender Bassman 800 and worse case, my Quad cortex using the SVT amp in it.Outdoor gig in 2 weeks, and will be ready to kill all small animals in the vicinity
Hello All,
Silly question: Is the Super Bassman 300 overkill for home practice volume at 8 ohms?
I am interested in getting only clean tube tone at 70-90 db.
I like the idea of getting the SB head, but I am not a gigging musician. I only practice solo in a room, no band or anything. I currently use a Trickfish 1K bullhead and a matching 2x8 cabinet and the volume is manageable for home practice. I am sure this is covered somewhere in this thread and I have scoured the first twenty five pages, but I just thought I would ask as overtime opinions can change.
Any thoughts on this are greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Silly question: Is the Super Bassman 300 overkill for home practice volume at 8 ohms?
I am interested in getting only clean tube tone at 70-90 db.
I like the idea of getting the SB head, but I am not a gigging musician. I only practice solo in a room, no band or anything. I currently use a Trickfish 1K bullhead and a matching 2x8 cabinet and the volume is manageable for home practice. I am sure this is covered somewhere in this thread and I have scoured the first twenty five pages, but I just thought I would ask as overtime opinions can change.
Any thoughts on this are greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
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