The Fender Super Bassman 300 thread

[Angry Mob With Pitchfork]

Currently I have my overdrive channel set for higher gain than usual for ‘always on’ overdrive effect. When I want a bit more ‘edge of break’ up tone I add more dry signal to the blend knob and lower gain to 3-4 (and boost volume). As you can see, I don’t turn up my gain knob crazy high although that’s fun as well every once in awhile

There are couple of variables such as;
- all my basses are active varieties with hot pick ups.
- usually additional gain and headroom available on tap thru my Linden EQ and a compressor on my pedalboard.

 

[BowserGriff]

Thank you!!!

I think I see where i may have been going wrong. So the blend is to blend IN dry signal? So blend on 1 would be all drive? I was wondering why when it was on 1 there was full distortion! It made me want to turn down the gain rather than the blend. I thought I was blending in the drive.

Im gonna give these settings a try next time!


The lady who assisted me was really lovely (and smoking hot!) We had a great chat and she told me to check out the p basses in the custom shop. I dont know where I was going with this. Oh yeah, I was distracted and my brain wasn't working.

 

[Angry Mob With Pitchfork]

Thank you!!!

I think I see where i may have been going wrong. So the blend is to blend IN dry signal? So blend on 1 would be all drive? I was wondering why when it was on 1 there was full distortion! It made me want to turn down the gain rather than the blend. I thought I was blending in the drive.

Im gonna give these settings a try next time!


The lady who assisted me was really lovely (and smoking hot!) We had a great chat and she told me to check out the p basses in the custom shop. I dont know where I was going with this. Oh yeah, I was distracted and my brain wasn't working.

I think the blend knob 1 is full dry signal but let me confirm this tomorrow (I’m in OZ and it’s 10pm here ).

I think you better get the SB300 AND the custome shop P bass to impress

 

[BowserGriff]

Forgot to mention, after a good while I got to the dusty end of the neck. A part I avoid, especially when using a pick. Waw! Everything sang! It wasn't harsh or stabbing to the ears, it was mellow, articulate and sounded musical. My current amp of course produces those high notes, but like they dont sound pleasing to the ear. The SB really has the whole neck covered!

 

[Angry Mob With Pitchfork]

I can definitely confirm that the blend knob 1 is the maximum dry signal mixed in. It has such a huge roll in how much break-up can be achieved IMO.

Definitely try low gain maximum blend and vice versa to see what best suits your signal chain

 

[BowserGriff]

I can definitely confirm that the blend knob 1 is the maximum dry signal mixed in. It has such a huge roll in how much break-up can be achieved IMO.

Definitely try low gain maximum blend and vice versa to see what best suits your signal chain

Thank you! Yeah I'll try that next time. Yeah, sounds like I need to play with the gain next time. So tempting to just turn it up! Finding that sweet spot im trying to find is difficult!

Is that dry signal going through the vintage preamp first, or is just dry straight from the bass?

 

[Angry Mob With Pitchfork]

Thank you! Yeah I'll try that next time. Yeah, sounds like I need to play with the gain next time. So tempting to just turn it up! Finding that sweet spot im trying to find is difficult!

Is that dry signal going through the vintage preamp first, or is just dry straight from the bass?

Dry straight from the bass AFAIK but someone will surely correct me if I’m wrong

You should also use blend level (along with volume knobs) to gauge how much background noise can be eliminated when you start turning up the gain. Despite my hot signals I can get to the level I’m happy with for bedroom use.

 

[rodl2005]

The MIDS and MID FREQUENCY control have a big impact on drive too

 

[Angry Mob With Pitchfork]

The MIDS and MID FREQUENCY control have a big impact on drive too

So true. I’m kinda settled on pushing the low mids but makes a world of difference when you crank up the high mids (modern punk tones?).

Where do you usually set yours?

 

[rodl2005]

So true. I’m kinda settled on pushing the low mids but makes a world of difference when you crank up the high mids (modern punk tones?).

Where do you usually set yours?

Usually bump the lower mids. Around 3.5 on the frequency dial and 7 on the mid level.... from memory

 

[Angry Mob With Pitchfork]

Usually bump the lower mids. Around 3.5 on the frequency dial and 7 on the mid level.... from memory

That’s nearly exact match to mine except I often have my level set around 9.

 

[bass nitro]

Hello Bassman's,sorry if this been discussed earlier in this thread but could SB300 be able to replicate sound of the Bassman 100T?I did watch a clip of B100T and Fender Pro Neo410 and was unbelievable but this amp is very rear to find these days so SB300 is easy buy.I play with passive jazz bass if this matters.
Thank you everyone.

 

[bass nitro]

I have this sound in mind, vintage channel

 

[Angry Mob With Pitchfork]

I have this sound in mind, vintage channel

I think SB300 can definitely approximate (if not nail) that tone.

 

[rodl2005]

I have this sound in mind, vintage channel

I think SB300 can definitely approximate (if not nail) that tone.

As far as sound goes, the Super Bassman will do that and pretty much everything the 100T will do. Just 3 times as good

The 100T has post power amp DI tho, hasn't it?

Oh and it only weighs half as much. Like I've said many times before, if I didn't have my V4B Ampeg, a 100T would be here with me.

Love that 25w option also

 

[Ibycan]

keep in mind also the 6L6 and 6550 tube difference. the point of tube breakup that you may have in your head are gonna be different, with the SB300 having to be turn up higher on the Vintage channel to get to the same level.

 

[rodl2005]

keep in mind also the 6L6 and 6550 tube difference. the point of tube breakup that you may have in your head are gonna be different, with the SB300 having to be turn up higher on the Vintage channel to get to the same level.

Yeah, that's part of the reason the 25w setting on the 100T might be fantastic. I've not tried it properly

The vintage channel on the Super Bassman almost always seems to have a touch of break up to it. It's lovely.
I've only used it with my Bassman 115s tho

 

[bass nitro]

keep in mind also the 6L6 and 6550 tube difference. the point of tube breakup that you may have in your head are gonna be different, with the SB300 having to be turn up higher on the Vintage channel to get to the same level.

Wouldn't be achievable with more open gain and low master level?
Sorry for a maybe this stupid question.

 

[BrianVengeance]

Wouldn't be achievable with more open gain and low master level?
Sorry for a maybe this stupid question.

Not a stupid question, you’ll get more preamp gain by taking this approach, but it may be missing an important part of what the power tube is bringing to the equation.

 

[rodl2005]

Wouldn't be achievable with more open gain and low master level?
Sorry for a maybe this stupid question.

Not a stupid question, you’ll get more preamp gain by taking this approach, but it may be missing an important part of what the power tube is bringing to the equation.

Yeah, it's just different... not saying one is better than the other ( master volume up/ gain low)

My Super Bassman I generally set and forget, but my V4B I often swap the master/ gain ratios for whichever effect I'm after during the gig.

But I mainly use it master volume up full and adjust with gain