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The Fender Super Bassman 300 thread

#503
Fenderbassfan said:
Forgive me if this has been spoken about prior, or in another thread, what big name bass players are currently using this amp other than John Mayer's?
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If you go to this page, you'll see scrolling images of endorsers. Mike Dirnt, Tony Franklin, and Matt Freeman scrolled by just now as I viewed the page. Not sure who plays a Super Bassman and who plays a 100t though.

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Cheers,
Liam
 
#504
I saw Rancid less than two weeks ago at a festival (I'm only a casual fan, but they sounded fantastic), and Freeman was using at least one Super Bassman (possibly two, couldn't tell).
 
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#505
There is a video referenced somewhere in these bassman threads, where one of the music sites like premier guitar etc interviewed Dirnt's tech in an arena before a show etc. He showed off the bass gear and said they take 3 of the super bassman 300's on the road.
He also implied that Mike Dirnt pretty much told Fender what he wanted in an amp and Fender came up with the SB 300.
 
#507
In response to someone who asked me in a thread (can't remember which) a couple of weeks ago how the Bergantino NV158 handles the Fender Super Bassman 300, I tried the combination last night. As expected, great tone, but it was clear that if I pushed it too much the cab would protest (not unreasonably or unexpectedly with 300 tube watts into a single fifteen). My band buddies preferred the SB300 over the 100T into the NV115, which surprised me as we were all very impressed earlier with the 100T combination. Me, I marginally preferred the 100T as I liked the extra edge I could get through driving it harder, my bandmates preferred the SB300 because they thought it sounded cleaner and punchier (as you might expect with the additional headroom). So in summary, both combinations fabulous IMO but naturally enough watch the volume potential with the SB300. I would happily gig either head with it.
Just watched the above interview - the tech certainly makes a big thing of Mike Dirnt's involvement in the design and cosmetics of the SB300.
 
#508
Fenderbassfan said:
Forgive me if this has been spoken about prior, or in another thread, what big name bass players are currently using this amp other than John Mayer's?
Click to expand...

Wolfie Van Halen

Richard Turner of Blackberry Smoke was using one last week, but I think it was backlined. (He used to have an Orange TV200, and when I saw them last Feb he had an SVT)
 
#511
I've experienced on about five occasions during operation of my SB300, a sudden drop in power (perhaps quarter power) for between five and 20 seconds. Sound is still there but drops in level considerably then comes back like nothing happened. No scratching or popping. It doesn't appear to happen at any particular time such as during warm up.

The first couple of times I figured it was fly poo on a connection that would eventually sort itself out but it still happens several months later.

The "fade" occurred a day or so ago while I happened to have a mirror angled on the bias lights but they remained green and stable as usual.

I'm 90% sure it's not a bass or cab thing. I've wiggled cables from bass to amp, from amp to cab, and never experienced this anomaly with other heads into the same cab.

Just wondering if anyone else has experienced this or has insight into a possible cause.

Thanks all.
 
#512
Sounds like it might be a valve, Matt, since the caps are new and should be fine for many years. Unfortunately something sporadic like this can be just about impossible for a techie to fix unless you can get it to replicate on demand for him, although they might put the valves on a tester for you. I did have a similar issue a few years ago with a much missed SVT2 nonpro, it could not be fixed until it actually dropped power permanently and I could show the tech. It came back with a new bass boost switch or the switch had been bypassed IIRC. Sorry, can't be much help here but I do understand how frustrating it must be for you :(.
If there is a good local tech you could try it but I know Eugene at Direct Imports is pretty on to it - you could ring DI head office in Hastings and ask for him as he does all the Fender warranty repairs nationally.
 
#513
Thanks Tim. Like you say, an intermittent fault like this would very difficult to trace.

I kinda ruled out the power section, bias control included, because the bias lights didn't miss a beat when the fade occurred the other day. I guess I shouldn't rule anything out and it could be as simple as a tube.

Having never felt the need to "tube roll" before now - this could be a good excuse. I'll contact DI first. :-)
 
#515
Rodl, the fault is so infrequent that days could go by before it happens again.

That said, I don't recall which preamp channel I was using because I chop and change a lot. Next time I'll switch channels to see if it can be isolated to a particular channel.

Failing that I've got a VTBP 201s I've been meaning to test with this amp so good idea, thanks!
 
#516
Gig tonight for the midwives association :) at the Wrest Point Casino. In the old part of the complex built in the '40s. So all Deco styled building, room etc.
We get a GREAT sound in here- using our PA for vocals & a Lil keys etc... No bass in PA.
So Super Bassman 300 > Berg NV412
RIC 4004c & 62AVRI P & Micro Korg(for some keyboard bass stuff).
20131002_181259_zpse92e024f.jpg


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Stage from front. Out of shot are horns & keys.
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Looking out into room from stage
20131002_180820_zps737328f1.jpg
 
#517
I spent a few hours noodling and practice at home with the VTBP 201s plugged direct into the power amp in. This bypasses all knobs on the front of the SB300, including the master volume. As expected it sounded great with lots of sweet highs... no luck replicating the fade fault though...
 
#518
ImageUploadedByTalkBass1380756479.979495.jpg New rig worked out great at an outdoor festival last weekend. Shared my rig with Boston indie favorites Buffalo Tom so I got to hear it from a long distance. Very pleased. Don't think I need the 115 as well, but would love the look. Incidentally, the band before we played had a SVT and 8x10. I asked him if wanted to share my back line and he said no and little else. He was a jerk. Thought my SB300/NEO 410 combo sounded much fuller and punchier too. The sound guy agreed. I love the under stated coolnes and tone of the SB300 half stack.
 
#519
Glad it's going great.
I think I'd choose this over ANY Ampeg now. previously no, but now I've got used to it. It sounds at least as good as a VR / old SVT and has the cool 2nd channel.
Last night with the NV412 it was just a velvet hammer!!!!!
All the band kept looking astounded at how solid n punchy n gooey it was.
Ultimate compliment (imo) when one said it sounded like the bass on early 70s Country songs :D:thumbup:
 
#520
rodl2005 said:
Glad it's going great.
I think I'd choose this over ANY Ampeg now. previously no, but now I've got used to it. It sounds at least as good as a VR / old SVT and has the cool 2nd channel.
Last night with the NV412 it was just a velvet hammer!!!!!
All the band kept looking astounded at how solid n punchy n gooey it was.
Ultimate compliment (imo) when one said it sounded like the bass on early 70s Country songs :D:thumbup:
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I'm glad you are digging it! The SB300 continues to impress me, for sure. I've recommended it to many players. :cool:
 

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