Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
The Fender Super Bassman 300 thread
- Thread starter Tim1
- Start date
So I got my super in last night, just in time for my show tonight! Very excited to use it. I'm running it through the neo 410, with a Gibson eb bass, I used to use a handful of pedals with my orange terror bass head, but I don't think I will need them for this head, so we'll see what happens, If I can get a video I'll post it.
Facebook.com/cupidsvictimtx
Facebook.com/cupidsvictimtx
still absolutely in love with my sbm300. lately I've been running my electrical guitar company bass into a cali 76 trans compressor, sbm 300 out of a GK neo 4x12. My bass tone has never been this awesome
+1 The SB300 is the jewel in Fender's crown for me and I rate it ahead of any of the (and there have been many) tube heads I have owned or played in the past 35 years. I still have the feeling that it is the 6550s which push its tone when quiet ahead of the 100T, since they share the same preamp.
Duff has left GK for this thing, so they must be super solid. 3 decades of brand loyalty exchanged for it. More power to him, but it's not what people have come to expect from him soundwise. I do really dig the tone though.
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,516
- 19,952
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
Ya know whats weird? For decades I hated fender stuff. I bought all kinds of boutique and vintage amps. Now, my main gigging amps are the fender sb300, sunn 1200s (fender)..both on bergs, and the fender 300 pro on a 610 pro. I find myself playing a jazz most of the time too.. really a head trip for me.
One thing I REALLY like about this SUPER Bassman 300 even more than the great feeling of heft and weight behind every note played, is that all notes played on the G string ( & D string ) are still weighty, solid and even- in respect to the E & A strings. Using other amps I'll often favor the E & A strings and will venture into the higher notes on the D & G strings rarely- IF the bass 2needs to remain solid and punchy.
But using the SUPER BASSMAN I'll roam around up high (tastefully and where the music will benefit it ) with scant regard to whether I need to be filling out the bottom end or remaining punchy etc.
It just stays solid and full.
Even up on a Hi G (12TH fret G string) or similar, it all stays full and thick sounding.
Something I'd only noticed when using a SVT-VR & 810 previously.
And I'm getting this using the Super Bassman with a 115, 2 x 115's or the NV412.
I haven't used it enough with the 2 x 112 cabs yet to say the same about these 112's and the amp. Will do soon tho
But using the SUPER BASSMAN I'll roam around up high (tastefully and where the music will benefit it ) with scant regard to whether I need to be filling out the bottom end or remaining punchy etc.
It just stays solid and full.
Even up on a Hi G (12TH fret G string) or similar, it all stays full and thick sounding.
Something I'd only noticed when using a SVT-VR & 810 previously.
And I'm getting this using the Super Bassman with a 115, 2 x 115's or the NV412.
I haven't used it enough with the 2 x 112 cabs yet to say the same about these 112's and the amp. Will do soon tho
Yes indeed. I have previously posted about my disdain for the G string. 
The SB300 has helped in that regard, as do well worn flats. I just got a Fender Japan 80's P and the Jamerson La Bella's are due tomorrow. I am as giddy as a school boy from the 60's. Which of course I was. Might even fool around with foam muting at the bridge. And i AM TRYING not to overplay.
I have a place in the mix. I love the quote attributed to Frank Zappa, "bass solos, nobody likes them, keep em short". Unless it's a quick feature like "I'll take you there" with Mavis Staples singing right along.
The SB300 has helped in that regard, as do well worn flats. I just got a Fender Japan 80's P and the Jamerson La Bella's are due tomorrow. I am as giddy as a school boy from the 60's. Which of course I was. Might even fool around with foam muting at the bridge. And i AM TRYING not to overplay.I have a place in the mix. I love the quote attributed to Frank Zappa, "bass solos, nobody likes them, keep em short". Unless it's a quick feature like "I'll take you there" with Mavis Staples singing right along.
Agreed. That's a LOVELY solo in "I'll take you there" ain't it?
I THINK I've got TI Flats on my 62AVRI P that I was using last gig with the Super Bassman. But I also used my Alleva-Coppolo EUT5 70's jazz 5 string which has the new Labella WHITE NYLON TAPEWOUNDS on, and I really like those so far.
I'll report back soon as how these white nylon tapes go on a Jazz 5 - with the Super Bassman.
I THINK I've got TI Flats on my 62AVRI P that I was using last gig with the Super Bassman. But I also used my Alleva-Coppolo EUT5 70's jazz 5 string which has the new Labella WHITE NYLON TAPEWOUNDS on, and I really like those so far.
I'll report back soon as how these white nylon tapes go on a Jazz 5 - with the Super Bassman.
I used to use the heavy LaBella flats (760M) but I have come to love the tone of the lighter gauge (760FL). The 760M's are just a hair lighter than the Jamersons.
One thing I REALLY like about this SUPER Bassman 300 even more than the great feeling of heft and weight behind every note played, is that all notes played on the G string ( & D string ) are still weighty, solid and even- in respect to the E & A strings. Using other amps I'll often favor the E & A strings and will venture into the higher notes on the D & G strings rarely- IF the bass 2needs to remain solid and punchy.
But using the SUPER BASSMAN I'll roam around up high (tastefully and where the music will benefit it ) with scant regard to whether I need to be filling out the bottom end or remaining punchy etc.
It just stays solid and full.
Even up on a Hi G (12TH fret G string) or similar, it all stays full and thick sounding.
Something I'd only noticed when using a SVT-VR & 810 previously.
And I'm getting this using the Super Bassman with a 115, 2 x 115's or the NV412.
I haven't used it enough with the 2 x 112 cabs yet to say the same about these 112's and the amp. Will do soon tho
This is exactly my experience as well - one of my favorite things about this head is how even and full sounding it is, regardless of where the notes are being played on the fret board. With most other amps I've tried, I end up boosting the bass to try and fill things out, which ends up throwing the balance off (i.e. G and D strings end up sounding really thin when compared to the E and A strings). Maybe I just don't know how to really EQ, but certainly don't have that problem with this head.
Nah I don't think it's yr eqing abilities.
I've tried comps too. None do it like the Super Bassman.
I've tried comps too. None do it like the Super Bassman.
Just thought I'd give an update from the first gig I had with the super bassman and the neo 410. That being said, I had the 100t but honestly, it just wasn't cutting it with volume before the break up.
Setting wise, on the vintage I had volume at 5.5, bass pulled at 5, mids at 7, highs at 3; then gain at 5, blend at 7.5, volume at 4.5, bass 5, mid freq 4, mids 7, highs 6, and master at around 4.75.
I use primarily the overdrive, it just seems to work better filling out chords, and it's just personal preference, but I did end up using the vintage on about a fourth of the set, and I can honestly say this is my personal favorite head. I've played plenty of every other major brand, and this one just sings. One problem I've had with just about every other head, is the clarity and the low end when it gets dirty, it seems like with a lot of bass pedals it will start sounding burpy the more you add grit, and with guitar pedals it keeps the high and tight distortion but loses all hope of a solid bottom, what I used prior was either the mxr gt od, or the zvex box of rock, paired with an Aguilar tone hammer to help raise the bottom, and even though it worked, it can't compare in the least bit to the sb. I wanted so bad to have to keep tweaking the eq, but it just didn't need it, with minor adjustments it gave such a fat clear tone with just the right amount of grit for my taste. Another thing worth noting on, for both channels, is the natural break up. I personally play with a pick, save for a couple songs in our list, and I tend to really dig in, and again comparing it to other heads, mainly the terror bass because I used it for a number of years, when I would dig in it would flab out, and completely destroy the attack and tone (another thing I fixed with pedals), but with the sb, it gave a nice punchy, clear attack, with BEAUTIFUL natural break up. The last point I wanted to touch is a bit taboo around my home town, and I'm not sure how you guys feel about it, but it fits in with my style of playing; this amp takes a reverb (and delay) pedal better than any other I've played. The problem I've face is getting the desired effect without having to crank the pedal and get a churchy sound, just a light clear reverb, mainly for harmonics, that it still clear and concise.
Overall, this is an amazing amp that I'm excited to get to play around with. Very thick and clear. Without getting into the boutique side of everything, I think this is the best head out there.
Setting wise, on the vintage I had volume at 5.5, bass pulled at 5, mids at 7, highs at 3; then gain at 5, blend at 7.5, volume at 4.5, bass 5, mid freq 4, mids 7, highs 6, and master at around 4.75.
I use primarily the overdrive, it just seems to work better filling out chords, and it's just personal preference, but I did end up using the vintage on about a fourth of the set, and I can honestly say this is my personal favorite head. I've played plenty of every other major brand, and this one just sings. One problem I've had with just about every other head, is the clarity and the low end when it gets dirty, it seems like with a lot of bass pedals it will start sounding burpy the more you add grit, and with guitar pedals it keeps the high and tight distortion but loses all hope of a solid bottom, what I used prior was either the mxr gt od, or the zvex box of rock, paired with an Aguilar tone hammer to help raise the bottom, and even though it worked, it can't compare in the least bit to the sb. I wanted so bad to have to keep tweaking the eq, but it just didn't need it, with minor adjustments it gave such a fat clear tone with just the right amount of grit for my taste. Another thing worth noting on, for both channels, is the natural break up. I personally play with a pick, save for a couple songs in our list, and I tend to really dig in, and again comparing it to other heads, mainly the terror bass because I used it for a number of years, when I would dig in it would flab out, and completely destroy the attack and tone (another thing I fixed with pedals), but with the sb, it gave a nice punchy, clear attack, with BEAUTIFUL natural break up. The last point I wanted to touch is a bit taboo around my home town, and I'm not sure how you guys feel about it, but it fits in with my style of playing; this amp takes a reverb (and delay) pedal better than any other I've played. The problem I've face is getting the desired effect without having to crank the pedal and get a churchy sound, just a light clear reverb, mainly for harmonics, that it still clear and concise.
Overall, this is an amazing amp that I'm excited to get to play around with. Very thick and clear. Without getting into the boutique side of everything, I think this is the best head out there.
Hey Super Bassman crew. So, I found my sbm sounding better than usual last night, so I checked the back to see if a was running it at the warmest setting (which I have only done twice at shows). It was set at regular, however, the (2B) output tube was orange. Like i said, the head sounded great, but I suppose this is my warning that the tubes is on the way out.
I shut down the amp and waited for the morning to check it again. Sure enough, the 2B is still orange. I guess these tubes could go at any time. Its just strange that it would happen so early (my head is only 5 months old).
My question for you guys, has anyone replaced their power tubes with something other than the Groove Tube 6550C? I have spoke to a few people and one friend, who is very knowledgeable in the amp/tubes department, strongly urged me to go with JJ 6550's. They are more than half the price of the Groove tubes. In fact here is a whole set for the SBM, and it costs as much as a pair of the GrooveTubes would. Invalid Link Removed
Of course, do to the new auto bias technology, I am tempted to put the exact same tubes in the head that it came with. But if this output tubes early death is any sign of the quality of the way overpriced GT6550, maybe the JJ's would be my best bet.
I'm gonna continue to do some research before I buy. Any info from you guys would be great.
I have a show tomorrow night. Its a short set (40 min-ish), but I am still a bit concerned that the sbm will preform as it should.
I shut down the amp and waited for the morning to check it again. Sure enough, the 2B is still orange. I guess these tubes could go at any time. Its just strange that it would happen so early (my head is only 5 months old).
My question for you guys, has anyone replaced their power tubes with something other than the Groove Tube 6550C? I have spoke to a few people and one friend, who is very knowledgeable in the amp/tubes department, strongly urged me to go with JJ 6550's. They are more than half the price of the Groove tubes. In fact here is a whole set for the SBM, and it costs as much as a pair of the GrooveTubes would. Invalid Link Removed
Of course, do to the new auto bias technology, I am tempted to put the exact same tubes in the head that it came with. But if this output tubes early death is any sign of the quality of the way overpriced GT6550, maybe the JJ's would be my best bet.
I'm gonna continue to do some research before I buy. Any info from you guys would be great.
I have a show tomorrow night. Its a short set (40 min-ish), but I am still a bit concerned that the sbm will preform as it should.
- Apr 3, 2003
- 35,516
- 19,952
- Disclosures
- Editor-in-Chief, Bass Gear Magazine
sorry if I missed this before, but has anyone tried using KT88's in their SB300? Haven't had a chance to call Fender to ask them about their opinion, even tho I work 5 miles rom their offices
Someone had asked about KT88's and/or KT66's in the SB300, and I'm having a hard time finding the original post. I did ask Dave Lewis from Fender about this, though, and here is his response:
Hi Tom-
Definitely not KT66’s, the plate voltage (+740V) in the SB is too high.
KT88’s electrically are just fine, however, when we designed the mechanical chassis layout we packed everything as tightly as we could, and it was overlooked that the diameter of the KT88 bottle is slightly larger than the 6550. You can physically fit KT88’s in there (I’ve tried), but the tubes are extremely close to each other (front to rear) as to not recommend their use based on that.
Regards,
-Dave
Definitely not KT66’s, the plate voltage (+740V) in the SB is too high.
KT88’s electrically are just fine, however, when we designed the mechanical chassis layout we packed everything as tightly as we could, and it was overlooked that the diameter of the KT88 bottle is slightly larger than the 6550. You can physically fit KT88’s in there (I’ve tried), but the tubes are extremely close to each other (front to rear) as to not recommend their use based on that.
Regards,
-Dave
