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The Fender Super Bassman 300 thread

#941
So I have a question for the super bassman 300 users who use the overdrive channel. How does the gain compare to an svt or mesa prodigy? I've searched for several days now and I can't seem to find an answer. Plus the demos sound way to "full on fuzz" to tell how just a little grind sounds.... I'm very interested in the amp but I like grindy rock tones more than full on fuzz. Thanks for the help!
 
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#942
It does everything from a TINY hint of drive to full on fuzz- all with as much clean bass blended in that you want -or no clean bass blended.
I think the actual overdrive sound is very good. Quite similar to an SVT if you eq it to be so. That 'modern'or ' drive' or 'active' channel is very sculptable! (???)
The VINTAGE channel is where I, and other Super Bassman users, have been able to get it to sound pretty much spot on like an SVT-VR and this channel will also overdrive nicely If you push it ( that it'll do 8 ohms safely is another bonus in my book-as I can really open it up into a single [robust] 8 ohm cab and push it to power tube overdrive if I want).
As it's got the 6 x 6550's it's power tube drive is very chunky and thick- like an SVT.
But. ...... The drive that you can add with the 2nd channel is VERY usable and can be as thin n buzzy OR as thick n grunty as you like.
 
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#943
rodl2005 said:
It does everything from a TINY hint of drive to full on fuzz- all with as much clean bass blended in that you want -or no clean bass blended.
I think the actual overdrive sound is very good. Quite similar to an SVT if you eq it to be so. That 'modern'or ' drive' or 'active' channel is very sculptable! (???)
The VINTAGE channel is where I, and other Super Bassman users, have been able to get it to sound pretty much spot on like an SVT-VR and this channel will also overdrive nicely If you push it ( that it'll do 8 ohms safely is another bonus in my book-as I can really open it up into a single [robust] 8 ohm cab and push it to power tube overdrive if I want).
As it's got the 6 x 6550's it's power tube drive is very chunky and thick- like an SVT.
But. ...... The drive that you can add with the 2nd channel is VERY usable and can be as thin n buzzy OR as thick n grunty as you like.
Click to expand...

+1 Well said!
 
#944
Is the SB300 too much for one Berg NV115? Looking to audition next week and they have a pretty full sound. Two guitars, keys and drums. Wondering if I'll be able to keep up sound wise. And I don't feel like blowing up a speaker...
 
#945
rodl2005 said:
It does everything from a TINY hint of drive to full on fuzz- all with as much clean bass blended in that you want -or no clean bass blended.
I think the actual overdrive sound is very good. Quite similar to an SVT if you eq it to be so. That 'modern'or ' drive' or 'active' channel is very sculptable! (???)
The VINTAGE channel is where I, and other Super Bassman users, have been able to get it to sound pretty much spot on like an SVT-VR and this channel will also overdrive nicely If you push it ( that it'll do 8 ohms safely is another bonus in my book-as I can really open it up into a single [robust] 8 ohm cab and push it to power tube overdrive if I want).
As it's got the 6 x 6550's it's power tube drive is very chunky and thick- like an SVT.
But. ...... The drive that you can add with the 2nd channel is VERY usable and can be as thin n buzzy OR as thick n grunty as you like.
Click to expand...
Actually this helps a lot. I had a question about pushing the vintage channel to overdrive as well, good to know! I appreciate the quick answer. The 300 will be my first all tube head I've owned and that was the only question I had about it. I'll post a pic when I get it in!
 
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#947
yaksonator said:
So I have a question for the super bassman 300 users who use the overdrive channel. How does the gain compare to an svt or mesa prodigy? I've searched for several days now and I can't seem to find an answer. Plus the demos sound way to "full on fuzz" to tell how just a little grind sounds.... I'm very interested in the amp but I like grindy rock tones more than full on fuzz. Thanks for the help!
Click to expand...

Have you watched this vid?
 
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#949
yaksonator said:
Yeah and it's good but I was specifically looking for a hint of overdrive grind, he kinda turns it up too much. Which is good and it sounds awesome but I REALLY like the subtlety of tube grind, not super pushed.
Click to expand...

You can definitely rock a variety of very useable, very awesome mildly overdriven/gritty/growly tones with the SB300.
 
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#950
I have a Berg NV115 head and have used it with my SB300, I actually prefer it with the SB300 to the 100T. The NV115 head likes/needs a bit of grunt to drive it, and I found when using it with a 100T the amp went into overdrive too soon for my tastes. The SB300 gives it some real weight and the NV115 responds positively to the extra power with plenty of punch, although as stated you still need to watch the volume.
 
#951
I want to see if I understand this correctly. If you did something like run the stereo Ric-o-sound into both channel 1 and 2 of one of these, the only thing you're really doing is making both pre-amp stages work, but the amp stage won't really be working harder. I'm ignoring the tone settings, just talking about the amp sections. I think a clean/dirty combination between the bridge and the neck pup would be killer.

I ask because it's something I'd like to try someday, if I ever manage to get the funds for one of these together.
 
#952
AltGrendel, you cannot run both the vintage (channel 1) and overdrive (channel 2) concurrently. It is either one or the other. I understand why you are asking as I too own a Ric. Only the second channel has an overdrive blend built into it.
 
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#953
Tim1 said:
I have a Berg NV115 head and have used it with my SB300, I actually prefer it with the SB300 to the 100T. The NV115 head likes/needs a bit of grunt to drive it, and I found when using it with a 100T the amp went into overdrive too soon for my tastes. The SB300 gives it some real weight and the NV115 responds positively to the extra power with plenty of punch, although as stated you still need to watch the volume.
Click to expand...

Any recommendations on volume running one 115 so I don't blow anything up?
 
#955
yaksonator said:
Actually this helps a lot. I had a question about pushing the vintage channel to overdrive as well, good to know! I appreciate the quick answer. The 300 will be my first all tube head I've owned and that was the only question I had about it. I'll post a pic when I get it in!
Click to expand...

Hey man, the SBM is my first all tube head as well. You could get a great overdrive into distortion. When using the overdrive channel and dialing in the gain, it does start getting alot more low end heavy, which is probably why you thought it sounded fuzzy. I think this is the nature of an overdrive being powered by 6 6550's. But if its grind you want, all you have to do is EQ it in. The EQ is so versatile and intuitive. Pull the treble knob out and you have the best grind bass drive you've ever heard.
I will also say this, because I know you are a fan of the pedals as well. When I was buying this head I swore to my lady friend that I would no longer need to buy drives, fuzz or distortions. And I believed that I wouldn't. Until I tried the Rattail and the demon, they never sounded better. The Swell B-Peg, outstanding. For the vintage channel, boosts are the way to go. The wren and cuff phat phuk, xotic rb boost even the mxr micro amp drive that channel into an amazing overdrive that I have NEVER copped from pedals. In short, you are gonna love this head. But wait until you get it before you flip any important pedals, they won't be redundant, they will just sound so much better. Good luck to you man.
 
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#957
Just wanted show off my baby. I can't say enough good about this amp. I thought it may be overkill for my use, (and it just may be), but this thing sounds super sweet at low volumes also. I made a new plywood grille baffle, and covered it in black grille cloth to match the cabs. I made the opening a bit larger so I can see them 6550s glow! I'm loving this amp!
ImageUploadedByTalkBass1401316596.396504.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using TalkBass
 
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#958
tinman 1967 said:
Just wanted show off my baby. I can't say enough good about this amp. I thought it may be overkill for my use, (and it just may be), but this thing sounds super sweet at low volumes also. I made a new plywood grille baffle, and covered it in black grille cloth to match the cabs. I made the opening a bit larger so I can see them 6550s glow! I'm loving this amp!View attachment 425059

Glad you're liking the SB300. It's a beast ain't it? !?!?
Looks good with the blank grill too:bassist::bassist::bassist:




Sent from my iPhone using TalkBass
Click to expand...
 
#960
Hi, I just bought and am waiting to receive an SB 300 and at present own 2 Golight 115 cabs. I have been running an Aguilar AG 500 and found it gave me enough headroom when needed through the 2 cabs at larger venues and outdoor so am confident the SB 300 will give me this and more if needed. I play in soul and funk bands mainly but do branch into rock gigs with different bands and venues range in size. I was going to go for the 100t but the guys at the local bass centre told me it ran out of head room too quickly and would only cut smaller gigs. I am wondering if the SB 300 will produce good tone at lower volumes through 115? This is where I thought the Aggie failed to get nice quality lush funky usable tones, though it worked well as it could pretty much wallop some air through the speakers and sound great for rock gigs. I have ended up playing the GK mb 200 115 at my funk gig which is my main band but feel it has very little to offer in the tone dept. I also bought a sansamp VT di and tried it with the Aggie last week (at a rock gig) but really no joy as far as getting real tube tone. I have owned several tube heads, a Hi Watt 200 in the seventies which I ran through a 2x15 JBL cab and ths Hi Watt 4x12 with a fender pre L series p bass so got a taste for valve heads very early. Other valve heads I have owned were Trace Elliot 200, Marshall 100, and most recently a Mark Bass Classic 300 which spent most of it's time in the repair shop, one expensive lemon that one. So hence I thought I'd give the solid state amps another look but have come full circle yet again. Was considering the AD 200 as well but settled on the SB as I got it at a great price also factoring in it's versatility. Wondering if it will be overkill for smaller rooms and also if any one has paired it with a Golight 115 cab? I'm assuming they come out of the same factory? Anyway, nice to read alot of insightful threads.Cheers
 

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