• 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

#1,201
eyeballkid said:
So wanted to give you guys an update on my Super Bassman. Its a sad story with a few heros that make it a very good story.
So I bought a Super Bassman a year ago. About 5 months ago when I was playing it one day I experienced a weird volume drop and pulsing distortion that continued whether I played or not. I had just been reworking my pedalboard and assumed it was something to do with that. I turned everything off, set my pedal board to the side, restarted the amp and played for another hour with a note to myself to recheck the pedals later. A month later it happened again, but this time there was no pedalboard involved. It was just the bass and the amp. UH-OH!
Well, I asked on here if anyone had any ideas what it could be. Rob Schwarz, the Fender Customer Service Superhero, contacted me thru talkbass and asked me to take it in to my local service center and keep him posted. My local tech had it for a couple weeks but couldnt find anything wrong and told me to come get it. I contacted Mr. Schwarz, who forwarded authorization to my tech for more time reimbursement from Fender to do more diagnostics as well as advice from the in house techs at Fender for some possible causes to address. My local guy did as they suggested and I got the amp back a few weeks later. I took it home and to practice and played it and it seemed fine, and was for over a month, but a week and a half ago I turned it on and plugged in and it happened again. This time I had my phone handy and made a video to show to Mr. Schwarz. I emailed him that day and included the video to demonstrate what was happening. A half hour later I received a response from him telling me that a fellow named Mr. Wiggins would be in touch with me shortly and that they had already arranged to send me a full replacement amp. An hour later Mr. Wiggins contacted me and sent me a call tag for my amplifier and a tracking number for the new replacement that was being shipped that day to me! I received the new amp yesterday and packed up the old one into the box that just arrived and dropped it off to fedex to go back.
I cant say how impressed I am with Fender's handling of my issue, especially the responsiveness and attentiveness of both Mr. Schwarz and Mr. Wiggins. We have had a number of emails and they have been very personable and really taken the time to be thorough and complete in all our correspondence. Ive heard lots of disgruntled musicians talk about how the big guys like Fender dont really care, but my experience has been absolutely impressive. The head of the their customer service contacted me and helped walk me and my local tech thru a recurring problem and without any hesitation when that action didnt remedy my problem they shipped out a replacement amp the same day on their dime. The kicker is that I am not the original owner. I bought the amp from the original owner with the transfer of the warranty. My new amp came with a new 5 year warranty from the day it arrived.

Fender has been extremely top notch, and quite honestly, really surprising to me.

In my conversations with them I was told that while there have been a few isolated issues with this amp (as there would be with any product from any manufacturer) from various users that there has been no trending default to address and that my experience should be and probably is quite unlikely to be a common or much repeated experience for anyone. I believe that. They also said that if and when their in house guys figure out what was the issue with my amp they will keep me posted. I wish them luck in finding it as it was a issue that was very intermittent.

I just thought you guys should know. Youve heard about me having an issue with my amp, so I thought you should hear how much they stood behind it and how well. Definitely earned my respect.
Click to expand...

I got amazing customer support from Fender as well. It's easy to complain when something doesn't work. In my case, and clearly others, Fender deserve lots of credit for excellent customer support.
 
  • Like
Reactions: soxhats
#1,205
soxhats said:
From a show last night at the Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh, NC.

I want to be buried with this rig.

Click to expand...

I know the feeling. Love this amp more every time I play through it. Got new cabs That make it really sing and I can't wait to get them out with the band. We do a lot of old school country - similar format to your band (along with some southern fried rock and blues). Great rig for that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: soxhats
#1,208
rodl2005 said:
Congrats. That should be a superb rig.
I used my Super Bassman With my new (to me) SVT810 on Sat night. (Forgot to take pics :banghead:)
Didn't seem as great a match as the Fender Bassman 115 neo cab is. But one I dialed it in more betterer. ..... It was great. I look forward to using this rig more.
Click to expand...
I was torn on whether to go with the 410 or 115. Not bad either way of course but I needed more mid punch. Although I love the warm tones from a 115. So excited to play with the possibilities!!!!
 
  • Like
Reactions: rodl2005
#1,210
rodl2005 said:
Congrats. That should be a superb rig.
I used my Super Bassman With my new (to me) SVT810 on Sat night. (Forgot to take pics :banghead:)
Didn't seem as great a match as the Fender Bassman 115 neo cab is. But one I dialed it in more betterer. ..... It was great. I look forward to using this rig more.
Click to expand...
Would love to hear that combination, Rod. I have been stuck in hospital for the past week with a burst and gangrenous appendix:crying:. Nearly wasn't around any more, but things seem to be improving and have just been sent home. Unfortunately it means a few cancelled gigs at the busiest time of year:bawl:.
Always thought I was bullet proof..................:confused:
 
#1,215
I would love to compare my SB300 into my neo 810 side by side with an Ampeg 810, could be very interesting. The Fender neo 810 is such a huge sound (and I know you can turn it down) that it really cries out for the big outdoor gigs which are not always that common for us, whereas my memory of my last Ampeg fridge is that it was still quite useable at lower volumes - if you know what I mean.
My favourite combination with the SB300 is my Berg NV215 - but that is my all time favourite cab anyway:)
 
Last edited:
#1,217
Here's a cuppla (poor) pics from where I just finished setting up.
At Wrest Point Casino. End of year private school formal dance.
Super Bassman into Berg NV412
20141202_104342_zpsa68fmpsm.jpg


20141202_104322_zpseygfksjx.jpg


Apart from my Korg Micro I'll be Using my Fiesta Red RW-P & EBMM Stingray 5
More pics later tonight.
 
#1,218
Tim1 said:
Would love to hear that combination, Rod. I have been stuck in hospital for the past week with a burst and gangrenous appendix:crying:. Nearly wasn't around any more, but things seem to be improving and have just been sent home. Unfortunately it means a few cancelled gigs at the busiest time of year:bawl:.
Always thought I was bullet proof..................:confused:
Click to expand...

Geez Tim. Hope you're on the mend! Best wishes cobba :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

As I put above. The SVT810 & Super Bassman combo didn't floor me so far. Was good buti liked the NV412 better. So far. I won't give up that's for sure.
I'm still staggered at how easy the SVT810 is to schlep. Easier than the NV412 by a way. The extra height allows easier tilting to load.

I'll keep on trying.

Get well man! !
 
  • Like
Reactions: soxhats
#1,220
Hey, does anybody in the Los Angeles area have (or know where one is) one of these I could try out?
I can't find one anywhere!!! GC, Sam Ash, nobody has one, not even in the warehouses! I guess GC has a total of 6 warehoused in the whole country! But they can't get them to the local store apparently. And Sam Ash has none anywhere. They suggested I buy one and then get my money back if I don't like it after it arrives. Um, no. But I really want to try one out!
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back