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The Fender Super Bassman 300 thread

#1,441
Well everything can fail, capacitors, tubes etc etc. I got my SB300 from a regular gigging TB member, and the doggone thing had the bias fail. He had zero problems and gigged often. S--- happens. The thing that must be emphasized is the warranty is top notch. Did not cost me a dime. Plus this amp, with a great cab is the best thing I have ever heard for an old school guy. I got to rehearse and gig for several months in a professionally designed music venue, and I would haul the SB300 to a rehearsal, when the Killer PA and a micro head out would have been fine. It is that good. Risk my old back at a rehearsal just so I can enjoy it!
 
#1,442
Eidolon0274 said:
View attachment 539717

Svt settings, blend in gain for taste. The high mids boosted gets the SVT thing down EXACTLY. I would invoke a blindfold test and pay whoever could tell the difference.
Click to expand...

oaklandthumb - thanks for sharing your SVT settings. Tried them last night at rehearsal (with NV610) and it really is a great tone that sounds extremely 'SVT like'.

I hadn't really been able to get into the distorted tones of Channel 2 for what I do (although I can appreciate they are good if that's what you're into). This on the other hand, is extremely usable to me! I feel like I now have two amps in one - Great!
 
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#1,444
Pretty much the time honored way. If you have a poorly braced cab and are worried about vibration, then the cab could be worked on. I use a foam pad between the SB and cab sometimes but it is probably not needed. This will open up to lots of posts about Gamma pads etc. More gigs less worry!
 
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#1,449
rodl2005 said:
The Super Bassman is my favorite all tube amp ever. That's saying a lot as I've been using all tube amps since the 70s. SVTs, Bassmans, Mesas, I've either owned or played many many of them. I don't think I've ever played a HIWATT tho.
The Super Bassman just does all the good things ya want of an all tube amp.
Power, punch, versatile eq, great overdrive. .. you name it.... It does it..
Click to expand...
hey rodl2005, I think you also owned a Fender Studio at some point as well. How would you compare the Fender Studio Bass ( I have one too) to the SB300 ? I got to use a SB300 and new Bassman 4x10 cab for a few weeks about a year ago, but did not have the Studio Bass then. I know the SB300 provides an additional 100w over the 200w Studio Bass, and the SB300 has the Vintage and Modern/overdrive channels. The SB300 also provides a DI, which the Studio Bass does not (it has a line/recording out which requires a DI). How else are they different ? Kind of thinking I'd like to have an SB300, but with the Studio Bass already in hand, not sure what I would be gaining (besides the things already mentioned)
 
#1,450
smeet said:
Do tube amps care about orientation? Could I run the amp set on its side (vertically) or would that cause problems?
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If they are constructed properly, they don't care. You do have to take some things in consideration like heat dissipation/ventilation. Or if the tubes are secured/snug in their sockets. Or if the chassis is sturdy enough. Or if the headshell will support the weight, and or the screws won't strip out.
 
#1,451
smeet said:
Do tube amps care about orientation? Could I run the amp set on its side (vertically) or would that cause problems?
Click to expand...
I don't have any fears about the chassis being sturdy, it seems to be built like a tank.

The reason I'm asking about this is because I'll be running the SB300 through a stack of S15 cabs, which are narrow enough that they fit between the rubber feet of the amp. The speakers are a bit narrow (18" wide), leaving 3" hanging off on each side of the cabinet. I don't want the stack to be unstable if somebody bumps into it.
So my choices are:
1) Set the amp on top of the stack, but the bottom of the amp is directly on top of the speaker cab (no rubber feet making contact).
2) Screw extra feet to the bottom of the amp at a width that will properly contact the speaker cab.
3) Set the amp on the ground, in which case I would like to put it on its side to save space and make the controls more accessible.
 
#1,452
Session1969 said:
Has anyone a/b'd this head between a Berg NV115 and a Hd212 ? I already have an HD212 but I have an opportunity to pick this head up with the NV115 as a package.
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Session1969, I have. My impressions are here :
http://www.talkbass.com/threads/club-bergantino-part-5.1000582/page-77#post-16751093

In summary, I preferred the sound of the HD212 to the single NV115. IMO you need 2 x NV115 (with coupling effect) to get near the lows of the HD. Of course it is going to depend on your tonal goals and form factor preferences as to which is better for you.

The HD212 sounds fantastic with the SB and has a lot of authority in the lows. Great balance in the mids and highs.

Feel free to pm me if you have any more specific questions not covered in the link above.
 
#1,453
:oops: Sorry, I thought you meant in general, not the SB 300 in particular :oops:
I had the same situation when I ran it with my Fearless 210. I would have gone with the additional rubber feet but I didn't want to void my warranty. I wouldn't put it on it's side unless I had a fan blowing in there. Too much heat buildup for my tastes.
I ultimately bought an amp stand and plucnked the head on there.

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/AmpStd

It's not a perfect fit because the feet get in the way, but it got the job done.
 
#1,456
smeet said:
I don't have any fears about the chassis being sturdy, it seems to be built like a tank.

The reason I'm asking about this is because I'll be running the SB300 through a stack of S15 cabs, which are narrow enough that they fit between the rubber feet of the amp. The speakers are a bit narrow (18" wide), leaving 3" hanging off on each side of the cabinet. I don't want the stack to be unstable if somebody bumps into it.
So my choices are:
1) Set the amp on top of the stack, but the bottom of the amp is directly on top of the speaker cab (no rubber feet making contact).
2) Screw extra feet to the bottom of the amp at a width that will properly contact the speaker cab.
3) Set the amp on the ground, in which case I would like to put it on its side to save space and make the controls more accessible.
Click to expand...

Even cheaper, get some neoprene from home depot and cut out a square to fit between the feet of your amp and set it on top of your cabs, wouldnt even be visible to the audience and would provide great vibration isolation. They make versions with rubberized outers for a stable grip so your amp wouldnt slide anywhere. I would do this in a second over having to carry an extra stand or something

Or....you could get to the gig early and drill some hooks into the concrete/wood flooring and ratchet strap your rig to the ground. 100% stable.
 
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#1,457
bencue73 said:
Session1969, I have. My impressions are here :
http://www.talkbass.com/threads/club-bergantino-part-5.1000582/page-77#post-16751093

In summary, I preferred the sound of the HD212 to the single NV115. IMO you need 2 x NV115 (with coupling effect) to get near the lows of the HD. Of course it is going to depend on your tonal goals and form factor preferences as to which is better for you.

The HD212 sounds fantastic with the SB and has a lot of authority in the lows. Great balance in the mids and highs.

Feel free to pm me if you have any more specific questions not covered in the link above.
Click to expand...

Very well covered. Thank you.
 
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#1,459
Has anybody re-tubed yet? Im going to buy a "Backup" complement, probably stay stock, dont care to "tube-roll" as the amp sounds good to me stock with the GT #9 tubes in there. I may fiddle with the preamp tubes but honestly unless they go bad i dont really care.
 

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