Fender Supersonic Club

[pontmercy]

As i've had it to test, the reverb feeds back horribly when set on anything over 5. Anybody know about this?

I'm not so sure about the retube on this one being done right or it didn't ship well. Maybe just replace a tube? which one?

[pontmercy]

Well, over the weekend the reverb wasn't working at all for some reason. I think it just didn't travel well. I talked to my local tech and he has a DRRI reverb tank for me to replace it with. But just as a lark yesterday, I decided to take the tank out of the amp, out of the tolex sleeve, checked connections (look good), saw that the tanks pan frame was slightly warped, like something heavy had been put on one side of the amp at one time. I bent it back flat, mounted some craft foam from a hobby store that we had to the cardboard, put it back together, lightly screwed it to the amp body and VOILÁ! It works! better than before, no feedback and works great!

I definitely want to retube to SED Winged C PT, Tung Sol for 12AX7s and put some JAN Phillips 5751s instead of the 12AT7s in several locations to tame the beast like someone on the Fender Forum has mentioned. But that will cost me an additional $200 from the Tube Store.

For now, I'm enjoying dialing this bad boy in for my favorite sounds!

[pontmercy]

Also, I was playing Little Wing last night and with the help of a little phaser and the burn channel tweaked using my Strat, it was a gorgeous Jimi tone thing happening! I may just return the Rt. 808 tube screamer I got, I'm starting to believe with some tweaking you can get the burn channel to do anything!

[pontmercy]

Update on my super-sonic:
I got the powerplug attenuator last night from recycledsound.net, no affiliation, for only $79 shipped. I hooked it up, flipped both switches for -12db attenuation and I was able to play the amp on volume between 4-5. Nice vibrolux breakup when you dig in, but bold chimy fender sound when just strumming and plucking!

I ended up getting the new MXR Classic Overdrive and got rid of the Rt. 808. I kicked a little of that in the mix and WOW, what a great sound and not blowing out my ears or upsetting anyone in the house either!

The unit is about the same size as the foot switch so I was able to mount it inside the amp using those velcro straps! It requires no power either, just in and out.

What a life saver and for much cheaper too! Let alone I finally get to hear what this amp is capable of. If only fender could have seen fit to install an attenuator in this amp, I bet it would have had a broader appeal and better reviews!

[stratosonic]

Originally Posted by pontmercy

Update on my super-sonic:
I got the powerplug attenuator last night ... flipped both switches for -12db attenuation and I was able to play the amp on volume between 4-5. Nice vibrolux breakup when you dig in, but bold chimy fender sound when just strumming and plucking!

I ended up getting the new MXR Classic Overdrive and got rid of the Rt. 808. I kicked a little of that in the mix and WOW, what a great sound ...

I'm using an old SCHOLZ POWER SOAK, interestingly also on -12, and yeah it's a Good Thing. just a SPARKLE DRIVE on the guitar and that gives an extra flavor.

My only thing is what tube would drop how hard the VINTAGE channel hits the power amp without changing the GAIN characteristics of teh Vintage channel... I like what the V-ch does when it gets shoved around 5-6 or so (as witnessed at the FX out), but when it does, the POWER AMP is well into serious crunchville and I'd like to temper that.

Still.. attenuation here is dandy.

[pontmercy]

well I bought the second attenuator for an additional -12db saturday and the super sonic really doesn't like to be attenuated past that -12db!! It got all overdriven and flabby. The reverb was on overdrive it seemed as well, so I had to quit using it. Overall the amp got dark and muddy with -24db, so I flicked one switch up to -18db and it was better, more bedroom volume but lost all that makes the super sonice super! So I removed the second one, turned volume down to 3 and this is what I'll use while in the house from now on.

So If anyone is interested, I have a Recycled Sound Power Plug (-12db) for sale. THey sell new for $79.95. I got mine second one for only $60 and I'll sell it for that shipped.

[Big John]

I feel like a positive 'Luddite' next to you lot !!

Still gigging mine like crazy with no ill effect but i'm wondering about the sizzle coming off the reverb tube, luckily I have a 'Holy Grail' in my bag and have used it once or twice to good effect so maybe I need to look at that.
Everything else is still bone stock but have promised myself when I get time i'll stick some JJ's in after they worked wonders in my old MKII Boogie.

So, repeat after me now " Less tinkering, more playing !! "

[pontmercy]

I agree! I got home last night and quit messing with knobs and tech and just played. It sounded perfect! I love this amp!

[rainedave]

fendermusical has put up a bunch of new Super-Sonic 22 videos:

http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...%84%A2+22&aq=f

[Televised]

Originally Posted by ruger9

Fender should release a 2x10, or better yet, 3x10 version of the Supersonic. Especially since we're dealing with 60 watts here, I can see a 1x12 for a 5-30 watt amp, but 60 watts? An amp that's meant to be played that loud needs more than 1x12 IMHO.

Rifling through a guitar mag it looks like the new models have a 22watt 1x12 and a 60 watt head with 2x12 cab....but yeah, if she's that loud with 60watts of power, I don't think one speaker can hang in there.

[mickeydean]

just got mine today! I LOVE IT!

i will be buying the 22 watt version as well as soon as i can find a used blonde one!

[pontmercy]

Welcome to the club Mickeydean!

[pontmercy]

Thinking about a speaker change. I really don't like the V30. it's broken in for sure (amp was built in 2006). But it's too midrangy for my tastes.

Was thinking about the new Jensen Jet Electric Lightning 12. Anyone try them yet?

What is another good choice if I really want that fender bell like chimey tone in the vibrolux voice?

I put the Jensen C10R in my Super Champ and loved the difference it made. Along with the TungSols (which when I can, I'll be retubing my supersonic with).

Any advice or reviews? THANKS!

[Echoplex]

My friend gave me his Supersonic 1x12. I raised the bias to 32mA and put a JP5751 in V2 and V3. It's a nice sounding little amp. I play Tele's and prefer the Vibrolux channel. I run the treble down to around 9:00 and turn the amp up to 10:00-11:00 and it's chicken picking heaven.

It's not that bright if you turn the amp up. I can understand guys saying the Vibro channel is too bright if they are playing low volumes in their bassment. I like the Burn channel for bluesy/classic rock stuff.

All in all this is not a bad amp. In fact it's a pretty darn good amp. I imagine that the V30 not being broke in could be the culprit for some guys. Brent Mason has used V30's in his Fenders for years and he's not lacking Fender tone.

[pontmercy]

Well, I just bought a Weber C12B Blue Bulldog from a fellow TDPRI'r for a good price. Next up for me will be to do the JAN Phillips 5751 tubes in a few spots. Mine is biased hot at 38mv and not too bright at all, in fact, I think it's a little too hot. When I retube, I'm going back to factory (32mv) until I can figure out the bias I like.

I love my SuperSonic and as with anything (like guitars) they need to be set up properly to shine!

On that note, I think it's kinda funny how guys here will go on and on about pro set ups for their guitars, string choices, pickup choices etc. but expect to go out and buy an amp and it's supposed to just be perfect for them out of the box. I now know that the same setup and refitting applies to amps as well!

[pontmercy]

Got the Weber C12B speaker in last night. WOW what a difference. I can see the V30 being a great speaker for this amp if you could keep the volume up at 5 and up for stage use, you'd need those heavy mids to balance the sound out, but at my levels, the Weber is perfect. Gorgeous lows, scooped mids, tamed treble. My amp growls just right now.

Next up, tubes!

[dellaortega]

Hey evryone,

I just bought my new SS head with 2x12 cab (in blonde/oxblood). I've never owned a tube amp before and I'm blown away. The tones this amp creates is just awesome. It is true this amp is very loud. I find myself hanging around level 2 for the vintage channel. But once wound up to 4 the bassman channel is the heavest, ballsy as hell sound ever. The burn has such a rich deversity in tones. And the vibrolux is just like greg koch says, "its crystalisious". This amp has just turned me into a better player.

Alot of comments I read people often say that their amp is two midrangey and ice picky. I found this with the combo, but no so with the closed 2x12 cab. There is miles of bottom end.

I also read that people encounter noisy SS's. I plugged my 62ri *** Tele in and encountered a buzz from the pickups and also this very annoying microphonic squeal. I thought I had bought a dud amp but then changed over to my epiphone, & found using humbuckers with this amp eliminates noise and sqeals. Will buy some noiseless fender pickups and wire in a 4 way switch. This should fix my tele.

Does anyone else have a kick arse SS 2x12 that likes playing loud?

[pontmercy]

Great to have you on board! good to hear about the head/cab sounding so good!

[dellaortega]

Cheers pontmercy. I played my SS at band practice last night and loved every minute of it. We practice in an old Bowling Club wth a stage. And even with this big room the SS is very loud but still very usable.

Have you recieved your new tubes yet?

[pontmercy]

No since changing out the speaker, I'm so much happier with my sound. I love the weber so much I just sold off my V30 on ebay for $80! It sold quick too! Which always makes me realize I underpriced it. ohwell...

Oh, and I rebiased my amp back to 32mv. It really does sound much better, I knew it was biased too high (around 38) and what a difference it made! I plugged in and played while I made the adjustment and you could just hear the sweet spot happen! It glistened but was rich and warm too. Perfect!

I'm taking my SS to band practice this sunday. I use the recycledsound.net PowerPlug to attenuate -12db and I can play with drummer and bassist on vol level 3-4. Nice breakup and low noise. Helps keep the SS from sounding too trebly too. When I do get to change those tubes, I'm going with the JAN PHillips 5751 in place of many 12AX7s to tame the best as well.

Keep on rockin' the supersonic!