Fender amps have NEVER impressed me. Great cleans but I rarely play clean. Today, I played a new super sonic. Awesome! 60 watts of tube joy, Great clean, lush reverb, you can dial in the Bassman tone and it has a fantastic gain channel. Celestion 30 speaker. Anyone else tried one?? Whatcha think??
Fender Super Sonic - NICE!!
- Thread starter BloodRose
- Start date
barbarianbrute
New member
Re: Fender Super Sonic - NICE!!
i owned one. i love, no i mean LOVE, the drive channel and the bassman channel. great amp and super great tone. you won't believe what you can do with it with some emg pups.
the vibrolux channel, on the other hand, was unimpressive. it's thin, but still jangly and sparkly like fenders usually are. other than that and the cheap little cardboard piece they put on the back, it's a superb amp. i wish i had one just for the drive channel and reverb.
i owned one. i love, no i mean LOVE, the drive channel and the bassman channel. great amp and super great tone. you won't believe what you can do with it with some emg pups.
the vibrolux channel, on the other hand, was unimpressive. it's thin, but still jangly and sparkly like fenders usually are. other than that and the cheap little cardboard piece they put on the back, it's a superb amp. i wish i had one just for the drive channel and reverb.
ErikH
Well-known member
Re: Fender Super Sonic - NICE!!
I tried one out yesterday at the Arlington Guitar Show. Very impressed. Like BB, I liked the Bassman and OD channel but the Vibrolux was nothing to write home about, IMO. I was playing a Deluxe Players Strat through it. Wow, what a sweet guitar. With both gain knobs up on the OD channel, that thing was ringing out some serious tone. I could've sat there for hours playing it. I could make due with that amp. It's got a nice voicing to it.
I tried one out yesterday at the Arlington Guitar Show. Very impressed. Like BB, I liked the Bassman and OD channel but the Vibrolux was nothing to write home about, IMO. I was playing a Deluxe Players Strat through it. Wow, what a sweet guitar. With both gain knobs up on the OD channel, that thing was ringing out some serious tone. I could've sat there for hours playing it. I could make due with that amp. It's got a nice voicing to it.
barbarianbrute
New member
Re: Fender Super Sonic - NICE!!
it sounds great at low volumes too
it sounds great at low volumes too
Re: Fender Super Sonic - NICE!!
I narrowed it down to the Super Sonic or the Vox Valvetronix 120 (with twin amps). I got the Vox and I love the sound and versatility. I did love the Super Sonic. the lack of money, room and time keep me from all my passions. I guess I'd try to own one of 'em all if I could.
I wonder if Tums would help this kind of G.A.S.?
I narrowed it down to the Super Sonic or the Vox Valvetronix 120 (with twin amps). I got the Vox and I love the sound and versatility. I did love the Super Sonic. the lack of money, room and time keep me from all my passions. I guess I'd try to own one of 'em all if I could.
I wonder if Tums would help this kind of G.A.S.?
barbarianbrute
New member
Re: Fender Super Sonic - NICE!!
dude you won't regret the supersonic. get it and forget about the vox, IMO. you won't get that kind of warm tube sound with the vox and it will only leave you wishing you would have gotten the supersonic. in fact, you can get one new around 800-900 on ebay
dude you won't regret the supersonic. get it and forget about the vox, IMO. you won't get that kind of warm tube sound with the vox and it will only leave you wishing you would have gotten the supersonic. in fact, you can get one new around 800-900 on ebay
ModestCargo
New member
Re: Fender Super Sonic - NICE!!
Sorry to be the only naysayer but a buddy of mine has one and compared to what I consider a real Fender (my Deluxe Reverb) it was sterile and severely lacking in low end.
That was the Bassman setting - the other one, Vibrolux I think, was even worse.
I can't speak for the dirty channel as he had it set up for massively high gain (at least by my standards). All I remember is it was equally as cold and brittle.
Sorry to be the only naysayer but a buddy of mine has one and compared to what I consider a real Fender (my Deluxe Reverb) it was sterile and severely lacking in low end.
That was the Bassman setting - the other one, Vibrolux I think, was even worse.
I can't speak for the dirty channel as he had it set up for massively high gain (at least by my standards). All I remember is it was equally as cold and brittle.
bloodswords
New member
Gamera
New member
Re: Fender Super Sonic - NICE!!
And therein lies the problem. Most of the negative feedback I've read regarding the SS is based on preconceived ideas of what people think a Fender amp should sound like. And given that a third of this amps channels is dedicated to high gain, something Fender is not really known for, the SS never had a fair chance with most folks.
And therein lies the problem. Most of the negative feedback I've read regarding the SS is based on preconceived ideas of what people think a Fender amp should sound like. And given that a third of this amps channels is dedicated to high gain, something Fender is not really known for, the SS never had a fair chance with most folks.
barbarianbrute
New member
Re: Fender Super Sonic - NICE!!
agreed. you can't say anything bad about these amps really. they sound good and they're reliable. maybe it doesn't sound exactly like a bassman or vibrolux, but it does have a great sound. the burn channel is very hard to beat too. great amp IMO
agreed. you can't say anything bad about these amps really. they sound good and they're reliable. maybe it doesn't sound exactly like a bassman or vibrolux, but it does have a great sound. the burn channel is very hard to beat too. great amp IMO
Ascension
Well-known member
Re: Fender Super Sonic - NICE!!
Agreed ! This is what killed the Prosonic also. If I did not own a Prosonic I would own a SS. I may still wind up with one as the cleans have more headroom and the crunch is much more "civilized" than the brutal Prosonic is.
I really like the SS a LOT!! Not as much as the Prosonics but hey what CAN stand up head to head with a :butkick::rocket: Prosonic??
Agreed ! This is what killed the Prosonic also. If I did not own a Prosonic I would own a SS. I may still wind up with one as the cleans have more headroom and the crunch is much more "civilized" than the brutal Prosonic is.
I really like the SS a LOT!! Not as much as the Prosonics but hey what CAN stand up head to head with a :butkick::rocket: Prosonic??
Re: Fender Super Sonic - NICE!!
A buddy of mine says the tone master is Nirvana.. (not the band) I have never played one. Would love to tho
you might have missed the Tone Master?
A buddy of mine says the tone master is Nirvana.. (not the band) I have never played one. Would love to tho
ModestCargo
New member
Re: Fender Super Sonic - NICE!!
To me an amp has to have that killer clean sound. If not, it doesn't matter how amazing the dirt channel is.
Now, perhaps some of the reason was the speaker? Maybe just cheap tubes?
Actually I'm very open minded when it comes to amps - it just wasn't a clean sound I dig, coming from any manufacturer. What adds insult to injury is they actually CALL the settings Bassman and Vibrolux, when they don't sound very much like them.
To me an amp has to have that killer clean sound. If not, it doesn't matter how amazing the dirt channel is.
Now, perhaps some of the reason was the speaker? Maybe just cheap tubes?
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Ascension
Well-known member
Re: Fender Super Sonic - NICE!!
The Tone Master is the "other" Bruce Zinky Fender. If they are anything like the Prosonics ---well :scratchch :naughty:
The Tone Master is the "other" Bruce Zinky Fender. If they are anything like the Prosonics ---well :scratchch :naughty:
Re: Fender Super Sonic - NICE!!
I will politely disagree with this sentiment.
Having played TONS of gigs and worked in the studio with Fenders for years, and then as a current user of Bogners and Marshalls - The SuperSonic is a very solid amp, but not necessarily Fender's best efforts.
Fender has blown away people with the Bassman, Vibrolux, ToneMaster, Princeton, Deluxe Reverb - list goes on and on, and many of those are on that list for THE WAY THEY DISTORT WHEN CRANKED!
The SS competes in a price range where the Mesa LoneStar, and a few other USED Mesas like the Mark IIB, and Heartbreaker lie, and I much preferred those amps.
When it comes to the CLEAN/GAIN thing, I prefer the Bogner Shiva by far, though I am quite aware it's in a different price range.
I like what Fender accomplished with the SuperSonic, but I feel that it's not so much people hating it for the Fender brand name, RATHER PEOPLE LOVE IT FOR THE FENDER BRAND NAME. In about this same price range I would go for the Mesa LoneStar, because I feel it has proven itself.
As far as FENDER, it is being compared to the REST OF THEIR LINE, as ANY product would be compared. Guess what? The REST OF THEIR LINE SMOKES!!!! Hard for me to rush to the SS, when the Bassman LTD plus pedals is amazing sounding, and cheaper, no?
NOT knowing realiability, I will go out on a limb and say I would gladly play the SS as backline and love it.
I will politely disagree with this sentiment.
Having played TONS of gigs and worked in the studio with Fenders for years, and then as a current user of Bogners and Marshalls - The SuperSonic is a very solid amp, but not necessarily Fender's best efforts.
Fender has blown away people with the Bassman, Vibrolux, ToneMaster, Princeton, Deluxe Reverb - list goes on and on, and many of those are on that list for THE WAY THEY DISTORT WHEN CRANKED!
The SS competes in a price range where the Mesa LoneStar, and a few other USED Mesas like the Mark IIB, and Heartbreaker lie, and I much preferred those amps.
When it comes to the CLEAN/GAIN thing, I prefer the Bogner Shiva by far, though I am quite aware it's in a different price range.
I like what Fender accomplished with the SuperSonic, but I feel that it's not so much people hating it for the Fender brand name, RATHER PEOPLE LOVE IT FOR THE FENDER BRAND NAME. In about this same price range I would go for the Mesa LoneStar, because I feel it has proven itself.
As far as FENDER, it is being compared to the REST OF THEIR LINE, as ANY product would be compared. Guess what? The REST OF THEIR LINE SMOKES!!!! Hard for me to rush to the SS, when the Bassman LTD plus pedals is amazing sounding, and cheaper, no?
NOT knowing realiability, I will go out on a limb and say I would gladly play the SS as backline and love it.
Re: Fender Super Sonic - NICE!!
I hear they are about the best, from someone thats played everything...
you have me curious.. How does the prosonic compare to the super?
I hear they are about the best, from someone thats played everything...
you have me curious.. How does the prosonic compare to the super?
Ascension
Well-known member
Re: Fender Super Sonic - NICE!!
Many thought the SS was going to be a modernized Prosonic. That was not the case the SS is more"civilized" and user friendly. There is MUCH less gain smoother crunches and more clean headroom on the SS. The Prosonic is more raw in your face and aggressive. There is more gain in my Prosonic at 5 than the SS dimed.
It's not just high gain though the Prosonic is very "organic" and cleans up with the guitar volume quite well. The Prosonic is the most expressive and touch/tecnique responsive amp I have ever played bar none!
Here are a couple of clips with the Prosonic in different situations and un-miced
Outdoors in Florida on my Fender 2/12 with GT12 75 Celestians in the A/B SS rec 60 Watt mode http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=439224&songID=5312459
In a VERY small store front church at low volume in the Class A 30 Watt mode
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=261430&songID=5639158
At home in the 30 Watt Class A mode through the 2/12
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=261302&songID=5865727
Many thought the SS was going to be a modernized Prosonic. That was not the case the SS is more"civilized" and user friendly. There is MUCH less gain smoother crunches and more clean headroom on the SS. The Prosonic is more raw in your face and aggressive. There is more gain in my Prosonic at 5 than the SS dimed.
It's not just high gain though the Prosonic is very "organic" and cleans up with the guitar volume quite well. The Prosonic is the most expressive and touch/tecnique responsive amp I have ever played bar none!
Here are a couple of clips with the Prosonic in different situations and un-miced
Outdoors in Florida on my Fender 2/12 with GT12 75 Celestians in the A/B SS rec 60 Watt mode http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=439224&songID=5312459
In a VERY small store front church at low volume in the Class A 30 Watt mode
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=261430&songID=5639158
At home in the 30 Watt Class A mode through the 2/12
http://www.soundclick.com/bands/songInfo.cfm?bandID=261302&songID=5865727
