Fender Super-Sonic users

unshokie

New member
What do you all think of this amp & how does it compare it to other high-gain amps? Or would you even compare it to other high-gain amps?
 
Re: Fender Super-Sonic users

Not a high gain amp. It can get pretty hot, but I wouldn't compare it to a Randall. I don't actually own one, but I do like them and play them often when I go to a guitar stores to test run instruments.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGVXO9G8T9k

Check out the vid, as you can see you can get those sounds but you have to max the gain, the amp isn't meant for it. A lot of people make that mistake when they think this is the amp for them.
 
Re: Fender Super-Sonic users

I own one in the 112 combo version. I'm not up to speed as to what can be catagorized as a high gain amp these days, but don't think this would fit that catagory based on what I've read. I used to own a 5150, and I never utilized all the gain that thing was was capable of. I read about people who get a 5150 then want to mod it for more gain. That's crazy to me. Too much! Generally speaking I like the SuperSonic. It does what it's advertised to do. I find the bassman voicing to be very musical. I don't have a point of reference to compare it to the actual bassman that it's supposed to sound like. When I first bought the amp I was playing a lot of strat texas blues style stuff. This amp is great for that in both channels. In fact, any style using a true strat works with the SS. The gain is pretty good too. With the cascading gain controls you have quite a range of flexibility. Again, I don't think people who are conesuers of high gain would even look at the SS because it's Fender, but for my tastes.... I can't imagine what anyone would do with more gain than you can get by turning the SS up loud and cranking both gain knobs.
 
Re: Fender Super-Sonic users

They're hi gain in a classic rock kinda way...not a rectifier kinda way.

they're great. i like 'em a lot.

the bassman channel isn't really comparable to my 68 bassman head but not much is. it's a good clean channel with a similar voicing so i'd use one. love having a gain channel and effects loop. Love the cab. Great amp.
 
Re: Fender Super-Sonic users

I can't imagine what anyone would do with more gain than you can get by turning the SS up loud and cranking both gain knobs.

Have you not listened to Meshuggah?



The singer is more distorted than a Super-Sonic
 
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Re: Fender Super-Sonic users

Have you not listened to Meshuggah?
That's cool. But I can't imagine myself normally needing anywhere near that much gain. And for those occasions when I might, I'll use Amplitube rather than drop $2,000 on an amp I'll only occasionally use.

But on the subject of the Super Sonic, I own the head, and I would agree it is not in the same camp as modern high gain amps. It has a good amount of gain available, and great crunch, but a Triple Recto or a 5150 it is not.

I don't find myself using my Super Sonic as much for what I originally thought I would - soloing and crunch rhythm on the burn channel. I do use the clean channel a lot. The overdrive channel is good for a classic rock crunch overdrive. And that is a sound I'm after. But the few tracks I've recorded with the overdrive channel, I have so far always managed to get closer to the classic rock tone I was after with other gear that I own, so I havent kept the Super Sonic tracks. A lot of the clean tones on stuff I've recorded are the Super Sonic, but I think I need to spend some more time dialing in the overdrive tones I like on that amp.

The dual gain controls are quite cool. Turning up one produces a furry, buzzy distortion with a hard breakup. More modern sounding, but like I said, not a Recto. Turning the other up produces a smoother, classic overdrive that breaks up smoothly and lets the voice of the guitar speak through. Both can be mixed to get the blend you're after. A very cool setup.
 
Re: Fender Super-Sonic users

The dual gain controls are quite cool. Turning up one produces a furry, buzzy distortion with a hard breakup. More modern sounding, but like I said, not a Recto. Turning the other up produces a smoother, classic overdrive that breaks up smoothly and lets the voice of the guitar speak through. Both can be mixed to get the blend you're after. A very cool setup.

The times I've jammed on them, I found the best burn channel OD tone for me was to turn the volume and second gain control way up, then bring up the first gain control until it's just slightly too loud, and then roll back at the guitar for crunch.
 
Re: Fender Super-Sonic users

That Messhugah thing sounds like someone with just a tight right hand playin through a dry type distortion... nothin special. I can get that with my 10 watt MG with a bad monkey in front. No offence.

If you want high gain with character I say check out some Newer Slayer or Alice in chains
 
Re: Fender Super-Sonic users

That Messhugah thing sounds like someone with just a tight right hand playin through a dry type distortion... nothin special. I can get that with my 10 watt MG with a bad monkey in front. No offence.

If you want high gain with character I say check out some Newer Slayer or Alice in chains

Agreed. Not to take this to far off topic, but I don't see why you'd need a high-gain amp for that Messhugah song. I can't comment on the newer Slayer because I haven't heard it, but I agree about AIC. I also agree with everything the other Super-Sonic users prior to this post have said. Except for the statement that the Messhugah singer has more gain in his voice than a Super-Sonic. That is false.
 
Re: Fender Super-Sonic users

I've owned a SS combo for about a year and I've used it a lot.

I play classic rock and hard rock; this amp does it for me. Great cleans from both channels (though I have to re-EQ). I really like the burn channel as well, lots of different sounds there working with the two gain controls. I actually dig the Vintage 30 in the amp as well even though it's an open back cabinet.
 
Re: Fender Super-Sonic users

If you need a Fender amp that has high gain, I'd check out the Prosonic. The Super Sonic is a really, really good sounding amplifier and the overdrive gets some nice really rich sounding medium gain overdrive, but if you're a fan of saturated ripping high gain you'll be disappointed.
 
Re: Fender Super-Sonic users

If you need a Fender amp that has high gain, I'd check out the Prosonic. The Super Sonic is a really, really good sounding amplifier and the overdrive gets some nice really rich sounding medium gain overdrive, but if you're a fan of saturated ripping high gain you'll be disappointed.

The Prosonic is a different animal than the Super Sonic. The Prosonic's overdrive is great for 80's metal tones, with lots of crunch, harmonics and chunk. It's a great amp for shredding.
The Super Sonic's overdrive sounds are flexible, and with the 2nd gain control maxed and the first down, it reminds me of overdrive sounds from the 70's. It won't give you that signature 80's metal sound though.
 
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