Just ordered a Fender Prosonic (2x10)

[benjaturner]

It was a bit hasty as I've never actually heard one, but desperately need an amp by Saturday otherwise I'm going to have to use a Fender Ultimate Chorus, Argh!

Saw it on Ebay and the spec was perfect for me, then checked it out on Harmany Central and everyone was saying very good things about the amp. So I took the plunge.

If anyone knows anything about the amp I'd love to hear it. I don't really understand why Fender ever discontinued the model. Great spec, alledged great tone, reliability. It doesn't make sense.

Thanks for reading,
Benja

 

[JacksonMIA]

Re: Just ordered a Fender Prosonic (2x10)

Never had any experience with it. I'd also be interested to hear why they discontinued them. Let us know what you think of it when you've had a bit of time to get it adjusted.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Just ordered a Fender Prosonic (2x10)

The Prosonic is a pretty cool little Amp. Very similar to a Vibrolux in tone, but somewhat darker. If my memory serves me I think it was powered with 5881 power tubes, which would explain why they sounded darker and had 3 configurations of rectifiers class A/b tube class A tube and class A/B SS. I thinbk they are 60 watts, so they should be powerful; enough for most GIG situations.

 

[benjaturner]

Re: Just ordered a Fender Prosonic (2x10)

3 configurations of rectifiers class A/b tube class A tube and class A/B SS.

Yeah, that's right. That was one of the things that swung it for me, what a cool feature! Though I've read that in practise there's barely anything 'tone wise' between the different settings, so maybe a bit gimmicky. The main difference on paper is that the class A mode operates at 30 watts, class A/B at 50 watts and class A/B (SS) at 60 watts. So maybe in class A the amp breaks up at much quieter levels. But there's barely any difference between them in perceived volume, surely? Does one class allow for more distortion than another? I know it's a different type of distortion, but could be possibly produce much more of it.

they are 60 watts, so they should be powerful; enough for most GIG situations.

I think I'm going to try running a 16 ohm cab beneath the amp too. I don't think this should be a problem for the amp but if anyone knows different then please set me straight on this.

I'm not really familiar with 5881's. I've been using an EL34 Marshall through 10's for the last few years. Could anyone please give me a little information about these please. Sound wise, how far are they from EL34's? (Don't laugh!)

Thanks again,
Benja


Thanks for all your help,
Benja

 

[benjaturner]

Re: Just ordered a Fender Prosonic (2x10)

I've just read that they're fixed bias. Does this mean I don't have to re-bias the amp when I put new power-amp valves in? I hope so, I don't really get biasing.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Just ordered a Fender Prosonic (2x10)

I don't know why they discontinued it either?......maybe to make room for the Pro Tube Series line, which is kinda similar. They came in seafoam green, dark red, and black.
Which one did you get?

I think you can just pop in any tubes. I'd probably put in some JJ or Svetlana 6L6's and change out the pre tubes for GT12AX7C's or Sovtek 12AX7LPS. I think they used A's, WA's or WXT's or some other less expensive 12AX7.

It's a good sounding amp, but if you want it to sound it's best, I'd get Celestion Vin 30 10" speakers.

 

[benjaturner]

Re: Just ordered a Fender Prosonic (2x10)

Cool, thanks for all that advice Gearjoneser. So are 6L6's the same as 5881's or just similiar? I got a plain old black tolex one. I think you're going to think I paid too much, £679 ($1200 approx) I know it sounds like loads to you Americano's but you don't know how lucky you are with amp prices. They're so much higher over here.

 

[tone?]

Re: Just ordered a Fender Prosonic (2x10)

Hey Benja,


so you finally went and got a different amp? Did the Marshall mod work finally?

A friend of mine that worked for Fender played one for me at a guitar show here in Greece about 7 years ago or something.
I remember the amp sounding very nice and kinda Marshally if i remember correctly. Joneser correct me if i am wrong.
I remember it having a very smooth distortion and a good amount of gain.
i also think that they are built very well.

well i must say, sorry if i freak you out but i think being in England of all places you could have scored a great OLD marshall for 1000 euro and less. how come you didnt go that route?
Fenders of course are more expensive in the UK.
Anyway you should like the amp regardless.

There are some real nice JMP 70's Marshalls on ebay.co.uk that i would get if i was there.
sorry about that again!

 

[bungalowbill]

Re: Just ordered a Fender Prosonic (2x10)

They are very well built amps. The Pro Sonic IMHO was Fender doing a Mesa/Boogie kinda thing, 2-channel...1-Clean and 2- high Gain. I think you will like it ....good sounding amp.

 

[FireBros.]

Re: Just ordered a Fender Prosonic (2x10)

I always thought they had a real tough tone kind of like a lower gain Recto with the bite of a Marshall.

 

[Hot _Grits]

Re: Just ordered a Fender Prosonic (2x10)

Cool amps fo' sho'

enjoy!