Fender Super-Sonic 112 Combo

(Originally written by pmilani/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
Belongs to the famous Pro Tube Series:

It's exactly the same amp as the Fender Super Sonic 112 Combo Blonde/Oxblood but with a black pepper finish.

All-tube amp

60-watt output power (8 ohms or 4 ohms with an additional speaker cabinet)

12" Celestion® Vintage 30 speaker (8 ohms)

- Two clean channels (Vintage) for two different and switchable clean sounds

- One lead channel (Burn) with dual gain stages

Spring reverb

Adjustable FX loop

Preamp output allowing you to link a second amp

Power amp input allowing the amp to be linked

3-function footswitch

Two speaker outputs (one for the internal speaker and one for an external cabinet)

On/off switch and standby switch

3/4" maple/birch multi-ply cabinet

Front panel settings:

Vintage channel: Volume, treble, bass and Vibrolux® /

Bassman® switch

Burn channel: Gain 1, gain 2, treble, bass, middle, volume, reverb

Rear panel:

Send level and return level

Vinyl black pepper or blond oxblood covering

Weight 54 lb.

Dimensions: Height 17.36"

Width 25.4"

Depth 10.2"

Tubes: two 6L6-GC, (P/N 0053980000)

six 12AX7 (P/N 0013341000)

two 12AT7 (P/N 0023531000)

Accessories: 3-function footswitch (P/N 0069285000) and black Fender® cover (P/N 0071206000)

Everything is provided to make it a high-quality amp!

UTILIZATION

Ultra easy setting, the amp is very easy to use especially with the footswitch for channel selection and effects.

The 3-channel (two clean channels) design provides a wide sound range. You'll surely find the sound you're looking for.

It allowed me to put away most of my effects pedals: I simply plug in and play, it's a dream come true!

I play almost everything with this amp. The included documentation provides setting examples but they are not necessary because the amp is very easy to use and sounds well with every setting.

The amp is not too heavy (53 lb.) for a 60-watt tube amp. In that sense it's very convenient (especially if you compare it with my Twin Amp) considering it's a combo so you don't need a van to transport the head plus the speaker cabinets.

SOUNDS

When it comes to the sound, this amp is the most versatile I know:

- The clean channels provide the whole Fender sound range thanks to the Bassman and Vibrolux modes. It's unbeatable and you can play any music style you like. I tested the amp with other tube types (change at least V1 and V2, and even V3) and I got a wonderful sound with Electro-Harmonix 12AX7EH tubes. I also tested Jan Philips 5751 tubes, which I actually ended up keeping for good because they provide the brilliant sound I was looking for.

- Distortion sound: Finally Fender excels at distortion!

I was surprised to see that Nono (Trust's guitarist) plays with this amp live because Fender isn't exactly famous for its distortion sound, but now I know why he does...

Thanks to the dual gain stages in the lead channel I can finally put all my distortion pedals away (I like plugging the guitar directly into the amp). The dual gain stages don't alter the sound character of the amp but produce different distortion colors. The EQ section adds additional sound shaping possibilities to provide an almost endless sound range.

Add the spring reverb and you get a fully comprehensive package.

The amp has only 60 watts of power, which is average for this amp type (Twin amp = 100 watts, Marshall even more, etc.).

I personally play at home and set the volume control between 2 and 3 and the sound is really nice.

Like with every tube amp it's very interesting to overdrive the power stage with higher volume settings, but I don't know many tube amps that won't disturb your entire neighborhood if you do. Even the Deluxe 65 with its 22 watts gets really loud if you want to overdrive it to get a crunch sound.

But thanks to the distortion range provided by the dual gain stages of the Supersonic, you can get an overdriven sound without having to increase the volume. The lead channel provides a wonderful light overdrive I use to play blues (it's a breeze with my Gibson ES335). (Those who want to overdrive the power stage of their tube amp can always turn to a power attenuator like the Koch LoadBox LB120).

OVERALL OPINION

I've been owning it for two years and it's the first amp I haven't had to bring to a technician for repair: I've never had a single problem, not even with a fuse (not true: the small blue power LED burned out and I had to buy a new lightbulb!).

I own three other amps (two Fender and a Roland Jazz Chorus). Each has its own style but they sound nice but are not very versatile. On the contrary, the Supersonic is unsurpassed when it comes to versatility.

It's true that it's quite expensive but it offers huge sound possibilities and makes effect pedals needless.

It is an all-tube combo, copiously driven, pre-amp section, a mix-8 lamps 12AX7 and 12AT7. The connection is more complete with, to the rear panel, adjustable effects loop send and return, an outlet and a "Preamp" entry, an additional HP socket, a socket for the footswitch, power and standby. One outlet on the instrument front panel.
The "Clean" channel offers two very different sounds: clean type Vibrolux very slamming and a clean type Bassman, fat and round, it has a 2-band EQ "bass" and "trebble" and a volume.
Channel "Burn" has two gains, waterfall, a 3-band EQ and volume.
To the right of the front panel, still, is the setting of the reverb.

Technical characteristics:
Power: 60 Watt
1 speaker 12 "60 Watt Celestion Vintage 30
Preamplifier Lamps: 6 x 12AX7 and 2 x 12AT7, Groove tube
Lamps amplifier 2 Groove Tube 6L6 GC
Two channels
Vintage channel controls: Volume, Treble, Bass, Voicing switch ((Vibrolux / Bassman)
Burn channel controls: Gain 1, Gain 2, Treble, Bass, Middle, Volume, Master Reverb
Connections pre-amp and preamp IN OUT
Effects loop with level control on entry and exit
Vinyl siding Blonde
Tilt Leg for a rearwardly inclined position
Dimensions: 452 x 645 x 259mm
Weight: 28.5 kg
Crank 3 buttons ("Burn", "Vibrolux / Bassman" and "effects") and protective cover incl.

Here is a combo particularly well endowed with functions, settings and channels, and an exemplary finish that exudes quality.
It is found around 1450 €.
Perfect.

UTILIZATION

The configuration shows both simple and complete. Simply because the combo immediately authorizes a superb sound, complete because of its 3 channels (clean 2) and EQ that is very effective. Get good sounds, because this combo offers a range of sounds from a rare wealth is within immediate reach, find a staff that fits the musical style is just as easily, insofar as this is not the Supersonic first amp that we have.
As I suggested above, the EQ reveals a rare efficiency. Whether on the clean channel lacks settings medium or the Burn channel providing three Trebble, Medium and Bass settings. Double réglalge gain permits, too, a multitude of sounds ranging from light to heavy distortion crunch through all shades of overdrive.

SOUNDS

The clean channel, or vintage, therefore offers two very different sounds: Vibrolux and Bassman.
The Vibrolux position is simply fantastic and I must say I've never heard of such a clean beauty crystalline, of course, never be aggressive even with LP in the bridge position, defined, rich in harmonics in short, the musical possible. Arpeggios sound with hairline and class while the rhythmic, without any effect, appear surprising fullness, and seat-definition intelligible and each separate note. This channel takes pedals perfectly front and modulation effects acquire a new dimension with this feeling of fullness of the sound material.

The Bassman position is almost the opposite: the sound is rounded, creamy, pulls the bass and lower midrange. Also on LP, but this time in the neck pickup position, the sound is jazzy, dark, but again, well articulated and defined. Arpeggios, rich in low frequencies, swell and the neck pickup (57 Plus or Burstbucker II) sounds superbly. I am less a fan of rhythm with this voicing simply because I prefer the Vibrolux position. Note that on the Bassman position, the amp Crunch fairly quickly with a Les Paul.
The Burn channel is capable of much, as the EQ shows both effective and gains cascade allow nuances in the level and grain. It was therefore provides a broad sound palette that ranges from mild crunch to a consistent level of distortion. The first gain plays on the amount of drive when the second brings thickness and compression depth. All styles of music can be played. Set from 15h, both gains provide a very long sustain and harmonically complex: we can talk about sound texture here as the notes sound rich and full with a violoning effect that I like.

OVERALL OPINION


It's been a long time I considered buying this combo. I recently tried in stores 22W version that reinforced my intention. And then, a great opportunity presented itself on the 60W version and I've acquired: 700 €, it is truly a great occasion, especially as the amp is absolutely like new !
I decided to 22W which is less than 1200 €, so I did not hesitate when I discovered the announcement of 60W.

I love Fender amps and I have owned many. The Supersonic is a higher class in all respects. Its features provide him a rare versatility, and in this price range, I do not see him competing in the musical style that I like: progressive rock. A sumptuous clean, precise and full drive sustain the Vibolux channel that takes pedals perfectly, an adjustable loops and silent effects, a palette of sounds that range from vintage to modern: this amp does it all and does it very well. The footswitch inspires confidence: rugged construction and quiet operation PERFECTLY (I use my cable manufacturing base Sommer SC The Source).

One caveat, however: the reverb takes a lot of breath as soon as they exceed 2 setting and at this level it is not much present. So I can not say much of anything. But I will look into this issue because, a priori, a small operation just to fix this. But this does not alter the 10/10 I give the combo because I always use a modulation effect and / or a delay which allows me to pass me completely reverb.

Now that I have tasted the rich sound and great qualities of this combo, it goes without saying that I do it again this choice without hesitation. This is the most amazing amp that I've played.