Fender Pro Tube Super-Sonic 60 Head

The Fender Super Sonic head pays more than a passing nod to the cult classic Fender Tone Master head from the late '90s. It features two channels (clean and drive) each with its own EQ. The gain channel features cascading drive controls as well for more variety. The amp puts out 60 watts of power and is driven by a pair of 6L6GC power tubes. It's got an effects loop on the back of the amp too. The amp comes in two colours, black and blonde tolex as well. Here's a more complete list of specs:

# All-tube design
# 60W power
# 2 channels (Vintage and Burn)
# Dual cascading-gain preamp overdrive
# Effects loop with send and return levels
# Vintage channel controls: volume, treble, bass, and voicing switch (Vibrolux/Bassman)
# Burn channel controls: gain 1, gain 2 bass, mid, treble, volume
# Preamp out jack
# Power amp in jack
# Standby switch
# 16, 8, ohm 4 ohm selectable
# Tubes: 5x12AX7, 1x12AT7, and 2x6L6GC
# Includes 3-button footswitch for channel switch, voicing switch, and effects on/off

UTILIZATION

Dialing in this amp to sound good is pretty simple for sure. The interface is pretty intuitive and user friendly. The controls react normally and don't have a steep learning curve like certain other higher gain type amps. The clean channel is decidedly Fender in how it responds, and both the Vibrolux and Bassman modes sound like their respective models. The drive channel is very Fender-like in how it responds as well, and that's definitely a good thing in my books.

Basically, it's not a difficult amp to dial in by any means, and I particularly like the feel of how the controls react on Fender amps, so this one gets a good rating here.

SOUNDS

I've tried this amp with various guitars and definitely like the vintage voice it has in general. For a 6L6 loaded Fender amp, it has a surprisingly British sounding character that I really like. It's got a very unique sort of flavour to it for a high gainer that I really dig overall.

The clean channel sounds like a marriage of two great Fenders. The Vibrolux mode offers a tighter and skinnier sounding clean tone, and the Bassman mode is fatter and gainer sounding overall. Having the two separate modes is a definite plus for sure, and it gives an added versatility to the amp.

The drive channel has a very smooth and refined vibe that reminds me a lot of a driven Fender or Mesa Boogie amp. Very clear and defined with a tempered low end, a present but smooth midrange and subdued highs that still allow for great driven overtones to to come through. Very cool.

OVERALL OPINION

All in all I think the Fender Supersonic head is a great offering from Fender that has a nice range of tones from clean to high octane. It's not really an amp I'd use for metal or anything too high gain but for rock styles it's got a cool voicing that stands out. They were about $1,200 new when they were out and I believe they're discontinued now, so grab one while you can!

- Two channels, clean and burn
- Clean channel break down into Vibrolux and Bassman modes
- Clean controls for volume, bass, treble
- Dual cascading gain controls
- Burn controls for drive 1, drive 2, treble, mids, bass, volume
- All tube circuitry
- 60 watts
- Footswitchable effects loop w/IO levels
- Extension speaker jack
- Pre out
- Power in


UTILIZATION

Lots of killer features on this amp. Basically three differently voiced channels. Dual cascading gain takes a little time to get used to, but is a great addition. The level controls on the effects loop make it much more usable, and can also act as a 4th channel/boost with the footswitch.
My one big complaint is the volume discrepancy between the Vibrolux and Bassman models on the clean channel. It basically makes switching between them near impossible so you’re stuck with whichever one you choose. Seems to be very solidly built, no reliability issues.


SOUNDS

Lots of great sounds to be coaxed from this Fender. The Vibrolux mode on the clean side delivers all the sharp trebly cleans you could want. A little too much high end brightness for my taste, almost icy. You have to be careful what kind of guitar you pair with it, the bridge pickup of a telecaster would just not work. The Bassman channel actually does a pretty good job of modelling the vintage Bassman tone.
On the drive channel, you really have to work with the cascading gain controls to get what you want. It takes a little while, but you can dial in just about any kind of drive setting, and it gets surprisingly heavy for a fender.


OVERALL OPINION

Probably the most versatile Fender I’ve ever used, and by far one of their best current offerings. Selling for $900 new at the moment, it is definitely an affordable amp, with used models in good condition going for less than 600. I know a few people that have decided this is the only amp they need for live playing. Versatility, reliability, affordability...it’s difficult to make a case against this one.

This is the exact same amp as the black standard or the oxblood wheat brown Super Sonic. This one has a black tolex, but the front grille cloth is a black salt and pepper looking front. Not exactly the standard salt and pepper but a verion that seems exclusive to Fender amps. I have never seen this grille cloth on other amp besides Fenders. In addition the control knobs are also black to match the rest of the amp. Same great features and tone as the other two, but just a deep midnight style amp.

Also, this is the exact same amp as the combo version with the Celestion speakers, but just in a head version.

This is one of the very best modern amplifiers that Fender has put out. This is more of a high gain amp for Fender but still keeping the vintage clean tones they are so famous for having. The amp have quite a bit of features compared to some of their more vintage styled amps. This one has a fat boost switch and also a reverb to add a bit of depth to the tone. I would call this a vintage modern amp for Fender.

UTILIZATION

Series: Pro Tube Series

Type: Tube Guitar amplifier

Output: 60 Watts

Ohms: 8 Ohms (4 Ohms with extension speaker)

Channels: 2: Vintage & Burn (Vintage channel has two switchable voices)

Features:
Spring Reverb (combo only)
Dual cascading-gain preamp overdrive
Effects Loop with Send Level & Return Level
Pre-Amp Out Jack
Power Amp In Jack
3-Button Footswitch
2 Speaker Output Jacks (for Internal + Extension speaker)
Standby Switch

Controls:
Vintage Channel: Volume; Treble; Bass Voicing switch (Vibrolux/Bassman)
Burn Channel: Gain 1; Gain 2; Treble; Bass; Middle; Volume Master Reverb Rear-panel Effects Send Level control Rear-panel Effects Return Level control

Weight: 54 lbs. (24.5 kg)

Dimensions: Height: 17.3 in. (44.1 cm) Width: 25.3 in. (64.5 cm) Depth: 10.2 in. (25.9 cm)

SOUNDS

I like this amp with all kinds of guitars, but mostly I like it with a Fender Stratocaster or a Charvel San Dimas or Socal. I like the light to medium tone of the ash and alder body woods. This compliments the nature of the amp quite well. The clean is very Fender sparkly and jangly. Then you go to channel two and having two gains is almost heaven. This is something you see on several boutique amplifiers. Suhr amps like the PT100 has a similar thing but theirs acts like another channel. This one just gives you deeper and juicy gain distortion.

OVERALL OPINION


If you need a good clean tone and a hot rod gainy distortion channel then this is your amp. The clean is remarkable and the gain has so much variation with the dual gains that is makes this amp a lot of fun to play.

Unfortunately these amps are no longer being produced by Fender. At least I have not seen them new anywhere. I don't know what the used market price is for these units right now.

Having two channels and both are exceptional is a big bonus. I would recommend anyone to go and try this amp if you get the chance. You may or may not like the voicing but it is a solid amplifier.

This is the same amp as the combo version but just in a head version. You get the same features and tone but just the ability to use it with other cabinets. This head has a particularly sweet looking tolex covering. It comes in a blonde/cream tolex covering and a brown grille cloth that match up real nicely together.

This is one of the very best modern amplifiers that Fender has put out. This is more of a high gain amp for Fender but still keeping the vintage clean tones they are so famous for having. The amp have quite a bit of features compared to some of their more vintage styled amps. This one has a fat boost switch and also a reverb to add a bit of depth to the tone. I would call this a vintage modern amp for Fender.

UTILIZATION


Manufacturer's Description for Fender Super Sonic Guitar Amplifier Head (60 Watts)
Fender Super Sonic Guitar Amplifier Head (60 Watts)
Model Name: Super-Sonic Head

Series: Professional Tube Series

Type: Tube Guitar Amplifier Head

Output: 60 Watts

Ohms: 16, 8 or 4 Ohms (Selectable)

Channels: 2: Vintage & Burn (Vintage Channel has 2 Switchable Voices)

Features:
Dual Cascading-Gain Preamp Overdrive
16/8/4 Ohm Impedance Switch
Effects Loop with Send Level & Return Level
Pre-Amp Out Jack
Power Amp In Jack
3-Button Footswitch
Two Speaker Output Jacks
Standby Switch

Controls:
Vintage Channel: Volume; Treble; Bass, Voicing switch (Vibrolux/Bassman)
Burn Channel: Gain 1; Gain 2; Treble; Bass; Middle; Volume, Master Reverb
Rear-Panel Effects Send Level Control
Rear-Panel Effects Return Level Control

Weight: 32 lbs. (14.5 kg)

Dimensions:
Height: 8.6 in. (21.9 cm)
Width: 25.3 in. (64.5 cm)
Depth: 9.6 in. (14.5 cm)

Tube Complement: 5 X 12AX7 , 2 X 12AT7 , 2 X 6L6GC

Cover: Black Cover included,

Accessories: Black Cover Included,

Footswitch: 3-Button Footswitch Included, ,

Button Functions: Vintage/Burn, Vibrolux/Bassman, Effects On/Off

SOUNDS

I like this amp with all kinds of guitars, but mostly I like it with a Fender Stratocaster or a Charvel San Dimas or Socal. I like the light to medium tone of the ash and alder body woods. This compliments the nature of the amp quite well. The clean is very Fender sparkly and jangly. Then you go to channel two and having two gains is almost heaven. This is something you see on several boutique amplifiers. Suhr amps like the PT100 has a similar thing but theirs acts like another channel. This one just gives you deeper and juicy gain distortion.

OVERALL OPINION

If you need a good clean tone and a hot rod gainy distortion channel then this is your amp. The clean is remarkable and the gain has so much variation with the dual gains that is makes this amp a lot of fun to play.

Unfortunately these amps are no longer being produced by Fender. At least I have not seen them new anywhere. I don't know what the used market price is for these units right now.

Having two channels and both are exceptional is a big bonus. I would recommend anyone to go and try this amp if you get the chance. You may or may not like the voicing but it is a solid amplifier.