Post by asmith on Jul 21, 2022 11:32:44 GMT -5
I'm in the market for a bedroom amp. I found someone local selling this Fender Super-Sonic. "Oh, the 22-watt version?" I hear you ask. "Very bedroom friendly," I hear you comment. No no. The 60-watt version.
I gave it a test drive yesterday and I rather enjoyed it. But good grief, it can get loud. Hardly 'bedroom' levels.
If you're unfamiliar with the Super-Sonic, it has two 'modes': "Vintage" and "Burn." From what I can tell looking over the schematic, the "Burn" mode runs the input signal through two 12AX7 gain stages and a master volume pot, while the "Vintage" mode bypasses the second 12AX7 and uses the first 12AX7's gain control as a single gain control, as per the style of 'vintage' no-master-volume amps. (There are, as one might expect, a few tone-shaping differences between the modes as well.)
That means that to get some cranked-amp sounds out of the "Vintage" mode — which you want to do, because it simulates either a '66 Bassman or a '65 Vibrolux as you choose, and them amps are made for crankin' — you need to actually crank the thing.
The Super-Sonic has an effects loop, though. So the master volume issue for the "Vintage" mode is easily solved: put a compressor in the effects loop with its output volume set to less than unity. (A compressor because compression between the pre- and power-amp lets you simulate power-amp 'sag' at lower volumes).
However, the amp's effects loop also features controls for "Send Level" and "Return Level." (You can just about see the controls in this picture of the amp's rear.) So now I'm thinking, maybe I don't need the compressor at all. Specifically, my question is:
Can I just plug directly from the Super-Sonic's effects loop "Send" to the loop's "Return", and use the "Send Level" or "Return Level" controls as master volume controls when playing on the Super-Sonic's non-master-volume-controlled "Vintage" mode?
Or is that going to fry the amp somehow, if it's, for example, expecting some sort of load from a pedal?
Thanks in advance for your answers.
I gave it a test drive yesterday and I rather enjoyed it. But good grief, it can get loud. Hardly 'bedroom' levels.
If you're unfamiliar with the Super-Sonic, it has two 'modes': "Vintage" and "Burn." From what I can tell looking over the schematic, the "Burn" mode runs the input signal through two 12AX7 gain stages and a master volume pot, while the "Vintage" mode bypasses the second 12AX7 and uses the first 12AX7's gain control as a single gain control, as per the style of 'vintage' no-master-volume amps. (There are, as one might expect, a few tone-shaping differences between the modes as well.)
That means that to get some cranked-amp sounds out of the "Vintage" mode — which you want to do, because it simulates either a '66 Bassman or a '65 Vibrolux as you choose, and them amps are made for crankin' — you need to actually crank the thing.
The Super-Sonic has an effects loop, though. So the master volume issue for the "Vintage" mode is easily solved: put a compressor in the effects loop with its output volume set to less than unity. (A compressor because compression between the pre- and power-amp lets you simulate power-amp 'sag' at lower volumes).
However, the amp's effects loop also features controls for "Send Level" and "Return Level." (You can just about see the controls in this picture of the amp's rear.) So now I'm thinking, maybe I don't need the compressor at all. Specifically, my question is:
Can I just plug directly from the Super-Sonic's effects loop "Send" to the loop's "Return", and use the "Send Level" or "Return Level" controls as master volume controls when playing on the Super-Sonic's non-master-volume-controlled "Vintage" mode?
Or is that going to fry the amp somehow, if it's, for example, expecting some sort of load from a pedal?
Thanks in advance for your answers.
