Ampeg SJ-12R Super Jet

An AMPEG that I bought in Northern Virginia about May of 2002. As some have already offered, it's a versatile, simple one channel setup, with a really interesting reverb and a 15DB gain. This amp was equipped with the cage surrounding 2 GT 6L6s, and a stock 50watt speaker.

You have to remember to keep the 2-button footswitch connected or else you'll always be operating the amp with gain/ reverb ON.

Around my local area, 50watts and a light carrying weight works for me. If I'm gonna play Shea Stadium, I'll pack my old Twin. I like the small frame and weight, 50watts of power.

When I first played it in the music store, I was test driving a Gibson ES-336, which is noted for a sweet rhythm pickup sound. I had to tinker with it for awhile, including the footswitch connection issue listed above.

The reverb is very different than I've heard in a typical combo. It's like there's only 'half of a reverb' - that is - a pronounced trailing end of the reverb. I like it, but it takes a little getting used to. It's a dreamy type of reverb, not Surf City, which I recall my old Gemini-6 used to have years ago. Keep the footswitch connected or else the Reverb is on all the time.

Now, with the stock speaker (I believe it's a custom Eminence job), the amp comes alive right away at the Volume setting on 2/3. If you like the early breakup, then raise the volume up. Watch the Bass setting! I have 2 sound configs: 1) front-ending the amp with Boss pedal unit for Rock/ Blues, etc; and 2) straight into the amp from humbuckers for jazz. The first config worked pretty well in small clubs where I play. The amp does cut through, alright; it is impressive. But, for real clean jazzy sounds, I become quickly disappointed. The amp's Bass control makes for a real nice clean jazz headroom - until you bring the Volume up to 10o'clock. The stock speaker starts 'flubbing and farting,' especially when your laying into the top 3 (bass) strings. Like other reviewers, I eventually replaced the speaker (mine - with a Celestion Vintage-30 @ 60watts). The amp certainly sounds different now. The only issue I deal with now is humming, especially with Volume at '0' and Mid/ Bass turned up. The Celestion is big, and the end of the 2" magnet comes very close to the 6L6 cage. Basically, it's got twice the amount of hum compared to the stock speaker. And the new speaker has different sonic characteristic that warrant more Treble, a little more Mid, etc. The clean jazz sound is much improved, no matter which humbucker guitar I use. I haven't really broke the Celestion in yet; I'm trying to do that slowly.

My amp tech resolved a problem in the 1st week of ownership: the amp really hummed a lot - right out of the store. He found a bad Preamp tube, and found that someone made a radical Bias adjustment. He put a Russian Preamp in, adjusted the Bias, and the amp quieted up but had a little hum, especially with Volume at '0'. I believe that one enhancement that Ampeg can make to this amp is simply wire in a Standby switch. Otherwise, you're faced with either turning the Volume to '0' or powering off during breaks. I choose the first approach and with the new speaker and Tone settings - I get the humming that I described above, twice as loud compared to the stock speaker. When you turn the Volume up and plugged-in, a good part of the hum drops, but I do not find this amp to be truly quiet, even with the old speaker.

I have just had the speaker replaced, so I can't say what its effect might be on expected tube life, etc. When it comes time to replace the valves, I'll probably put Russian power tubes in.

i'm about ready to go gigging big time with this amp. I hope it holds up.

Between my amp tech and the owner of the music store, I let them deal with the issue of the faulty Preamp tube and re-bias. Other than that, I have not had any correspondence with SLM.

I think that the amp has a lot of value: mostly for it's Volume, simplicity of setup and weight.

1) Ampeg should wire in a Standby switch.

2) I think that for the caged 6L6s, these tubes should be moved away from the middle of the amp's rear. they're probably picking up the inductions from the huge Celestion magnet.

I think that for the money + custom speaker price, the SuperJet-R is still a good buy, considering what you'd pay nowadays for a Mark-1 Boogie or Fender Hod-Rod-x.

Basic simple amp, reverb, no master volume, one channel... read the other reviews for the details.

I wanted a fat, tube tone amp in a small package, and this was the best thing at any price, until you get to the boutique amps. Nothing Fender, Marshall or any other production amp comes close. I originally wanted a Reverbrocket 1x12 combo. I have a Reverbrocket RB-50H 50 watt head, but got tired of carrying around a seperate head and speaker cab. So I was going for the same amp in a combo unit. When I saw the SuperJet sitting next to the reverbrocket, I tried it out because it was smaller and lighter. The big surprise was that the tone was much tighter, and the distortion from the single channel, one volume knob whas much more natural and cool sounding than the reverbrocket with its master volume, two channel setup. It was just a much better, tighter tone. I have the EL-84 version with Svetlana bottles, and it breaks up nicely at around volume level 4, with killer blues romp at level 5+, Exactly what I was looking for! I am still blown away by the tone this thing gets... it is amazing. and all at a very loud, gigging volume... A monster of an amp at any price!

Have not had any problems with any of my Ampeg gear. First rate stuff. I have been using Ampeg amps for more than 20 years. Had an old sixties Ampeg Gemini when I was a kid...

Never needed it... but they have a good website.

Great amp. Huge Monster Tube Tone!! Just dont get this amp if you are looking for a clean sound at loud volumes (I dont). This amp instantly goes into a full blown Blues power overdrive at any volume setting over 4, which is what I want. I dont even use a pedal most times. If I do, it is a Visual Sound Route 66 pedal, which is a combo tube screamer type overdrive combined with a high quality compressor sustainer, a bass booster, and a signal cleaner (a really great pedal). It tightens up the blues overdrive tone even more than if going direct... but only needed on rare occaisons. Overall a truely amazing amp for an incredibly low price. A good buy. I would buy another one again, even if I still had this one....

This on was brought from NAMM Nashville, (2) Groove Tube 6L6s, and two 12AX7s. I've been searching for a LOUD CLEAN amp to go with my new wendler electrocoustic guitar ( www.electrocoustic.com )with a passive piezo and 2 Kent Armstrong Thinbuckers and this amp does the trick...and I've tried a BUNCH of 'em out !( including a POLYTONE, which was great for the piezo, but thin on the electric side, a Deluxe Reverb ( worked well, cost HUNDREDS of dollars more than the Ampeg)and several others. It has ALL the Features I need ! NONE ! I have a pedalcase full of effects, ALL I need an amp to do is sound good, and the Ampeg is GREAT !

This Superjet is NOT noisy at all, and is VERY VERY loud for such a small amp ! Its good on my 49 year old back too !

I keep spare tubes as a rule, not out of fear of this amp breaking down. I always have a backup of EVERYTHING when i gig, including guitar and pedals.

the only time i called them, they answered my question immediately ! REALLY nice lady too..

I've been playing 37 years, I have a Showman, A Blackface Super,and a few old other nonames, THIS IS THE BEST AMP I"VE EVER HAD ! My effects trail is Volume pedal> Dunlop 95Q Wah>DOD 250 Preamp Overdrive>Boss DS-1 Overdrive> Jacques Fuseblower II> '73 Maestro Stage Phaser>Marshall Chorus>Boss BF2 Flanger>Danelectro Analog Delat>Guyatone MD-3 Digital Delay...i use a Powerall Adaptor to power all this with no problems...

This is the second one of these I've had. Nothing wrong with the first, but I stupidly traded it away for some heat-of-the-moment passion I no longer even remember.
The first one I had used EL-34 power tubes, which I love. Early breakup and a nice soft fluffy Blues edge, but a bit shy on clean headroom. Fine for 95% of my uses though.
This second one is 6L6 powered, with a cage around the (Groove Tube) power tubes.
More usable power; snappier bass; treblier; and still great for Blues, with more clean headroom first. A better (louder) club amp by a quite a bit of margin.
Turn your guitar down, it cleans up. Turn your guitar up, and it goes into the Blues zone at just the right volume.
No features to speak of, except reverb, but it has a great sound for 100% of my uses now.
I loved the older version.
This one is even better.

Well behaved (no "zzzzzts," pops, undue hum, or rattles). Has good tone controls for some versatility.
I think it best for Blues edge and Country, though it can do quiet Jazz too.
Not as warm as the Reverb Rocket (2X12), nor as primitive sounding as the J-12T, etc., though it can cover early R&B primitive sounds well (but the J-12's can't seem to be more sophisticated. This can).
Good middle range classic rock tone. More overdriven sounding than distortion, though hot humbuckers may get it more there for distortion.
I use tele and strat type guitars (single coils).

No trouble with my SuperJets, though I did have a problem with a J-12R once. My J-12T never presented any troubles.

Saint Louis Music seems VERY responsive and willing to do what it takes in backup support for their customers. I can't say enough good about their responses when I had trouble with a new J-12R that failed on me in infancy.
I think a bad tube (new, but hey it happens) took out an internal fuse and after a local authorized fix, it failed to turn on the second time at bat (at practice one week later).
THEY REPLACED the original INSTANTLY then, and offered a loaner until it arrived (not needed, as I have other amps).

Couldn't be happier with SLM, or its authorized regional network. Fast and painless, very understanding and helpful.

5 year warranty, 90 days on speaker, six months on tubes.

See above for testimonial.
Can't say enough good about SLM (Crate; Ampeg; etc).

Ampeg has a name and reputation, though they've been owned by several firms over the years. Even a French connection for a while (those black ones).
Through it all they've stayed in the hunt, introducing new products that try to keep up with the times, but I think their Retro-look line is great.
I've had several blue diamond Tolex versions of various configurations and they all pleased me. They're not re-issues (it would be too expensive to duplicate old Ampegs).
But they are valid designs with enough models to find something in the line that competes with the new crowd of manufacturers.
I've had lots of different Ampegs from different eras and parent companys.
Still have a Linden NJ, V-4 and 4 X 12 cabinet. Still works as designed, perfectly, after thirty years on the road with the Doobie Bros., etc.
I'd like to find another EL-34 powered version to go with this one, and another J-12T (it was a gas).
I also have Tech 21 and Fender amps, and have had Marshalls and everything (almost) else.
I've played guitar since 1961.

simple & beautiful!!!!!!! vol, treb,mid,bass,reverb 50 watts class ab small & light, i use a dod vgs50 processor in front of the amp SUPER LARGE CLEAN HEADROOM &EXCELLENT HARMONIC RESPONSE!!!

i use ywo different guitars with this combo,BOTH with humbuckers(same pickups in each) this amp is so sensitive that you REALLY can hear the sonic differences in each guitar. I lovingly call this amp "My soul" because its so sensitive which translates into DYNAMIC when it comes to tone!!!!!!!! I've taken this thing to open jams and guys come in with well you name it,,marshalls,boogie dual rectifiers, fenders,randalls,the whole gambit &THEY ALL CRY ME A RIVER CAUSE THEY'RE JONESIN FOR TONE AS GOOD AS MINE!!!!!!!!!! I put a mojotone alnico 30 watt with a capton voice coil for better low end thump(the stock speaker i dont know bout cause i already had the mojo & already had a love affair with it. i DONT KNOW ABOUT ANYONE THAT SAYS THIS LITTLE "GEORGE PATTON" OF THE AMP WORLD IS TOO QUIET, NO ONE IN MY BAND WILL LET ME TURN THIS PUPPY PAST 3 & ON MOST NIGHS I DONT MIC THE AMP!!!!!

I gig 3-4 nights a week,keep an exta set of 6l6 's (just cause im not dumb! not cause i dont trust this amp!!! blew the shitty groove tubes in 9 months so this little monster is built like a brickhouse!!!!!!

SLM IS SIMPLY THE MOST DOWN TO EARTH "REAL PEOPLE" IVE RAN ACROSS IN THIS BIZ,UNRELATED TO CUSTOMER SUPPORT I HEARD PETER FRAMP-TONE SAY THIS IS HIS VERY FAVE AMP IN THE WORLD!!

LIKE I SAID I USE MY VGS50 SO I WAS LOOKING FOR ONE CHANNEL,TRTEB,MID,BASS,& REVERB ANYONE WHO HEARS THIS AMP & STILL THINKS A FENDER,MARSHALL,BOOGIE,EVEN 2000 DOLLAR BOUTIQE AMPS, ARE BETTER,,,,WELL I THINK A TRIP TO BELLTONE FOR A HEARING AID IS IN ORDER

This is one of the simplest amps that you can buy- its got volume, lo, mid, hi, and reverb controls. only one channel (you have to shell out another couple hundred for that) but it breaks up real nice at lowish volumes. an effects loop, or even just a headphones out would be nice as well. oh, yeah, it has two inputs and a footswitch that mutes either or both.

I use a les paul with this, and it is the fattest sound i've ever heard, but seriously, anything sounds good through this amp. i'm not exaggerating at all. i mean, a nice guitar does sound better, but you can plug in a danelectro or something and be golden. again, drive channel would have been nice, but it breaks up nicely on the clean channel, and pedals also sound pretty good through it (i use a big muff- thats a great sound). it is wicked loud for its fifty watts and is great for blues and rock

i havent really gotten the chance to play out with it much, I don't usually play real loud, and i treat my gear pretty well, so i don't really expect it to give me any trouble. it seems pretty solid, but i can't really say how it would stand up to abuse.

ive never had any problems with the amp, so i've never dealt with the company

This is the greatest sounding amp i've ever played, at a pretty good price. it is missing some features that would be nice, like distortion and an effects loop, but you get what you pay for, and i could have gotten those if i had a couple hundred extra dollars to shell out on an amp (i'm saving for a parker). The only reason not to buy this amp is if you can buy a reverborocket!

Very Basic. Treble, Bass, Gain and Reverb (spring) Single input. Footswitch which switches reverb and overdrive. I like this amp especially for its simple setup. I use a line-6 POD for signal processing/modeling and I set the amp to a fairly neutral setting with a touch of reverb. If I play the guitar strait through with no pre-procesing I tend to add a little treble boost and retard the bass a little, and increase the reverb a little. If I crank the amp a little I can get some real nice feedback. I would like an effects loop and the ability to add a second speaker.

I play a Parker Fly classic and Gibson Howard Roberts Jazz Fusion. The Fly has piezo as well as magnetic pickups which can be set up as humbuckers or as a single coil. The amp is pure tone and very quiet. Presently I have slovtek EL-34's in the amp. It has true reproduction up to about 5 on the gain control then it starts getting beautiful harmonic content into the mix. The reverb is excellent, clean and as deep as you like, from just a wiff to almost too much to handle. I changed the speaker to a Celestion GK12-85, which I think is a cleaner sounding, fuller bodied speaker than the stock model. The amp just sounds great. I want to try Svetlana tubes at some point, but so far I am not disapointed with the Slovtek tubes. There are no buzzes or microphonics in my amp. I had to modify the chassis slightly to accomidate the bigger speaker (read that drill 4 holes to move the chassis out a bit). No changes to the outward appearence. I don't use the overdrive at all. It sounds OK but I would perfer a little less drive

The amp has not broken down, and seems very reliable. It's built quite well. It uses circuit board construction. I'm not sure I would use a tube amp without some kind of backup or at least a change of tubes. Tube filaments by their nature burn out. The tubes are easy to change, all you need is a phillips head screwdriver. The amp I have has 5 screws on the back, and a metal bracket that holds the power tubes in place. Earlier versions had 4 screws and no bracket. Get the model with the bracket

Never used them

50 W combo that doesn't break your back and takes up little space. Pure tube tone for 200 bux. I've been playing for 35 years, the gambit from rock to country to jazz, both acoustic and electric. The longer I play the more I appreciate amps that are designed to drive the speaker cleanly, with harmonic purity and without the mud, the blood, the beer, sag and drag some amps call "personality". The POD mixed with the different guitars I play allows me to get a panoply of sounds. The ampeg just sits there and does its job of pumping out the tone. As tone pumps go, this sucker is a little fire hose. If some dude tried to steal it, he would pull back a bloody stump. Can't say that about some of the transistor amps I have. If they were stolen, I would rather collect the insurance. It is very easy to play around with components in this amp. The tubes are readily accessible and the speaker change is about 30 minutes skin to skin. At some point I may try a WeberVST Chicago series in this little guy. With 50 watts it has enough power to give a good account of itself.

One channel. Vol., bass,middle,treble,reverb. Tubes are EL34. Very Basic amp. 50 watts of power.
Amp has lots of power. It rocks,
I play Rock and Blues

I use a Strat with EMGs. It has a very warm sound. Crank the volumne and it overdrive and sounds like a plexi Marshall. You will have to change the speaker because it is Crap!! I use a Mojo V30 in mine. Ther is so much better sound with a good speaker.
The amp breaks up good at 11 oclock with pick attack. at about 2 oclock it really rocks. I had a Carr Rambler on lay away and I took this amp in a AB them. The ampeg was cleaner,Fatter and bigger sounding with alot more head room. That thing about point to point wiring being better, I could not tell it. I have had them all Marshall, Fender, Peavey, Mesa Boogie, Crate, Gibson Gold tones, Line6, Johnson, Dr.Z., Hughes Kettner. This is the best I have come across in a long time. Before you buy your new amp take the old one in and do the AB test. You will susprize yourself.

So far so good I did blow a Tube once.

Never called them. I got this one used.

I have been playing 30 years. I am looking for another for back up. Like I said I have had them all. It would be cool to have a effect loop. This is a reissue amp built in the 90's.

50 watt all tube combo amp, retro blue tolex finish, spring reverb
no master volume (thats not a bad thing,btw)

Used with the standard Strat single coils the amp is very clean at low volumes, even a little "glassy" (which is not a bad thing, imho). That glassyness is like that of fender..a good clean tone, no doubt about it. As you bring the volume up beyong 5 some overdrive can be noticed. Tasteful and very useable for a mild crunch. With a HB (like PAF type) the amp gets the mids which it otherwise wouldnt have. It never becomes Marshally, imho, but it definetly sits well in mix. Cranking this amp up witha humbucker is Cruch city. Veryu Loud, very punchy. One reviewer said this amp isnt Loud...that guy should get his ears checked. I have worked against drummers who EASILY broke cymbals..and this amp kept up with them just fine. But again, I do use two of these in stereo, so thats a factor.
If the SuperJet is used along with footpedals for distortion, compression etc..I think its totally killer. In fact thats how I use mine. I can appreciatte the purists who dig just an amp and an axe..but I get bored with that. I like more extremes..and with various pedals I get all I could ask for.
Trevor Rabin (session player, Ex-Yes guitarist) recomends this kind of set-up and I totally agree. The ampeg can be used to simple amplify you pedal sound and make it big enough for the band, if you know what I mean. Some amps dont do that well...the SuperJet just sounds so great doing that. And for $400? You cant do better..I know, I have looked.
Sorry to be so long winded but I really love these amps..in fact I'd easily do an endorsement with Ampeg on the SuperJets. Any questions, just email me.

I have dragged these around for 5 hard years. They have seen fair use and long hours. No failures yet. None.
I would give them a 10 but I havent personally abused them (yet).

I have called Ampeg a few times and after the usual 5 minutes on hold always got a human on the line. I can't say that for Roland/Boss, Yamaha, etc. In fact I got to be friends with one guy there (forgot his name) he is/was a guitarist and play gigs all the time. He gave me some tips that he had learned by talking to various guys who use SuperJets. Nice guy, good advice.
At one point I had a problem, and Ampeg even applied pressure to one of my local dealers to help make things right. Long story (email me for details, if interested. But the point is Ampeg didnt have to do that, but they did. Very helpful.

I own 4 SuperJets. I had 5 at one point. I've opened them up, played em', gigged em, you name it. I am VERY pleased..and I am a tone nut. I could have spent alot more money and not have gotten anywhere near as good an amp. Some repair maven bitch about the PC board construction. But in my experience its NEVER been an issue. Some people have said that there have been issue regarding unwanted vibrations in the chasis. I dont know their individual gripes, but I contacted Ampeg about one of my amps which did this on one or two low notes. They promptly (overnight fedEx) sent me a tube fastening kit (basically two metal straps and etc.) and after 30mins I never had the problem again. I was told they now do this to all their SuperJets BEFORE they leave the factory.
Any questions, feel free to email me. I recomend these amps highly and have come to believe that AMPEG doesnt get the credit they deserve.

The Jet Reissue was made in '97 or '98. Like many vintage amps, or reproductions, versatility wasn't the main factor when they designed it. But as an extra amp for srereo setups, or as a single amp with pedals, it's fine for low volume gigs, with one modification...the speaker it came with was kinda lame...

I'm playing oldies, classic rock and some country in a trio with a Les Paul Special (with P-90s in place of the stock P-100s). Boss pedalboard feeds the Jet and Vox AC-15. The reverb in the Jet is more dramatic, and The AC-15 tremelo is foot-switchable, so even with the chorus off I can get pseudo-stereo with dry/reverb or reverb/tremelo.
The Jet sounds good, not noisy (that would be the P-90s). The stock speaker blew up not long after I bought it used, so I replaced it with an Eminence. Sounds great, and the Eminence can take the power.

Other than the crappy speaker, the amp has been reliable. No contact with manufacturer since I bought it used.

The Jet is an excellent value in a recording or practice amp, as part of a low volume stereo rig, or for real low volume gigs on its own.
The bang for the buck is very good. The tremelo sounds good, but isn't footswitchable. The reverb is quite nice for this price range.
Along with my AC-15, and my Fender Deluxe, it's one of my favorite amps. Highly recommended, other than the stock speaker. Even with the cost of a better speaker, his amp is a sweet deal.