Fender Super 60

I bought my Super 60 new in 1990. I was previously using a Sessionette 75 and before that a 1970s Selmer Treble 'n' Bass 50. Like all things it was a compromise choice; in this case between something small enough to move around but with a big enough sound. It is a twin channel amp but only has a shared set of tone controls limiting some of the channel switching versatility. It has an effects loop and a line out (never understood the point of this as you miss out on the 6L6's). Spring reverb (not Fender's best) and Presence control in the power stage. This is a seriously loud amp and competes with a Marshall stack with ease.

The clean channel is typical Fender - warm and rich with lots of top end. It does start to break up if you ever get to high enough volumes but that rather adds to the charm. The lead channel is relatively a lot louder than the the clean. The distortion can sound a little harsh but there's plenty of variabiltiy with the tone controls to go from crunch rhythm through to mid-heavy lead to modern scooped tones. The standard speaker is a little woolly in the bass but I've replaced this with a Celestion Vintage 30 which has increased the clean headroom even further and tightened up the sound dramatically (highly recommended). I now tend to use the clean channel only with a Pod XT Live in front of it for tone shaping. This gives enough variety for any style you like really. I use an old Yamaha SG2000 with active EMGs (H and 89) and tone controls (EXG and SPC). The whole setup sounds pretty good from clean high volume rhythm to super-saturated lead.

Never broken down but the input sockets are genuinely rubbish; always cutting out as you jiggle the jack. I replaced them with Switchcraft jacks (Torres Engineering do a kit with all the instructions which is really easy) and that fixed that for $18 + postage to the UK. Don't ever drop it though - it may not break the amp but your toes are unlikely to be so lucky - it's very heavy. If these do go wrong they are a pain to fix as to do anything on them you have to remove the PCB which is then not connected to anything to test it with so beware.

Never needed any

Been playing for over 25 years. These are getting hard to find now so may have to settle for something else if it was stolen but I'd miss it terribly. Wish it had two sets of tone controls (one for each channel).

Fender Super 60 in pristine condition. It came with pedal. The amp dates from the last build year, 1992. Plenty of apparent power with the distortion channel, seemingly less so with the clean channel. Still, when the volume button is turned up, even the clean channel is very loud.
Even though the combo is very small, it is also very heavy.

I got bored with my previous amp, a Peavey Classic 30. Even after changing the tubes/valves and exchanging the stock speaker with an Eminence Governor, the Classic 30 did not quite cut the cheese. In band rehearsals it sounded blandish. Not so with the Super 60! FInally I am able to be heard through the drummer and the Marshall stack guy standing next to me.
The distortion channel is very very versatile and you can get all kinds of sounds from it. Bluesy stuff, hard rock, 50's rock'n'roll, you name it. Nowadays I play only Fender Telecasters and they sound very good through this Fender Super 60.
I had in my mind to change the tubes, maybe even the speaker. But after using the Fender combo for a few months, I dismissed the idea, at least for now. Still, I've got some interesting tubes to experiment with later(some Valvos from the 60's for example).

Soundwise I can only rely on the experience gained by 30-odd years of playing the guitar. Not much, that is to say. I've owned (the ones I can remember) a Laney Klipp 100W, 3 Marshalls (all were tube amps of course), a Music Man, a rare Gibson amp, a Roland Cube 100w, a Gallien Kruger guitar amp and the Peavey I mentioned before. Plus quite a few smaller practise amps. So, compared to these, it seems I've finally reached the point of being genuinely happy with the sound.

It has to be said that I usually use the Super 60 with an extra 1*12" cabined (the speaker there is an Eminence/Fender from a Hot Rod Deluxe), which adds to the over all sound. Makes it more mellow. I do not use many effects, only a slap echo for some songs. I've always relied on the "less is more" and KISS (Keep it simple stoopid) axioms.

Seems to be very solid and sturdy. Others have warned about the possibility of breaking the red knobs. I do not think it is a problem if the combo is not manhandled. The input jacks are a bit delicate, though. I might have to install a pair of Switchcrafts in the future.

I have never dealt with them. As this is a 15 years old combo, there is no warranty.

I am actually looking for another unit, so I wouldn't have to lug the one I have back and forth when going to band rehearsals. I like the idea that something considered oldish (but not vintage), cheapish and not-so-good-sounding actually turns out to be this good. I could have bought a new Fender Hot Rod Deluxe, I'm glad I didn't.

First, let me say sorry because i don't speak english very well, i'm italian... We talk about Fender Super60, made in the late 1980. Dual channel(clean channel: good tone but low volume;dist channel: very loud, very good for blues and rock),1x12, effects loop, shared eq (most think it's a problem, but not for me). It's very small, but very heavy to carry on! Bought one year ago to have a good amp for gigs, it work so well that i'm impressed! I rate 9 because the lack of volume in the clean channel and it's weight

I play whit a 1983 Squier SQ stratocaster; i've try this amp with a lot of guitar (gibson flyng V, stratocaster u.s.a., paul red smith and more). I think this amp is marvellous (for 300 euro!), and i was really lucky to find them. It's perfect for rock and blues: the clean channel is a little bit trebly, but very lovely (but i wish it would have more volume!). The Dist channel is damn loud and very verasatile, you can use a lot of combination of gain and volume to obtain the sound you prefere. I rate 9 because the low volume of clean channel

I use this amp 3 times a week, and i take him always with me when i go on a gig.. it's small, and easy to carry, but very heavy! i think i will use some wheels in the future.. Bought used, after 3 months i had to replace valves and condenser: now i have RCA nos valves, that works great! I think it needs periodic controls (about every 5 years)
I rate 9 because of it's weight

when broken, i take it to a friend that works great!

Been playing 10 years. This is my first valve amp, i bought it because i see his low price compared to other amps, and i listen to the review i've readed here. It's steal at under 300 euros used! I think there isn't better choice for who wan't to spend so much money. Sure, there are amps that sounds better than him, but he works very well too. The only problems of this amp are two
1) first his the lack of volume in the clean channel, but I resolved whit a booster (ts808 or vox vbm-1 bryan may special)
2) it's so heavy! I wish it was more light!
Finally, for this price: i'd say the amp is perfect.. I love it and if it were stolen or lost i would buy it again (if i would find it)

60 watts, tube, 1 12" speaker, two channel (shared eq = disappointing), effects loop, line out, very loud, very heavy. Others as mentioned below. Keeps up with a loud drummer with little effort (7 or so on the clean channel).

The clean channel is very fender and can be dialed in to sound close to the older ones (I also have a mid-60s bandmaster which sounds stunning). This comes pretty close and is more portable. (well, it fits in a smaller space). The dirty channel "is what it is" as my tech put it. It does go really, really loud though.
I use the clean channel with a million effects in front and it takes to them very well.

I got it used, with wonky input jacks and shot tubes. My tech gave it the once over, put in new tubes, then noticed that only one was firing. He fixed that and it now can be used in sonic warfare. The original jacks were garbage.

I had read the good reviews on this forum and picked one up when I saw it for cheap on craigslist. At first it sounded pretty thin and quiet and I was disappointed. I then threw another $130 at it for parts/labor and it seems ready to go. As such, it is a darn good bargain.
Cool little combo amp from an overlooked period of fender's history. Is it as cool and as versatile as Rivera branded amps? No. Does it sound as good as Rivera amps? No. However, it is a really good little amp and cost a fraction of what he now builds.
I look forward to lugging it around for years to come, as it can do some nice "fender" cleans in a small (and loud) package. It is funny to watch amp stands creak under its weight. Overall, I'd do it again.

Made in approx. 1990. I bought it in Australia for about A$800. Very versatile although weighing a ton. Unfortunatley, I have lost channel foot-switch.

Amp has heaps of power. However, in a band/jamming context it can be overwhelmed by larger bass and guitar rigs.

After 16 years I probably need to replace tubes and possibly speaker.

It's been a great workhorse over the years and sounds just as good as when I bought it.

The clean channel is very good, typical fender. I use a 62' Strat and the combination is perfect. The clean sound is perfect for blues/jazz. I use clean at 5. Reverb is also very good.
Single EQ can be a problem. Dirty channel has its problems. I prefer to use a pedal (currently a Marshall Gov').

Very reliable. I would use on gig without backup.

It has been dropped, had drinks spilled on it, spider colonies inside it, scrapped on the floor, tipped over, used as a vocal amp, had a bass put through it on 10 etc etc but it still works as new.

Wow - I can't believe my Super 60 has basically been my life for like 17 odd years and I have never really spoken about it - and now these reviews have totally opened it up for me. And erm, enough already about the features. I score down a little because the clean and presence I find useless!

Distortion channel. Gain on 3 (or 2.75 to 3.25 for subtle variations) and volume on anything above 2.25 and this is absolute heaven for me. If you can get above 5 on the volume then things go utterly astro - but this beast is so stupidly loud I have only got to 5 about three times in 17 years! Hardly 11 is it tap fans.

The mid control has tremendous power, the reverb is nice. However I find the presence an utter pain in the a. In fact the fizzy sparkle issue has stopped me playing open D chords for years!

And the rivera build comment makes total sense. The super 60 is unlike any other Fender I have played and guitarist friends take ages to get used to it.

Biggest issue and learning from these reviews is that my old trusty humbucker wilson sounds like the lord himself funking out - however my new tele si??ngle coil sounds very bloody average. If that is something in the amp architecture it makes total sense to me. My wilson is really high output and the super 60 loves. It frankly hates the tele and there is far too much biting fizziness even with the presence at 0 and the treble rolled off and the tele volume down on the neck pick up - I think its hummies only for the real deal here IMHO

Yeah don't break this. Menders hate it. And don't let the untrained switch it on and off wrong. Or break knobs. Or knock it off stage. But hey mine is still going strong. It weighs a tonne though but doesn't like abuse. But hey I used to carry it school!

My old man an I actually got a pair of Super 60s on some dodgy factory dirdct back-of-a-lorry put-together-from-spares number or something so I guess I have to give some props to some factory dudes!

17 years or is it 18. My 74 wilson with massive high output humbuckers through the super 60 is me. I would get another if I smashed this one. My vibrochamp is much better clean and I am considering the twin 3 channel for the future. I put a VTwin, crybabies, george dennis wah switch, EH stone and microsynth, mayer fuzz etc. in front and never bother with the fx loop.

I love the distortion channel at 3 for controlled blues and the volume at 6 for unreal feedback heaven.

I hate the presence knob - it is my evil arch nemesis.

The on off system is still just too complicated for many of my guests!

1. Amp was made between 1988-1992
2. I play R&B and the amp is just perfect, the clean channel is great
3. Channel switching yes ! Wish it had a seperat eq for the drive channel.
4. I play out about 10-12 times a month, plenty of power for a small to medium size club

1. The clean channel EQ is very sensitive , you can dial in many sound qualities ranging from Blues, jazz and rock n roll
2.The Distortion Is BRUTAL be careful when switching channels, you'll wake up the dead
3.I play a Bradley 69 Thinline copy with Texas Specials P/U
4. Very Quiet Amp even when switching to the drive channel

Never any problems on a gig , I would recomend replacing the Tubes if you buy a used Super 60 , I recomend 6l6GE (GT Tubes) for the preamp try 12ax7 Mullard reissues (GT Tubes)

Not Needed

I've been playing Guitar 32 years , and by far this is quite simply the best amp I've ever owned , I also own a Peavey Stereo Chorus 2x12, not bad either. If Lost or stolen I'd cry like a baby , Anyone looking for a great little club amp buy it, they weigh a ton, but it's well worth it.

made between 1988 - 1992.
Very versatile warm amp, although the volume difference between the clean and gain channels is quite marked. I have used this amp for home/studio practise and also limited gigging and its never let me down.

Never managed to play it loud enough to make the clean channel distort, my ears just couldnt cope.
I was happier using just the clean channel with a bluesbreaker and chorus pedals so I could keep better control of the volume, without switching to the gain channel on the amp.
I use it with a delux strat, a telecoustic and a first act electric all to great effect - it handles my electric/acoustic needs just fine.

no noticeable noise/hiss even when cranked up

Completely dependable, never had a problem with it.
Changed the valves once while I've owned it and had both inputs repaired due to the previous owner mis treating the thing. since then its been sweet as a nut.

No experience of this

Been playing guitars for around 5 years, got this as a swap for a Marshall MG50 and this was the better amp by a mile. Now have a fender Stage 160 which is a bit more versatile for the kind of stuff I like to play and the sounds i like, but I still love this amp.

In my opinion the super 60 could only be improved by minimising the difference between the clean and gain channel volumes

Wow, now i love my super 60.
2 channels, (no reverb footswitchable).
when i bought it, it had old tubes and sounded like crap.
once i fixed the tubes and soldered a wrecked capacitor, this is my baby.
quite loud enough

i prefer it over my mesa caliber 50 when it comes to playing clean stuff. the distorion is overwhelming somehow in a sense that it's not gonna work for all styles in my opinion (no 2nd eq-section)...its to BIG somwhoe, it tends to accentuate bass and treble and get washy in the mid section. still cool, though but not very flexible. it cranks somehow but its not deep or evil like modern stuff but rather crying. since i seldom play distorted, this ain't bad...
if you play crunchy, its real fun and bluesy sound!
not noisy.

i play funk/jazz/rnb/reggae/rock stuff
strat, tele mostly

of course you can't carry a backup, this amp already hurts your back...
it never let me down yet (knock knock knock)
but this one has broken down since my previous owner obviously didn't care too much-since i fixed it its everything coll, though

not dealt

am playing professionally.
would always try to get sth similar again, this one is not easy to find. they tend to get to you ;)

love the clean sound and the punch in the stomach-pure tube fender!!!
much better distortion than other fender crap.
as said, this one rules over my mesa caliber 50.

90 model most other appointments have been covered in previous posts.
60 watts, 2 channel, short box reverb
I got the SNAKESKIN one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I play all styles, It just has THAT Fender sound, you know that one I mean! I use the drive side and adjust the tone for it, using my Volume on the git to clean up or drive. This amp is LOUD!

15 years old, I guess it will last

Out of warranty

I like it, heavy, but sounds so good and punchy for only 112. I would buy it again

the little combo,please read the others...

im using fender mex strat and jerzy drozd custom guitar.
This little amp has a big problem, i tried many things to take the best of the overdriven channel but i couldn't find where the problem is...im now thinking that its the cone thats up...im gonna change it to a vintage 30 or Jensen C12-K, bc this amp is very very loud...
i would like to hear another Super 60 but i cannot, its not very popular in here...
i tried it wit a 2x12 of vintage, sounded really better...i tried a 4x12 with g12t75 to hear the differences and it was less brighter...

the problem i'm talking with the overdrive is the great amount of high freq., it makes the amp sounds very ugly when u play a D chord is 1st position for example when having the gain more than 3 or 4...
its a nightmare...

i play of kind of styles but of course this amp is designed for blues, country,surf, classic rocknroll... if i'd have a eq just for the dirstorted sounds, i could use it for all kind of styles...

if i finally correct the overdriven channel (that for me is lika booster over the clean channel) i'll be very happy...

still lucky: no needed to...

ive been playing for 10 years, i have a jmp+marshall 8008+1960 4x12 too, and from the guitars to the amps i use a EB volume pedal, the duncan booster y the 535 crybabe wha...
i love the clean channel, but i hate the overdriven...its a love/hate story
im now gonna make a revalving /rebiasing and change the speaker and i hope i'll have the real sound of this baby, thats hiding inside some defective thing...Rivera made good job but its not easy to use it 100% and let u completely satisfied...

I'll write this review in spanish. For those who doesn't know about us: Spain and Latin America rocks too.
Primero: Desde Buenos Aires, Argentina, quisiera compartir con uds la experiencia que tengo con este amplificador.

Origen EEUU, producido entre 1988 y 1992, post-CBS era. Lei por ahi que fue dise?ado por gente de la firma Rivera (epa, intersante). Algunos lo consideran un equipo de transicion dentro de la firma Fender. La discontinuacion de este ampli dio a lugar a lo que pudimos ver en los 90: "el resurgimiento de la estetica vintage". Los potes en la parte superior, como los primeros amplificadores dise?ados para tocar sentado frente a la audiencia (imaginate sentado con la viola y tu ampli al lado: si tenes los potes al frente, es muy incomodo; los cambios introducidos en la accesibilidad a los controles tienen relacion directa con los cambios en el uso: pensa en Hendrix frente a su muralla de Marshalls poniendo todo en 10 ;D)

Todo lo dicho respecto a la "estetica vintage" parece atentar contra este equipo, y lo digo por esto: la verdad, los amplis vintaje son lindos a nivel visual, parecen mejor terminados, mas decorativos...esto hace que el Super60 no sea adecuadamente valorado: he escuchado hablar a musicos grosos sobre este ampli (sin decir nombres, integro la formacion que grabo Oktubre de los O's), diciendo "ah...see, con las perillitas rojas...es un invento raro eso, naa no va". Bua

en fin, si sos fan de utilisima satelital buscate otro ampli, porque con el Super60 no vas a lucir bien, simplemente, vas a sonar bien. Esta en ti decidirlo...

Ah...cierto..."red knobs"...que cagada no? mi ampli no se parece al legendario twin reverb...bueno basta de eso. Tiene esa particularidad. Son rojos. No son doraditos, como los marshall...que macana. Lo que si, te aviso: mi ampli tiene mas de 15 a?os, y jamas un pote me metio un ruido...Esto te deja en otra cruel encrucijada, sonar bien o lucir bien...pensalo...

Un parlante de 12 pulgadas...mencione que se trata de un combo? Pesadito eh, si lo queres desplazar en tu monoambiente de 20m2, ponele rueditas, va de onda.
Respecto al parlante, ese cono, tranquilamente puede soportar un cabezal de 100watts de transistores. Cuando las valvulas empiezan a tomar calor, el volumen que podes alcanzar te va asombrar.

2 canales, limpio, y distorsion.
Primero el limpio: impecable, muy leal a tu viola. Cada nota adquiere un cuerpo increible. Un sonido con mucha compresion...bien
Distorsion: se controla mediante el pote "gain". Vos diras, "eh, los equipos marshall tienen como 20 potes para controlar el canal lead, el super60 no tiene matices": error.

Features...aver..ah..3 controles de equalizacion, reverb valvular y "presence".

Tiene 2 entradas para la viola, pero no recomiendo tocar con 2 instrumentos, no lo hagan en sus casas ni?os.
Es un ampli muy versatil, ahora digo por que.

En cuanto al sonido, es aqui donde me puedo explayar respecto a la versatiliad.
Basicamente lo uso siempre en el canal distorsionado. La clave de este ampli es la convivencia entre el control "gain" y la equalizacion: agudos, graves y medios. Realmente marcan la diferencia, del 1 al 10, Ag Me y Gr, muy sensibles, recorridos muy parejos, quizas lo mejor del equipo.

Por ej, te gusta SRV bluseando? listo: pones los medios en 7, graves en 4 y agudos en 6; el gain en 4, y tu strato vuela. Vas a tener un sonido con muchisima compresion y sustain, muy muy calido y dulce. te vas a preguntar para que existen los pedales de compresion, en serio.

Te gusta Santana? solucionado, gain y Gr en 7, muchos medios y tu Les Paul va a adquirir ese matiz que tiene la distorsion de Santana, algo opaca pero repleta de matices en las notas altas.

En cuanto al reverb...tambien hace la diferencia...muy sensible, recorrido muy parejo, otra una pegada del ampli.

No tengo conocimientos tecnicos, ni tampoco tengo idea respecto al pote "presence". Lo dejo en 5, neutral, que no joda pero que no desaparezca :P

Creo que la pegada de este equipo es la versatilidad que ofrece la excelente equalizacion que tiene. No soy partidario del sonido metalico, pero si pones el gain en 8, y matas todos los medios, te podes acercar a un sonido metalico...pero no es su fuerte. Si buscas eso, seria preferible hacer base en el canal limpio y usar algun pedal a tu gusto.

La mayor parte de mi conocimiento sobre el super60 es a traves del uso de una strat plus '89, con lace sensors. Si hay algo definitivo que se pueda decir respecto a este amp, es que con una strato hay satisfaccion garantizada.

Lo recomendaria para tocar Rock/Blues/Jazz. Responde muy bien a los controles de tono y volumen de tu viola. Tu viola en 9 suena clarita, en 10 cruje. Claro que depende mucho de tu viola, pero hay amplis que no tienen esta ventaja. Vease un gran equipo, como el JCM2000...nop

Hay que decir algo en contra: si queres sonar distorsionado, agresivo, este no es tu ampli, al menos que elijas algun buen distorsionador. Si con el gain pasas el 7, y queres mantener un buen nivel de medios y agudos, va a parecer que no cambiaste las cuerdas en a?os; perdes todo el brillo, no hay crujidos, ni armonicos, nada, un desierto; y el sustain q obtenes no justifica la perdida. Mal. Muy Mal.

Todavia no tuve problemas. Es un fierro, es un Fender.
El problema es que al ser un equipo discontinuado, no vas a encontrar en Argentina personal que conozca esta gama de equipos; mucho menos repuestos.
Ni bien lo compre (usado a primer due?o), encontre que en algunas frecuencias metia un ruido (que se escuchaba solo a bajo volumen), era un ceceo, como si hubiera alguna parte suelta que vibraba a ciertas frecuencias, muy molesto si planeabas tocar bajito en tu cuarto.

Lo lleve a los tecnicos de oficiales de Fender en Argentina, y me cobraron 20 u$s de aquel entonces por mirarlo y decirme "no se que le pasa al ampli"

Los distribuidores de Fender en Argentina apestan, me haria contrabandista de Fender solo para verlos arruinados. Grrr

Aguante la Industria Nacional

http://www.blues-music.com.ar/amplis.html
http://www.nativoamps.com.ar/Indexesp.htm
www.fantaluthier.com.ar

y a todos los luthiers! a romper con la dependencia economica! :P

En lineas generales, es un combo que reune caracteristicas que son imposibles de encontrar en Argentina:
1- Es Fender
2- Completamente valvular
3- Tiene un gran sonido (ser fender y valvular no lo garantiza, por eso hay que diferenciarlo)
4- Es muy potente, 60 watts.
5- muy versatil

y por ultimo, atencion:
6- 500 dolares. Los desafio a que recorran el pais con 500 dolares en la mano (sean cuidadosos, hay mucho atraco por ahi) y comprar un equipo Fender valvular de 60 watts.

Van a encontrarse con humanoides que les pediran entre 1000 y 1400 u$s por los fender de la linea Hot Rod (40 y 60 watts respectivametne, deville, deluxe, bla bla). Por supuesto, justificaran ese atropello a la razon porque son "vintage"...Por favor, descarten eso...no les den pelota...

La unica alternativa en Argentina al Super60 son los equivos valvulares nacionales, como los Cream. Con 500 dolares ya se puede salir a pelear algo, y son tan buenos o mejores que los Fender. Caso contrario, preparense para tener que gastar arriba de 800 dolares para sonar valvular.

Vi que en EEUU, en ebay, lo ofrecen por 150 uss....alla ellos. Que vengan aca a comprar un ampli valvular con 150 dolares...si vienen, mejor vayan a florida a comprar camperas de cuero ;)

diegohg@argentina.com

This amp, along witht the Super 210 and a couple other variants in this vintage, have about the same complement of features. All designed in the late 80's and at the time, destined to be the last of the tube amps. "the twin" falls into this catagory as well, but in a completely different animal. All of my comments will/should pertain to all of these tube amps with the exception of the twin, which will be in another post. The sixety is basically a one channel amp, but when set up right is very powerfull. The reverb is standard Fender and one of the three 12ax7's is for this purpose. Whats left is your basic gain/distortion and master volume. Full complement of tone controls and presence/notch. Never use the notch, only the presence. One 12 inch fender speaker in the 60 and 2-20's in the 210. Weight is bearable. All were red knob, black grill, will some very late issues in and around 92-93 were black knob, silver grill.

Now for the good/bad. When either the 60 or 210 is set up right, they are super sounding amps. They can be fairly reliable (more below)and rugged. However, when they are bad...they are really bad. If you have a good one, put some eminence legends in it and you have one fine little club amp. Add a few peddles, and you can do most anything. Just don't overdrive the front end too hard...you'll be sorry. See below.

Next the trouble you may get into. These amps are an absolute bitch to work on. I'm also a tech and have worked on amps for a very long time. If you've heard horror stories on the twin,(which ain't as bad as you hear)then these are far far worse. First, make a wooden cover to shield the red knobs from all doors, other cabs, anything metal or anything hard. Put the cover on religiously or you'll be sorry. If you bang a knob (that sticks out way too far) its history. Find a replacement? Only from Fender. Expect weeks/month to get it and you'll also get dinged pretty good for it. Suggestion: Get a handfull or build the wooden cover. If you break one off, that circuit is done until repaired. These are all mounted on a pcb board and its a very difficult surgery to get it out and back. Just barely room. Next most of these have fixed bias. There is an optional bias circuit on the schematic, but I've never seen one with it installed. Suggest you install it or try to stick with the tubes it came with. One pot and resistor change is it.....well, except for getting the main pcb out. Fender designed these things such that all the components are on top of the board facing the bottom of the amp. So when the chassis is removed, you don't see the pcb components and location codes until removed. About 10 leads to unplug to get to anything. Then you have a board out, unplugged. How can you troubleshoot a board like this? No power or connections. No other way, unless you have xray vision to see through the pcb to the other side. So using a signal tracer is out or using a generator/scope is out. UNLESS, you have a test unit set up to place the board in for testing! I did just that...only way to do it right without spending an inordinant amount of time checking components. Bottom line, if it breaks, expect you pay big bucks for the repair.

Forget it, unless you want to take it to a good Fender service center, then expect to pay. I guess the good news is that parts are available, but pots only through fender. PS, these are 12mm pots pcb mount.

When its good, its very good. When its broke, its not a pleasant experience. Do take care of the knobs. Have a tech (and be prepared to spend some $$) put in an adjustabe bias and check the entire circuit for distortion. Check all coupling caps. Replace all the electrolyics (its time...16 years) and do it while the board is out.
Then you should have another 10-15 years of service out of a great little club amp.

60Watt - 1x12" Fender Blue Spkr - 2 Channels(Hi and Low input) with same EQ, reverb(spring accutronics), presence - 2 x 12AX7 and 1x12AT7 pre - 2x6l6GC power - Pre out and Power amp in - 8ohm exit...Made in Usa in the late 80'. I thinks these are enough for this kind of amp.

Ok...Clean sound its really lovely and all guitar give the best, obviously my 1984 Japan Strat with texas special is the better test, maybe it can be a little fat but harmonics and natural brightness are sure.
The really good side is the EQ, it's sensitive(also reverb), not like some Marshall where Eq works like a ghost...Reverb its perfect for my taste,presence works fine.
Ok...Overdrive Channels needs to work on it...first you can raise the gain only to 4-5, this is the deadline,after this...shit!!With a strat is just an overdrive/crunch...With a TS9 maybe you will improve the overdrive to something more "comfortable".I use a Rat fo dist and with this amp this pedal is brilliant(sustain and harmonics).I use my 1980 Ibanez Artist 50 with humbckr and the things doesn't go better...but something really interesting happened when I tried an Ibanez RG550 with a DiMarzio ToneZone bridge position., Hey guys...This amp sound Rock!!! I mean really rock dist sound... not bad...

Really like a Tank 26 Kg of quality...

This amp make you always one step up for is sound quality and loud power versus other similar amps.

60 watts, 2 channels, class B, tubed, footswitch, and 1,000,000 lbs.
Sounds great, only has one eq though. Weighs a ton for its size.

I only use the clean channel. I get my tone from a Fulltone Fulldrive2. I get a slight hum if i get a little too distorted, but i rarely do, and the hum could come from anywhere in my chain. Plays really well. Very loud.

Yes...it does sound great...but mine is a piece.

bought it used a year ago...it came broken. Had it repaired, replaced all the tubes, fixed it up. A couple weeks ago it completely died. Is sounds like im listening to headphones from across the room. Thats about how much volume i get. Replaced all the tubes....nothing. Sent it to a fender tech...haven't got it back yet.

Died one other time on me, had to replace a preamp tube. Dont know why...the others didn't seem like they needed replacing.

Never contacted fender directly...but i have dealt with fender technicians. That dude was nice.

Been playing 5 years. I really like this amp....when it works. I get great tone. Suits my price range. If i was to buy another, i'd probably go with a class A amp a little more fancy than this...like a vox....but this definately does well for me. Wish it had a separate eq for both channels...and wish it weighed a lot less.

I own one of the rack mount versions and baught it brand new in 1989. It has two channels and an effects loop and all tube. I cuurently am running it though a fender 4/12 cab that I got used for under two hundred (I probably should break down and check to see what speekers it has in it because theys sound better that may Marshall 1960 4/12.
I wish the clean were a bit louder but miking it with a PA can resolve that issue. The gain channel is down right lowd it can hang with my JCM2000 DSL 100. It may actually be louder. At least below the 4 setting it is alot loader. And I never use it above 3.5.

The clean channel is fantastic, the usual for a Fender tube amp. The gane channel down right screems. I have a les paul standars and Shecter tele standard. Both guitars sound incredible with this amp. My Marshall went into the shop recently and has been causing me major head aches. I replaced the power tubes (Gruve Tube Gold Series 6L69) on the old Super sixty and have been just blown away with its tone. I am going to replace the preamp tubes soon. I think I now like it better than my Marshall. When the Marshall gets back from the shop I will probably sell it and get a second super sixty rack mount to make a stereo setup. These amps are by far the best bang for the buck ou there I am surprised they havent become a classic amp. Better for those of us who know better.

I play mostly orriginal rock music that I compose. However I do like to play some Zeplin and some Who from time to time. With th etele I can get really close to Tonshends Live sound from the Early eighties. And with the pual and the help of my Yard Box ( a tone bender coppy) I can naile all those Great Zep one and two tones. Also with a Start you can do a pretty decend David Gilmore, Cumfortably numb etc.

I have been really enjoying my rediscovery of this amp. I may also get a combo just to play inside my house with on winetre days when it is to cold to go to the Barn

I have had this amp since new and it has never let me down. Ot sat rarely uised for at least 9 years while I went through my Marshall kick. When the Marshall went nuclear, I fired it up and was really impressed.

No experience.

These amps really are increadible and are a steal at under $400.00 used. Once I put those new power tubes in I realized that his amp kicks the Marshalls butt. I can't wait to get a second rack mount version so I can go stereo.

This thing is versatile. Spring-reverb, presence, a good distortion channel and an ok clean channel. Some minor problems: shared iq, the lack of footswitch (bought it used..). It has 60W all-tube power which is a lot. Not really suitable for playing home, but great with band.

I use a Fender Traditional Telecaster with DiMarzio Twang King -pickups. I play indie/alt -rock etc. The clean channel is maybe a bit too dry but very nice for jazzier sounds. I tend to use the dist. channel with gain on 3-4, volume on 2-3, treble on ~8, tone on ~9, bass on ~6. It gives me a sparkling nice fendery sound, definitely not sterile at all. But be careful with it, it has power to destroy the whole universe.. Actually a bit too much for my taste, i'd like to crank the amp to make it really sing, but it's hard. The distortion is maybe a bit too loud for me, but a Danelectro -pedal corrected that. Also an extension cabinet broadens the sound a bit.

I'm not so familiar with these things but it's been working ok for some time now and seems very robust.

Been playing for 9 years and this is my first all-tube amplifier. I am very satisfied with it. I love the distortion channel on mild settings with reverb and presence all the way up! For this price: i'd say the amp is perfect. Of course the red knobs lower it's value but i'm not really into the whole vintage fuss.

The amp (to the best of MY knowledge, which may be more limited than I think) was available from 1988 to 1992. I play with a pedal, I have my Clean maxed out (quiet cleans, surprisingly), my gain at about 1:30 position, volume for channel 2 (distort) at just between 6:30 and 7:30...this is A VERY touchy spot...one mm too low and your quiet...1 mm too high and your blasting. This thing is touchy as hell...I don't turn it up real loud, unless I'm alone nd far away. it's a monster.

My dials are bass: 12;00, treble, 11:00, mid 3:30. No reverb, presence at about 2 on the dial When oen of the tubes go out you iknow it - because all of the sudden you'll turn on your amp and it's going to sound like someone covered 1/2 of it with a soundproof barrier. I love the amp - got it used rarely from a local guitar god/genius for $200. They generally run about $400 it looks like...just after he gave me a deal on this one, he sold another one he had only with tears and scratches all over it for an extra $150 at the local music store...

I play through Peavey Wolfgangs (one trem, one stoptail) and a Gibson Paul...I play hard rock (VH, Ozzy, etc. etc.) and I LOVE this amp for it. The Wolfie's sound ESPECIALLY hot through this...thanks Eddie for the pickups...on the Wolfie I don't have tone...just 3 pickup setting and a volume...on the Paul, I try to make it sound like my stop-tail Wolfgang and leave it here...haha.

Haven't had it long enough, be honest...I know my tube burned out quickly...but that's the first time one had been changed and I bought this 12 years after it was bought originally by the guy I got it from...not bad...and he plays these amps, A LOT.

??? Don't want to find out...

I love it - 8 overall...sounds great, but you MUST dial it in properly...that's for sure.

You know all the features. I marked it down for having only one set of tone controls. I don't know if "massive power transformer" fits under features, but this thing has one. No worries there. Things like this add to the weight though.

I use a Strat with Texas Special pickups. My style is kind of psychadelic-blues-inspired-indie-rock, if that means anything to you. This amp is trebly by nature, especially on the distortion channel, so with the hotter pickups it takes a little tweaking to make sure it doesn't take your head off. I was originally kind of put off by all that treble in channel 2, but cranking up the mids seemed to solve the problem. Sort of counterintuitive, but whatever works. I usually play with treble at 12 o'clock, mids at 3 o'clock and bass at about 11:30. This gives a nice round distortion tone. The amp doesn't sound great for massively scooped playing, but who wants to hear that anyway? The clean channel has that great warm Fender tone. Real nice and round. The reverb isn't strong, but it's fine for my playing. If you want a Dick Dale tone the onboard reverb ain't gonna cut it though. The only real complaint I have with the amp is that channel 1 isn't very loud. I can sit in my bedroom with the volume maxed and play comfortably. You'd think 60 Fender tube watts would blow your head off at full bore, but not on this thing. Channel 2 is another story. It's massively loud. I think I'm going to try to find a clean boost pedal to drive channel 1 louder and maybe get a little grit in the tone. Even maxed out channel 1 is clean as a whistle (probably why it's so un-loud). All in all, the tone could be better, especially if the preamp would push a little more power through channel 1, but these things are unbelievable value.

I've had the amp for about a month, and first thing I did was bring it to a tech for a run-through. I spent almost as much on that service as I did for the amp itself. The tech said that these amps have a capacitor (on-off capacitor, push-pull capacitor? I don't know) that goes through heat cycles constantly and has to be replaced every now and then. Also, it's a fixed bias amp, so I assume that means it will go through power tubes a little faster than other amps. I figure this thing will need a good servicing every few years, depending on how much I actually play it.

No idea. I think Fender would run away from this thing if I tried to call them. On the other hand, finding a competent amp tech who knows Fenders is pretty easy.

If you can find them used you could probably buy these all day at $300. I got a great deal, so it was a no-brainer to buy this thing. Either way, it's major amp for the money. I don't know why these red knob Fenders have such a bad rep. I told an older gentleman I know about the amp and when I mentioned the red knobs he all but stuck his nose up at it. It's his loss. Great clean Fender tone and a distortion channel that is actually usable. No way could any current Fender amp under $1000 could stand up to this thing feature for feature and tone for tone. Buy one.

Everyone should know the features by now. I have an aftermarket footswitch for it. I don't use it though. I run my distortion through a boss mt-2 and a mxr wylde od. That gives me all the sound I want. All of my pedals have preamp eqs so the single eq on the amp is cool. The only feature I need is the beautiful loud arshh sound.

I'm using an Ibanez axs32 with a gibson 496r and a seymour duncan dimebucker. Sounds like heaven. I can use this amp to play any music I want, what a deal what a deal. I traded my 100 watts peavey XL head and hartke 4x12 stack for this little baby. Although, I must admit that I would prefer to carry the half stack. This amp is heavy! Amp is very trebly though, so hit up the bass.

I just got. But since it was made back in the 80's, you decide for yourself.

huh?

It's grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrreat!

I do not know when this amp was made. It is perfect for the rock/blues that I play. It is a two channel amp. Mine is missing the foot switch and the fottswitch jack is broken. I would not mind having the switch. I do not use effects, so no opinion there. I currently use this amp at home and for getting together with friends to act like we still can rock. It actuall hat too much power for my current needs, but I like disturbing the neighbors.

I play rock & blues. I prefer a clean hot on the ragged edge of distortion sound. I use the distorted channel with the gain on 4ish to get the fat sound I like. The amp is extremely versitile. Metal to gospel. It is not the most harsh distortion I've ever heard. But, I am not a big distortion fan.

It's never broken down for me.

Never contacted them.

Overall I love this amp. I have only one complaint. It is the super 60 head with a 4x10 cab. It's just too darn big and heavy. I need a smaller cab for traveling. This is my second super 60. My first had to be sold to pay the bills years ago (112 combo). I would buy another. I wish this amp was made of helium.

Red-knob all-tube 60 watt fender Made in late 80s. Two channel, shared eq, low, mid, high, presence, reverb, gain, master. I hear it's designed by Paul Rivera of Rivera Amp's fame, before he started that company. I use this amp in a hard rock/southern/country/etc variety band. It's loud enough, although any 1x12 combo will need help after a while - get an extension cab to push more air. For larger gigs, I mic it up anyway. Delivers any sound I want, from country clean (warm, not twangy, but it also depends heavily on the guitar) to skynyrd to funk to acdc raw - just play with the gain (some people push the gain all the way up then wonder why it doesnt sound like skynyrd. duh. The clean breaks up really nice when pushed. I cant state than enough.. and also depends a LOT on playing dynamics - very responsive. The thing I really like about this amp is that I get the sounds I want, most of the volume I need, and I dont have to cart around my stack anymore -- in fact, I can sling my pedalboard and gig bag on my shoulders, have my guitar in one hand, and the amp in another hand, and I can still make it up stairs withough much trouble and only make ONE trip from the car. rate 9 because of shared eq only.

I use a les paul with motherbuckers, and nothing else. The amp isnt noisy at volume, but it also depends on the guitar (use a standard strat in the treble position and I am sure you will get noise). The amp makes any sound I want so far. But in the end, what it IS is a good all-tube amp - so why wouldnt it do what it's supposed to?

I havent had it long enough to know about reliability - but it seems very solid. I have heard from other people that it is reliable. it is a tube amp - so keep in mind that if tubes die, it isnt the amp's fault, it's the fact that tubes have a finite usable life span, especially when they are pushed often, like in a steady gig situation.

never dealt with fender. I probably wouldnt either - the amp is far out of warranty, and being a standard fender tube amp, there are tons of qualified service centers around that would handle servicing faster than sending to fender, and maybe even better than fender.

been playing 25 years. but who cares? does this mean I am qualified to tell other people to buy or not buy this amp? not really. maybe for 25 years I really sucked, and maybe I am tone-deaf. how would you know? if it were lost or stolen maybe I would get this amp again. unless another great deal came up, which is what anyone would do -- if this amp were stolen, and someone asked me if I would be interested in buying a used matchless 50 watt combo in good working order for 50 bucks, dont you think I would be stupid to turn that down? For what this is, which is a good, solid 60 watt all tube amp with good tone, I rate it a 10. that is MY rating, and my rating means nothing to anyone here except that I think this is a great value. Of course, if I tell you it's great, and you go buy one, then there is one less out there for me to have, and ultimately, the price and demand for these out-of-production amps will go up, and I dont want that either, so dont buy it. Why would I want to kill off a good used market?

" LISTEN UP!"

I know you read the others but I actually know what is up with this amp and why it is so damn awsome.

This one is a mid to late 80's Super 60 they are not 90's by no means.

You already know the features so there is no p[oint in wasting time because typing sucks but I think some things need to be said since nobody else will do there homework.

The amazing sound comes from the fact that this amp is not really a fender at all. That's right, the amplifier was designed by PAUL RIVERA as in Rivera amplifiers. What most people don't realize is that all of the greats worked for someone else first and in this case it was fender. He made 5 different red knob series amps and the only real difference was in watts and speaker size. That is why this amp sounds better with hummies than single coil's.
I said that this not Fender amp at all because the only thing that makes this amp a fender is the damn plastic logo, nothing else. Paul Rivera designed these amplifier series and then started RIVERA amplifiers, So in basically you are playing a Rivera amp that cost 300 instead of 2000.00.
Will teach you more next time.

60 watts, all tube combo amp. sounds good. it is really heavy... that is my only complaint except for the fact that it only has one eq for its two channels.

sounds awesome, best amp i have ever played through. i play rock and blues and it sounds great. i like both channels, but i mainly use the overdrive channel and just set the drive on low for my clean sounds. the od channel is very versatile and you can dial in many kinds of distortion. the only complaint i have about the clean channel is it distorts at high volumes, but since i don't use it often it doesn't really affect me anyway.

i've had it for about two weeks, played one gig, but i have hauled it around a lot. built very sturdy, you'd have to really want to hurt this baby to break it.

n/a

overall this is an awesome amp. i use it with my les paul standard and a plethora of effects pedals. it really sounds good with my mxr distortion +. if it were stolen, i'd get another one if i could find one, as they are kind of hard to find these days.

ive not had this amp for long but this is the best ive had so far.the volume on the amp is unreal. while my freinds have got transisterized amps there volume is up on 7 while mine is on 2. its loud enougth for what i will ever need.

the sound i get out of this amp is unreal. the clean side of this amp is by far the best ive heard and probably the best i will ever here. the distortion chanel is realy good as its only on 2 and im playing in big venues.

ive had it for about 2 years and ive not hade any problems with it. i can guarentee if i take it on a gig it will not break down on me. i dont normaly have a backup amp either.

i bought this amp through sound pad rolle quey barnstaple they were very helpful. the warranty 3 mounths.

i think this amp is probably one of the best amps made and it is so reliable.

This is an early 90's red knob all tube amp with a 12" speaker, reverb 3 band eq and two channels, switchable through panel or foot pedal. It is 60 watts. Has effects loop and speaker extension.

The tone is incredible. Unlike some fender amps, the red knob series has much more versatility on the gain. Clean to bluesy to hard rock are available on this amp. The sixty watts are plenty loud for small to medium venues. This amp is good for Blues clubs and Rock clubs. Might need a distortion pedal for some music styles but this amp will cut through for you. Clean channel was classic Fender. I use Strats, Ibanez strats, Kramers and Gibson LP and SG models and all sound great. I play mainly instrumental rock - Satriani, Vai, SRV and Eric Johnson.

I have had it for six years and I have had to replace the tubes three times with about 3 times a week playing for about 20 hour