Supro Model 50

Serial no. 005, made recently by Bruce Zinky, not sure of year. Has single 12ax7, single 5881/6L6, 13 watts of power, volume and tone controls, thru 16 ohm 10" Eminence Legend AlNiCo speaker.

The volume control increases clean volume to about 12:00, then starts to break up, but it does get quite loud. Tone is a "bass" to "treble" control, and is quite usable through the entire range - i've used to "bass" side (around 10:00) to coax jazz-box tones out of my Strat.

It's not a feature-laden amp, but the limited features it has work quite well. Its best features by far are tone, range of sounds, portability (weighs in at around 20 lbs), and some big volumes and low-end for such a little box (quite remarkable, actually).

Amazing clean tone and low-gain overdrives. Zinky designed the amp around Keith Richards's "Midnight Rambler" tone off Let It Bleed, and I think he succeeded, but it sounds a bit more refined. There's a lot of headroom in this amp. I have a small pedal board with boosts and a overdrive pedal, and the amp takes them quite well, and can get very loud with the pedals driving it - the design has considerable headroom, so throwing a boost at the front end tends to raise the volume and give increase dynamics, overdriving when played hard but cleaning up when soft. With the tone turned down, the amp has a fantastic jazz tone, as the low end is considerably tight given the amp and cab's size - it's a relatively deep cab (almost a cube), and is solid wood constructed, which I think helps. Just a couple solid tones, with some pedals and touch-dynamics to give the flavors.

Only owned about 6 months, with no problems or even requiring a tube change. Very solidly built cab and chassis, high-end double-thickness pcb construction, great cab covering (not that cheap tolex stuff, more of a rubber-like material), huge transformers. Also wish there was a back panels to protect tubes and such (-1), but maybe ill just make my own. I bring a SansAmp to the gig just in case. For some persepective: it's as well-built a single-ended tube amp as you can buy, bar-none, but it's still a class-a single-ended tube amp.

Talked to Bruce before purchasing the amp for at least an hour, about his amps, amps in general, which I was looking for, what his deal is, etc. He's very nice, knowledgeable, and seems very accessible and accommodating. No real support issues yet, thankfully.

I was looking for an ultra-portable, good sounding amp that was loud enough for most small club gigs. I got more than I ever expected. It's the best sounding amp I've ever played, and it's very inspiring. Plus it won't make me deaf when playing around the house (though the housemates always tell me to turn it down). It's a great 13W boutique amp, and the loudest amp of its size on the market by far.

As with all of these categories, everything is subjective to one's preference.

This amp has 2 knobs: Tone and Volume

13 watts (sounds like 20)

A nice 16ohm 10" but looks like a 12" Not sure.
I do wish there was an ohmage option and separate jack for plugging it into cabs, but it I think it sounds best stock.

One 12AX7 and one 5880 (currently) but you can plug in 6L6 if you choose.

Mind you, this is a "low" wattage "baby" amp. Not a Mesa Booger Triple Rectal-fier (Ouch).

For what I wanted (the Supro sound)
and what it does (the Supro sound)
it gets a 10.

First: Metal/hardcore/emo doods go away. This amp will not be for you. Sorry, but true.

Wow.
I've had old supro's before so I was naturally skeptical that a "boo-teek" could replicate the sound, feel, and MOJO that once was supro. Well, I've found myself quite moved by this massive ball blasting "baby"/studio/practice/whathaveyou amp.

It's definitely loud enough to cut the mix. It will drive a 4x12 with ease, but that's overkill if you ask me. I love it just the way it is.

I play humbucker/p90 semihollows and full hollows. Some singlecoils. Various fuzz pedals, analog delays, bla bla bla. It rocks with all of them. Absolutely rocks with lap steels. I'm currently using it in conjuction with another 5w 12" EL84 combo (though I wont say who) and I'm getting such a HUGE sound that the other guitarists at the gigs look at their Twins with dismay ("How did two little amps sound bigger than my 100 watt beast?!?")

Hmmm...how to describe the sound??? Well, I NEVER buy any equipment in order to emulate someone's sound, so it's really funny to me when I say that this is the Led Zeppelin I sound (especially with a Tele and one of the various Tonebender replicas).

Stays clean for a bit (about 11/12 o clock), then breaks up wonderfully. Not harsh, but very warm and round. Very lively and exciting (possibly enticing).

I love that it's a single tone knob instead of bass/treble/mid/pres. etc. The sweep is surprisingly huge AND useful.

This amp loves fuzz pedals (and all pedals for that matter). I don't even bother using overdrive pedals because all I do is crank it and work the volume knob.
Sorry, but no matter how much you spend on "that" ultra rare/long wait list overdrive pedal, it will never give you the sound of a true cranked tube amp.

With so many little low watt amps, I'm surprised that more people haven't caught onto this little gem. Actually, I hope no one reads this so I can buy more without the prices skyrocketing suddenly.

I do wish it had a cover for the tubes/back panel.

Been good to me so far. Tubes and fuse are easy access and just as easy to replace. I like that the spot for the 6L6 has this spring system that keeps it snug.

As long as your not mismatching the ohmage with an ext. cab, you'll be fine.

The cabinet is really thick too. I don't think anything will happen (knock on wood).

I won't rate it because I can't speak of the longevity, maybe I'll write back when I hit the 1 year mark.

Bruce Zinky, a true champ!

He's quite the busy fellow, but responds relatively quick.

Smart, friendly cat.

I don't know how he did it, but he nailed the sound/vibe of Supro. And with used Supro prices skyrocketing, the prices of Zinky Supros new are quite competitive. Not to mention you get modern conveniences such as a guy who built these and is still alive that you can call, a speaker outlet, and a GROUNDED AC OUTLET....NO MORE SURPRISE ZAPS. The portability is a perk too.

If you've ever wanted "more" from your 6L6/7250/5880 amps, it may be inherent to you to try this amp. I'd love to get the 3x10 Tremolectric combo.

Please, try before you buy, this might not be the amp for you.
God knows how long it took me to find one to try out let alone purchase

I've done the low watt buy/try/sell/repeat (Bad Cat, Dr Z, the new little Orange, assloads of Champs, and if I had to just pick one, this one takes the cake, easily.

I hate giving 10's but......well, to put it simply, this is the beef supreme.