Supro Thunderbolt 115 Combo

volume and tone that all but doesnt need any thing else

I play a les paul mostly and a telecaster. plugging strait in with the tele and cranking the volume and the tone wide open [the only way to see why everyone loves this amp], the sound is twangy but not overly bright with a great blues sound on the neck pickup and geogia sattelites kind of boogie rhythm moderately distorted sound on the bridge pickup and excellent balance of preamp - power amp overdrive kick in a tube screamer and this thing just sounds killer with scorching rory gallager/john jorgensen type tonality and with the les paul strait in sounds like heart breaker by Led Zeppelin / fool for the city type tone and with the tube screamer youre starting to step into van halen area . I do have to admit I have hot rodded this a little by swapping the 5u4 rectifier with a 5ar4 to up the voltage and reduce sag. this isnt super loud like marshall loud but still louder than I can get away with in a club . If you like classic rock /blues rock it just dosent get much better than this.

never had a problem

probably the best sounding amp for my taste and style and I've owned many ,many amps in my 35 years of playing this is one of the best I've owned but it is little limited in the tone control area and kind of a one trick pony but this ponys a stud.

so simple. versatility dependent upon musician.

This amp sounds right. It is not an amp for dumb-***** who like to use digital processors or lots of girly stomp-boxes; this is a man's amp. It is rugged and simple. You play hard, the amp breaks up. You play soft, the amp gets tender and responsive. It does not get much better than that, but then again, if you are a guitar player that likes to make funny noises with his Zoom 505, you might not understand this kind of amplifier.

there are less than 40 components in this amp. a trained monkey could do simple repair on one of these amps. seriously, though, be careful, there are extremely high voltages inside these amps, and if you don't have a clue about electronics, don't mess with it...leave it for the trained monkeys to fix!

supro is dead and gone. I miss them.

This may very well be the coolest, most eloquent expression of what is right about a tube amp. The circuit design is seemingly taken from a first year electronic technician's text book. It's hard to believe that people pay the amounts that they do for Matchless, Bad Cat, etc; these are the amps that those guys are copying!!! NOT AS LOUD, but then again, who among us is playing Shea Stadium? Maybe I'm just an old fart, but it seems to me that you really don't have to be that loud anymore with a P.A. and someone with half a brain running sound.

I've played all of my life.

If my Supro ever got stolen, I'd be very sad.

I like it's simplicity and tone. I hate I had to give $500 when I can remember these amps being thrown out in the trash!

Modern amps mostly suck.

I wish it had nothing more. it is perfect.

Valco Supro Thunderbolt, model S6420, @1966-'67. It came with 2 RCA Black finned 6L6CG's, 2 12AX7's and 1 SU4. 15" Jensen Gold Label speaker. Two-pronged plug, no ground. Power switch has three positions, maybe for polarity but I can hear any difference at either setting. Two undifferentiated input channels, two knobs: volume and tone. This thing is a real bone. Probably somewhere between 18 and 30 watts. Pretty decent volume for small clubs, for home use guaranteed to frighten small children and animals. But not a concert amp. To improve tone quality and obtain more break-up, I replaced the original 6L6GC's with Tung-Sol 5881's and other compatible, bias matched tubes. I swap these out depending on which sound I am looking for, but the original tubes are definitely cleaner, more "Fender." In fact, because everything is ridiculously accessible, experimenting with different tubes is a hoot with this amp.

I play a '74 strat, newer Tele, and a modded '64 Melody Maker with a Seymour Duncan bridge position humbucker, single coil neck. Rock, blues, dabbling in jazz. Personally I think the strat and tele sound best with this amp. The humbucker I happen to use sounds a bit muddy and farty, maybe an LP would bring out a better sound. Turned all the way up is the only way to make this amp sound good. Played straight, it's not that loud. Boost is a must, because with clean boost this little baby becomes a very different amplifier. Then it IS loud. I get boost from a Pod XT in bypass or tube pre-amp modes, varying the output on the Pod and rolling back the volume knob on the guitar as needed. With the 5881's, full boost, this thing offers up a big, dirty monster toney overdrive, big fat ass bottom. Almost too overdriven, but hey you can always dial it back. You don't need no stinkin distortion pedal here, but if you do, it shreds. Now, with the 6L6GC's, it's a tighter, cleaner overdriven sound, less bottom and more highs. Add a little comp at the lower output settings, and you have a clean creamy, dynamically responsive sound. Either way there's not much chime-y high end here, it's not a Vox--but the mids have a spongy crunch with tons of harmonics. Miked properly in the studio, it sounds huge! This amp provides a very, very authentic old tube amp tone. Noise can be an issue.

I had to replace the transformer back in the 80's. After that I never had a problem, just gradual tone degradation from use. Compared to my Twin this is not a bulletproof amp, and it's of course much lighter. But solid enough, for such an old amp. I did gig with it in the 80's but used two amps. Pots get dirty quickly. It's a dust collector down there by the floor, where all the electronics are.

n/a

Played 30 years, covered the genres in that time. For quieter practice I use a Vox 15w Valvetronix. I had a 67 Twin Reverb that was stolen with all my vintage pedals in 1982 (you're going into the pre-break if I ever find you). Also used a 70's Traynor Bass amp (not bad!), early 70's Marshall 50 W and a Mk 3 Boogie but mostly old tube amps. If it were stolen, I'd move on, I'm curious about newer high end switchable modern all-tube amps. But this thing is pretty cool sounding.

Cross braced, solid state rectified, Blue/Grey Tolex,early '66, I would guess. Big jensen 15", RCA Blackplate 6L6s. Features are most simple= It is what it is.

Tone knob shifts from treble to bass, very interactive.with a Tele
it sounds rockin 4/5s or all the way up, kind of boxy, with a midrange snarl.Allmost Punky in bridge position, with volume knob backed down a hair, nice neck/inbetween blues/Hendrix semi clean sounds. Les Paul Alnicos getmore drive and really sound killer. Bridge is chunky and biting with a mid boxy thing. Not quite a Marshall, but, Whole Lotta Love? maybe. Neck pickups have a fantastic blues sound, very classic, rythem with the volume knob about 7-1/2, go full for solos. Very Nice.

Model S6420, which I believe was the late 60's (estimate is a 1967). It has two 12AX7's and 2 6L6CG's and 1 SU4. All the tubes are the Original RCA's, and all appear to be working perfectly.

It has two inputs, though neither is maked high or low (as old Feners were). And otherwise has one volume and one tone. It has one (the original) 15" Jensen Gold Label speaker.

Even though it says "Bass-Guitar Amp", I use it as a guitar amp, because my bass causes it to rattle out of control (I'll discuss this later). I plug in my modified '98 Danelectro 56-U2 reissue, through a digitec RP500. I use the pedal to get the reverb, plus any overdrive and wah effects I "need". The sound is absolutely superb. I also use it for my Dean Zen acoustic-electric, straight in, without any pedals or other effects. It reproduces the sound coming in exactly, with the added warmth of the tubes.

One thing people have not noted much here is the unbelievable volume this thing produces. I rarely turn it up past 1/4, but in testing with drums and other instruments, 1/2 was all it needed. The sound never became distorted--this amp acts much like a PA, and the louder you turn it, it just gets louder without distortion (all channels are clean).

This amp was left by a friend in my Mom's basement after it died during a rehearsal. It sat in the basement for 10 years before i decided to take it apart and try to fix it--boy was I suprised at what I found! After I cleaned out the spiders and re-soldered some loose connections, it has worked without issue. I tryly believe that if someone took the time, these amps can last forever.

I WOULD and have used it at a small gig without a backup.

Company out of business and spec sheets, actual replacement parts, etc. Are almost impossible to get. I'd kill for a logo to put on the front of mine.

I have been playing over 18 years. I used had a 1967 Fender Dual Showman (2 15" JBL speakers--look it up), until my father sold it. Other than the Fender Hotrod series, I believe this is the nicest amp I have ever played (including Vox, Marshall, Peavy, Roland, Pignose, etc.,--I like you all have plugged into anything sitting around).

I am in need of a new speaker, but cannot find whether the original is 8 or 16 ohms. The speaker rattles at certain frequencies, and my local tech believes it is the 40 year old speaker. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

I will keep this thing running forever, even if I have to break it down and start from scratch. I only wish it had built-in reverb, and at least 3 tone knobs, but hey, I love her how she is.

If anyone wonders, recovering it with brown vinyl and classic tweed over the front makes it look so darn cool, you won't believe it is the same amp (mine was stripped and spraypainted black when i got it.

It a mid to later 60s model though still had the older gray cabinet. I know it was at least mid 60s as it has the Jensen gold sticker ceramic magnet 15 inch. There was some kind of embargo at that time and Alnicos were unavailible to jensen hense the gold sticker ceramic speaker. The amp does basically two sounds: Vintage bass amp (low power/club size) and full crank sort of a poorman's bassman guitar sound. The amp has one volume control and one tone. Two 6l6 power tubes and two 12 ax7 preamp tubes with a silicon rectifier. I probably would have kept this amp if it had the tube rectifier (5u4) Some of these amps came with bass/treble controls and or tremolo. People are always so quick to label this the "jimmy page" amp but he never used or owned one. If you read vintage guitar guitarist Albert Lee who grew up with page confirms that the amp Page had and used a Supro Trojan amp which is pretty much a Fender vibrochamp knock-off. I don't believe Hendrix used this amp to record much either. All that is known on the Hendrix connection is that he used it as a performance amp when he was playing guitar/bass for the Isley brothes on the circuit. This amp is 90% myth and 10% truth.

I used a gibson SG with Alnico humbuckers, mid 80s MIJ fender telecaster and a 66 Ric 12 string. The amp was moderately noisey at full crank, kind boxy-hollow sounding, very loud. This is really like a poorman's bassman. That is really how I would describe it. It does not sound like a marshall. Sounds like an old cheap copy of a fender. The clean sound was not very distinguished. Just average. Distorted sound was okay but nothing that special. It didn't sound like Led Zepplin or anyone else. My Vox AC10 had more of an early zep sound than this. Either with Tele or Ric 12 string.

If the amp is properly serviced. Caps changed and three prong cord added. Sure, why not? It survived at least 40 years. It is a simple amp meaning less to go wrong

I've been playing since I was five. I've owned everything. Real fenders, vox, marshall, magnatone. All guitars. All pedals. Even had the oportunity to be in contact with some of the original desginers behind some of this equipment. This $150 amp became a $1500 through vintage BS. I don't know any professionals using this to record with it just weekend warrior baby boomer guys trying to buy back there youth. The amp is okay? Probably on the same level as a bass 50 Kalamazoo amp. There is nothing really special going on here. If you want the led zep 1 sound get supro trojan (that is what he actually used) or fender vibrochamp which is the amp Supro copied and has the same tube compliment.

This is a very simple amp--one speaker and two knobs (volume and tone). That's all there is. The control panel of a Fender '59 Bassman looks complicated next to the Thunderbolt! I find it very amusing that the other people here have given it a 8 for features. Good grief, you'd be hard pressed to find an amp with fewer features than this one! The beauty of this amp is that it's very simple and it sounds good--that's it. The Thunderbolt has just one sound--but it's a really good sound. If you want versitility and features, keep looking because this is the epitome of simplicity. A classic, stripped down, tweed amp, that's not particularly good looking and not particularly loud, but when you turn it up all the way it has a really pleasing tone.

The Thunderbolt sound is a great, warm, overdriven tube sound. This is what an Ibanez Tubescreamer is SUPPOSED to sound like. It's strength is a 60's/70's blues rock sound that many classic bands had. Keep in mind that this amp doesn't howl--this is not a Marshall stack we're talking about here. I don't know if my experience is representative, but the volume limitations on this amp are a draw back. It's a great for the studio, but not as good for playing with a band--unless it's going through a PA.

The Thunderbolt was an overlooked amp for many years--partially because it's a small homely-looking tweed amp, and partially because you can't really crank it up to the volume you need as a lead guitar player. It's lead sound is beautiful straight out of the box, but it's not nearly loud enough for most guys. A few years ago Tone Quest magazine wrote a very positive article on the Thunderbolt and since then they made a big come back. I sold mine on e-bay for $600 and they often go for more than that now. Also, a lot of people have played up the Jimmy Page connection with this amp. Evidently he used a Thunderbolt on the first couple of Led Zeppelin albums although he not on later albums. I don't know that this is true--but I can tell you that if you listen to the song "Living Loving Maid," you'll hear a guitar sound that is identical to a Thunderbolt turned up with a Telecaster playing though it. If you like that type of mid-range bark--this amp can do it for you. My personal feeling is that the Thunderbolt sounds best with a humbucker guitar. With a Les Paul you can get warm sustaining notes that sound like singing. It also sounds really nice with a hollow body guitar like a Gibson 335, Super 400, or L5. I haven't tried it with a Gretsch, but I'm guessing it would do pretty well. I play blues and rockabilly and with the right guitar, the Thunderbolt just puts out lots of great pure overdriven warm tone with just the right amount of distortion. Keep in mind that this is 60's era blues distortion--not rip your lungs out heavy metal distortion. Think Howlin' Wolf, not Metallica.

I give the amp a 10 for blues sound.

I hate to say it, but I wouldn't buy this amp unless you get a good deal on it, or happen to be a classic tube amp collector. You don't want to depend on a 35 year old amp for your primary gigging amp. My amp blew a transformer once while I was playing it and it never sounded quite as good after I got it fixed. I was still able to sell it for quite a pot of cash, but I remember how it good it USED to sound back in the 1970's. Over the years it got a lot noisier and after the transformer was replaced, the sound was less sweet. That doesn't mean you can't find a good one out there. I'm sure if you hunt a bit you can probably locate a good one. I wouldn't buy one without playing and testing it first.

If you have had one of these amps for all these years like I did--this is an excellent time to sell. There are a lot of guys spooging all over themselves to buy one--just read some of the other reviewers here! If you are thinking of buying one, just be realistic about what you are getting. If you find a good Supro that has been well maintained and sounds like it should--you're going to have a really nice sounding 35-40 year old blues amp. That's what you're going to have. It's fun to play through--you can plug in a nice guitar, turn the volume to 10 and have get a sweet sound--good for rock lead--good for R&B rythym. All without any pedals. And if you can control the noise, it makes a suberb studio amp. If that is worth $700 to you and you're willing to put up with the tempermental nature of an old vintage tube amp, I'd say buy it. There is a reasonalbly good chance that it will maintain its value over the years if you baby it. If, on the other hand, you play in a bar band and just want "the Jimmy Page" sound--there are a lot of less expensive, more reliable alternatives.

I only gave it a 6 as an overall rating, but that's not because I think its a bad amp. It's mainly because I think they are too expensive for what they are. If you can get a nice sounding one for under four hundred dollars, I would give this amp a 10.

Early to mid 60's model S6420 Thunderbolt.I play mostly blues and 70's rock. Very basic operation on/off switch, volume, and tone controls. I play it wide open.

I plugged in a Les Paul when i first got it, and oh baby did it sound good. Then I plugged in my Tele and I'll have to tell you, that guitar has never sounded as good through any guitar amp, as it does on the Thunderbolt. This amp has tons of tone, and blows away many amps I've played in the past. I'm 51 years old and I've played through a lot of amps in my time. The sound is a very nice mix of clean and distortion sound at the same time.

I know nothing on the history of the amp, but it looks well used. I'm sure that it's reliable enough. It looks like it has the original tubes in it. Has a slight hum when turned full up, and that's how I play it.

The company went out of business in 1968, I think. Should be easy to service if needed.

I've been playing for over 30 years. I've got two 50 watt Marshall heads, DrZ Carmen Ghia, Black Face Fender Deluxe Reverb, 56 Champ, and various guitars. I wish I had known about the Thunderbolt years ago when they were cheaper. They have gotten rather expensive lately. Don't pass up the chance to try one out.

Its a 1967 Supro Thunderbolt with the solid state rectifier and additional cross bracing. 2 channels, plain jain, tone an volume 1x15" speaker about 40-60 watts, 2 12ax7's, and 2, 6L6GC'S. This thing is a true tone machine.

I play ball busting blues and this thing has yet to be beat. I have Marshalls JCM2000, Fender Reverb, etc...its has a bass tone that doesnt quit!!! Awsome....you need to hear at least one in your life. I thought the Bassman amp was bad , but this baby rocks! I see why Hendrix and Jimmy Page used them to record with!

Its simple an d built like a tank, had it serviced with new tubes, and the technician couldnt believe it...he said still looked like new.

Its over 35 yrs old wonder if the would still honor warranty?

If lost I would search the end of the world to find another!

Im not sure of the date of this thunderbolt dont know where to look to date it but it sounds killer! I like the old sound it puts out. Just like page's. It has the tube rectifier. I bought the chassis for $150. and it didnt have the cab or speaker with it so i got a mojo 1x15 cab for only $120. and im searching for the best speaker for it. Its in great shape and inside looks untouched.

sounds good with tele, les paul special, sg, strat, les paul standard , anything! good organic tone! Not over the top. It sounds best cranked all the way up and it breaks up in such a good way. Its a very midrange tone with good bottom and top. Roll back your volume and it cleans up nicely.

i would always bring a backup although it hasnt shown any problems yet. These things go for way too much these days. Its so simple anyone could build these things. Wish they would!

No longer in business but anyone could fix this thing.

I would certainly try to find another if stolen and just might anyway if i found a good deal. Ive been playing 15 years and i own a 62 VoxAC30tb,69 marshall 50 watt, a 64 Vibroverb, 65 Deluxe reverb, a tweed 1x10 supro, and this thunderbolt. These amps are my favorites that i have been fortunate enough to get ahold of at very low prices. I have been very lucky as these models are some of the most desireable! The thunderbolt is right up there with all of these with its own unique voice. If anyone knows what the absolute best speaker for this thing would be, email me. Im thinking c15n or p15n jensen. whats the tonal difference and wich one would be better for the thunderbolt?
My email is oceanblues73@hotmail.com

50 watt all tube amp with vol/tone/2 inputs/nice gold label jensen 15"/very attractive gray tolex cover/amp chassis mounted in back-bottom of cabinet

when i bought this amp, i needed a cheap amp fast...in my earlier years, when i was between bands, i'd sell off my gear and buy other stuff...i was in the air force in arkansas, and a chance came up to get a band going, so i went to the pawn shop and bought this amp, and then to the local music shop and picked up a gibson s-1 that had a dimarzio super distortion on it...total investment was $200...the dimarzio drove this amp quite nicely, and it sounded great...no fx, no anything....i did eventually get s small clone chorus, but only used it with the s-1's single coils on rhythm stuff..

i played this amp a lot for about 5 years...it still had the original tubes when i bought, and when i retired it...never quit

i doubt there's any such thing

i later found out that these amps were collectible, and that jimi had used one for a while, and the thing was worth $$$...too bad mine had been thru too many changes to retain any of that value...still, i enjoyed it

(1)1964 (2)1965

I use a 1964 Melody maker, mostly blues & rock. The amps are quiet and stable. Nice tone that follows your fingers, clean to crunchy just by altering your touch. Nice rich even harmonics when distorting. I use two amps in stereo on stage.

In 20 years of use I only had one amp fail at a gig when the stage power was snapping on and off and killed the rectifier diodes. We were on the road and it only required a trip to Radio Shack and 10 minutes to fix.

I do my own repairs when neccessary.

The main drawback was not enough gain. They have 1/2 of the pre 12ax7 tube left unused so I cascaded the two sections. WOW - they really kicked ass. I love these amps. They give me a sound like no one else and it cuts. I use these things in the studio and they sound just as good there.

My T Bolt is a 1966 model with 2-6L6' and 2-12ax7's. 1 15" Gold Label Jensen. 1 Volume 1 Tone On-Off switch. Hand wired, point to point. No cheap circuit board in this baby. I replaced the Tubes with J&J's as they are a little brighter than groove tubes.

I play a 1988 PRS Standard with sweet switch- HFS p/u's and a Line 6 Pod usually set in the pre amp setting to retain that Classic Supro sound but giving me a bit more control over the volume and EQ. This amp is stunning. Superb organic overdrive/ distortion at about 8. Major bottom end with incredible sonic capability. Sound is not overly versatile but superb rock / blues amp. Cleans up nicely when volume on guitar turned down to about 4. Has incredible growl on the 5th and 6th strings. Major air movement. Sounds like it has a much larger cabinet.

Still working since '66. Was serviced by Andy Marshall of THD amps who used this amp for his review in Tonequest. Haven't had it that long or gigged with it.

Out of business.

Been playing since I was 14 - 35 years. I have an early 80's JV Strat.
A Marc Benetau acoustic cutaway, Line 6 Pod with floor board. Lost or stolen. Oh my God. Can't bear to think of it. Yes I would replace it if I could find one. No other combo amp comes close. A boutique amp like this would cost about $2000.00 to $3,000. If your a blues /rock player and can get a hold of one of these you won't be disappointed. If you want a nice clean sounding amp forget it. This is one snarly dog.

My Supro Thunderbolt was built in 1965. I was looking for a replacement for my '73 JMP combo, which I like the sound of but it weighs a ton and is loud as hell. My outfit plays fairly heavy power-pop and this holds it's own against our other guitar players 50 watt amp. I played a Thunderbolt at a shop in Seattle that was priced at $800 and loved the tone, but the price was stupid. Found one on eBay and was the high bidder at about $600 still too much, but if that?s what they are selling for...

These do the rock thing better than any amp I've ever played.

The Thunderbolt is a simple amp with one volume, one tone control and is loud at 25 watts, but not deafening. It sounds unreal with my '64 Fender Jaguar. Nice clear highs, and very chunky low-mids. The 6L6 15? Jensen sound is huge and well defined. No reverb, no tremolo, few fiddly knobs to mess with. Roll the guitar?s volume control down a bit and the tone cleans up nicely. This amp begs to be played dynamically. I recorded with it (http://www.shamusdaily.com/music/) the day after I bought it.

I put fresh Groove Tubes in the day after I got the amp and it has sounded great since.

Customer service? This thing is so simple that any amp tech should be able to work on it.

These kick ass

This is actually the second Supro Thunderbolt I've owned. The current one is a 1964, a year older than the one I bought new in 19 . . .uh, well, never mind. Thunderbolt number one was used exclusively as a bass guitar amp--how it was marketed and sold. In the years since number one went away, I had always wondered how it would have worked as a guitar amp. When I got the chance to snag another one, I did.

Thunderbolt number two has the same features as those listed: single channel, 1x15 Jensen, 2 6L6s, 2 12AX7s, and a 5U4 rectifier, tone and volume knob. I also had this amp recapped and tweaked to break up a bit earlier than stock. Tubes and speaker are all old devils from the 60s. While on the bench, Thunderbolt #2 rocked out at close to 25 watts.

I play blues guitar in the genre of classic Chess recordings from the 50s and 60s, so I do not use pedals or other gizmos. This amp doesn't even have reverb. For what I play, I don't require a lot of versatility and this amp is perfect for me. For small clubs it's plenty loud enough.

Because of it's low wattage, heavy-in-the-mid range speaker, and single tone knob, the chime of a Strat or violin quality of a Les Paul are lost on this amp; but it sounds WAY authentic with a hollowbodied guitar with P90 pickups. Cranked, it gives good authentic distortion--better than any pedal--allowing a guitar to sound like a guitar.

Even without the benefit of a grounding prong, this amp is no noisier than more modern tube amps.

For an idea of how this amp sounds, listen to Hollywood Fats or Kid Ramos.

As one who has experienced the terror of setting up for a gig miles from home, only to discover that my amp isn't working, I don't take chances. With an amp that is now 38 years old, I only gig with it close to home or with a similar (Victoria) amp as backup.

Used sparingly and lovingly for close to four years now, I have not had any trouble with this amp. (See above disclaimer.)

Pretty basic amp, that I assume most repairmen could fix. As a joke, the guy I bought it from included a WAY out-of-date warrenty card (Valco, Chicago).

I have been playing guitar for almost 30 years. In that time it was mostly Fender through Fender. I switched soley to blues just in time to have SRV kill the Strat thing for me. The alternative was a quieter, gentler amp and badassed jazz guitar. My back up amps are both single channel Victorias. Current guitars are a managable compliment of Gibsons and Epiphones.

If the Thunderbolt were stolen, I'd just live with the Victorias. Supros are getting very hard to find.

Even in competition with two very well made "boutique" amps, the Supro never fails to impress me. Amazing what came out of Chicago in the 60s with some wood cabnetry, rolled aluminum, tubes, and a Jensen!
There's a reason there's a dearth of Supro amps for sale--anyone who has one ain't parting with it!

I'm unsure of the date this head was manufactured. I use if for blues rock, and play through a 2 x 10" cabinet with celestion speakers. The head has two inputs, one volume and one tone knob. It also has one speaker output. It has 2-12ax7's as a pre-amp and two 6L6's. I believe it is rated at 40 watts, and it is pure tone when it's turned up all the way. I use it in combination with a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe and both amps run out of my boss effects pedal, (line a and line b).

I play through Stratocaster guitars, one is a 1975 with Seymour Duncan pickups, and my other strats are stock. The tone is unmatched by my Fenders. If you play a Fender without a comparison you may not notice the subtle differences, however if you get an opportunity to compare, there is a real difference in tone. It distorts cleanly and without cracking or sounding like "solid state" distortion. I can control the volume quite easily from my guitar, and if I use my ts808, it overdrives to the point where you recognize the distortion as the real deal. It has been played very little, and is clean and quiet on low volumes, and distorts nicely without compromising sound. When it distorts, you can add volume without any dropping out.

It is fragile, and this particular model needs a cover rack so it doesn't get smashed in transport. I am getting a case made especially for it because I play constantly and don't want to mess it up. It is straight forward wiring, point to point with very little in the way of being complicated, most technicians like this set up. I use it in clubs as well as outside venues with no complaints. Its this tone...

It is my understanding that Matchless bought the rights to Supro, and are not doing much with it. Fortunately I have people who can service it if need be.

I have played for 36 years and have not had the tone monster like this one. I have played in every kind of venue and arrangement that a guitar will fit into, and have not had the tone like this. I would be devastated if something happened to this amp. I don't like the fact that the top of the amp is not covered or protected and can be exposed to damage. I don't move any hot amps and am very protective about this one. I've played through a variety of amps in the past and nothing compares to the tone on this one.

I am not sure what year this amp was made but from what I can find out it is a early 60's amp with one volume and one tone control, a power switch and that does it all on this thing. It is powered by two 12AX7's, Two 6L6's and a Tube Recitifier. There is one input and no loops or any of that other stuff I never use. The speaker is an original gold lable Jensen 15" speaker.
I play Blues Harmonica and have been looking for an amp to give me the tone I have been searching for without spending $2,000 on a custom amp or a 59 bassman and I have found the amp I have been searching for. I pulled the chassy and checked it out and this is a true point to point wired amp with none of the cheap pc boards to make life miserable should anything ever happen to this baby. When I got it it had some old Realistic Brand 6L6's and 12AX7's in it and a bad tone flab I call it when really played hard so I put some new 6L6's and a pair of 12AT7 in it and man did this thing come to life. The 15" speaker made me nevious due to the overwhelming prefrence for 10's by most harp players, but I am in love with this 15" tone I get and can not believe the tightness I get with it. Versitility is a hard thing for me to judge becau8se I do not want an amp to change to so many diffrent sounds to fit any kind of music. I play Blues harp and that is all I want it for so I will give it a 10 on my scale but guitar players may find that they need pedals to get what they want.
I have the amp at the shop to get the original paper wraped caps replaced and boy if the this gets any better sounding or punchier and responsive I think I will start building these things for harp players myself.

I play through an Astatic JT-30 Mic and an old Turner desk mic head and getsome great responce on this amp like never before. This Thunderbolt suits my style and tone perfectly if you could not tell by now. I just got done recording a Blues CD with a buddy of mine and used this Supro and found that the lower volumes were clean and clear but when you turn the volume up past about half way the fat breakup comes at you like a truck without breaks comming down a mountain. Fat and full without loosing the note clairity so common with newer amps.

Well due to the fact that the amp was still cranking with 30 year old caps in it and sence I always have an extra set of tubes with me I will gig with this thing solo unless it lets me down witch I can not see happening. No PC boards to break and no electronics to fry so I will take a chance.

Well they are out of buisness so no comment on this one but my amp tech Mike is first class if that helps.

Concidering I was looking at spending $2000 for an amp before I stumbled on this one, WOW, what a savings and hey it has no controls on top or front of the cabnet so I can put my harp case on it and still have a spot for my beer or Captain Morgans.

If anyone has one of these amps and wants to get rid of it e-mail me.

Mine is a 1964 model. One 15 inch Gold label special design Jensen, two 6L6s, two 12AX7 and a 5U4 rectifier. 2 inputs, on switch and reverse ground on switch. One Tone knob and two volume knobs(mine is special I think). I play blues/rock ala Led Zeppelin, Cream and British blues. I bought this amp because it was Jimmy Pages main studio amp and the secret to his tone.

I use a older Yamaha SBG200 (sg clone) with humbuckers, I use a custom modded telecaster with Fralin pickups. This amp sounds exactly like what it is supposed to sound like (Led Zeppelin), It sounds dead on right one the money Led Zeppelin. This amp was my dream amp that I always dreamed of having I love Jimmy Pages style and sound. Jimmy Page is my guitar hero and my guitar God. The distortion this thing produces is, well go listen to your Led Zeppelin CDs and that is what it sounds like. Deep farty and crunchy and mean very dark sounding like it is the personal amp of Satan himself. I never dreamed a amp could sound so good. I am going to be buried with this amp when I die.

It is solid as a rock and in great condition. Pretty heavy though. I wish I had another one just because.

Supro went out of business in 69 or 68 I think. The matchless guys bought the name but haven't done anything with it! This amp kicks any Matchless amp butt big time. Yes I have played and heard Matchless amps and they are way overpriced and only a idiot would pay that much dough for one.

First I'd like to say it really pisses me off that no one has done a review on this historic amp. Everyone knows from Guitar World 92 that this was one of Jimmi Hendrixs main amps and this is the amp that Jimmy Page used to change the rock world. The amp is the best sounding amp ever for overdrive blues/rock. I played a 59 tremolux the other day and it had a 15 Jensen in it and I'll tell you the Supro wupped it's butt. I've tried everything and teh Thunderbolt still comes out on top for overdriven amp. Nothing else sounds like it. Jimmy Page and Jimmi Hendrix new what they were doin man when they chose this amp. Thank you Supro for giving Jimmy Page the tool he needed to change my life and the rock world for the better.