Talk me in or out of this....

[fldrvr]

if you look at it objectively..
JC40 = more portable, cleaner headroom, lighter weight, same sound at any volume, ability to run a line out at gigs (and sound close to identical through PA speakers), capable with synths and pretty much anything else, no regular maintenance work/cost, true stereo (not counting fx loop), easier and cheaper to replace.

the only arguments here are for investment and your own feelings about the sound of the amp, as well as any sentimental attachment. personally i value practicality and neutral, clean sound imaging above all else so the solid state lyf is the one for me, but some people have reasons for going the less practical route and that's their choice. test it out and decide with your ears, because IMO money isn't the best reason to make these decisions, especially if you end up keeping something that's a hassle to use at home and at gigs etc just because it's rarer/more valuable, or if you sell it to make the extra money but aren't happy with the sound of the amp. then nobody wins.

Very good summation.

[echoraven]

Flip.
I have a Vox VT50 that I like but have no use for. I make a mental note to myself to take it to the garage at least once a month and play it for a bit so it doesn't disturb the fam.

[Psyre]

I'm thinking best answer is both amps, which doesn't help me at all right now. Going to give the Super a super good playing today as I think about it.

[aedes]

Psyre you have an update? I was about to post the very question you asked. I also have a drip edge super reverb with the blackface circuit. But mine sits in a closet while I use a vox pathfinder at practice. I was considering going to a low wattage fender like a princeton or deluxe reverb...but now I'm wondering about the JC route.

[Psyre]

Psyre you have an update? I was about to post the very question you asked. I also have a drip edge super reverb with the blackface circuit. But mine sits in a closet while I use a vox pathfinder at practice. I was considering going to a low wattage fender like a princeton or deluxe reverb...but now I'm wondering about the JC route.

Just saw your post as I came back to update.

I've struggled with the question for about a month and a half now, and I think I'm going post the Super for sale Locally tomorrow at a price I will not feel bad about getting rid of it for.

The Super was the best amp when I thought I would be/was a guitarist in a band. I REALLY don't want to be a "guitarist in a band" anymore. Thus my needs have changed as my approach to music creation and live intent has changed. I don't have the luxury to keep the most valuable piece of gear I own just because it's super sweet.

If it doesn't sell for what I want, it doesn't sell, and I'm alright with that too.

[Swordfishtrombone]

I dunno, if you're all pedals and not rack stuff, Yamaha JX combos are hella cheap and give a great sound on the Fender-to-Jazz Chorus continuum, fantastic at house volume. Not thick on the earth, but they pop up, and my JX-30 was way under a hundred.

The el cheapo solid state amps of the 80's/90's don't get enough love (Yamaha JX & G series, Randall, Peavey, etc.), most were over-built to withstand the test of 30+ years/meteor shower, and were built to compete with the Fender Twin & Roland JC in the first place. I haven't jumped on the new JC40 for that reason - for the price of a new one, you could snag a few or more older amps for equal $, pending a minor touch-up/cleaning of the internals for years of prolonged happiness.

This. If you look around, you can find older JC type amps for dirt cheap, and generally better than the JC too imo. I dunno tho, my biggest problem with JCs that I've had the chance to play was a lack of low end, but I'm into doom, so I dunno how that will apply to you. I'd try to find an old Yamaha or Peavey. To add onto your Yamaha suggestions, the VR ones are fantastic based on the one I own.

Those old amps can be found for under $200 in my experience, so I'd go that route + keep the one you have if you like it.

[Psyre]

After rigorous research and contemplation, it's a little obvious the JC40 probably isn't the best route when I get down to it. It's 40w yes, but split between 2 amps. No speaker out... couldn't be used live, I guess maybe if I depended on the line outs, but I doubt I could run my guitar, keys and a drum machine...

Would be a cool additional amp, but idk about only amp. I really wish it was easier to try before buy.

[rfurtkamp]

I'd call and ask one of the Sweetwater guys - they're generally honest about "will this work" or will find someone there who does know.

[Psyre]

I'd call and ask one of the Sweetwater guys - they're generally honest about "will this work" or will find someone there who does know.

I think you're right, idk why I always assume music sales reps wouldn't know about realistic functionality capabilities. Surely at a place seemingly as technical as sweetwater wants to appear, they'd even maybe be interested in actually finding out if they didn't know.


The poll is getting a lot closer than I thought it would. In the perfect scenario my mind has created, I could ideally sell the Super for enough for a more appropriate amp for my situation, a much needed looper, preferably dittox4 and a much desired rack compressor, like the WA76. Cures my current need list and I avoid a looming maintenance bill. Not to mention I can't even find an amp tech within 4 hours of me currently. Prices on these amps have gone up since I've bought it, surprisingly. Only downside still is that I doubt I will ever find another drip edge super anywhere near as cherry this one is.

[rfurtkamp]

I've gotten spot on tech advice on some very specialized things from them.

It's not GC flunkies, the guys seem to every one love the toys and actually know how to use them in whatever role they do.

My rep actually was able to resolve a long-running hassle for me hardware wise - it wasn't cheap but I was tired of chasing half-fixes and needed to be able to chain a dozen USB devices.

[Psyre]

Well I'm right back on the fence. Idk why, but this has been like the most challenging decision making of all time for me haha. I really want a smaller amp. Even if I do start gigging again, I hate carrying the super around, I also hate how "fragile" it is, the idea of tech expenses. I'm still really wanting the JC40. It's just so sweet on paper, and the demos are all great. I can't find a single shop within 100 miles that has one to try though. Not really able to order it until I sold the Super. Noone is biting locally on the SR at really reasonable prices. People are wanting it for like $500..... I really think $1100-1300 is a fair range, but I'd have to go the ebay/reverb route since Arkansas BLOWS, but then I'm looking at $150+ in shipping, plus the paranoia of shipping it properly.

A day hasn't gone by since starting this thread that I havn't gone back and forth atleast 4 times. It doesn't help that my RCA Blackplates are starting to get a little microphonic, and there is an intermittent noise of a CAP leak or poor power from my shitty apartment. pseudo-power conditioner pretty much rids it, but it's another thing to worry about when taking the amp to unknown environments. Sucks being a poor post-grad that can't keep cool shit around, and it sucks even more living in the least musical state in the nation = no local music sales.

I just can't bring myself to post it in a shipping only scenario, all along it sits unplayed *sigh*

[CyaNitrate]

I feel ya dude. I recapped, blackfaced, and dropped new speakers in my Vibrolux Reverb, and not a single bite locally. Not even a low ball. But I just got new tubes..hoping I fall back in love with it and just keep it until a rad trade comes along.

[rfurtkamp]

Bite the bullet and ship it if you want it gone.

It's that or keep it as furniture.

[rustywire]

60s Supers haven't been $500 at any point (so far) in this century. No way.
Large combo amps are a pain...I say this as someone with a Quad Reverb. But I'm hanging onto it as backup/alternate. For now, anyway.
If I were in your position I would look to go the head+cab route. Bassman or Bandmaster. Or get a head made for the Super and use with a 2x12 cab, smaller style enclosures. I'd personally run the head upside down to vent waste heat away from the amp chassis. FME tube amps suffer far fewer issues when the components aren't radiating at the ceiling of their operating range.
As you know pedals love all of those circuits. So do instruments other than guitar. IMO head+cab is easier to load and transport (get a small portable handtruck for $40). Save your shoulders & back, you can load in 2 trips...or 1 if you use a single guitar in a softcase you can wear like a backpack.

[Psyre]

I think it is time to be willing to ship.

I've had a '68 Bassman and a '72 showman, both paled to the Super so I kept it, but it's all about the damn upkeep and versatility at this point. I love inconvenient equipment, but can only afford to keep so much of it running lol