Talk me out of a Supro 1624T reissue

[FleshOnGear]

So, some positive developments have led to me getting a few more bucks coming in every month. Right now I’m eyeing a Supro Dual Tone 1624T reissue, but I really should hold on to the money for things like emergencies, home maintenance, new furniture, or other boring shit.

Even if I do decide to buy gear, there are other things that are probably better choices, like a Boss TAE (so I can run delays and reverbs *after* the power amp distortion), a Meris LVX delay, or maybe some other stuff I can’t think of right now.

Ultimately, I can afford a monthly payment on something and still have some of this windfall left over. The devil on my left shoulder is telling me I need a Supro for some funky classic rock tones. The angel on my right shoulder is telling me it will be a pain in the ass to hook up my attenuator to a combo amp, and that there’s no way I’ll be able to get “that sound” out of it without attenuation. Basically that it will just sit unplayed. The angel also says I have enough amps.

So, go ahead folks - please, talk me out of it!

 

[fitz]

I need a Supro for some funky classic rock tones.

Resistance is futile.

 

[Dogs of Doom]

No - go buy it now!!!

 

[BlueX]

hold on to the money for things like emergencies, home maintenance, new furniture

It is an emergency, you need the Supro. The Supro is great for home maintenance, and it is a nice piece of furniture.

There, solved your problem.

 

[FleshOnGear]

It is an emergency, you need the Supro. The Supro is great for home maintenance, and it is a nice piece of furniture.

There, solved your problem.

“But honey, it’s for the living room!”

 

[FleshOnGear]

I dunno, guys, GC has the Waza TAE with 48-month financing right now…

 

[solarburn]

Buy both.

 

[jcm800gridlock]

I owned a Supro Dual Tone and also a Supro Black Magick (non-reverb).

I owned the Dual Tone about 5 years ago and just recently sold my Black Magick.

Both amps will do early Zeppelin when cranked. I recall the Dual Tone having slightly more bottom end than the Black Magick, probably due to the slightly deeper cab of the Dual Tone. Still, lack of bass was not a problem with either amp.

Both amps sounded good with an OD pedal. I got great Zeppelin tones out of my Black Magick at any volume running my J-Rockett Dude in front of the amp.

The stock speakers in both amps are really good for the specific amp.

I had to replace a damaged handle and a missing knob on the Black Magick that I purchased used, and Supro Customer Service was excellent. Nothing bad to say about either Supro amp that I’ve owned.

If I had to pick between the two, I’d probably go for the Black Magick (the cab is so cool looking).

These amps can be found for around +/- $800 used.

I only sold my two Supro’s because one was used in a trade for a vintage Fender amp, and the second because I was downsizing my gear. In addition, I have Marshall amps the also do Zeppelin tones well.

I didn’t find a photo of my Dual Tone.

 

[stickyfinger]

Buy a original Model 24

 

[Dogs of Doom]

Buy both.

yep, you need both... ...

 

[FleshOnGear]

Thanks for the detailed write up on the Supros, @jcm800gridlock. If I get one it will be the Dual Tone, based off what I’ve heard on YouTube. My main worry is that I won’t be able to crank it. I mean, I have an attenuator, so it shouldn’t be a big deal, but I worry that it will be a pain to hook up the combo speaker to the Ironman.

Buy a original Model 24

Believe me, I’ve thought about it. I also really want an Ampeg ET-1 or ET-2, but that would require two attenuators because it’s a stereo amp. I suppose I could just play through one side at home. I’ve had the pleasure of playing an original 1624T and an Ampeg ET-1, and they were both religious experiences. The Ampeg was smoother and had the best sounding reverb and trem I’ve ever heard. The Supro had that plucky, percussive attack and harmonic richness. The reissues are priced right, I can only hope they have that sound!

Now I’m really conflicted. There’s an ET-2 (not an ET-2B!) on Reverb right now. But I’d have to drive like 7 hours one way to get it.

 

[Dogs of Doom]

this thread is going to be an expensive one for you... the way you keep talking

 

[Dogs of Doom]

so... here begs the question, what gear do you currently have, as far as guitars & amps & effects?

 

[FleshOnGear]

so... here begs the question, what gear do you currently have, as far as guitars & amps & effects?

Well, I have my Flying V. I have a custom Dunable Asteroid (V shape) coming at some point. I have some broken, unusable guitars that have been neglected for years. I just play my V cuz it’s my favorite. I used to have a Tele that I liked a lot, but I sold it in a time of need. No single-coil guitars, currently.

I have lots of pedals - it may be too much to get into those.

Amp-wise I have a ‘72 1987, a 2555SL, a 5215 MOSFET Reverb, an SV20H, a Traynor YBA-1A, a Peavey Classic 30, a Peavey Bandit, and an Orange OR100 (2013 model, not the vintage Matamp one). I’m looking to sell the SV20H and the Orange.

 

[FleshOnGear]

Man, an original 1624T or Model 24 is really tempting. The idea of owning the real deal rock n roll relic seems nice. At this point in my life, I gotta be honest about the fact that I’ve become more of a collector than a real musician. Sad, but true.

I don’t like the prices I’m seeing right now on Reverb for them, but I have no idea how inflated they are. Is $1999 for a Supro as bad as it sounds?

 

[stickyfinger]

Im not really sure what Model 24s are worth in original condition these days.

Originally everyone thought the Thunderbolt was the Page amp and all of a sudden those became expensive even though they sounded terrible for guitar. Then it was thought the Model 24 was the amp and those prices skyrocketed while all the Thunderbolt prices stayed marked up even though they don't seem to sell. Now it seems to be accurate to believe it was a two toned Coronado as the Page amp and yet again all the Model 24s are still expensive.

Regardless, any of the Model 24's sound really good for guitar even though they really are fairly clean amps.

I bought my Model 24 for 1300Usd about 6-7 years ago. It is mostly original in very good condition. WIth a period correct replacement Jenson c12Q speaker that had the seller not disclosed it was not original I would have not know as it's date is identical to the amp. Handle cracked and a 3 pronged cord installed. Couldn't be happier.

I don't see any thing on Reverb that I would buy. Either the speaker is replaced of the transfomers. The Black one looks good upon a quick glance but me personally I prefer the blue rhyno. The one from Michigan looks good too but some one added handles to the side and and cant see the speaker make/dates. Also, finding a clean non rusted control panel is what Id buy.

I'm not a expert on Supros and have forgotten a lot about them after I purchased mine. Good luck with the search

 

[paul-e-mann]

@FleshOnGear get the Supro and the TAE, its only money! And only one life to live!

 

[FleshOnGear]

Im not really sure what Model 24s are worth in original condition these days.

Originally everyone thought the Thunderbolt was the Page amp and all of a sudden those became expensive even though they sounded terrible for guitar. Then it was thought the Model 24 was the amp and those prices skyrocketed while all the Thunderbolt prices stayed marked up even though they don't seem to sell. Now it seems to be accurate to believe it was a two toned Coronado as the Page amp and yet again all the Model 24s are still expensive.

Regardless, any of the Model 24's sound really good for guitar even though they really are fairly clean amps.

I bought my Model 24 for 1300Usd about 6-7 years ago. It is mostly original in very good condition. WIth a period correct replacement Jenson c12Q speaker that had the seller not disclosed it was not original I would have not know as it's date is identical to the amp. Handle cracked and a 3 pronged cord installed. Couldn't be happier.

I don't see any thing on Reverb that I would buy. Either the speaker is replaced of the transfomers. The Black one looks good upon a quick glance but me personally I prefer the blue rhyno. The one from Michigan looks good too but some one added handles to the side and and cant see the speaker make/dates. Also, finding a clean non rusted control panel is what Id buy.

I'm not a expert on Supros and have forgotten a lot about them after I purchased mine. Good luck with the search

Thanks for the info. The gray one in MI, with the added handles, looks best of the current bunch to me. I noticed it has a C12R, while you mentioned them having C12Q speakers, so I did some google research on that. Most sources appear to say the R was the original speaker. I don’t like that the amp still has its original filter caps, as that means I’d likely need to install new ones very soon. Regardless, $1999 seems like too much.

@FleshOnGear get the Supro and the TAE, its only money! And only one life to live!

Yeah, and the more gear my wife sees me buy, the shorter that life will be! I’m not sure where the tipping point is, lol.

 

[Athana]

I'm lucky my wife encouragees me to play and supports me when I want an instrument. The last was end of October she insisted I go for the guitar when I found a 1972 Byrdland for a good price selling in Philadelphia. She insisted, had me call the guy, drove me down there..guitar was very dirty as guy played it all the time she cleaned and detailed it for me and man I love that thing.
She keeps telling me to get a chair that she'll make some lemonade and get me out in the yard to play while she gardens.
Her brothers played music in Guatemala and she loves it.

 

[Ronquest]

So, go ahead folks - please, talk me out of it!

Supros Suck! There ya go!